Thanks again for the reviews…and for that crappy 8th chapter. =..(

And if you haven't reviewed….*growls*

Crimson Phoenix

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Hermione didn't come for breakfast and Professor McGonagall didn't join the staff table.

"I wonder what they are up to? Did she tell you something Ginny?" asked Ron, between his bites of eggs.

"Ron, you look disgusting. And no, for the 10nth time I do not know where your girlfriend is." said Ginny looking exasperated.

"Wait a minute! You and Hermione are an item?" asked Audrey almost choking on her toast.

"The subject has been discussed, but nothing is official." said Ron a bit too seriously.

"You see Audrey, Ron has, what Hermione likes to call, a 'Commitment Phobia'. He supposedly can't 'settle down'. I think he's just not ready to be 50." said George.

Everyone laughed except for Ron.

"I do not have a phobia. I just, I don't…"

"You don't want to be 50..." said George.

"Right…" This time Ron laughed with the rest of them.

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Harry was standing outside the Great Hall waiting for Audrey.

"Hey, sorry I took so long…Dumbledore wanted to talk to me."

"It's alright. Why don't you call him dad? I mean…he is your dad right?" asked Harry, his hands inside his pockets.

"Yes he is…but I just found out…I don't think we are on the 'Dad' basis yet."

"Ok. Ready to learn that summoning charm?"

"You mean…" Audrey pulled out her wand and said "Accio school books!" and her books were in her hands.

"I guess you know that one…well let's go." Harry felt slumped that his chance to look impressive to her…well…it sort of backfired. He summoned his own books and started walking down to class next to Audrey.

"What do we have first?"

"Um…Charms. It's not that bad…at least it's not divination or potions…" said Harry.

They kept walking silently towards the class. When they got there, they were the only ones there. Everyone else was looking for their school books and such.

Audrey and Harry sat together and saved a seat for Ron and Hermione.

"Audrey?"

"Yeah, Harry?"

"Um, I was wondering, since, err, do you…" Harry looked way too nervous…

"Harry, just say whatever it is you want to say." said Audrey…a little bit of hope started to shine inside her…maybe Hermione was wrong after all…

"Um, do you…I mean are you…Would you like to go to the Halloween Masquerade Dance with me?"

With that the rest of the students were inside the classroom. Ron and Hermione sat next to Harry and Professor Flitwick came in and started the class. Audrey didn't have the chance to answer Harry and she didn't know what the hell was a Masquerade dance…no one had told her and the books never mentioned them. She ripped a piece of parchment, and passed it to Harry…very third grade, she knew that, but…who cares?

Harry got the note and looked at Audrey who smiled and kept taking notes from the class.

Harry exhaled and opened the note….

Of course I'll go with you!

But, what is a Masquerade dance?

Harry held back chuckles and looked at Audrey who was listening to Professor Flitwick, amazed.