A/N: So this is a really short chapter, and I apologise for that. The next chapter is lots of fun…so R/R! please!

Disclaimer: none is mine, just perhaps, the plot. But nothing else.

Chapter Three  ::  A Wonderful Night

After saying goodbye to Professor Flitwick, Hermione and Dumbledore went in search of Harry and Ron.   The boys were altogether playing games of exploding snap.  Harry and Ron's dirty faces revealed the fact that they had been beaten a few times by Fred and George. 

"Harry, Ron…Professor Dumbledore wants to talk to us about something…"

"Okay." the two boys replied in harmony.

"I'll just have to beat you two later…" Ron said to Fred and George.

"Oh! Does ickle Ronniekins think he can beat his champion brothers?" Fred replied teasingly.

Hermione noticed though, that Ron wasn't really little anymore.  He has always been tall, but now he wasn't so scrawny.  He seemed to have developed broader shoulders, a more structured face, and his hair was getting a few blonde highlights…Probably from all the Quidditch playing he does in the sun… thought Hermione.  Harry also had changed.  He did get taller, he was probably about 6'2 now, and he also developed broader shoulders and a more structured face too. Both the boys also had deeper voices. 

"Boy, you guys certainly have changed over the past month… I mean, not that I mind…" Hermione said. She didn't really realize she said it out loud. Her face blushed to the color of Ron's hair. 

"You've changed a bit too, Hermione…" Ron replied.

In reality, Hermione really had been changing. Her hair was finally beginning to settle down, it was no longer bushy.  Her face was more contoured; she didn't have such a childlike face.  Her body was also becoming more womanlike…but she hadn't really noticed until Ron mentioned it.

            Dumbledore finally cleared his throat. Hermione jumped. She forgot that Dumbledore was still there. 

"I'm sorry Professor. What is it that you were going to tell us?"

"Why don't we go into the living room?  I don't' want to be interrupted…"

Dumbledore said this while looking over at Fred and George.  They had both been quiet while Harry, Ron and Hermione were talking to Dumbledore.  Realizing that Dumbledore had caught their curiosity, Fred quickly burst out laughing and went outside.  George followed, laughing along with Fred.  Hermione, Ron and Harry then followed Dumbledore into the living room. 

"Well, what I wanted to tell you is that you are all going to be prefects next year.  All of the professors and I got together at the end of last term and discussed who would be the best role models for our younger students.  You three were obvious choices. 

"But professor," said Harry, "I know I have gotten into plenty of trouble through out the years, so has Ron along with me. Even Hermione! But Hermione's grades make up for her…"

"Ah yes, I thought you would think that. You see, you have only done those things—for the most part—out of care for others.  In you first year, when you got into trouble by helping Hagrid with his dragon, you did it because you knew Hagrid would not be able to handle it alone. You also helped get the dragon out to a safer environment by sending it with Charlie's friends. Now, of course, I was disappointed that you didn't come to me when you were in trouble, that would have saved a lot of points of Gryffindor's wouldn't it?"

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat guiltily in their seats. 

"BUT! Don't worry! You have proven yourselves to be excellent students many times. Such as when you saved Ginny in your second year, when you stopped Voldemort from getting the Sorcerer's Stone in your first year…You have all done many good things, and your grades are quite good, even though you may not agree with me.  That is why the Hogwarts professors and I believe that you three, along with 15 other students from different houses, will make excellent prefects."

"I bet Professor Snape didn't think the same…"

"Ah, Professor Snape got his side of the 'bargain' because we are also allowing one of your fellow classmates, Mister Draco Malfoy, to be a prefect.  And I ask that you do not try to see how many points you can take away from each other, just to make the other person mad.  It could lead up to the resign of your prefect status."

Ron looked horrified by the thought that he couldn't punish Malfoy without a reason. He thought that just being Malfoy was good enough for punishment.

            Later that night, long after everyone else was asleep; Hermione, Ron and

Harry were awake talking in the living room.  The fire had only a few embers left glowing in it, and it was barely illuminating each of their faces. 

"Boys, you do know this means we can't go getting into trouble anymore.  Our punishments would be twice as sever if someone caught us…and think of the image it would five to the younger students…"

"Hermione, we don't try to get into trouble…" said Harry.

"Trouble always seems to find us," Ron replied, "and anyway, you aren't really in trouble until you are caught…" He smiled devilishly.

"Ron! I'm trying to be serious!" yelled Hermione.

"Alright, alright. I was only joking.  I think you are a little too tired."

Harry glanced at his watch.

"Man, time really flies when you are arguing with Hermione… it's already one thirty." Harry grinned at Hermione.

"Well, I am pretty tired. And you are right, Ron…" Hermione replied.

Ron practically fell out of his chair.

"Harry! Write this down! I, Ron Weasley, was right (Hermione was wrong…make sure to get that in there…)"

"I never said I was wrong!"

Ron acted like he didn't hear her, "…On July 24th at one thirty…two a.m. Did you write all that down Harry?"

"Nope. You didn't give me any paper."

"Ha ha ha," Hermione said sarcastically. "Now, come on, let's go to bed."

            As they walked up to their rooms, Hermione couldn't help but feel happy.  True, Ron and Harry loved to tease her, but she knew they were only joking…And if they weren't, they know I could hex them pretty bad…But they are some of the only true friends I have ever had. I don't know what I would do without them…

"Hey, Hermione! Do you happen to have a hidden, open field somewhere around here…somewhere that would be suitable for a lovely Quidditch game?" Ron asked ever so nicely.

"Actually, I knew you would ask that, and I was able to find good sized clearing in the woods behind my house.  Do you mind if I play with you guys tomorrow?"

Ron looked as if all his dreams had come true.

"WHAT A WONDERFUL NIGHT! Not only did you admit that I was right…"

"I never said I was wrong…"

"…But you also want to play Quidditch! I couldn't be happier!"

"He means yes, Hermione. I would love to see you play also." said Harry.

"Thanks, Harry. See you in the morning!"

As Hermione went to bed, she couldn't stop smiling.

R/R please! Thanks so much! I would love to hear what everyone thinks…and if it really stinks, feel free to say so.