Chapter Six: The Battle of the Best

"ARE YOU INSANE?" Cried Ron.

"No," Harry said. "It seems like the only logical thing to do."

"I agree with Harry," Hermione said firmly. "It is a very logical thing to do. You even said that your father couldn't die, so we're going to go find him."

"Yeah, but US? We're three fifteen-year-olds who don't know that much about magic and about You-Know-Who," Ron said. 

"Ron, do you REALLY think your mum is going to let us go? Yeah, I can picture you now—'Mum, could we go to Godrics Hollow for a few days? We're just doing Dad a favour.'" Harry said very sarcastically.

"The less people that know about this, the better," said Hermione.

"Fine. FINE! You guys are right, as usual." Ron heaved a sigh. "We better start planning right away."

"Let's do it tonight," Harry said in a final sort of way, and they all went down to dinner.

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"Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Weasley. It was great," Harry said, heaving a sigh as he trudged up the winding staircase.

"We're all going to be early, Mum," Ron said, looking tired. "We're really tired."

"Ok, do as you wish," Mrs. Weasley said, washing the dishes with magic. "I believe Percy is already asleep, so tiptoe up there, boys." Hermione was sleeping in Ginny's room, just on the second landing.

"See you," said Hermione when she reached the second landing. "Midnight, right?"

"Yeah," Ron said, grinning at Hermione. Hermione, however, grinned widely at Harry and said, "Good night." 

Ron stood there dumbstruck after Hermione had closed the door.  "Harry," Ron finally said, "I don't really think Hermione likes me. I think she's after you."  Ron looked ready to cry.

"I-I don't know, Ron," Harry said, but was sure Ron was right.  

"Do you really like Ginny?" Ron said in an acidy tone.

"Well, she's okay. Why?" Harry said shakily.

"I knew it! You guys set this up to make me look stupid!" Ron snarled.

"QUIET!" Hissed Mrs. Weasley from the kitchen. "Percy's sleeping!"

"Wh-what are you talking about, Ron?" Harry asked, not knowing at all what Ron was doing.

"You guys made it look like Hermione liked me! But she really likes you!" Ron was furious.

"You're wrong, Ron," Harry said angrily. "She doesn't like me."

Ron didn't say another word to Harry as he stormed upstairs.