A/n: Hi again everybody! Like I said, in this chapter the gang goes back to Hogwarts. But first: a little trip to Diagon Alley. Anyway, I just want to say that this chapter is dedicated to Adnap Nottap (aka Addy) because she is one of my faithful reviewers and will not be here to review this chapter. I'll miss you :::sniff::: lol… Anyway, after this chapter things start getting good. Let's just say that the aforementioned "drastic step" will take place in another 5 chapters or so…speaking of 5, wow! I can't believe this is really Chapter 5! You guys rock, you really do, no matter if you just read my story now or if you read it from the beginning! Thanx, and I love ya! :::winks::: Now, on with the fic!

Disclaimer: Do you know what I would give to own these characters? I would give two years worth of my chocolate cravings, which is a big sacrifice for me…hehe…

Chapter 5: Of Letters, Dares, and One Annoying Jerk

By the next week, that feeling had been driven away from Hermione's mind. Maybe it was because she had scolded herself for fussing over an insignificant gut feeling or maybe it was because by now it was time to go to Diagon Alley to buy everyone's school things. Professor McGonagall had informed them in the annual letter that Professor Lupin would again be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Dumbledore had assured everyone that it would be perfectly safe for him to teach at Hogwarts. However, Hermione had a strong suspicion that it was an advantage as to keeping Harry safe. Care of Magical Creatures had been canceled as of now due to Hagrid's absence. Because of this, all students taking Care of would need to elect a new class and send an owl before term started the next week. When they read this, Ron and Harry groaned. It had been difficult enough in second year when they were apathetic about which class to take, but now they had to choose carefully since this was the year they were taking the O.W.L's. Hermione, on the other hand, had brightened up and squealed, saying now she could take Muggle Studies again. Ron looked like he could puke a flobberworm.

"Muggle Studies is stupid, Hermione! Why would you ever need to know about stuff like a fellytone?" Ron obviously hadn't forgotten the incident with Uncle Vernon the summer before third year. Harry bit his lip, trying hard not to laugh. Ginny looked at him curiously. Shaking her head in confusion, she said, "Well, Arithmancy doesn't seem too bad." Ron made a faint gagging noise. Hermione glared at him but said, "It's rather delightful, actually." Ron looked like he was about to have a seizure.

"Ron, let's just take that and be done with it," Harry said quickly so Hermione wouldn't see Ron. He looked about ready to kill Harry but reluctantly nodded.

"Well, I'm glad you two chose such a great class!" Hermione said, beaming at them. She quickly wrote their reply on a piece of parchment. "Harry, I'll have to borrow Hedwig. Pig is…um, out," Hermione suddenly remembered Ron's mysterious letter and lowered her head so they wouldn't see tears forming behind her eyes. It hurt her that Ron was somehow holding back from telling her and even Harry something. Ginny coughed nervously, which made Hermione think that she probably knew too. Ron looked at Hermione and asked, "How—how do you know Pig's out?" Hermione tried to prevent her voice from quivering when she replied. "Um, I just…I saw his empty cage so…" her voice trailed off as she bit her lip. Ron looked relieved. Ginny sighed and looked at Ron as if saying, "Why the hell don't you say it?" Ron avoided her gaze. There was an awkward silence that was thankfully broken by—

"Okay! Why don't we head down to Diagon Alley today? We need to get you your school stuff," Mrs. Weasley said gleefully. Ron still looked disgruntled by their new Arithmancy class.

"Oh no!" they heard Hermione sigh. She was chewing on her bottom lip madly and her eyes were downcast.

"What?" said Ron, alarmed.

Hermione held up a piece of parchment. Ginny took it and read it first. Then, looking crestfallen, she passed it to Ron who shared it with Harry.

Dear Miss Granger,

It is with disappointment that I inform you of our 5th year Gryffindor prefects. Our new prefects are Seamus Finnigan and Parvarti Patil. Due to reasons beyond our control, you were not chosen as prefect. You were first selection, but unfortunately it cannot be arranged. We hope to see you at start of term.

Yours sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry felt a twinge of guilt. She wasn't a prefect, something that she wanted desperately, because of him. Ron looked outraged. "'Reasons beyond our control' my arse! What in Merlin's beard has gotten into those bloody idiots?!" he bellowed. Hermione was still busy with her lower lip. Ron threw his chair back, flinged his arms around her and let her sob into his shoulder. Rubbing her back, he said, "Don't think less of yourself. You deserve that title more than Parvarti any day." Hermione pulled back and wiped her eyes. She looked around at everyone and said in a shaky voice, "Thank you." When Ron had gone back to his seat, Mrs. Weasley hugged her tight. Hermione hugged her back and then pulled away, calmed a bit now.

"Well, let's put this behind us for now. Why don't we just finish breakfast and head to Diagon Alley?" Mrs. Weasley said somberly. Everyone had forgotten about breakfast when the letters arrived. Now they each turned to their bacon and eggs and ate silently.

"Diagon Alley!" Fred and George said together into the green flames that licked at their identical bodies. A moment later they had vanished from the Burrow. Hedwig had been sent on her way with the replies. Now they were all heading to Diagon Alley. While everyone waited, Ron and Hermione started bickering (surprise, surprise).

"Ron, where is Pig anyway?" Hermione asked, looking up from Hogwarts, A History.

"Somewhere," said Ron. "Why do you care? Why would I care, for that matter?"

"It was just a question, Ron. Besides, of course you should care because you sent a message to someone with him. Who did you write to?" Hermione said, strictness detectable in her voice. "Just tell me!"

"Make me," said Ron, sneering at her, just as Harry and Ginny disappeared to Diagon Alley.

"Is it that important that you can't tell your best friends?" Hermione retorted.

"You two," Mrs. Weasley said, staring at them. "Let's go."

Glaring daggers at each other, Ron and Hermione headed for the fireplace. Stepping into the flames, they chorused, "Diagon Alley!" They were out of sight faster than a blink of an eye.

Flying through the dark fireplaces, Ron and Hermione were thrown together. Facing each other, they were half an inch apart. "Ow!" Hermione's leg hit something hard and she fell forward. Ron held her, feeling her hands on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" he screamed (it was necessary so she would hear him). "Yeah," she shrieked back. They were so close they could feel each other breathing. Somehow, they kept coming closer…and closer…

…and came flying out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron. As she stood up and brushed soot off herself, Hermione's eyes were wide. Good lord! What just happened or…almost happened? Shaking her head, she looked up at her friends and smiled innocently. Ron, however, was fretting about, red as a cherry. "Where's mum? We gotta go…now, er, hurry, oh." Fred and George sniggered at his babbling. "What happened Ronnie—" Ginny shoved Fred sharply in the ribs to shut him up. "Okay," Fred managed to say breathlessly.

The next moment, Mrs. Weasley came soaring out of the same fireplace. "Well, let's go!" she said, scraping ash off herself. She walked out of the pub towards the secret entrance to Diagon Alley, waving at Tom. Her children, Harry, and Hermione followed her out.

Tapping the proper bricks lightly with her wand, Mrs. Weasley revealed the opening to Diagon Alley. After everyone had stepped through, the giant hole began to shift back into bricks.

Mrs. Weasley handed a minute pouch to Ron. "Don't waste your money on worthless rubbish!" she warned. Ron nodded and started walking away. Harry and Hermione smiled vaguely then followed Ron inside Flourish and Blotts. Ron was frantically running around the store, staying away from Hermione. She narrowed her eyes. "Ron!" she practically had to scream, he was so far away. "Wait for us!" Ron took out one book after another, then threw it in another side of the bookshelf. Hermione ran over and stood in front of him just as he was about to thrust another thick book in the shelf.

"Honestly, was has gotten into you lately?" she asked blinking rapidly. He didn't look at her. She took the book from his hand and put it back into the shelf, then waving her hand carelessly over the next shelf, she extracted another book. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 5) by Miranda Goshawk. "Here," she said, shoving it into his chest. "I bought mine earlier so I could have a head start." Still not looking at her, he took the book and nodded. "All right," Hermione said businesslike. "Let's go find our other books." She fished out her list and stalked away from him. Staring at her, he followed.

An hour later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in Fortecue's Ice Cream Parlor, Harry's treat (he had gotten too much money last time at Gringotts so he didn't need to go this time). Hermione was eating a Strawberry/Banana Delight; Ron licked a Chocolate Chunk Funk; Harry ate a one scoop Vanilla Veela Special (Hermione was eyeing him crossly just because of the name of his ice cream). Fred and George walked by and saw them sitting there.

"'Lo, all!" said Fred. George eyed Ron's three-scoop ice cream and glanced at Fred, who nodded. "Oh, no, Ronnie!" George wailed. "You see, no?" said Fred in an Italian accent. "The ice cream, it's fallin' down! Mama mia, we must fix this, George!" George, now with a Jamaican accent, nodded and said, "Ya, mon! That we must do!" He stuck his tongue out and took a huge lick of Ron's ice cream. Ron opened his mouth, scandalized. From his right side, Fred swooped down and did the same. Ron glared from one to the other and mouthed some foul words. The twins laughed and wiped their mouths with the backs of their hands. "See all of you later!" they said.

A muscle was going off in Ron's cheek as he held his twin-licked cone of Chocolate Chunk Funk. "Oh, come off it, Ron, their your brothers!" Hermione said, chuckling a little. "Ha, you see if you would like it if your brothers—wait; you don't have any brothers," said Ron, more to himself than to Hermione. Harry sniggered and Ron glared at him. "Sorry, mate, but that was pretty funny!" said Harry. Ron looked ready to neuter someone for a moment but then started laughing his red-haired head off. As the sun set, the three inseparable friends laughed and panted while trying to finish their ice cream, all Floo incidents forgotten.

**********************************************************************

She held his hand tightly, assuring him she would always be there. He led her into the deep garden, bright with fairy lights, touched with the fragrance of roses. Sitting next to a splashing dolphin, bathing in its lasting beauty, he looked into the pools of brown that were her eyes.

"I love you," he murmured. She smiled preciously and slowly faded. Light invaded his vision and he lifted his hand to shield his eyes.

"'The hell?" Ron grumbled. He felt a soft face against his and he smiled. "He-" he started but realized he was talking to…a teddy bear??

"What's that now, Ronnie?" an all too familiar voice persisted. Ron grabbed the teddy bear. "Ginny's Mr. Cuddles?! Are you two ever tired of bloody chasing me?!" he growled at his older brothers who sat on his bed wearing would-be innocent faces. "What time is it?" Ron glanced at his Cannon's clock. 5:35. He groaned, then remembered what day it was. "Hogwarts!" he exclaimed. He jumped out of bed, shoved Fred and George out of his room, and changed.

As he came down the stairs, smoothing his hair, someone rushing at him almost made him lose his balance. When he noticed a flurry of bushy brown hair, he knew who it was.

"Ron!" Hermione said, fully awake, which was nothing like he felt. "Perfect timing!" She grabbed his elbow and dragged him down the stairs and out the kitchen door. Smiling, she gestured to the sky.

"Whassa matter?" Ron asked groggily.

"Oh, well, I wanted a picture with you and Harry. The sky is magnificent, exactly the way I wanted it!"

Rubbing his eyes, Ron took a more detailed look. One or two navy clouds floated overhead. Behind them stood a mix of blue, purple and pink with a tinge of gold towards the horizon. Three stars in a row glint from afar. "Wow," Ron breathed. "It is beautiful."

Hermione nodded fervently. "Okay, come on!" She ran towards a large tree directly under the stars. Ron followed, although with his long legs he didn't have to run to catch up. Hermione stopped and pointed to a white gazebo Ron had never seen before. "When I told her what I wanted, your mum magicked this gazebo here!" she explained. Entwined throughout the gazebo were vines, some blooming with bright blue carnations.

"Mrs. Weasley!" Hermione called. Ron's mum came hurrying towards them from where she had been watering her plants with her wand (hey, she could make water come out of it!). Around her neck was a jet-black camera much like Colin Creevey's. Ron stared at her with a sleepy expression on his face. "'Lo mum," he greeted. She noticed his woozy state and lifted her wand. "Seashio!" she said. Water shot out and hit Ron between the eyes. "EEK!" he shrieked and threw up his hands to block the water. "Finite!" Mrs. Weasley said and the water ceased. Fully awake now, Ron prodded his ear with his pinky to drain the water.

"What's this all about?" he asked. Hermione grinned and wrinkled her nose at him playfully. "You'll find out…now come on, we have to leave for school soon!" She pushed him toward the gazebo. He leaned against it and opened his mouth but Hermione clapped her hand over it. He glared at her. Again, she flashed him a broad grin and removed her hand. "Just smile and we'll be done." With this said, she leaned against the same side of the gazebo…about a foot from Ron.

"Oh, come on! Give her a little hug, Ron!" Mrs. Weasley urged. Blushing, Ron inched towards her. When he was next to her, a little ways behind her, he lifted his arm and hugged her to him. She leaned back, her face flushed. She lifted her eyes to look at Mrs. Weasley and smiled. Ron grinned his charming smile and looked straight at the camera in his mum's hands. Flash! Hermione squealed and said, "Thanks, Ron, this is especially for you!" She stood on tiptoe and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Then she ran back to the house.

"Nice of her, isn't it?" Mrs. Weasley said with a glimmer in her eyes.

Ron nodded, absentmindedly touching his cheek.

An hour and 30 minutes later Fred, George, Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Hermione pilled in the car behind Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. All the trunks were in the back and Hedwig sat in the back seat next to Pig, looking annoyed about her seating arrangement.

When they arrived at King's Cross Station, everyone found a cart and carried their trunks toward Platforms 9 and 10. Standing in front of where Platform 9 ¾ should be, Fred and George joked, "See you on the other side!" They ran towards the barrier, sniggering, and then they disappeared.

"You go after Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley told her husband as she walked towards the platform with Ginny. A moment later they had vanished.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked briskly toward the wall. As they came closer, they broke into a run. They closed their eyes and when they opened them again, they were standing among a cluster of people saying good-byes and carrying their trunks inside the scarlet train that was the Hogwarts Express.

"Well, come on!" Arthur Weasley appeared behind them. Ginny stood with Mrs. Weasley and the twins by the middle of the train. Mrs. Weasley bent down and kissed her daughter on the forehead. She hugged Fred and George, then scolded them, obviously on reeking any havoc on their last year. They looked at each other and grinned mischievously.

As the others joined them, Mrs. Weasley ushered Fred, George, and Ginny into the train. Then she and Mr. Weasley turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, very severe looks on their faces. Harry gulped. Ron avoided his mum's eyes. Hermione bit her lip.

"Promise us that you'll be careful," Mrs. Weasley murmured, her eyes brimming with tears. The teenagers nodded. "You kids know perfectly well what's going on. And you know that, unfortunately, you are in the middle of it all," Mr. Weasley pointed out. Again, they nodded. Mrs. Weasley pulled all three of them into a tight hug. With tears flowing down her cheeks, she said, "You're so brave…(sniff) remember that you always have each other." With that, she pulled away. Mr. Weasley rubbed her back soothingly.

A shrill whistle in the distance told them it was time to leave. Hermione rubbed her forehead. Ron cleared his throat nervously. Harry told them, "Okay guys, time to go." His friends nodded and followed him inside the train, waving lifelessly at Ron's parents.

Within the train, noise and laughter reached their ears. Compartments were bustling with activity. Their enthusiasm dampened, they found an empty compartment, went inside, and closed the door. They sat there in a rare uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. The train began to move, slowly then faster and faster.

"Let's play Truth or Dare," Harry said, surprised at his own suggestion. Hermione blushed.

"Oh, Truth or Dare!" Ron said airily. Harry nodded. Ron continued. "Yeaaah! Truth or Dare! Yeah! That's great, Truth or Dare! What the bloody hell is Truth or Dare?!"

"Muggle game." As Harry explained, Ron grew interested. "Okay," he declared when Harry had finished. "Let's play. Harry, do the honors of going first."

Harry stared blankly ahead as he thought. Finally he said, "All right. Ron; Truth or Dare?"

"Dare," Ron said immediately in a would-be brave voice.

"I dare you to…stay in this compartment for the whole train ride!"

Ron and Hermione snorted. "Is that the best you can do, Potter? Piece of cake!" Ron said confidently. "Anyway, it's my turn. Hermione, Truth or Dare?"

Hermione bit her lip. "Oh, what's there to lose? Dare."

Ron smirked. "I dare you to say a swear word. Ha! You can't back down now!"

Hermione sneered at him. She looked around frantically. "Oh, all right," she murmured, afraid anyone would hear. "Damn you, Ron." Harry sniggered. Ron looked at her in admiration. "Well done, Herm!" Hermione wrinkled her nose. "My name is Hermione and that's what you will call me, thank you very much!" Harry sniggered even more at Hermione's indignant face.

Ron opened his mouth to reply but wasn't able to, considering at that moment the compartment door slid open. There, standing between his two thuggish mountain-like cronies, stood Draco Malfoy, wearing his usual unwelcome smirk. "Well, well, well; if it isn't the celebrity, the know-it-all, and their pathetic sidekick. What a pleasure it is," he said in his annoying drawling voice.

"That's not exactly how we feel," Ron growled.

"To what do we owe this nightmare, you jerk?" Hermione said, glaring at him.

"Granger, you still need some lessons on wit, don't you, you little mudblood?" Malfoy's smirk widened.

"You damn bastard!" Ron bellowed. He balled his hand into a fist but was unable to do anything because Hermione stepped in front of him.

"Go ruin someone else's day, you…" she went scarlet, "asshole!" And she pushed him out the door, Crabbe and Goyle following stupidly.

Ron was grinning at her. "That was amazing!" He hugged her briefly, making her look like a very ripe strawberry, then sat back down. "Let's play something else," he suggested.

"I'm sorry, but I have books to read," Hermione said, withdrawing What the Stars Say, a book requested for Astronomy. Ron looked sickened. However, while Hermione curled up with her book, he and Harry bought 10 packs of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts. They shared with Hermione ("I'll just have one of each. I know how much you love this") and, well, pigged out.

When they were down to the last Chocolate Frog, Ron looked pleadingly at Harry. He nodded and said, "Go ahead, mate!" Ron bit into the Chocolate Frog just as the compartment door slid open for the second time. This time, though, it was someone more appreciated.

"Anyone up for a game of Exploding Snap? We're gonna play with Lee Jordan in our compartment," Fred asked. George stood next to him, grinning.

"Sure!" Harry and Ron (who had his mouth full) chorused. Then Harry turned to Ron. "Sorry pal, but I dared you to stay here and, like you said, you can't back down." Fred and George looked puzzled but just shrugged. "We'll play here, then," they said.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no," Hermione said quickly, tutting. "I'm reading, if you don't mind." Ron leered at her ruefully. He threw his Chocolate Frog aside, set his arms across his chest and said, "Fine. You can just go, Harry." Harry hesitated for a second, then left with the twins.

For a while there was only the sound of the train moving on the tracks. Hermione did not look up from her book. Ron glanced up at her. She looked really cute when she was reading. Her face had a look of intense concentration but at the same time an extremely content smile. She blinked and looked up, right into his sapphire eyes. She smirked playfully. "You must think I'm mad, reading for fun." Ron shook his head. "That's not exactly what I was thinking." He grinned to himself. Hermione shut her book and said curiously, "Well, what were you thinking?"

Instead of answering, Ron grabbed her book and stood up, raising it over his head with his long arms. Hermione jumped up and down in front of him, trying to clutch her book. Ron sniggered as she giggled in outrage, strange as that may be. Hermione stopped jumping all of a sudden. Stretching her arms, she reached up to Ron's neck. Spreading her fingers over his neck, she started to tickle him. Ron dropped the book automatically and plopped down on the train seat. Hermione landed on top of him, sitting on his lap. She kept tickling his neck. Ron tried to get her hands off but she kept going strong. He was grinning and laughing, his guffaws blending in with her uncontrollable giggles. Finally she stopped and leaned on him, resting her head on his chest. He dropped his hands to his sides and tried to catch his breath. Both were panting and occasionally chuckling.

The compartment door slid open and Harry walked in followed by the twins.

"What in tarnation is…ooh…" Fred and George sniggered. Hermione jumped off Ron. "Er…you see, he took my book…" she started.

"Uh-huh," Fred and George winked and raised their eyebrows. Hermione and Ron looked desperate. Luckily—

"We are nearing Hogwarts now. Please gather your belongings and prepare to exit." The announcement came as a relief to them. They pushed the twins out and slammed the compartment door. Harry raised one eyebrow and muttered, "I'm not even gonna ask."

A few minutes later they were standing outside amongst older students and terrified first years. Searching for the familiar greeting, they were disappointed to find Professor McGonagall leading the first years away. "Wonder where Hagrid is now…" Harry's voice trailed off. "We're sure to miss him this year," Hermione said, her nose red as a cherry.

Walking to the invisible-horses carriages, they met up with Ginny, who asked if she could join them in their carriage. They climbed inside where it was warm and safe. Ginny sat next to Harry in front of Ron and Hermione. As they bumped along, Hermione gazed up at the castle she had grown to call home. The windows of the school shimmered against the dark sky.

"What are you thinking about?" Ron whispered to her. She turned to see him close to her ear, looking at her expectantly.

"Just wondering what kind of things might happen this year," she replied. Ron looked at her inquisitively and murmured, "I have a feeling some really good things are in store for us…er, you, me, Harry." She smiled and said, "That's 'Harry, you, and me.' But yeah; I think this year will be most peculiar." Together, they gaped at Hogwarts, magical and wonderful, holding surprises that no one, not even Professor Trelawney, could predict.

************************************************************************

A/n: Okay, I think I did better than last time…the chapters have certainly gotten longer! Oh, I can't wait to let you all know what really happens; it makes me anxious to know the plot and want to tell others, but no. We must move at a steady pase. Bear with me, everyone. Phew, I'm tired, but here are my comments to all of you!

Adnap Nottap- Kat, all your reviews make me feel so darn special! Anyway, I will miss your review for this chapter but I know you would do anything to read it, you are such a great friend! And like I told you, no, Ron wasn't writing to Vicky…you'll find out soon enough who he was writing to!

ltnikki- Oh good lord, I hope you are kidding…hehe…

anonymous- I am soo sorry I didn't comment on your reviews before…you keep reviewing for all my chapters :::winks::: aw shucks, you compliment me on staying in character and this being one of the best R/Hr stories you've read and now, the cliffhangers. God, it hurts me to leave cliffhangers 'cause I know what's gonna happen, like I said. I hope you will still read my story and not feel bad that I didn't comment to you before…sorry!

Len- This is one of those times when I have to clap my hand over my mouth so I won't spill the beans. Glad you liked my flirting…it is Ron and Hermione so it shouldn't be too hard huh?

LiLDoodle- Thanks for your compliments! I started reading your story but I had to write this chapter. I promise that I will read it though!

TK's Angel- That's great! You know, Ron/Hermione flirting wouldn't be the same without the twins bugging them! I hope your eyes were glued to this chapter…hehe…

Ali Simmons- Ha, me too! I was like, well, they're gonna flirt in this chapter so haaave mercy! Oh, I really hope this chapter was good too!

Ketchum- Cool, I got a couple of new reviewers, including you. Well, I won't spoil your fun by revealing who he was writing to but I will tell you that you will be very surprised…

Thanx again, all of you! Your reviews make me smile…:::wipes tears again::: they're just magical!

Awaiting reviews,

R/Hr Fan