Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Warner Brothers bought me out.
Harry was glad to have finally made up with Ron, but now the two had a problem with Hermione. Both walked on eggshells around her, not sure how to broach the subject of the dance.
Hermione showed up again and stared down at the pair playing chess in the corner of the commons.
"Need something, Hermione?" Harry asked, craning his head up.
"Yes," she replied curtly. "We're having an S.P.E.W. meeting now." Harry and Ron looked at each other, but neither had the heart to disagree, especially after what happened on Christmas.
"Well?" Hermione asked, and Harry looked up at her. He could swear there was a faint trace of a smug smile on her face. She knows we can't very well disagree with her Harry thought.
"Fine," Harry sighed, wondering how many S.P.E.W. meetings he'd have to go to before he wouldn't feel guilty. Ron and Harry followed the bushy haired Gryffindor to the same classroom as before, only when the door was thrown open, Harry and Ron saw it was already occupied.
"Dobby," greeted Harry, mixed with cheer and anxiety. It didn't bode well to have Hermione and Dobby in the same room when the former was on an S.P.E.W. rampage.
"Harry Potter," squeaked Dobby enthusiastically. "Harry Potter comes to visit Dobby and he brings his Weezey, too!"
"Hi, Dobby," Ron said somewhat softly, obviously seeing the same danger as Harry.
"Dobby, what are you doing?" Harry asked.
"Dobby is just cleanings up, sirs." The house-elf finished up quickly, moving almost too rapidly to see, and then disappeared, obviously moving back to the kitchens or the next room to clean.
"Are we going to start?" Harry asked, not because he was anxious for the meeting to begin, but because of the odd look on Hermione's face.
"Of course." Yet as Hermione said this, she was still staring ponderously at the spot where Dobby had just left from. "I did some research in the library, and found some interesting information.
Ron groaned; Hermione ignored him and continued, "Apparently the elves used to be a regal people, but decayed into the state they're in now."
"What?" Harry asked, "So they had some sort of curse placed on them?"
"I don't think so," Hermione slowly replied. "It was some sort of aftermath from the Shadow War, but I didn't see anything that pointed to a curse."
"Shadow War?" Ron sat up, intrigued.
"So, the elves did this to themselves?" Harry asked.
"I don't know," Hermione replied. "All this happened so long ago, there's not really a complete picture of what happened."
"Well, then tell us what you know," Ron said.
Hermione shifted in her seat and closed her eyes, recalling everything she could remember. "Elves used to be respected by men – they even had their own government. But there came this danger – I don't know what exactly – but an immense war was fought. It was called the Shadow War, so it was probably some sort of battle against evil. Anyway, it was at the very closing of the war that something happened at the Elves' council. For some reason, the council disbanded itself, throwing the entire elven race into chaos."
"What?" Harry asked. "If the elves were so noble," he argued, "surely they'd be able to reform a new government."
"I think it had to do with the council itself," Hermione guessed. "They were the most respected of the entire race. Something happened there that went beyond simple disbandment."
"Well, what?" Ron asked.
"I don't know, Ron," Hermione answered. "This happened over 10,000 years ago – there aren't many records of that era that have survived!"
"But, isn't this bad?" Harry asked. "I mean, if some outside force made the house-elves who they are today, we could just have them rally against it. But if they did it to themselves, what are we supposed to do?"
"I need to find out specifically what happened at that council," Hermione decided. Ron groaned softly as Hermione finished, "I'll be at the library."
"She needs to get a life," Ron muttered after Hermione had left the room, causing Harry to burst into laughter.
"No argument here," Harry replied.
"At least she's not bugging me about the 150 points anymore," Ron said as they started walking back to the commons.
"150 points?" Harry said, and then realized what he was referring to. "150 points…" Harry repeated, only this time with a trace of a smile.
"What – do you know anything about it?" Ron asked.
Harry thought for a minute, finally saying, "There was a Gryffindor who turned in a massive amount of homework they did over the summer – they even made a 20 roll report on truth potions. But I can't tell you who it was."
"Well, I should think it's pretty obvious!"
Harry bit his lip, wondering what his friend would think of him doing that much schoolwork. Ron continued, "I think we should throw her a party – that's a lot of points Hermione earned us!"
Harry nearly burst out laughing. "I don't think it was Hermione. After all, she was the one who really wanted to know who did it."
"She probably just wanted to be noticed. I'd hate to spend hours working on some 20 roll report for the greasy potions grinch and get no credit" Ron brushed away. "We should probabl… wait! That's what that stack of parchment was at the start of last term!"
Harry looked at Ron again, sure the red-head would figure out what was going on. "You know, I bet it was Neville," Ron said sagely. "His grandmother is always telling him to do that type of thing."
Harry figured it was about time to draw Ron's attention elsewhere, and said, "Ron, about the dance…"
"No, Harry," Ron quickly said. "No need to talk about that. Everything's settled."
"Not that," Harry laughed. "No, I was just thinking how ridiculous it was, getting all worked up about it."
"You've got that right," Ron chimed back.
"It's stupid – it was just a dance. Tell you what – I'm going to try to redeem myself." Harry noticed the confused look on Ron's face and continued, "I think I'm going to go out on a date this Friday."
"What?" asked Ron. "With who? And doing what?"
"I don't know," smiled Harry. "But nothing serious. Maybe a movie and butterbeers afterwards. You could ask someone, too."
"Come on, Harry," Ron sighed. "Hermione's not going to want to go out with me now."
"Then don't ask her," Harry said, stating the obvious. "Don't tell me you never even considered asking anyone else."
Ron opened and shut his mouth – clearly the thought hadn't occurred to him, but he was now mulling it over. "You're right. You know, I think Parvati might go with me… and you could ask Padma!"
At this, Harry had to laugh. "That's an awful lot like the Yule Ball last year. Besides, I think Padma's going out with Terry Boot. I could ask Lavender instead."
"I don't know," Ron joked. "Do you think Lavender would possibly agree to go with you?"
"Oh, very funny Ron"
"Ooh Harry," Ron moaned in a bad imitation of Brown. "Ooh, ooh. I want you!"
"Shut up," Harry said, blushing. "Besides, don't you think you should worry about asking Parvati?"
"Right you are," Ron said and walked over to Patil. Harry couldn't hear what Ron or Parvati said, but their body language told clearly what happened. First, Parvati did a small double-take, and then silently looked over the red haired Weasley, appraisingly. Harry couldn't see whether she mouthed 'yes' or 'no', but the way Ron pumped his arm and loudly said, "I'll be looking forward to Friday!" pretty much gave it away.
"Way to go, Romeo," Harry said, shaking his head as Ron came back over.
"Well?" asked Ron excitedly, "are you going to ask Lavender?"
"Fine, fine," Harry sighed. "I'll be right back."
"Oh, no! I'm coming with you," Ron said, grinning wildly. "I want to see this for myself!"
---
Sorry for the late submittal, and I bring more bad news. I'm on Spring Break, so it might be another week before the next chapter comes out. Oh well…
Hopefully I won't get any flames because I'm having Harry and Ron go out on a date with Lavender and Parvati. But, deep down, I know it's a futile hope. Well, at least you now have another piece of the 'Legion of the Shadow' plot.
Kaelli: Thanks!
Katani: Wow… apparently someone likes watching Ron get what's coming to him…
Phoenix Flight: No problem!
Erinamation: hm?
Beefywpac: Draco's not going to fade out, don't worry. Although it will be a few chapters before he surfaces again.
Lakergurl: Should I have Hermione use a time turner to go back and slap him when she had the chance? Hehe, I don't know about Neville and Ginny. It seems to me that Neville and Ginny just like using each other as a backup date.
Olivia: Thanks!
Chaser: Thanks! Well, soon is relative… :(
CastusAlbusCor: Wow… you're blazing through the stories!
Feel free to review
