Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are all property of J. K. Rowling.

Sorry this took a long time to get posted! I've been finishing with school, which finally is done!

I would like to thank Hillary, with out her help this would be filled with really stupid errors that I am too thick to notice!

Thanks for all of the really nice reviews I've been receiving! It is really nice that you all like the story. J

Chapter Nine

The Warning

Harry sat up in bed gripping his forehead. "Harry, what's the matter?" A sleepy Ron Weasley asked.

"It's just my scar," Harry said trying not to wake the others in the room.

"What's going on?" Dean and Seamus asked groggily.

"Nothing, just go back to sleep," Ron answered for Harry who was trying to remember his dream. "You know what you need to do right?"

"Yeah, I need to see Dumbledore, since when do you sound like Hermione?"

"Harry I'm being serious, this isn't good. You-Know-Who can't be here can he?"

"No, I think he was feeling particularly murderous. Something about the next phase of his plan."

"Do you want me to go with you to see professor Dumbledore?"

"No, I'll go by myself. Go back to sleep." With that Harry got out of his bed, grabbed the invisibility cloak and made his way down the spiral staircase into the Common Room. He was surprised to meet another dark figure on the stairs.

"Who's there?" They both asked in unison.

"Harry," Harry replied.

"Ginny," Ginny said tentatively.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"I was about to ask you the same thing. I had a strange dream and then I woke up. I was on my way to see if you were alright."

"How did you know I wasn't alright?"

"I can't explain it; I just knew something dark was happening and that it would wake you. What happened?"

"It was Voldemort," Harry said watching Ginny's figure grimace slightly at the name. She didn't flinch as much as her brother did. "He called a meeting of Death Eaters, something about the next phase of his plan. I'm going to see Professor Dumbledore. You need to go back to bed."

"No, I need to tell Professor Dumbledore about my dream. I don't really remember what it was about but I remember waking up and knowing you were in pain; that He was doing something."
"Well, if you won't go back to bed, come with me. We need to go see him before I forget everything." With that the two made their way through the common room to the Portrait Hole.

"Here, we need to put this on before we go out." Harry said opening his cloak.
"What?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, my invisibility cloak. It was my Dad's. It helps us get around at night."
"Okay." He then draped it around the two of them. They quietly made their way out of the portrait hole and into the corridor. Harry led the way to the stone gargoyle that was the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Damn, I don't know the password. Err… Chocolate Frogs… Lemon Drops… err… I don't know… Cockroach Clusters… no of course not. Ginny help me think."

Ginny stopped giggling and tried. "String mints, err… What has he used in the past?"
"Anything really… He uses candies… Canary Creams…" With that the gargoyle began to move revealing the hidden staircase. "Come on!" He grabbed her hand and jumped on one of the steps as it rotated up. On the short trip up the stairs Harry wasn't able to enjoy the electricity moving from his hand to hers. He was too preoccupied with remembering his dream.

"Harry, he won't get upset will he?" Ginny asked.

"No, he has told me in the past to come and tell him any time I have dreams." He then removed the cloak from them as the stairs stopped moving.

Harry moved and knocked on Professor Dumbledore's door. He could hear voices inside.
"Ah, that must be Mr. Potter. I was wondering when you came to me if he would be joining our midnight party. If we are done, I'll speak with you more tomorrow, Severus." Harry jumped back as the door to the circular room opened. Ginny took in a sudden breath looking at the potions master.

"Harry, it's nice to see you. I see you brought a friend with you tonight. Welcome Miss Weasley. Please come in." Dumbledore moved allowing the students to enter his study. Harry looked around at the familiar room. The wizards in the pictures were snoring quietly while the occupants of the room moved to sit down.
"Professor Snape has been to see me; I'm sure your midnight trip was related. Another dream?"

"Yes, and the pain was back."

"That's what I was thinking, but I must ask why you are accompanied by Miss Weasley."

"I had a dream too Professor," Ginny spoke up. "It wasn't as bad as Harry's and I don't remember the details but when I woke up I knew Harry was troubled, and that something dark was going on. I can't explain how I knew, but I just did. When I decided to go and check on him I ran into him on the stairs. He was coming here and I wanted to come with him."

Dumbledore spoke with an amused look on his face, "Well, I'm glad you came to share your information with me. I must admit it is a development I did not expect. Now Harry what do you remember of your dream?"

"Well, I know I heard Voldemort. He was talking about phase one of his plan being a success. They are moving on to phase two. Some one is going to be doing it alone. Err… I can't remember who and he didn't say what it was. It will start tomorrow. Err… then he punished someone for doing something wrong. I'm sorry I can't remember anything else. The pain woke me up when he punished the death eater."

"Thank you for sharing this news with me. This is interesting. I wish I could alert the Ministry but we know how Fudge feels about our information."

"Oh, Professor, they said something about the ministry being take care of. I want to say he was addressing Malfoy, but I'm not sure."

"Harry, don't hurt yourself trying to remember things. If they come back to you just write them down. As the two of you have figured out my password you are more than welcome to come see me whenever you need to. I trust that you will not tell anyone else the password, especially the inventors of Canary Creams. I'm sure you will be tempted to tell Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, but I must insist that you do not."

"Yes sir." They said in unison.

"I need to write some letters and send Fawkes with some messages. So if you don't mind, you two need to get back to your dormitories and try to get some sleep. And here, Harry. I believe this is yours. I trust you will not be using it for the wrong reasons, but that you will use it for your midnight visits if necessary. The makers have made me one so you do not have the ability to sneak around the grounds at night with out my knowing it." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Yes sir," Harry said taking the now familiar piece of parchment from the head master.

"Oh, and no matter what you might want to do, do not send an owl to anyone right now. Do you understand Harry? He will be notified by me of all of this. I'll see you two soon, I hope. Maybe next time on more pleasant terms."
"Yes sir," Harry said and with a final smile they left replacing the invisibility cloak over them as they waked back to the Gargoyle.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Harry whispered while pointing his wand at the parchment.

"What?" Ginny asked, but her question was soon answered when Harry showed her the map. "Where did you get this?"

"Well, actually, your brother's gave it to me two years ago."

"Typical Fred and George! They didn't make it did they?"

"No. Actually, it was made by my father, Sirius, Professor Lupin and Peter." Harry preferred to refer to Wormtail as Peter when thinking about him at Hogwarts and as a friend of his parents.

"Is this how you three have gotten around the school so much?"

"Yeah, well since our third year, see that dot that's moving this way, its Filch. We better be quiet as he passes." They held their breath as Filch walked the opposite way down the corridor. "Phew, now our path is clear to get back to the tower. Mischief Managed." The map then cleared itself of all information.

"So who made a copy of the map for Dumbledore?"

"I'm guessing Sirius and Professor Lupin."

"What was Professor Dumbledore talking about when he told you not to send an owl tonight?"

"Well, I was going to send a letter to Sirius, but obviously Dumbledore is already taking care of that."

"What was Snape doing there?" Ginny asked after a moment of silent reflection.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. He used to be a Death Eater. He was passing Dumbledore inside information from before Voldemort's first fall. He has been helping Dumbledore over the summer with some mission. He likely felt the Dark Mark burn and went to tell Dumbledore. Blue Faeries."

"What ever you say," The fat lady said not opening her eyes. The two crawled into the common room removing the cloak.

"Well, we better get to sleep," Ginny said. "I'll see you in the morning Harry."

"Good night, Sweet dreams," Harry said. What came over him? He had never said sweet dreams to anyone. Ginny didn't seem to notice as she went up her side of the stairs. When Harry entered his room and replaced his cloak Ron had his curtain opened. He was sitting up, but clearly was asleep. Ron was likely waiting for Harry to return.

Harry decided not to wake him. Instead he lie down and fell asleep. His dreams immediately went to the events last June. Cedric's death, Lord Voldemort's resurrection, and his parent's echoes all flooded his memory. He then had a dream about what he heard when the Dementors got too close, his mother screaming trying to save his life. The familiar cold high-pitched voice filled his head. As the familiar green light filled his brain he woke up.

Voldemort hadn't wanted to kill my mum, Harry thought. Why not? He was the most powerful dark wizard of his time, yet he didn't want to kill my mum. Harry sat pondering these thoughts until Ron stirred and rose out of his bed.

"Harry? You there?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what happened?"

"Won't Hermione want to know also?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'll tell both of you later."

"Come on, you can tell me."

"I don't feel like explaining it twice. Sorry."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm much better. My head stopped hurting before I reached Dumbledore's office."

"Can you believe we're back?"

"No, I'm really glad to be back." And Harry was. Hogwarts felt more like home that Private Drive ever did.

"Let's go on and get up. We can get down to breakfast and talk to Hermione before we go to class." That sounded like a good plan to Harry. He rolled out of bed, leaving the thoughts of his mother in bed along with the dreams of Cedric.

When they entered the Common Room they found Hermione sitting on a couch with Ginny. The two were in such deep conversation they didn't realize the boys had entered the room.

"Good morning," Ron said right behind Hermione. She jumped and gave a slight scream.

"Ron, you scared me to death. You better be happy that I didn't have my wand in my hands, other wise you could have been really hurt, spending your second day of classes in the Hospital wing," Hermione scolded.

"Oh, come on Hermione, I was just joking."

"Well, all right. You two are up really early."

"So are you. We woke up and came down to talk to you. Harry wouldn't tell me about his dream until we met up with you."

"Ginny has been giving me some details."

"What? Ginny, how do you know about Harry's dream?"

"It's a long story," Ginny began.

"Well, last night when I got out of bed we ran into each other."

"I had a dream and knew that Harry was hurting and that Voldemort was doing something sinister," Ginny added patting the couch next to her motioning for Harry to sit down with her. The two then proceeded to explain the events that transpired late last night. When they were finished Ron looked seriously worried about his sister. While Hermione looked like she expected all of it.

"I'm glad that your scar still acts like a connection between you and Voldemort." Hermione began but before she could explain Ron spoke up.

"GLAD?!?!?! How can you be GLAD? Harry has nightmares and wakes up in pain and you are glad?"

"If you hadn't cut me off I would have explained myself. I'm sure Harry understands what I mean. I'm not glad that Harry wakes up in pain, or that he has nightmares but I'm glad that he is still connected with our enemy. He is our best chance of knowing what is going on with You-Know-Who. As long as he is back we now will have some idea what was happening," Hermione explained not letting Ron interrupt her again.

"Harry, I'm really sorry that you have to deal with this but it is to our advantage since You-Know-Who doesn't know about the connection."

Harry understood. It was to their advantage to know what was going on. It would help the good side. He felt guilty but comforted that he wouldn't be going through it alone; that Ginny would be with him.

The morning proceeded like every other at Hogwarts starting with breakfast and followed by going to class, which received several groans from unhappy students. The first class was History of Magic, which Harry thought wasn't possible of going any slower, but he was wrong. When they FINALLY got out of class Harry looked at Ron.

"I'm so glad to be out of there!" He said.

"Yeah, the only good thing is I can catch up on my sleep while I'm in there."
Hermione sighed deeply at Ron's response as they made their way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. It should be an entertaining class. Mrs. Figg greeted them as they entered the room.

"Good morning Harry, Ron and Hermione."

"Good morning," They said moving into seat in the front of the class. They were in the habit of sitting here in this class from the previous year.

"I'm glad to see the three of you being brave enough to sit in the front." Mrs. Figg mused as the trio sat down and took out their quills, parchment and holiday homework. As soon as the whole class entered she addressed the class.

"Good morning everyone. I'm Mrs. Figg your new Defense Against the Dark Art's teacher. I have learned that last year you learned about fighting off curses. From what I understand you are quite good at it. This year we will concentrate on preventing the hexes and curses all together. Also, we will be covering what to do if you are not armed and how to detect things that are cursed, such as chairs and books. Let's begin with a few simple questions. What are some things to do if you are unarmed? Hmm… Neville Longbottom, let's start with you."

"Err… Run away?" Neville said hesitantly.

"Exactly, ten points to Gryffindor for Neville's excellent answer. Anything else." To Harry's surprise he found his arm in the air.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Well, you could do accidental magic."

"Ahh, it sounds like you have some experience with this. Yes, Harry brings up a good point; if you are very upset about something you sometimes do accidental magic, but the best thing to do is run away. Another ten points to Gryffindor." The rest of the class was spent on what to do if you are unarmed. She even gave them time to practice on one another. Having them do simple hexes randomly so the other feels what it is like to not know what or when to expect action. It was a very fun class all together.

"Please place your holiday homework on my desk before you leave. Also read the chapter on revealing charms before our next lesson. One of you will have a cursed desk and I want you to find it before sitting in it."
The trio made their way into the Great Hall filling up their plates with food. Lunch passed too quickly and soon Harry and Ron were parting ways with Hermione moving along the familiar path that led to the North Tower.

"Maybe Hermione was right to get out of this class," Ron mused as they drew closer to the class. "It is rather pointless."

Harry was about to reply when Parvati and Lavender Brown joined them.

"Hi Harry!" Parvati said eagerly.

"Err… Hi," Harry managed trying to avoid eye contact. This situation made Harry really uncomfortable. Is this how Cho feels every time I'm around? Harry wondered. His internal questions were cut short by their arrival at their destination.

"Hey Harry, come over here!" Dean called motioning towards a group of fifth year boys that were all talking and looking at what appeared to be some magazine. "Come look, it's the new Quidditch Quarterly! Oliver is in it!" The group was goggling at a two-page article complete with colour pictures. One picture was of the Gryffindor Quidditch team the year they won the Quidditch cup. Harry could see himself being hugged by the whole team, Oliver holding the Quidditch cup as they waved to him excitedly. He had begun to read it when a door on the ceiling opened and the familiar ladder dropped to the floor signaling the beginning of Divinations.

Harry and Ron reluctantly climbed up the ladder. They were immediately bombarded by the strong, warm perfume that was only present in Professor Trelawney's room.

"Good Afternoon Class, it is good to see you all here, and healthy. This year we will begin with Tarot card readings, which should last through the first and part of the second term. We will then move on to more advanced forms of Divinations, but we will get to that latter. So if everyone would look on their table they will find a deck of Tarot Cards in front of them. Will you then take out your copy of Unfogging the Future and turn to the chapter on beginner's tarot card readings and read it. When you are done reading the chapter would you please practice with your partner," Professor Trelawney said, looking to Harry even more like a bug than former years. Harry did as he was told and took out his book. The chapter was short consisting mainly of pictures of cards and their meanings. He looked up and met Ron's skeptical stare. "Now, all of you should be done reading. Please note that your predictions now should only be for the coming week or two. As your inner eye becomes more astute you will be able to look further. By the end of the term you should be able to see many years into the future. Now begin."

"Err… do you want to go first?" Ron offered.

"Sure, we both have to do it at some point," Harry said. He then reached out and picked up the Tarot Cards. After shuffling them he began laying them out on the table in front of Ron.

"Err… well, let's see. That card mean Danger. Sorry mate, this one means love and happiness. Well, at least you will be happy. Err… this card means secrets are being kept. Well," Harry said flipping through his book, "according to Unfogging the Future this reading means that you are keeping some sort of love secret and you are both in danger. Well, that's vague enough. Your turn, how am I going to die this year?" Harry asked handing Ron the cards.

"Yeah, let's hope your tarot card reading is as accurate as your tealeaves," Ron retorted with a grin. He then shuffled the cards and began laying them out in front of Harry.

"Okay, lets see what these mean." After consulting his copy of Unfogging the Future Ron explained the cards. "Well, this first card means Danger. It looks like we're both in danger. At least we will be in danger together! Err… right this card means decisions, it looks like you will have to choose between two things you love. Er… this last card means…"

"Death! Oh dear, your future looks grim!" Professor Trelawney interrupted as Ron was consulting his book. "The order of your cards does look bad. You will be making a decision that will put you and that which you love in danger and cause you both to die." A gasp could be heard from Parvati and Lavender's table as the two watched Harry in the familiar worried looks. "Dear, that's not good."

She finally left the table obviously not able to look at Harry again knowing that he would die soon.

"Not again!" Harry muttered to Ron trying not to laugh. The class finally ended with one last instruction from Professor Trelawney

"Your home work is to predict the future for twenty of your friends, to be handed in next week." Harry and Ron couldn't get out of the class soon enough.

The rest of the week went as usual, seeming to go slower as quidditch tryouts drew closer. Classes went well with homework already piling up. The only class that was truly horrible was Potions, of course. Snape actually became worse with each year. Harry had not allowed himself to hope that Snape would be nicer knowing the danger that Harry was in.

"Today we will begin with prevention potions. I reluctantly am teaching you these beginning with the simplest, the hex preventative. I don't see the need of these but the Headmaster believes it is necessary. The most complicated one we will work with prevents the taker from being influenced by Veritaserum. But we are going to begin with a simple hex preventative. It only works with simple hexes. Nothing that would do any real harm."

Neville of course had trouble with the potion. He managed to mess it up, but with some key help whispered from Hermione, Snape wasn't able to torment him for very long. Over the course of the class Snape found the opportunity to take a total of fifty points from Gryffindor by the end of the week. Luckily they had made over fifty for their eager participation in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Can you believe him?" Ron asked after leaving potions Friday afternoon.

"Some nerve, I think he is getting worse each year," Harry commented.

"He really is," Hermione added. Harry and Ron had to keep from starring at Hermione; this was the first time she had openly criticized the Potions master.

"Wow Hermione I can't believe you said that out loud," Ron commented.

"Yeah, I think that was the first time you've said something about him or any Hogwarts teacher for that matter."

They soon entered the Great Hall ready for a large dinner. Ginny, the Creevey brothers and the twins soon greeted them.

"Ron, are you getting nervous about tomorrow yet?" Fred asked with a wry smile on his face, which was mirrored by his twin brother.

"Err… yeah, I've been trying not to think about it."

"I think you'll do great!" Ginny said comfortingly.

"Yeah, and Ginny, you'll do great as well," Harry said turning slightly pink.

"Thanks Harry," Ginny murmured also turning slightly pink.

That night in Gryffindor Tower Hermione decided that they should all get their homework done.

"Well, if you do your homework now you will have all weekend to do what ever you want. Plus we have a TON of work to do!"

"Hermione, all you think about is work. We have done nothing but work all week, we just want to have fun," Ron protested. After the argument that followed, Harry and Ron sat at their usual table and began to do their work. Harry didn't really mind, considering the fact that they were sure to be celebrating the following night.

"Let's do our Divinations," Ron suggested when he returned carrying both his and Harry's supplies. "Okay, I'm going to do you first. Name, Harry Potter," he said writing down Harry's name. After laying the cards in front of him he looked up at Harry.

"Well, what does it say?"

"Err… I think that means that you have a secret love, or maybe some one has a secret love for you… I don't really know. Err… I don't think this is the kind of future Professor Trelawney wants. How about you fall in love and are killed tragically trying to save them from an angry blast-ended skrewt?"

"That sounds more like what she would like," Harry replied over a loud 'tut' coming from Hermione's corner. "Let's see what will happen to you. Err…" Harry began laying out cards in front of him. "These cards again show a secret love, according to this book," He gestured towards the textbook lying on the table. "It also shows some sort of celebration. That must be you getting the position of Keeper. This last one just says that you are going to struggle. This doesn't sound like something Trelawney would want. I think you will die trying to fight off a dragon. Only after winning the Quidditch cup for Gryffindor."

The following hours passed quickly as Harry and Ron predicted everyone's future becoming more creative as they went. Hermione gave up trying to convince them to actually try to DO the work and laughed as they both predicted her future.
"Okay, Hermione, you are going to fall for a mystery man, and you won't tell him until it is too late. You will then die from fright after receiving your first B!!" Ron explained imitating Professor Trelawney's mysterious voice.

"You made that up!" Hermione protested.

"No I didn't, it's all in the cards. Harry what do you think our Hermione is in for?"

"Well, I also see a mystery man in her future, but I see he is some one already in her life. He appears to be very close to her," Harry said with a grin, chancing a glance at Ron who was fighting a blush. "She will then find that she isn't top of our class and go on a killing spree ending with herself."

"Now, I KNOW you don't see that!!!"

"But it sound's like something she would want to hear!" Harry retorted not being able to hold back the laughs any more. Harry and Ron completed a few more before calling it quits.

"Damn, how can she expect us to do twenty people?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, luckily I can do my whole family and that take up almost half the assignment right there. And that's just my immediate family. How many do you have done already?"

"Well, I did you, Hermione, Dean, Seamus and Neville. Ginny, do you mind me predicting your future?"

Ginny looked up from her Charms essay, "No, you can tell me my future. Are you two done for the night?"

"Yeah, my inner eye needs a break!" Ron retorted taking advantage of the opportunity to stop.

"I think I need a break too," She agreed closing the books in front of her.

"I'm going to do you first, then I'll call it quits," He shuffled the cards and laid them out. "Hmmm… this is interesting. Interesting indeed," Harry said, doing an impressive impression of Trelawney as he looked at the cards. "It appears that a crush of yours has mutual feelings."

"Ginny, who is this crush of yours?" Ron asked interrupting Harry's prediction.

"If you don't mind Ron I'm trying to concentrate here. My inner eye can't take any more interruptions from non-believers. Ginny, as I was saying, this crush will be willing to die for you by the end of the year. You both will be in grave danger eventually ending in your death. But you will die in each other's arms."

"A little melodramatic I think," Hermione said, looking Harry in the eye.

"I actually didn't make this one up. You can read it here in the book. Not that I really believe this crap, but I'm reading what it says. Well, except the death part but you know Trelawney; she isn't happy unless everyone dies and is miserable," Harry retorted wondering what Trelawney would say to a homework assignment where everyone lived happily ever after.

"Everyone trying out tomorrow should go to bed, if you are serious about trying out. Tomorrow will be a long day," Angelina said standing up in the middle of the Common Room. She didn't have to say it twice, before anyone could say another word to him, Ron was darting up the stairs in the direction of the boy's dormitory. Ginny got up carefully not to disturb Crookshanks, who had come and curled up at her feet.

"Good night Harry, Hermione," Ginny said before turning in. Harry turned to Hermione,

"Are you going to bed?"

"Yeah, I promised Ron I would come watch tryouts," She said sleepily. "That mean's I'll have an early morning tomorrow along with all of you."

"Well, goodnight," Harry said, turning and following Ron's footsteps up the stairs.

"Harry, do you really think I have a chance?" Ron asked, once Seamus, Dean and Neville were fast asleep.

"Yeah, you are a really good keeper. If your long arms aren't good for anything else, at least they will aid you in protecting the goals. Plus your brother is snogging the captain. You should be in just for that reason." Ron couldn't help but grin, which Harry quickly returned. "You need to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow, Angelina's right, it's going to be a long day." That being settled, they both lay down and went to sleep. Harry dreamed all night. Mostly about Voldemort, but he did have to occasional dream about Quidditch.

Harry woke up early to the morning sun pouring into his window. Ron was already up and changed, pacing the room.

"Ah, good you're up," Ron said not stopping his walk.

"Have you been up long?"

"Oh, I don't think so. Come on and get dressed we can go down and eat breakfast and go out to the pitch early and fly around some before we start." Harry did as he was told and got dressed. When they got down to the common room they found Ginny Weasley pacing in a similar manner.

"Good morning," Harry said causing Ginny to jump.

"Oh, hi. I didn't see you come in. Shall we go down for breakfast?"

"Yeah," Ron said, leading the way out through the portrait hole. The trip down to the great hall was quiet along with breakfast. The Weasleys were deep in thought. Harry knew this chance meant the world to Ron, but he realized, watching Ginny, that it was just as important to her. He tried again to lighten the mood.

"You two don't have anything to worry about. You are two of the best flyers I know."
Harry's red headed friends just grunted.

"Harry can I talk to you for a minute?" A voice asked from behind him. Harry turned to see Angelina standing where the voice had come from.

"Sure," He said standing and following Angelina to the entrance hall.

"Well, I wanted to tell you that you are officially my co-captain. It's not a mandatory position to fill but I feel since the rest of the ream and myself will be leaving at the end of the year that you should be eased into the position. I want you to have input in choosing the players today. I also have Oliver coming in for the decision."

"Wood? Coming back?"

"When I was appointed captain I wrote him and we have been corresponding since then. He offered to come help with the decision. Oh, I've got to go!" She said looking at her watch. "He'll be here in ten minutes. I'll see you on the pitch."
"Thanks," Harry said as Angelina ran out the front door. He turned and re-entered the Great Hall.

"What was that about?" Ginny asked noticing Harry's return. Hermione had joined the group since Harry was out of the room.

"Err… well… she appointed me co-captain this year. I'll be captain next year and she wants my help today," Harry said feeling his face colour.

"Congratulations," Ginny said, about the same time a foreign voice drifted past his ears. "Congratulations Harry," it said. Harry turned his head quickly to see Cho Chang standing where Angelina had stood a few minutes before.

"Th-thanks," Harry stammered.

"It sounds like we will be playing against each other next year, as captains that is."

"Yeah, when do you have try outs?" Harry asked after regaining some composure.

"Oh, tomorrow. It turned out that Gryffindor booked the field all day."

"Cho, can I talk to you for a minute?" Harry asked standing up from the table. He had been planning this since last year and knew that if he didn't do it now he would never have the nerve to do it.

"Sure," she said following Harry into the entrance hall.

"Er… I was wondering… Doyouwannagoonapicnicwithme?" He asked all in one breath, not even stopping between words.

"What?"

"Do you want to go on a picnic with me?" He asked feeling his face redden.

"Sure, how about next weekend?" She suggested, taking charge of the situation.

"Okay," Harry said, it was clear he didn't know what else to say.

"Ill see you here at noon next Saturday," She said before turning to return to the Ravenclaw table.

"See you then," Harry said as Cho moved to the Ravenclaw table joining her waiting friends. Harry returned to the table to see Hermione looking quite upset about something.

"Are you ready to go out to the pitch?" Ron asked.

"Yeah," Ginny said looking more anxious than before.

"Why are you three going so early? Try out's don't start for a full forty-five minutes," Hermione complained.

"We want to practice before we start," Ron said matter-of-factly.

"Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to bring my Arithmancy book down to the field with me so that I can study while we are there."

"What ever," Ron said rolling his eyes.