A/N: Oh yeah, I still don't own Harry Potter *snaps* drat. This is probably
one of my favorite chapters, because it consists of A LOT of drama. Keep
reading and reviewing!
They followed Harry to the Gryffindor common room.
"Oi Ron. Quiditch tryouts are in four days if you're still interested" said George when Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked in.
"Mum told us to tell you" Fred said as he pointed to a pile of torn up red envelopes. "She sent three howlers just this morning when we told her that we weren't going to tell you" Fred and George glared at Ron as if he was the reason.
"She has no sense of humor" George shrugged.
"I'll think abou' it" Ron responded. "Chess 'Arry?" Ron said as he sat down in his usual chair. Harry nodded and sat down as Ron began to set up the chess set. Hermione, as usual, sat down with a large book propped up in her lap and watched them. Harry saw Ron look up at Hermione and smile dazedly and laughed at him, which seemed to break Ron out of his trance that Hermione did not seem to notice.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the ball Ron?" Hermione asked yawning. He nodded as he stared down at the chessboard, remembering why he was sad. "Cause I know that Lavender Brown, Padme Patil, and Hannah Abbott don't have dates yet" she said, tapping her quill on her book.
"Lavender Brown is going with Seamus, he told me this morning. I went with Padme last year... and I don't really think she was too fond of me, and who the bloody 'ell is Hannah Abbott?" He said as he counted off people with his fingers.
"You know, Hannah Abbott, that Hufflepuff girl with blonde pigtails" she said, looking at him for a reaction.
"I just don't want to go, all right" he said, finding sudden interest with the floor. She sighed and looked back down at her book.
"First Hogsmeade trip this weekend" Harry said, trying to break the sudden silence. "That reminds me, I need to pick out a dress for the ball" Hermione said, still looking down at her book, not wanting to make eye contact with Ron. Just then, Ginny walked in with a large smile on her face.
"I just got asked by a sixth year guy to go to the ball" she said in a daze as she sat in an open seat. "Hermione, can you help me pick out a dress this weekend at Hogsmeade? Ginny said beaming as if it was the best day of her life.
"Sure, who asked you?" Hermione asked curiously as she looked up from her book. "Uh... Andrew Taylor" Ginny proclaimed. "He's in Ravenclaw."
"What!" Hermione yelped. Ron's head shot up from the game to look at Hermione.
"What's wrong Hermione? Do you not like guys from Ravenclaw" Ron laughed as Harry howled in laughter. Hermione snapped at them to make them shut up.
"That's who asked me."
"Are you sure?" Harry said, looking back and forth at Ginny, then back to Hermione.
"Positive, come on Ginny, let's go find him" Hermione said, standing up and storming out of the common room with Ginny following behind her.
"So... if they're both right, then Hermione probably won't have a date anymore" Harry said, glancing up at Ron with a mischievous look in his eye.
"So..." Ron responded, turning rather red.
"Oh give it up Ron, everyone knows that you fancy her, well, everyone except Hermione of course" Harry said laughing.
"'Arry, this is Hermione you're talking about.... I could never fancy her."
"Then why do you still have her journal" Harry asked as he eyed Ron?
"I... I... I haven't read it or anything, I just found it and I was going to give it back to her" Ron stuttered, his face going scarlet red. Harry was about to say "why didn't you read it" but he stopped when Hermione and Ginny stormed into the room, stomping up towards them. "What happened?" Harry asked, looking at their angry faces.
"He ran away" Ginny said, rather annoyed yet rather amazed that he was such an idiot. Ron coughed, although Harry could tell that he was just covering up a burst of laughter. Hermione looked sad as she slid into a chair.
"So now neither of you have dates?" Harry said, raising his eyebrows. They both nodded miserably as Harry grinned over at Ron.
"But top students have to have dates" Ron gulped as though he knew what he had to do. Hermione nodded and slumped back into the chair. Ron gulped again as he glanced over at Harry who nodded at him. "Err... Mione" Ron began, but before he could ask, a tall handsome boy with dark hazel eyes walked up to them as he brushed his blonde hair out of his face.
"Hullo Hermione" he said in a deep, kind voice.
"Oh, hello Damon" Hermione said smiling at him.
"I was wondering..." Damon stuttered. Ron knew what was going to happen next and shot a glare over at Damon, but he just smiled back rather happy with himself. "I know we're supposed to have dates for the Halloween Ball, being top students an' all" Damon said as he flashed his eyes at Ron as if he was about to accomplish something that he didn't have the guts to do as he brushed his hair out of his face again. "I was wondering if you aren't going with anyone... if you would like to go with me" he smiled dreamily.
"Uh...all right, that would be nice" Hermione said, trying to hold herself from glancing over at Ron. Damon nodded and smiled. He looked over at Ron as if he was about to gloat, but instead his just turned around and walked away. Hermione gulped and looked over at Ron who glared over at Harry and gave him a look as if he wanted to say "see this is what always happens" Harry sighed.
"What were you saying Ron?" Hermione said, looking back down at her book. "
Nothing" He said. "Checkmate" he mumbled to Harry in a less enthusiastic voice. Harry nodded and stood up.
"Well, goodnight" he said to them. He walked toward Ron and nudged him on the shoulder. "Do something" he whispered so that only Ron could hear. Harry grinned and walked up to the boys' dormitory. Hermione still sat in the same seat as the night before with her nose buried in a book. Ron stared at her blankly, as though his whole world was crashing. About ten minutes later, Hermione noticed that Ron was staring at her.
"What? Do I have something on my face" she said, looking at him awkwardly?
"No" he muttered as she looked back down at her book.
"You're perfect" he mumbled back so that she couldn't hear. ((A/N To some of you people that may sound terribly familiar, but I just thought the quote was so sweet so I decided to use it)) She looked up from her book again and looked Ron in the eye and smiled.
"Well, good night" she said to him as she closed her book and slowly walked away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, did you tell her?" Harry said as he and Ron walked into the great hall the next morning.
"Tell whom what?" Ron said confused.
"Did you tell Hermione that you fancy her?"
"I do not fancy her" Ron said, turning away so that Harry couldn't see him blushing. Harry laughed. It was the first weekend of school and there was chatter about the trip to Hogsmeade. Harry and Ron passed by the Hufflepuff table when a girl with long blonde hair stood up and spun around and bumped right into Ron. They both fell back onto the ground. Ron slowly got up and rubbed his head and held out his hand to help the girl up. She took a hold of it and stood up.
"Clumsy me" the girl said smiling as she brushed herself off. The girl had sharp blue eyes with long, straight blonde hair. "Oh, 'ello Harry, who's your friend?" She said as she eyed Ron who smiled.
"Hello Hannah, this is..." Harry started.
"Hi, I'm Ron, Ron Weasley" Ron said, extending his hand out for her to shake. "Pleasure" she said, shaking his hand. "I'm Hannah Abbott" she said smiling at him as he smiled back.
"Hannah... what ever happened to Ernie?" Harry asked.
"Oh..." she looked down at the floor. "He transferred to Durmstrang" she said sighing.
"Well... If you're not hanging out with anyone tonight, do you want to join us for a butter beer at The Three Broomsticks and Hogsmeade?" Ron said quickly, then turning slightly red. She grinned at him.
"That would be wicked" she nodded. Ron smiled.
"All right, we'll meet you inside The Three Broomsticks at about eight" she nodded. "See you tonight then" he said, turning around and walking toward the Gryffindor table with Harry following behind him
"What was that about?" Harry said stunned as they both sat down at the Gryffindor table. "I... I dunno... it just kind of slipped out... I was just being nice, because she didn't have anyone to go with tonight" Ron mumbled, rather confused with himself.
"Hello" Hermione said, walking up to them and sitting down next to Harry.
"Ron just asked Hannah Abbott to join us for butter beers tonight" Harry snickered as Ron waited for her reaction.
"Well that's nice. Are you going to the ball with her?" Hermione asked, glancing up at Ron.
"Maybe...maybe not" Ron hissed, acting rather haughty. Harry looked over at Ron hastily.
"But you just said..."
"I haven't decided yet" said Ron as he glared over at Harry to make him shut up. Harry rolled his eyes unpleasantly.
A/N: I know...not very exciting...it does get a little more boring ((Which is needed)) but then.... Well, I won't spoil it ^_^
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ron, Harry, and Hermione walked out onto the grounds of Hogwarts with large bags filled with food for Sirius. They walked over to the Whomping Willow that was rapidly swaying. Harry grabbed a long branch and extended his arm so the branch would hit the knob on the tree stump that would make the tree stop moving. After many times, Harry finally hit it and the tree stopped and a small door swung open. They slipped through it a climbed down a harshly lit set of stairs before they came to a illuminated room with a large blazing fire burning in the fireplace that seemed quite welcoming. A dark figure loomed from a dark corner of the room. The man was tall and muscular with a rather pale looking face.
"Hello Sirius" Harry said first, breaking the silence.
"I was expecting you" He said in a dark mysterious voice that had a hint of being a warm-hearted welcome.
"What happened to Buckbeak?" Hermione said, looking around at the room that only had a few beds and a glistening fire. Ron and Harry had noticed that too and began to look rapidly around the room for the beast that was part eagle and part horse.
"Oh, he became too much work for me" Sirius said as he began to dig through the food that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had brought him.
"You didn't..." Hermione looked at a pile of bones in the corner of the room with eyes widened. Sirius got the picture and chuckled rather loudly.
"Of course not... that bird was more of a brother to me than James used to be, I would never have killed it. I sold him to a nice couple up in Norway that raised animals like him. I couldn't keep him anymore, I was afraid for his safety." Sirius said, biting into a piercing red apple.
"So what did you want to see us for" Harry asked? Sirius nodded and dropped a chicken leg that he had started and took out a tattered newspaper out of his pocket and tossed it to them.
Minister Of Magic Fired
After working for the Ministry of Magic for 59 years, Cornelius Fudge was apparently fired last week for reasons unknown. Resources for an anonymous person was given to the ministry that Cornelius Fudge threatened to disclose the agreement that was settled between the wizarding world and the giants that was brought together thanks to Olympe Maxime and Rubeus Hagrid. The Ministry had no proof of the threat but still voted to kick the Minister out of his job. A new Minister will be announced in a week.
Harry read it out loud and looked at Sirius confused. "I bet anything that Lucius Malfoy had something to do with this" Ron said with a sneer on his face.
"Who do you think the anonymous person is?" Sirius said rather straight-faced. "Let alone, who do you think the first choice for the new minister of magic is?" Ron pounded his fist into the palm of his hand.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that night, Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked into The Three Broomsticks and sat at their usual table. "I'll go get the drinks" Harry said getting up and walking to the bar. "Three butter beers" Harry said to Madam Rosmerta. She nodded and began to bustle around for the drinks. Just then, the door swung open and an old woman with long black robes walked in and walked towards Harry.
"Hello Harry" The lady said. Harry recognized her right away. It was Ms. Figgs. She didn't look a lot like she used to when Harry saw her on Privet Drive. She looked more like a witch now than a muggle with her long black robes and a pointy hat and small-brimmed spectacles. "It's good to see you again, without all those silly muggles watching your every move" she laughed rather heartily as she tapped her hand against the counter to show that she wanted a butter beer. "Oh... and I'm dreadfully sorry about all those cats, it was just a cover up deary."
"Cover up for what?" Harry asked.
"Well, I read that muggles own a lot of cats, so I thought if I had a lot of cats then they would think I was a muggle and let me take care of you and that conflasted cousin's birthday" she sneered. Harry beamed, he had never known anyone who actually knew the Dursleys and admitted to him that they hated them. "Well, I'll let you get back to your friends" she said grabbing her butter beer that Madam Rosmerta gave her and sat down at a small table in the corner of the room. Harry grabbed the three butter beers and walked back to his friends who looked like they had begun to argue.
"Stop calling him that" Hermione yelled at Ron.
"Oh... I'm very scared Hermione, are you going to get your little boyfriend Vicky to beat me up" he taunted.
"You...you are so immature" Hermione hissed as she stood up and stomped out of the Three Broomsticks and bumped into Hannah as she walked in. She walked towards them with rosy cheeks from the freezing cold breeze that was outside.
"Where did Hermione go?" Hannah asked, glancing over at Ron, knowing he had something to do with it.
"It wasn't my fault, honesty" Ron said Harry and Hannah looked at each other, then back at Ron and laughed.
"Can I sit down?" Hannah asked politely as she unwrapped her scarf from around her neck.
"Yeah, sit down" Harry nodded and he handed Hannah Hermione's butter beer that she hadn't touched. Hannah took it gratefully and sat down.
"Do either of you have dates for the ball?" Hannah asked, taking a sip from the mug.
"I do" Harry said beaming as Ron kept his mouth shut.
"Who?" She asked.
"Cho Chang" he responded rather pleased with himself.
How about you?" Hannah said glancing over at Ron.
"I'm not going with anyone" Ron mumbled.
"Hmm... I would 'ave thought that you were going with Hermione" Hannah replied. Harry laughed and beamed over at Ron.
"Well I'm not.... She's a nightmare, I mean honestly... I feel kind of bad for the guy that has her for a date" He practically yelled, feeling inferior. His face suddenly went pale. He couldn't believe he had said that. Harry and Hannah looked at him with a rather disgusted face. Ron thought it couldn't get any worse, but all of a sudden, Ron heard a whimper from behind him and a door slam shut. Ron turned around just in time to see Hermione dash out of the Three Broomsticks. Ron's face went even paler. "This cannot be happening" He said as he began to breathe hard. He put his hands over his face and began to hit his head against the table.
"Hermione" Harry yelled as he dashed out to follow her.
"Leave me alone Harry" Hermione said struggling from bursting out crying. Hermione walked faster down the streets of Hogsmeade with Harry, who was now at running pace trying to catch up with her. She stopped and sat down on a set of stairs leading to Honeydukes. Harry sat down next to her. She put her hands over her face and burst into tears. Harry put his hand on her shoulder.
"He didn't mean that." She shook her head and looked up at him with a bright red face.
"Didn't you hear him... he said I was a nightmare" she said, trying to wipe the tears away from her face.
"Hermione, Ron thinks the world of you he's just to blind to admit that he really..." Harry wondered if Ron would punch him out if he told her that Ron fancied her. "Is sorry" Harry said.
"I can't believe that he's being mean to me after what I wrote about him in... My..." Hermione stopped and looked at Harry's confused face.
"Ron never read your journal" Harry said, looking at her suspiciously. Hermione's eyes widened as she began to stutter.
"He didn't? I mean... not that I wrote anything personal in it anyway, it's just notes, nothing personal" She said, biting her lip. "Uh... right" Harry grinned at her.
"Mione, he doesn't hate you" Harry said, putting his arm around her.
"Then why would he say such a thing like that if he didn't actually mean it" she whimpered?
"I... I don't know" he shrugged. "Do you want to come back for a drink?" "No" she shook her head sorrowfully. "I'll...I'll just go back to school."
"Err... okay, bye" Harry said. Hermione stood up and hugged Harry tightly. Harry embraced her gently but then let go. She wiped her tears off her face again.
"Thanks Harry" she smiled weakly. He smiled back and trailed off to the Three Broomsticks where Ron was still pounding his head on the table.
"I think she's willing to forgive you" Harry said as he sat down.
"I tried to make him stop hitting his head, but he wouldn't" Hannah said, watching Ron with an awkward stare.
"How could I have said that" Ron croaked out as he stopped hitting his head?
"It was an accident; you didn't mean it" Harry tried to explain.
"Well, I just feel horrible" Ron muttered.
"Then try telling her that" Hannah said as Harry nodded in agreement.
"She won't listen to me" Ron said lying his head on the table. "Could you be a pal and tell her that I'm truly sorry Harry?" Ron said, looking up at Harry.
"Uh... I guess, but it's a little late to go tell her now, she already left" Harry said, taking a sip of his butter beer.
"Thanks Harry" Ron said beaming. Harry sighed; knowing this was going to be a lot harder than he thought. The night got later so they made their way back to Hogwarts.
"Okay, you look for her in the common room and I'll look for her in the library" Harry said to Ron as they entered the castle.
"What do I do when I find her?" Ron asked
"Tell her how sorry you are."
"Like I said before, she won't speak to me. How about, if I find her, then I come and find you."
"Fine" Harry muttered as he began to walk to the library as Ron turned around and started to walk up to the common room. Harry slowly walked toward the library, not wanting Hermione to be there. Harry gulped as he moved slowly to the door. He reached for the knob but he slowly turned. Harry tried to move back from the door but wasn't quick enough and he bumped into the person on the other side. Their lips accidentally met. Harry wrapped his arms around the person's waist. Still kissing, he opened his eyes to see who it was.
A/N CLIFFHANGER! I don't' know about you people, but I love cliffhangers. Just to tell you people, I do not have a sick mind... Draco Malfoy or any of his posse is not behind the door. Just wanted to make that clear. Please do not yell at me because of the cliffhanger ^_^. And just to say, I LOVE ALL THE REVIEWS! Just keep the language down to a PG level, lol. THANKYA!!
They followed Harry to the Gryffindor common room.
"Oi Ron. Quiditch tryouts are in four days if you're still interested" said George when Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked in.
"Mum told us to tell you" Fred said as he pointed to a pile of torn up red envelopes. "She sent three howlers just this morning when we told her that we weren't going to tell you" Fred and George glared at Ron as if he was the reason.
"She has no sense of humor" George shrugged.
"I'll think abou' it" Ron responded. "Chess 'Arry?" Ron said as he sat down in his usual chair. Harry nodded and sat down as Ron began to set up the chess set. Hermione, as usual, sat down with a large book propped up in her lap and watched them. Harry saw Ron look up at Hermione and smile dazedly and laughed at him, which seemed to break Ron out of his trance that Hermione did not seem to notice.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the ball Ron?" Hermione asked yawning. He nodded as he stared down at the chessboard, remembering why he was sad. "Cause I know that Lavender Brown, Padme Patil, and Hannah Abbott don't have dates yet" she said, tapping her quill on her book.
"Lavender Brown is going with Seamus, he told me this morning. I went with Padme last year... and I don't really think she was too fond of me, and who the bloody 'ell is Hannah Abbott?" He said as he counted off people with his fingers.
"You know, Hannah Abbott, that Hufflepuff girl with blonde pigtails" she said, looking at him for a reaction.
"I just don't want to go, all right" he said, finding sudden interest with the floor. She sighed and looked back down at her book.
"First Hogsmeade trip this weekend" Harry said, trying to break the sudden silence. "That reminds me, I need to pick out a dress for the ball" Hermione said, still looking down at her book, not wanting to make eye contact with Ron. Just then, Ginny walked in with a large smile on her face.
"I just got asked by a sixth year guy to go to the ball" she said in a daze as she sat in an open seat. "Hermione, can you help me pick out a dress this weekend at Hogsmeade? Ginny said beaming as if it was the best day of her life.
"Sure, who asked you?" Hermione asked curiously as she looked up from her book. "Uh... Andrew Taylor" Ginny proclaimed. "He's in Ravenclaw."
"What!" Hermione yelped. Ron's head shot up from the game to look at Hermione.
"What's wrong Hermione? Do you not like guys from Ravenclaw" Ron laughed as Harry howled in laughter. Hermione snapped at them to make them shut up.
"That's who asked me."
"Are you sure?" Harry said, looking back and forth at Ginny, then back to Hermione.
"Positive, come on Ginny, let's go find him" Hermione said, standing up and storming out of the common room with Ginny following behind her.
"So... if they're both right, then Hermione probably won't have a date anymore" Harry said, glancing up at Ron with a mischievous look in his eye.
"So..." Ron responded, turning rather red.
"Oh give it up Ron, everyone knows that you fancy her, well, everyone except Hermione of course" Harry said laughing.
"'Arry, this is Hermione you're talking about.... I could never fancy her."
"Then why do you still have her journal" Harry asked as he eyed Ron?
"I... I... I haven't read it or anything, I just found it and I was going to give it back to her" Ron stuttered, his face going scarlet red. Harry was about to say "why didn't you read it" but he stopped when Hermione and Ginny stormed into the room, stomping up towards them. "What happened?" Harry asked, looking at their angry faces.
"He ran away" Ginny said, rather annoyed yet rather amazed that he was such an idiot. Ron coughed, although Harry could tell that he was just covering up a burst of laughter. Hermione looked sad as she slid into a chair.
"So now neither of you have dates?" Harry said, raising his eyebrows. They both nodded miserably as Harry grinned over at Ron.
"But top students have to have dates" Ron gulped as though he knew what he had to do. Hermione nodded and slumped back into the chair. Ron gulped again as he glanced over at Harry who nodded at him. "Err... Mione" Ron began, but before he could ask, a tall handsome boy with dark hazel eyes walked up to them as he brushed his blonde hair out of his face.
"Hullo Hermione" he said in a deep, kind voice.
"Oh, hello Damon" Hermione said smiling at him.
"I was wondering..." Damon stuttered. Ron knew what was going to happen next and shot a glare over at Damon, but he just smiled back rather happy with himself. "I know we're supposed to have dates for the Halloween Ball, being top students an' all" Damon said as he flashed his eyes at Ron as if he was about to accomplish something that he didn't have the guts to do as he brushed his hair out of his face again. "I was wondering if you aren't going with anyone... if you would like to go with me" he smiled dreamily.
"Uh...all right, that would be nice" Hermione said, trying to hold herself from glancing over at Ron. Damon nodded and smiled. He looked over at Ron as if he was about to gloat, but instead his just turned around and walked away. Hermione gulped and looked over at Ron who glared over at Harry and gave him a look as if he wanted to say "see this is what always happens" Harry sighed.
"What were you saying Ron?" Hermione said, looking back down at her book. "
Nothing" He said. "Checkmate" he mumbled to Harry in a less enthusiastic voice. Harry nodded and stood up.
"Well, goodnight" he said to them. He walked toward Ron and nudged him on the shoulder. "Do something" he whispered so that only Ron could hear. Harry grinned and walked up to the boys' dormitory. Hermione still sat in the same seat as the night before with her nose buried in a book. Ron stared at her blankly, as though his whole world was crashing. About ten minutes later, Hermione noticed that Ron was staring at her.
"What? Do I have something on my face" she said, looking at him awkwardly?
"No" he muttered as she looked back down at her book.
"You're perfect" he mumbled back so that she couldn't hear. ((A/N To some of you people that may sound terribly familiar, but I just thought the quote was so sweet so I decided to use it)) She looked up from her book again and looked Ron in the eye and smiled.
"Well, good night" she said to him as she closed her book and slowly walked away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, did you tell her?" Harry said as he and Ron walked into the great hall the next morning.
"Tell whom what?" Ron said confused.
"Did you tell Hermione that you fancy her?"
"I do not fancy her" Ron said, turning away so that Harry couldn't see him blushing. Harry laughed. It was the first weekend of school and there was chatter about the trip to Hogsmeade. Harry and Ron passed by the Hufflepuff table when a girl with long blonde hair stood up and spun around and bumped right into Ron. They both fell back onto the ground. Ron slowly got up and rubbed his head and held out his hand to help the girl up. She took a hold of it and stood up.
"Clumsy me" the girl said smiling as she brushed herself off. The girl had sharp blue eyes with long, straight blonde hair. "Oh, 'ello Harry, who's your friend?" She said as she eyed Ron who smiled.
"Hello Hannah, this is..." Harry started.
"Hi, I'm Ron, Ron Weasley" Ron said, extending his hand out for her to shake. "Pleasure" she said, shaking his hand. "I'm Hannah Abbott" she said smiling at him as he smiled back.
"Hannah... what ever happened to Ernie?" Harry asked.
"Oh..." she looked down at the floor. "He transferred to Durmstrang" she said sighing.
"Well... If you're not hanging out with anyone tonight, do you want to join us for a butter beer at The Three Broomsticks and Hogsmeade?" Ron said quickly, then turning slightly red. She grinned at him.
"That would be wicked" she nodded. Ron smiled.
"All right, we'll meet you inside The Three Broomsticks at about eight" she nodded. "See you tonight then" he said, turning around and walking toward the Gryffindor table with Harry following behind him
"What was that about?" Harry said stunned as they both sat down at the Gryffindor table. "I... I dunno... it just kind of slipped out... I was just being nice, because she didn't have anyone to go with tonight" Ron mumbled, rather confused with himself.
"Hello" Hermione said, walking up to them and sitting down next to Harry.
"Ron just asked Hannah Abbott to join us for butter beers tonight" Harry snickered as Ron waited for her reaction.
"Well that's nice. Are you going to the ball with her?" Hermione asked, glancing up at Ron.
"Maybe...maybe not" Ron hissed, acting rather haughty. Harry looked over at Ron hastily.
"But you just said..."
"I haven't decided yet" said Ron as he glared over at Harry to make him shut up. Harry rolled his eyes unpleasantly.
A/N: I know...not very exciting...it does get a little more boring ((Which is needed)) but then.... Well, I won't spoil it ^_^
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ron, Harry, and Hermione walked out onto the grounds of Hogwarts with large bags filled with food for Sirius. They walked over to the Whomping Willow that was rapidly swaying. Harry grabbed a long branch and extended his arm so the branch would hit the knob on the tree stump that would make the tree stop moving. After many times, Harry finally hit it and the tree stopped and a small door swung open. They slipped through it a climbed down a harshly lit set of stairs before they came to a illuminated room with a large blazing fire burning in the fireplace that seemed quite welcoming. A dark figure loomed from a dark corner of the room. The man was tall and muscular with a rather pale looking face.
"Hello Sirius" Harry said first, breaking the silence.
"I was expecting you" He said in a dark mysterious voice that had a hint of being a warm-hearted welcome.
"What happened to Buckbeak?" Hermione said, looking around at the room that only had a few beds and a glistening fire. Ron and Harry had noticed that too and began to look rapidly around the room for the beast that was part eagle and part horse.
"Oh, he became too much work for me" Sirius said as he began to dig through the food that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had brought him.
"You didn't..." Hermione looked at a pile of bones in the corner of the room with eyes widened. Sirius got the picture and chuckled rather loudly.
"Of course not... that bird was more of a brother to me than James used to be, I would never have killed it. I sold him to a nice couple up in Norway that raised animals like him. I couldn't keep him anymore, I was afraid for his safety." Sirius said, biting into a piercing red apple.
"So what did you want to see us for" Harry asked? Sirius nodded and dropped a chicken leg that he had started and took out a tattered newspaper out of his pocket and tossed it to them.
Minister Of Magic Fired
After working for the Ministry of Magic for 59 years, Cornelius Fudge was apparently fired last week for reasons unknown. Resources for an anonymous person was given to the ministry that Cornelius Fudge threatened to disclose the agreement that was settled between the wizarding world and the giants that was brought together thanks to Olympe Maxime and Rubeus Hagrid. The Ministry had no proof of the threat but still voted to kick the Minister out of his job. A new Minister will be announced in a week.
Harry read it out loud and looked at Sirius confused. "I bet anything that Lucius Malfoy had something to do with this" Ron said with a sneer on his face.
"Who do you think the anonymous person is?" Sirius said rather straight-faced. "Let alone, who do you think the first choice for the new minister of magic is?" Ron pounded his fist into the palm of his hand.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that night, Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked into The Three Broomsticks and sat at their usual table. "I'll go get the drinks" Harry said getting up and walking to the bar. "Three butter beers" Harry said to Madam Rosmerta. She nodded and began to bustle around for the drinks. Just then, the door swung open and an old woman with long black robes walked in and walked towards Harry.
"Hello Harry" The lady said. Harry recognized her right away. It was Ms. Figgs. She didn't look a lot like she used to when Harry saw her on Privet Drive. She looked more like a witch now than a muggle with her long black robes and a pointy hat and small-brimmed spectacles. "It's good to see you again, without all those silly muggles watching your every move" she laughed rather heartily as she tapped her hand against the counter to show that she wanted a butter beer. "Oh... and I'm dreadfully sorry about all those cats, it was just a cover up deary."
"Cover up for what?" Harry asked.
"Well, I read that muggles own a lot of cats, so I thought if I had a lot of cats then they would think I was a muggle and let me take care of you and that conflasted cousin's birthday" she sneered. Harry beamed, he had never known anyone who actually knew the Dursleys and admitted to him that they hated them. "Well, I'll let you get back to your friends" she said grabbing her butter beer that Madam Rosmerta gave her and sat down at a small table in the corner of the room. Harry grabbed the three butter beers and walked back to his friends who looked like they had begun to argue.
"Stop calling him that" Hermione yelled at Ron.
"Oh... I'm very scared Hermione, are you going to get your little boyfriend Vicky to beat me up" he taunted.
"You...you are so immature" Hermione hissed as she stood up and stomped out of the Three Broomsticks and bumped into Hannah as she walked in. She walked towards them with rosy cheeks from the freezing cold breeze that was outside.
"Where did Hermione go?" Hannah asked, glancing over at Ron, knowing he had something to do with it.
"It wasn't my fault, honesty" Ron said Harry and Hannah looked at each other, then back at Ron and laughed.
"Can I sit down?" Hannah asked politely as she unwrapped her scarf from around her neck.
"Yeah, sit down" Harry nodded and he handed Hannah Hermione's butter beer that she hadn't touched. Hannah took it gratefully and sat down.
"Do either of you have dates for the ball?" Hannah asked, taking a sip from the mug.
"I do" Harry said beaming as Ron kept his mouth shut.
"Who?" She asked.
"Cho Chang" he responded rather pleased with himself.
How about you?" Hannah said glancing over at Ron.
"I'm not going with anyone" Ron mumbled.
"Hmm... I would 'ave thought that you were going with Hermione" Hannah replied. Harry laughed and beamed over at Ron.
"Well I'm not.... She's a nightmare, I mean honestly... I feel kind of bad for the guy that has her for a date" He practically yelled, feeling inferior. His face suddenly went pale. He couldn't believe he had said that. Harry and Hannah looked at him with a rather disgusted face. Ron thought it couldn't get any worse, but all of a sudden, Ron heard a whimper from behind him and a door slam shut. Ron turned around just in time to see Hermione dash out of the Three Broomsticks. Ron's face went even paler. "This cannot be happening" He said as he began to breathe hard. He put his hands over his face and began to hit his head against the table.
"Hermione" Harry yelled as he dashed out to follow her.
"Leave me alone Harry" Hermione said struggling from bursting out crying. Hermione walked faster down the streets of Hogsmeade with Harry, who was now at running pace trying to catch up with her. She stopped and sat down on a set of stairs leading to Honeydukes. Harry sat down next to her. She put her hands over her face and burst into tears. Harry put his hand on her shoulder.
"He didn't mean that." She shook her head and looked up at him with a bright red face.
"Didn't you hear him... he said I was a nightmare" she said, trying to wipe the tears away from her face.
"Hermione, Ron thinks the world of you he's just to blind to admit that he really..." Harry wondered if Ron would punch him out if he told her that Ron fancied her. "Is sorry" Harry said.
"I can't believe that he's being mean to me after what I wrote about him in... My..." Hermione stopped and looked at Harry's confused face.
"Ron never read your journal" Harry said, looking at her suspiciously. Hermione's eyes widened as she began to stutter.
"He didn't? I mean... not that I wrote anything personal in it anyway, it's just notes, nothing personal" She said, biting her lip. "Uh... right" Harry grinned at her.
"Mione, he doesn't hate you" Harry said, putting his arm around her.
"Then why would he say such a thing like that if he didn't actually mean it" she whimpered?
"I... I don't know" he shrugged. "Do you want to come back for a drink?" "No" she shook her head sorrowfully. "I'll...I'll just go back to school."
"Err... okay, bye" Harry said. Hermione stood up and hugged Harry tightly. Harry embraced her gently but then let go. She wiped her tears off her face again.
"Thanks Harry" she smiled weakly. He smiled back and trailed off to the Three Broomsticks where Ron was still pounding his head on the table.
"I think she's willing to forgive you" Harry said as he sat down.
"I tried to make him stop hitting his head, but he wouldn't" Hannah said, watching Ron with an awkward stare.
"How could I have said that" Ron croaked out as he stopped hitting his head?
"It was an accident; you didn't mean it" Harry tried to explain.
"Well, I just feel horrible" Ron muttered.
"Then try telling her that" Hannah said as Harry nodded in agreement.
"She won't listen to me" Ron said lying his head on the table. "Could you be a pal and tell her that I'm truly sorry Harry?" Ron said, looking up at Harry.
"Uh... I guess, but it's a little late to go tell her now, she already left" Harry said, taking a sip of his butter beer.
"Thanks Harry" Ron said beaming. Harry sighed; knowing this was going to be a lot harder than he thought. The night got later so they made their way back to Hogwarts.
"Okay, you look for her in the common room and I'll look for her in the library" Harry said to Ron as they entered the castle.
"What do I do when I find her?" Ron asked
"Tell her how sorry you are."
"Like I said before, she won't speak to me. How about, if I find her, then I come and find you."
"Fine" Harry muttered as he began to walk to the library as Ron turned around and started to walk up to the common room. Harry slowly walked toward the library, not wanting Hermione to be there. Harry gulped as he moved slowly to the door. He reached for the knob but he slowly turned. Harry tried to move back from the door but wasn't quick enough and he bumped into the person on the other side. Their lips accidentally met. Harry wrapped his arms around the person's waist. Still kissing, he opened his eyes to see who it was.
A/N CLIFFHANGER! I don't' know about you people, but I love cliffhangers. Just to tell you people, I do not have a sick mind... Draco Malfoy or any of his posse is not behind the door. Just wanted to make that clear. Please do not yell at me because of the cliffhanger ^_^. And just to say, I LOVE ALL THE REVIEWS! Just keep the language down to a PG level, lol. THANKYA!!
