Chapter 3:

Back to a Normal Way of Life

The first week of school was pretty horrible for Harry. After the little prank Dean and Seamus played on the first years, Harry had to be Head Boy and give the boys detentions. Dean and Seamus weren't too happy about that. Harry did not want to, but the teachers wanted him to get hold of being Head Boy, so Harry had to take responsibility for it. Harry did not really like being Head Boy; it took a great deal of time out of studying and free time. When Quidditch season comes he will barely anytime for himself.

His first classes weren't much better than Head Boy duties. First, Transfiguration was a little boring without having Hermione there to blurt out the answers or help him with the transfiguring. Potions with the Slytherins was by far the most horrible place to be at Hogwarts. Not only did Snape say that they only made Harry Head Boy because of his fame; he also said that Harry was strutting it around like his father had been. Divination was as bad as usual. Not only was he predicting his death (again!!) but this year he is also going to fall in love with someone, much to his dislike, who has a chilling secret. Defense Against the Dark Arts was where they were at this moment.

"And tomorrow we will cover the rise of the Dark Lord in even more detail than you have learned about it before. Class dismissed."

With that most of the students packed up and left, but Harry had to stay behind and ask a question.

"Hey Professor. I was wondering if-" Harry was cut off by someone slamming into the classroom. It was Snape.

"Remus, we've found her but then she.." He stopped and turned to Harry. "Would you please be so kind to get the picture that you're not wanted, Potter?"

With that said, Harry forgot to turn back to the table to grab his books but instead he left the room. After a few minutes, Harry realized that his bag felt lighter, so he headed back to get his books. But as he was walking, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Something that looked like a cloak, which wasn't unusual but it was odd that he wouldn't have heard any footsteps coming toward him.

He turned and whatever it was, it was no longer there. He turned to keep walking but then he saw the Quidditch Pitch. He just realized, he didn't have time to go back to Defense Against the Dark Arts, he had his first Quidditch practice today.

~*~After practice (Sorry not good at writing Quidditch scenes~*~

After telling his plans for this year's Quidditch season, he dismissed the team. A beautiful fifth year girl, Allison Slout, cornered him up against the wall before he could leave. He did not necessarily like Allison, she was the type of girl who would use boys for their popularity and she was also labeled as the most popular girl at Hogwarts. All the girls wanted to be her and all the boys wanted to be with her, but she just wasn't Hermione. And of course, she wanted the best boy around, Harry. She would probably give anything to be with him.

"So. Harry I was wondering maybe if it was okay if maybe we could get together sometime at Hogsmeade. .you know just me and you and a romantic evening." The fifth year chaser, Allison asked, fluttering her eyelashes a little bit. Harry, of course, knew what she was suggesting. She wanted to be his first time. Girls thought it was cute that it was revealed that the Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who- Lived, was still a virgin. Allison had plenty of experience in that background and almost nobody would turn her down, but Harry did.

"Well, Allison with me being your captain. er.. well I am too busy. With Quidditch and Head Boy stuff, you know?" Harry replied, trying to get away from her.

"Oh. .it's fine," She said, fake tears forming in her eyes as she walked out of the team room. "I'll see you later then."

"Yeah. uh bye." Was all Harry could say. During the whole practice, he was thinking about the thing he saw in the halls, then he realized he still hadn't picked up his books in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry started to head out of the team room, in a rapid pace.

"Hey Harry.. where are you heading?" Harry turned to see Ron hadn't left the team room.

"I forgot my books in Lupin's class."

"Oh. well I will come with you."

On the way up to the castle, Harry told Ron about the encounter with Allison.

"Ah.. well Harry.. maybe you are taking Hermione's death a little too far. I really think you should start dating. Is that why you turned down Allison? Because you are still in love with Hermione? Allison's so nice and almost every guy in Hogwarts wants her."

"Of course everyone wants her, she is the most popular girl in school and will shag anything if he had his face in the Daily Prophet. I would also feel bad about going out with someone and still being in love with Hermione." Harry yelled back at him.

"Harry, I am just worrying about you. Hermione isn't the last person you'll love, you'll see that someday."

Harry only nodded. The awkward silence of the halls were creeping up on them, where was Peeves when you needed him. Then Ron broke the silence.

"Harry, I am sorry.. I know you love Hermione and you haven't gotten over it just yet but hopefully you will soon."

"It's okay Ron.. I just love her with my heart and soul... I just miss her so much." Harry was trying to keep his tears in order, and Ron patted his shoulder trying to give him some male comfort. He continued, "I should have told her."

"You know Harry I didn't realize that she meant that much to you. Well, lets change the subject, shall we?" Ron said, "So, are you and the Head Girl are getting along good?"

"Uh. well. she is a little bit snobby. Hermione would have made a better Head-" Harry stopped suddenly, realizing what he said, but Ron just shook his head and looked at the ground.

"Yeah, a bit snobby, but she has a nice arse," Ron tried to change the subject again.

"Hey.. you have a girlfriend!! And, anyway, I think she is going out with that Zacharias guy. You know from the D.A."

"Yeah, that idiot," Ron didn't like him too much.

They finally made it to the door of the classroom, and Harry knocked.

"Who's there?" The voice was obviously belonged to Professor Lupin.

"Harry and Ron." Harry called through the door.

"Oh," Professor Lupin opened the door wide, "Come in.. I suppose you came to get your books, Harry?"

"Yeah."

Harry and Ron realized that almost all the teachers were in the room. It seemed to be a little bit suspicious to them.

"Hello there Harry and Ron." Dumbledore said, as the boys walked into the room, his eyes twinkling with a secret.

"Uh. Hello." The boys both said. Professor Lupin handed Harry his books.

"Thanks Professor."

"Your welcome Harry. I think you and Mr. Weasley better be off."

"Okay I'll see you later Moony."

Professor Lupin just smiled.

'He looks so much like his father. I just hope his fate won't be the same.'

After leaving the classroom, Harry and Ron made their way up to the boy's dormitories.

~*~Meanwhile in Professor Lupin's classroom~*~

"Harry isn't stupid, Professor. He will find out the truth in a matter of time."

"I know that Remus, but the key words are 'matter of time.' We will keep them out of this for as long as we can."

"But Profes-"

"No Remus. Harry will find out soon enough; after all, we do know she is running around the school. It was unfair of us to keep them apart."

"Professor, do you think that she will try and help Harry defeat Voldemort?"

"Yes, Severus. I believe that is why she left the safety that we gave her in the first place. Though, as long as she stays here hidden from the Death Eaters, she will be safe."

"What if Voldemort finds out she is unprotected and at Hogwarts?"

"Minerva, I don't know. I just hope that she knows what she's doing and she knows what danger lies ahead of her."

*~*End of Chapter 3*~*

Cliffy!! He he he!!