Disclaimer: Just pretend there's one here… -_-;

A/N:Thanks for reviews! J * tries hard to express gratitude *

Chapter 8: Can't think of anything just yet…

~Harry's POV~

I laid on my four poster bed and thought of what happened the night before.What if Hermione found out I was lying to her? The consequences of her finding out everything still lingers in my head even after a few hours of sleep.I shook my head and opened my eyes…only to find James staring curiously at me and "AHHH!!!" I shouted, and James fell off the bed. "Ouch!That hurts!" He said and stood up promptly waiting for me to get out of bed. "Hey,look at the time Harry!We're late for breakfast!" Ron shouted as he came rushing in. "Oh no!" I jumped out of bed and ran for the bathroom. I changed as quickly as possible and ran off to the Great Hall to meet up with the others at the Gryffindor Table.

"Harry,what's gotten into you?You've never been late for breakfast before…" Hermione asked me as I sat down next to Ron. "I don't know…maybe I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. "I guess you vere finking all night,weren't you,'Arry?" Ron chipped in with his mouth full of pudding. "Ew…stop it Ron, it's disgusting!" "Yeah,whatever…" Ron said,turning his attention back to his food.

Jessie was sitting beside James,who was busy munching away and putting everything into his plate and pouring the pumpkin juice into his globet. 'What a big eater for his age…' "Harry,what were you thinking about last night?" Hermione asked suspiously and that question made me snap out of my thoughts quicker than I thought. 'What am I suppose to tell her? "Oh,Hermione,look at the twins,they're ours." Or, "Hermione,you're my wife in the future,and these are our kids."? I can't!' "Oh, it's nothing important."

Trying to avoid the topic as quick as possible,I asked, "What's after breakfast?" "You wouldn't wish for this lesson in a million years,Harry. Double Potions, of course,it's with the Slytherin slimeballs." Ron replied with his ears red just because of mentioning the Slytherins (A/N:He really hates Slytherins huh?) "Not Double Potions again…I thave this feeling that somebody is trying to do us in. I can't believe it,we have Double Potions with the Slytherins every year!" I hung my head.

After breakfast, we hurried to the dungeons as soon as possible trying not be late to prevent Snape from taking points away from Gryffindor during the first lesson of the year. But our efforts were soon wasted. Snape was busy bullying Neville as usual, when he melted the fourth cauldron in the day. That's when Malfoy turned back to taunt us. "I knew it. Those bonehead Gryffindors can't do anything well, can they, Crabbe, Goyle?" I glared at Malfoy and saw both Crabbe and Goyle burst into guffaws and snickers.

"Well, it's better than the legendary stooges which can't even block hexes." Hermione replied, remembering how they had hexed Malfoy and his gang on the Hogwarts Express. But this time, Snape heard what Hermione had said. "Miss Granger, I would prefer if you can pay more attention during my class. 30 points from Gryffindor!""Hey!Where did the 30 points come from?" Ron interupted."10 points from Granger, Potter and you!" Snapped Snape."What? We didn't do anything professor! Besides-" "One more word from you, Weasley." Snape eyed Ron with pure loathe and hatred that he shuts up. Fighting against the desire to stand up to Snape for his unjust, I sat quietly and continued to stir my potion.

After Potions…

"I can't believe he took 30 points off us! And we did nothing!" "What's so difficult to believe anyway? It's not unusual that he takes points off Gryffindor,in fact, it's a common practice for Gryffindors from first years to seventh years!" Hermione replied Ron with much annoyance in her voice as Ron had been going on and on about this topic since the end of Potions. Actually, I was kind of irritated with him as well,not to mention Hermione. The rest of the days were long and tired.

At lunch we met up with the twins (Not the Weasley twins!). Halfway through lunch, Professor Dumbledore stood up and said, "Everybody, may I have your attention please?" breaking off our conversation and everybody turned to look at Professor Dumbledore with questioning looks on their faces. What is he going to say? I hope it's not cancelling the Quidditch cup this year. We have not won the Championship yet. He paused, "We're going to have a Yule Ball earlier this year. Please find a partner to the ball as soon as possible because the ball will be held in a month. You can now continue, thank you." He sat down briefly and talked to Professor McGonagall who is unusually cheerful. I wonder what they're talking about? Hmm…a partner huh? Maybe I should ask Hermione to the ball? Ok, I'll ask her later! 'Now that's the spirit!' Huh? Who's there? Am I hearing things again? 'No you're not! You bonehead! I'm you and you're me!' Ok, whatever…

In the common room…

"Hey, Lavender…willyougototheballwithme?" I can see that Ron is pretty nervous about asking Lavender to the ball. After all, he's got a REAL serious crush on her. Haha! His ears are red now! "Um, Ron? Can you repeat what you just said?" "Uh…Lavender, w-will you go to the b-ball with m-me?" He stuttered. "Sure, Ron! I'd love to go with you!" Lavender squealed. I can't believe it, he's made it that easily. Now what about me? Ron came over with a grin plastered on his face.

"So, Harry, when are you going to ask Hermione to the ball?" I feel my cheek getting warmer, "How do you know I was going to ask her?" "It's kinda obvious you know, I've seen the way you act around her. You know…you even stare at her like for eternity! I never knew you'd be interested in her and you just did! Ever since the Yule Ball last year!" "Really? I mean, is it really that obvious?" Ron said nothing but nodded quickly. "Actually, I've been in love with her for years…it's just that I never noticed you know? Every time I see her I get this weird feeling of butterflies fluttering in my stomach…and worse-" "Hey guys!What're you talking about?" A familiar voice interupted. Oh no! Did she hear what I just said? My cheeks were getting warmer and warmer and redder too! I can just feel that feeling again! "Nothing,Hermione. By the way, Harry here has something to ask you. I'll be at the dorms if you need me!" Ron said and left me alone with her. What am I going to say to her now?

"Harry? Ron said you had something to ask me. What is it?" I felt my heart going at a mile per hour and blood pounding in my ears. "Uh…Hermione? I was just wondering. Doyouhaveanypartnertogototheballwith?" This time, I 'm the one who's stuttering. At the corner of my eye, I saw Ron laughing at me as I glared at him, "Harry? Can you please go slower? I can't catch a word you're saying!" "I-I'm sorry. Can you go to the ball w-with me?" There, I asked her, trying not to stutter. "Wha-what? No problem, Harry."

~Hermione's POV~

I can't believe it! Harry's actually asking me to the ball! Of course I'll go! I wouldn't miss this chance even for the world! "No problem, Harry." I replied with my cheeks tinged.

~Harry's POV~

Wow! She actually said yes! This is great! The desire to jump up and down and scream that Hermione's going to the ball with me is greater than anything but I still fought it down to avoid curious glances from other in the common room. Standing at one corner were James and the Weasley twins laughing at the jokes they shared. I cast a glance on them before looking at Hermione again. I tried to open my mouth to say something to her but failed terribly as I was too excited to say anything.

"Hey, Dad. You seem to be in high spirits these days! Did you get to go to the ball with Mum?" Upon hearing that, I blushed crimson red and turned away from Jessie. I left the common room hastily after that. On the hallway, I bumped into someone who simply hated me from the start of my first year. "Watch where you're going, Potter!" Malfoy scowled. " Why don't YOU watch where you're going, blind rat?" I shot. "What was that?" "It seems that you're not only a blind rat but a blind rat with hearing problems too!" "Why you little…you're gonna pay for that!" "Really? With what? You want Galleon, Sickles or Knuts?" I smirked as I said that. I can see that he's flaming, literally. "I win this time, Malfoy." I started to walk away, but nevertheless, I heard Malfoy muttering 'expelliarmus' at me and I wasn't able to dodge in time. I should've known that he wouldn't let me go without a fight!

I stood up and shouted, "stupefy!". With that, Malfoy fell to the ground,stunned. Crabbe and Goyle went over the help him up. "What is this, Potter, Malfoy?" A voice I would never ever wished to hear at this time said. I turned to face Professor McGonagall, only to find her stern face looking at the four of us. "This is not the first time I've caught you two fighting this year! A three weeks detention for you two! And 5 points from Gryffindor and Slytherin!"

"Darn it! I have to serve detention for two weeks with Malfoy!" I cursed as I was telling Jessie and the others about how I got my detention. Somehow, I keep getting this feeling that Malfoy's not going to leave this matter alone. "Relax, mate. Don't let Malfoy's type get you." Ron sat down next to me. "You know,you're right. I shouldn't let him get me."

~Normal POV~

That very night, a man engulfed in darkness was talking to a man short man with a squeaky voice. "Come here,Wormtail."

"Yes, my lord?"

"How long is it from here to Hogwarts?"

"It takes six months,my lord." Wormtail squeaked.

"Very well…I will keep you alive till then."

"Wha-what? You're going to kill me,my lord? Please, spare my life. On account of my loyalty to you."

"You? Loyal? You came back to me because of guilt, didn't you? You were not really loyal to me. You're afraid of me. Now that I have regained my body, my powers will also be back soon…"

"…"

Suddenly, cold laughters filled the dark and moist room.

Back To Harry…

Morning came and blurry visions greeted Harry as he woke up. Putting his glasses on, he looked over to the other bed finding James and the others sleeping soundly. He took his robes with him and walked to the bathroom. Dressed in his robes, he strolled back to his dorm again. "Good morning, Harry." Greeted Ron. "Morning, Ron. Is James awake already?" "Yes. We're going to change, wait for us in the common room, we'll be right there in a minute."

"Ok."

Minutes later, Ron and the rest came down the stairs. They took some time to reach the Great Hall and Hermione was already in there waiting for them with Jessie sitting across her. "Morning ladies." "Good morning guys," the girls chorused. Breakfast soon ended and Dumbledore stood up and said, "I have an announcement to make again. Once again, I ask for your attention please."

"I wonder what he's gonna say." Whispered Ron to Harry. "Me too." Replied Harry. "Me three." Interupted James. "This year, will be as eventful as the last year. We will be holding a Dueling Tournament this year. The other three schools, Laxegon(A/N:What a dumb name -_-;), Beauxbaton and Durmstrang will be here by tomorrow. Also, in this tournament, there will be no age limit so first years to the seventh will be able to join. Also, during this period, balls will be held and the school will be enlarged for the use of the competition and of course, the Quidditch Cup will still be held. But, the teams from other schools will be joining us as well. That is all. You may go to class now."

The day was long but it ended eventually. The gang were in the common room, talking about the competition coming up.

Ron: So, Harry, are you joining?

Harry: I guess so. 'Since I noticed that I got a couple of stares from people during classes after that announcement. They're expcecting me to enter this year.'

Hermoine:Me too.What about you, Ron?

Ron:My friends are joining! How can I be left out? *Grins*

James:We're gonna enter too! *drags Jessie along*

Harry:It's too dangerous for you to join!I do not approve of this, you two may get yourselves in trouble!

James:It's ok Dad!We can take care of ourselves! (A/N:About time I reveal their identities or maybe not…)

Ron and Hermione:I guess it's ok for them to join…Hang on, did you just call Harry Dad?

Jessie:Uh…he did? Harry's not our father, you stupid git! *hits James on the head*

James:I didn't! Perhaps you heard wrong? It can't be, I'm sure I didn't call Harry Dad.

Ron and Hermione:If you say so.

Harry: 'What a close shave…I think I'll let them enter. Just to prevent any more arguments or whatever.' Alright, you can enter. But remember, your safety's always in the first place.

James and Jessie: Sure Harry! Leave it to us!

As they talked about the match, it was getting later and later. After the talk, the gang finally went to bed.

~The next day~

A loud crash woke everybody in the dormitory early in the morning…

A/N: Cliffhanger!!! So…how was it? I hope it isn't too bad… anyway, I've got a HUGE writers block. So, seeya! I hope I can update this soon!