Hermione walked into the boys' dormitories. All of the boys were staring at her, because girls only walked into the boys' dormitories on rare occasions.

"Harry," she said, trying to wake him up. "Harry?"

"Hello, 'Mione," he said sleepily, "what can I do for you today?"

"Well, Harry, I was wondering if well, maybe you would go on a walk with me and sort things out."

"NO!" yelled Harry, coming back to his senses.

"I knew I should have had Neville come first!" she thought.

"I know you are mad at me, but I have something important to tell you," she said with a pitiful look on her face. "Please?"

"Well, okay."

Harry knew he was mad, but he just couldn't resist. She looked so cute like that. Besides, this might be good for him.

* * * *

"Poor Harry," said Dean sympathetically.

"Yeah, it must be hard, you know, being the only one not included," said Ron. "He seemed really mad earlier."

"I know," agreed Seamus.

"Hey, look!" said Ron excitedly. "There is an owl."

"An owl. Impressive, Ron!" said Dean. "You must never get letters."

"Stop embarrassing me!" said Ron with a sarcastic proud tone. "Not everyone is that lucky!"

"Yeah, whatever," said Seamus, "let's give it a look."

The owl fluttered onto the bed, revealing a note.

It said:

Dear Ron, Dean, and Seamus,

I have decided to stay at Hogwarts for just a little while longer. Do you think Harry will come if I tell him he was accepted, too? I hope so. Right now, I think I may be able to convince him to come. I hope he will. Well, here he comes. Tell you all about it later. Sincerely, Hermione

"Well, how about that. Do you think he will go?" asked Dean.

"Two butter beers he won't!" exclaimed Seamus.

"Well, you know how Harry feels about her. Maybe he will," said Ron.

* * * *

"Okay," agreed Harry, "I will meet you in the common room in a few minutes."

Hermione walked into the common room and sat down. She decided to write a letter to Dean, Seamus, and Ron. She wondered how Harry would react to her suggestion.

Harry walked into the room. Hermione quickly hid the ink and quill that she had just been using.

"I'm ready," said Harry.

"Okay," said Hermione, "follow me."

They walked for a long time until they finally reached the lake.

Hermione sat down on a bench and motioned for Harry to sit.

"Harry," she said, "how do you feel about Hogwarts?"

"Well, I am sure I would never leave it. It is like home away from home. Not that I really have a home. I think that anyone who had the idea of leaving Hogwarts would be crazed. I can't imagine you leaving. I mean, those Durmstrang students are probably much smarter than you. (No offense.) I mean. Everyone there would be really. Err."

"Harry," she said, " What would you do if I asked you to go to Durmstrang with me? I know I already have Victor and all, but it would be nice to have you and Ron. Ron said that if you go, he will. I have found tuition aid for him, since his parents would not be able to, well, pay for it. You and I have scholarships, too."

"Wait," he said, "you mean that I actually made it into Durmstrang?"

"Well, yes. Anyone would be glad to have you, Harry."

"I just need some time to think." "Okay. Whenever you are ready. I am leaving in two weeks. There were some technical difficulties with tomorrow."

* * * *

"Ron," said Harry, "do you really want to go to Durmstrang?"

"Well, I think that Hermione really wants to go and I am just being a friend, you know, doing a friendly deed."

"That's all? You just said yes because you wanted to be nice? What do you really think?" Harry inquired.

"Well."

"What? I know there was another reason."

"Well, Harry, the truth is.Hogwarts is"

"What? This involves Hogwarts?"

"Er."

"Yes or no."

"Yes. Hogwarts says that well, it can only fund three Weasleys now. Since there are four of us and I got excepted under scholarship."

"You want to go."

"Yes."

"I need some time to think."

* * * *

Harry walked up to Hermione. He took a deep breath.

" 'mione"

"Yes, Harry?"

"Well,I.I."