A/N: Hi everyone, I'm back! Woo it's Saturday and I am really thankful! TGIS! Er...Ok well I'd like to thank you all for reading the previous chapter. I got lots of reviews. So thanx to:
Cheese Diva: LOL you just wait, POSESSED! Maybe so...You may never know!
Kagome19: Here's the next chapter. And now worries, I won't leave you guys for years never knowing what's going to happen...or will I? Mua-hahahaha!
turtleboy5578: Thanx here's chapter 11.
wowsergirl: Thanx so much!
morgan: Yeah i know the feeling of school holding you back! I had major writers block with this chapter, but hey it's up and running! Please keep reviewing!
Johanna: I'm glad you like the locket! Thanx for reading please continue!
mayelbridwen-singer: Thanx a lot! I'm glad I could interest you. As for the Lupin/Tonks thing...not really, but if that makes you happy be my guest!
Penelope Richwood: Long time so see! Thanx for reviewing! The thing about Neville is that we don't ever find out if he did Patronuses all that well in the D.A. So he may be a bit rusty. Thanx a lot!
ashley: Don't worry about the R/Hness. It's coming. I just happen to have my own idea worked out for it, because as you can see from my penname. I LOVE that ship!
michelleywelley: Thanx a lot for reading this story. As for Rhonda can't say can't say. :) Just you wait and see...
Lily106: LOL! Your review made me laugh! Thanx for reviewing.
tiffiany-45: Thanx for taking the time to read my fic as always. I read your review for chappie 9 and don't worry about the R/Hness. It's coming! Just keep reading!
Lady in Waiting: Thanx for reading! As for Rhonda just you wait and see.
Natalie Potter731: Thanx for reviewing. They just got back from Christmas vacation. We don't know if the houseelves bring their stuff then! As for the wording error. Thanx for pointing it out.
Disclaimer: I own nothing...Nothing...NOTHING!
Chapter 11: Tests and Explanations
"Harry!" Ginny said when they had finally gotten to the portrait hole. She was panting hard from running and her cheeks were pink from the cold. "What's going on?"
"Stinksap!" Harry shouted to the Fat Lady and scrambled through the hole.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to see Hermione and Ron sitting in front of the fire, not much different from when he had left them, although they weren't playing chess anymore.
"You two are back early," Hermione said looking at them critically.
"She was there," Harry said. He was still holding a very confused Ginny's hand and walking swiftly over to the couch. "She tried to do it again."
"Who tried to do what?" Ginny said, starting to get annoyed.
"Rhonda was there again?" Ron asked, worry etched on every one of his features.
"Yes," Harry said flopping down in an armchair across from Ron and Hermione. He had finally let go of Ginny's hand and she was perched on the armchair next to him. Bewilderment was written all over her face, down to the very last freckle. "Luckily we got away before she could cause any real damage."
"But how did a first year get into Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked. "It's against the rules!"
"Hermione, that's not really the issue right now!" Ron snapped. Hermione frowned at him, but focused her attention on Harry and a very impatient Ginny.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked again. She was now glaring from Harry, to Ron, to Hermione.
"Gin, er," Harry said running his fingers through his hair.
"Don't you 'Gin' me!" she snapped. "I want to know what the heck is going on! I think I have a right to know Harry James Potter!"
If this had been a less critical situation Harry would've found Ginny using his full name rather amusing, but under the circumstances he barely even noticed.
"Fine," Harry said with a sigh, and with the help of Ron and Hermione he relayed the story of Rhonda Garrison to his girlfriend. By the end of the story she was sitting in her armchair, her mouth slightly open breathing heavily.
"So you're telling me, that that first year is working for You-Know-Who?" she asked still rather confused.
"We think she is, Ginny," Hermione continued. "But we're not completely sure. Harry I think you need to tell Dumbledore. She's following you around and even if she has nothing to do with Voldemort-honestly you two get over it-she did break a school rule and needs to be dealt with."
"But what if she has nothing to do with the dark side Hermione, then the Hogsmeade thing is really not Dumbledore's concern. It really belongs in McGonagall department."
"You really think she has nothing to do with Voldemort? Stop it Ron! Harry she's practically reading your mind, almost like…"
"I'm not going crying to Dumbledore," Harry said flatly. "I can take care of myself."
"Maybe Hermione has a point, Harry," Ginny said quietly. "Professor Dumbledore would be concerned and I-we don't want you to get hurt." She flushed slightly pink.
Harry grinned at Ginny's comment and hugged her. "I'm fine. Don't you worry about it."
Harry let go of Ginny and turned to see Ron and Hermione grinning at him. There was an awkward silence and then Hermione said, "So are you two-er-together, now?"
Harry smiled and glanced at Ginny who nodded. Hermione let out a squeal.
"Oh this is great! It's about time, what did it take you, six years, to figure it out?" she said giving Ginny a hug.
"Look who's talking," Harry muttered in Ron's direction. He flushed horribly and attempted to hide it with his hands.
"What did you say, Harry?" Hermione asked sitting back down on the couch.
"Nothing," Harry said shooting Ron a significant look, which cause him to turn "Weasley red" all over again.
The next few months were hectic to say the least. Hermione kept getting onto Harry and Ron about not studying enough.
"Our N.E.W.T.S. are coming up soon!" she would say for it seemed like the millionth time that day. "You two need to get good grades!"
"We don't need to do anything!" Ron retorted. "Honestly you don't control us!"
Hermione looked slightly hurt. "Sorry," she muttered. "I am just thinking about your futures. Harry wants to be an Auror and needs top grades you know."
"Well that's Harry's problem not yours, 'Mione," Ron snapped.
Hermione suddenly froze in the middle of the hall, causing Harry and Ron to crash into her.
"You might want to warn us when you're going to do that," Harry said rubbing his knee.
Hermione ignored him. "What did you just call me?" she asked Ron, her eyes slightly bigger than normal.
Ron thought back to what he had just said and turned slightly pink. "'Mione…" he said slowly. "You have a problem with that?" It came out more like a statement.
Hermione seemed to be rolling the idea over in her mind. Finally she said, "I suppose not, Ronnie." She continued to walk down the hall, a big smirk plastered on her face. (A/N: Thanx to Cheese Diva for that idea!)
"Point taken," Ron muttered, ears going red.
Harry choked back a laugh. He had found it rather cute that Ron had shortened Hermione name. He made a mental not never to call Hermione that. It had been claimed as Ron's special name for her, even if she did hate it.
The week of the exams had finally arrived after much pushing, prodding, and quizzing from Hermione the boys finally seemed ready. Harry had knots in his stomach as they entered the Great Hall for breakfast. He kept running facts over in his mind and asking Hermione questions.
"I don't think I'm going to do all that well," Ron said as he let his cornflakes turn to mush in his bowl. "I know I'll forget something, I just know it!"
Hermione turned to him and gave him an encouraging smile. "You passed your O.W.L.S. At least you know the basic exam form."
Ron shrugged and continued to play with his cereal.
"Hi you guys!" Ginny said as she sat down next to Harry. "Good luck today! You'll do fine."
Thanks, Ginny," came the replies of the 7th years. Suddenly a little blonde girl with pigtails was joining them.
"I thought I'd come and wish you good luck," Sarah said as she slid onto the bench next to Hermione. "I wouldn't know anything about exams of course, but I assume you'll all do well."
Ron snorted and continued to occupy himself with the soggy cornflakes.
"Thanks Sarah," Hermione said with a smile. "Just think one day it will be you in our shoes."
"Ouch, I don't want to think about that," she said with a theatrical shudder. "You four will probably all be off and married by the time that day comes."
They all blushed, but no one blushed more than Ron and Hermione.
Sarah smirked. "Well I've got to get going. My friends are waiting for me." She got up and gave the still rather crimson Ron and Hermione a smile and left towards the other end of the table.
Harry gave Ron a kick under the table and mouthed, "She knows" to him, making him turn a sickly pale shade to rival Malfoy.
Suddenly a swarm of owls swooped into the hall. Harry was surprised to see a large tawny owl he did not recognize fly towards him. He stuck out his leg and held a letter brandished with a very interesting seal. It said "Weasly Twins" and flashed different colors. He opened the letter and read:
Harry-
We thought that since exams are finally upon you we would send you these Tickling Tizzies to ease the pain. We promised we would of course. We also made a few adjustments. If the person you are trying to curse is in the premises, the flames will turn red. We decided this would be a good way to locate them. Hope they come in handy. Ron and Hermione's are enclosed as well. Good luck on the exams!
From, George and Fred Weasley
P.S. If you are doing as you promised we won't send your money back. J
Harry took out the small green disks and handed one to Ron and Hermione.
"These are from the twins," he explained. "They're called Tickling Tizzies."
"Cool," Ron said abandoning his bowl of mush. "What do they do?"
Harry grinned. "Here watch," he said. Sticking his wand into the center of it he muttered, "Draco Malfoy."
Suddenly there was a burst of laughter from the other side of the hall as Draco rolled on the ground clutching his stomach. Harry hurried and took his wand out of the disk and pretended to act innocent. Draco was still lying on the ground looking positively murderess.
The four of them choked back their laughter and pocketed the Tickling Tizzies.
"Well I suppose we had better get to class," Hermione said her eyes shining with tears of mirth. "We don't want to be late."
"We don't?" Ron said getting up and smirking at Hermione.
Harry laughed and waved good-bye to Ginny and joined Ron and Hermione on their way to class.
****************
"Well it could've been worse," Hermione said after they had had their first exam, Potions.
"Easy for you to say," Ron retorted. "Your potion didn't blow up and turn the examiner's face green!"
"Well at least yours did something," Harry said glumly. "Mine just sat there in the cauldron until it hardened like cement."
"Well maybe Care of Magical Creatures will be better," Hermione said as they hurried down the stairs of the castle.
When the trio arrived at Hagrid's hut for their examination Harry couldn't help but feel rather nervous. Hagrid would always be his favorite teacher, but he couldn't deny that he was a bit daft in the ways of safety; he only hoped he would know enough to pass his exam.
Luckily is was very easy to explain to the examiners the difference between a Doxy and a Cornish Pixie, considering he knew the exact behavior of a Cornish Pixie it was easy to determine which was which.
Transfiguration's physical exam wasn't as easy on the other hand. The examiner asked Harry to transfigure his teacup into a mouse. Although Harry managed to turn it into a mouse it was still had a rather blue color to it, with a pattern of flowers.
"That wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be," Hermione said after the days' exams were completed. She had received top marks in all of them. "Although I think I was bit rusty on that Defense Against the Dark Arts one. How exactly were we supposed to defend ourselves against a creature that's invisible?"
"You're supposed to be able to sense it," Harry explained. For once he knew something Hermione didn't.
"Something Professor Krum didn't exactly go over with us in detail about," Ron said grumpily.
"Well if you had read the chapter," Hermione began.
"You were the one who said you didn't do well!" Ron retorted. "Don't start on me!"
"Sorry," Hermione muttered.
The rest of exam week went on without a hitch. Unless you count Harry and Ron brooding over how they did everyday. Hermione tried helplessly to comfort them, but it usually just made them feel worse.
Harry went to sleep Friday night with a light head. He felt rather sick from exams, but was glad to get them over with, of course.
As he drifted off to sleep Harry couldn't help, but wonder if he ever would have good enough grades to become an Auror. It seemed kind of pointless to even try, but he never knew what the world might hold in store for him. Especially with his new found understanding of the prophecy. Harry fell into a restless sleep, his mind reeling with worries, new and old.
A/N: Ok just so you guys don't worry. These next chapters should come quicker because from here on out I have pretty much every last detail worked out. There are still quite a few more chapters, so hang tight! Now hit the purple or is it blue? that's a good question...YOU tell me what color you think it is in you review! I want to see what people think! Thanx again! -'Mione
Cheese Diva: LOL you just wait, POSESSED! Maybe so...You may never know!
Kagome19: Here's the next chapter. And now worries, I won't leave you guys for years never knowing what's going to happen...or will I? Mua-hahahaha!
turtleboy5578: Thanx here's chapter 11.
wowsergirl: Thanx so much!
morgan: Yeah i know the feeling of school holding you back! I had major writers block with this chapter, but hey it's up and running! Please keep reviewing!
Johanna: I'm glad you like the locket! Thanx for reading please continue!
mayelbridwen-singer: Thanx a lot! I'm glad I could interest you. As for the Lupin/Tonks thing...not really, but if that makes you happy be my guest!
Penelope Richwood: Long time so see! Thanx for reviewing! The thing about Neville is that we don't ever find out if he did Patronuses all that well in the D.A. So he may be a bit rusty. Thanx a lot!
ashley: Don't worry about the R/Hness. It's coming. I just happen to have my own idea worked out for it, because as you can see from my penname. I LOVE that ship!
michelleywelley: Thanx a lot for reading this story. As for Rhonda can't say can't say. :) Just you wait and see...
Lily106: LOL! Your review made me laugh! Thanx for reviewing.
tiffiany-45: Thanx for taking the time to read my fic as always. I read your review for chappie 9 and don't worry about the R/Hness. It's coming! Just keep reading!
Lady in Waiting: Thanx for reading! As for Rhonda just you wait and see.
Natalie Potter731: Thanx for reviewing. They just got back from Christmas vacation. We don't know if the houseelves bring their stuff then! As for the wording error. Thanx for pointing it out.
Disclaimer: I own nothing...Nothing...NOTHING!
Chapter 11: Tests and Explanations
"Harry!" Ginny said when they had finally gotten to the portrait hole. She was panting hard from running and her cheeks were pink from the cold. "What's going on?"
"Stinksap!" Harry shouted to the Fat Lady and scrambled through the hole.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to see Hermione and Ron sitting in front of the fire, not much different from when he had left them, although they weren't playing chess anymore.
"You two are back early," Hermione said looking at them critically.
"She was there," Harry said. He was still holding a very confused Ginny's hand and walking swiftly over to the couch. "She tried to do it again."
"Who tried to do what?" Ginny said, starting to get annoyed.
"Rhonda was there again?" Ron asked, worry etched on every one of his features.
"Yes," Harry said flopping down in an armchair across from Ron and Hermione. He had finally let go of Ginny's hand and she was perched on the armchair next to him. Bewilderment was written all over her face, down to the very last freckle. "Luckily we got away before she could cause any real damage."
"But how did a first year get into Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked. "It's against the rules!"
"Hermione, that's not really the issue right now!" Ron snapped. Hermione frowned at him, but focused her attention on Harry and a very impatient Ginny.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked again. She was now glaring from Harry, to Ron, to Hermione.
"Gin, er," Harry said running his fingers through his hair.
"Don't you 'Gin' me!" she snapped. "I want to know what the heck is going on! I think I have a right to know Harry James Potter!"
If this had been a less critical situation Harry would've found Ginny using his full name rather amusing, but under the circumstances he barely even noticed.
"Fine," Harry said with a sigh, and with the help of Ron and Hermione he relayed the story of Rhonda Garrison to his girlfriend. By the end of the story she was sitting in her armchair, her mouth slightly open breathing heavily.
"So you're telling me, that that first year is working for You-Know-Who?" she asked still rather confused.
"We think she is, Ginny," Hermione continued. "But we're not completely sure. Harry I think you need to tell Dumbledore. She's following you around and even if she has nothing to do with Voldemort-honestly you two get over it-she did break a school rule and needs to be dealt with."
"But what if she has nothing to do with the dark side Hermione, then the Hogsmeade thing is really not Dumbledore's concern. It really belongs in McGonagall department."
"You really think she has nothing to do with Voldemort? Stop it Ron! Harry she's practically reading your mind, almost like…"
"I'm not going crying to Dumbledore," Harry said flatly. "I can take care of myself."
"Maybe Hermione has a point, Harry," Ginny said quietly. "Professor Dumbledore would be concerned and I-we don't want you to get hurt." She flushed slightly pink.
Harry grinned at Ginny's comment and hugged her. "I'm fine. Don't you worry about it."
Harry let go of Ginny and turned to see Ron and Hermione grinning at him. There was an awkward silence and then Hermione said, "So are you two-er-together, now?"
Harry smiled and glanced at Ginny who nodded. Hermione let out a squeal.
"Oh this is great! It's about time, what did it take you, six years, to figure it out?" she said giving Ginny a hug.
"Look who's talking," Harry muttered in Ron's direction. He flushed horribly and attempted to hide it with his hands.
"What did you say, Harry?" Hermione asked sitting back down on the couch.
"Nothing," Harry said shooting Ron a significant look, which cause him to turn "Weasley red" all over again.
The next few months were hectic to say the least. Hermione kept getting onto Harry and Ron about not studying enough.
"Our N.E.W.T.S. are coming up soon!" she would say for it seemed like the millionth time that day. "You two need to get good grades!"
"We don't need to do anything!" Ron retorted. "Honestly you don't control us!"
Hermione looked slightly hurt. "Sorry," she muttered. "I am just thinking about your futures. Harry wants to be an Auror and needs top grades you know."
"Well that's Harry's problem not yours, 'Mione," Ron snapped.
Hermione suddenly froze in the middle of the hall, causing Harry and Ron to crash into her.
"You might want to warn us when you're going to do that," Harry said rubbing his knee.
Hermione ignored him. "What did you just call me?" she asked Ron, her eyes slightly bigger than normal.
Ron thought back to what he had just said and turned slightly pink. "'Mione…" he said slowly. "You have a problem with that?" It came out more like a statement.
Hermione seemed to be rolling the idea over in her mind. Finally she said, "I suppose not, Ronnie." She continued to walk down the hall, a big smirk plastered on her face. (A/N: Thanx to Cheese Diva for that idea!)
"Point taken," Ron muttered, ears going red.
Harry choked back a laugh. He had found it rather cute that Ron had shortened Hermione name. He made a mental not never to call Hermione that. It had been claimed as Ron's special name for her, even if she did hate it.
The week of the exams had finally arrived after much pushing, prodding, and quizzing from Hermione the boys finally seemed ready. Harry had knots in his stomach as they entered the Great Hall for breakfast. He kept running facts over in his mind and asking Hermione questions.
"I don't think I'm going to do all that well," Ron said as he let his cornflakes turn to mush in his bowl. "I know I'll forget something, I just know it!"
Hermione turned to him and gave him an encouraging smile. "You passed your O.W.L.S. At least you know the basic exam form."
Ron shrugged and continued to play with his cereal.
"Hi you guys!" Ginny said as she sat down next to Harry. "Good luck today! You'll do fine."
Thanks, Ginny," came the replies of the 7th years. Suddenly a little blonde girl with pigtails was joining them.
"I thought I'd come and wish you good luck," Sarah said as she slid onto the bench next to Hermione. "I wouldn't know anything about exams of course, but I assume you'll all do well."
Ron snorted and continued to occupy himself with the soggy cornflakes.
"Thanks Sarah," Hermione said with a smile. "Just think one day it will be you in our shoes."
"Ouch, I don't want to think about that," she said with a theatrical shudder. "You four will probably all be off and married by the time that day comes."
They all blushed, but no one blushed more than Ron and Hermione.
Sarah smirked. "Well I've got to get going. My friends are waiting for me." She got up and gave the still rather crimson Ron and Hermione a smile and left towards the other end of the table.
Harry gave Ron a kick under the table and mouthed, "She knows" to him, making him turn a sickly pale shade to rival Malfoy.
Suddenly a swarm of owls swooped into the hall. Harry was surprised to see a large tawny owl he did not recognize fly towards him. He stuck out his leg and held a letter brandished with a very interesting seal. It said "Weasly Twins" and flashed different colors. He opened the letter and read:
Harry-
We thought that since exams are finally upon you we would send you these Tickling Tizzies to ease the pain. We promised we would of course. We also made a few adjustments. If the person you are trying to curse is in the premises, the flames will turn red. We decided this would be a good way to locate them. Hope they come in handy. Ron and Hermione's are enclosed as well. Good luck on the exams!
From, George and Fred Weasley
P.S. If you are doing as you promised we won't send your money back. J
Harry took out the small green disks and handed one to Ron and Hermione.
"These are from the twins," he explained. "They're called Tickling Tizzies."
"Cool," Ron said abandoning his bowl of mush. "What do they do?"
Harry grinned. "Here watch," he said. Sticking his wand into the center of it he muttered, "Draco Malfoy."
Suddenly there was a burst of laughter from the other side of the hall as Draco rolled on the ground clutching his stomach. Harry hurried and took his wand out of the disk and pretended to act innocent. Draco was still lying on the ground looking positively murderess.
The four of them choked back their laughter and pocketed the Tickling Tizzies.
"Well I suppose we had better get to class," Hermione said her eyes shining with tears of mirth. "We don't want to be late."
"We don't?" Ron said getting up and smirking at Hermione.
Harry laughed and waved good-bye to Ginny and joined Ron and Hermione on their way to class.
****************
"Well it could've been worse," Hermione said after they had had their first exam, Potions.
"Easy for you to say," Ron retorted. "Your potion didn't blow up and turn the examiner's face green!"
"Well at least yours did something," Harry said glumly. "Mine just sat there in the cauldron until it hardened like cement."
"Well maybe Care of Magical Creatures will be better," Hermione said as they hurried down the stairs of the castle.
When the trio arrived at Hagrid's hut for their examination Harry couldn't help but feel rather nervous. Hagrid would always be his favorite teacher, but he couldn't deny that he was a bit daft in the ways of safety; he only hoped he would know enough to pass his exam.
Luckily is was very easy to explain to the examiners the difference between a Doxy and a Cornish Pixie, considering he knew the exact behavior of a Cornish Pixie it was easy to determine which was which.
Transfiguration's physical exam wasn't as easy on the other hand. The examiner asked Harry to transfigure his teacup into a mouse. Although Harry managed to turn it into a mouse it was still had a rather blue color to it, with a pattern of flowers.
"That wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be," Hermione said after the days' exams were completed. She had received top marks in all of them. "Although I think I was bit rusty on that Defense Against the Dark Arts one. How exactly were we supposed to defend ourselves against a creature that's invisible?"
"You're supposed to be able to sense it," Harry explained. For once he knew something Hermione didn't.
"Something Professor Krum didn't exactly go over with us in detail about," Ron said grumpily.
"Well if you had read the chapter," Hermione began.
"You were the one who said you didn't do well!" Ron retorted. "Don't start on me!"
"Sorry," Hermione muttered.
The rest of exam week went on without a hitch. Unless you count Harry and Ron brooding over how they did everyday. Hermione tried helplessly to comfort them, but it usually just made them feel worse.
Harry went to sleep Friday night with a light head. He felt rather sick from exams, but was glad to get them over with, of course.
As he drifted off to sleep Harry couldn't help, but wonder if he ever would have good enough grades to become an Auror. It seemed kind of pointless to even try, but he never knew what the world might hold in store for him. Especially with his new found understanding of the prophecy. Harry fell into a restless sleep, his mind reeling with worries, new and old.
A/N: Ok just so you guys don't worry. These next chapters should come quicker because from here on out I have pretty much every last detail worked out. There are still quite a few more chapters, so hang tight! Now hit the purple or is it blue? that's a good question...YOU tell me what color you think it is in you review! I want to see what people think! Thanx again! -'Mione