A/N: another short chapter! Sorry, but I'm putting out what I can. I already have plans for writing the next chapter, so that will get out as soon as possible. Please review, any suggestions are fine! I do not own any Harry Potter characters, so you know. :) enjoy!

*************************************************************************

Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat in the Gryffndor common room by the fireside after a long first day back. In summary, Draco had "accidentally" spilled his pumpkin juice all over Hermione (this was going easy on them, but Draco couldn't dare to mess with Harry, since he had named his father as one of the returned death eaters), the new defense against the dark arts teacher was like an older version of Snape, and all eyes were on Harry now that his story was accepted by the ministry. On the plus side, Harry was allowed back on the quidditch team, in fact he had made Captain. Ron and Hermione's prefect badges still shimmered through the corridors, and their first class of the new year would NOT be potions with the Slytherins, but charms with the Hufflepuffs. This of course was temporary satisfaction for Harry, who could only think of the large task that was in front of him. He enjoyed just collecting his thoughts with his friends, curled up in a chair with his feet tucked beneath him. Hermione was busying writing a letter to her parents, letting them know she had arrived safely at Hogwarts from the Burrow. Ron however was becoming uncomfortable with the silence that hovered above them.

"Congrats again Harry! We'll be unstopable with you leading the team!" he piped up finally. Harry could only nod in response, too lost in his own world to hear what Ron was saying. Ron sighed heavily and sat back against the couch he was sharing with Hermione. It wasn't until Ginny came bursting through the portrait hole that any of them moved. She looked horrible, her eyes stained with tears and her hair messy with twigs and leaves sticking out in random places. Ron jumped up from where he sat, concerned about the state his sister was in.

"Just sit down Ron! I'm alright, ok?" she ordered and began to head for the girls dormitories. Hermione hurried from her position in the common room to block Ginny from getting away.

"Ginny, are you sure you don't want to talk about this?" she asked, pointing to the top of Ginny's tangled hair. Ginny sighed and let out a few more tears before nodding and sitting down beside Ron.

"I know it may sound stupid, but I was just crying because.... well because I'm tired of being picked on. It's only the first day back and already Pansy has made me a wreck! All because I'm loyal to my friends!" she shouted. Harry shook his head sadly. Ginny was a good and loyal friend, why should Slytherins even bother coming to school?

"That slimy git! She continuously gets on my nerves. Don't worry Ginny, you're a much better witch than she'll ever be." Hermione said muttering a spell and setting Ginny's hair back to rights.

"Yeah! So help me if she touches you again....I'll get her! What was she saying about your friends anyway?" Ron asked, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists.

"It was nothing Ron, just forget it. She'll get what's coming to her someday. I wish Fred and George were here, they'd know what to say to make me feel better." Ginny said with a smile thinking of her twin brothers. Ron nodded in agreement and hugged his little sister close.

Ginny stared at Harry who had remained quiet during this encounter. She noticed a smile creeping up on his lips and a slight glimmer of light flashing in his eyes. It was almost as if he were his old self again, but different....

Harry felt a smile approaching his lips as he thought about Sirius. He thought about all the times he was told about (or had seen..) all the pranks his godfather and father had played when they were in school. They were happy and laughing and having a good time. Sometimes it was hard for Harry to know what that felt like anymore. Sirius had told Harry he wasn't like his father, but after seeing how arrogant his father had been... did he want to be? James Potter was a good man and judging him on his school behavior would be ridiculous. Sirius was dead... James was dead, and not a single student cared the way Harry did. He looked at Ginny who was soaked with tears and listened as she mentioned Fred and George. Fred and George.... yes, they would certainly know what to do in this sort of situation. Harry laughed quietly to himself and stood up.

"Ron, we should head up to the dorms now. I want to get some rest early tonight, plus we need to talk about our tactics for tackling divination this year," Harry said quietly, but with a smirk. Ron stared at him in confusion. What was he up to? And when was the last time he had seen Harry seem so.. upbeat? He kissed Ginny on top of her head and nodded to Hermione. The two boys wished the girls goodnight and left them alone in the common room. **************************************************************************** *

Hermione smiled as she handed Ginny a mug of hot chocolate the house-elves had brought. Ginny laughed and took a sip happily.

"Always a solution," she said simply and smirked at Hermione. Hermione nodded and finished up the letter she was writing. She placed it on the table beside her and turned to face the red-head 5th year beside her.

"So Ginny, we didn't get to talk much over the summer. What are your goals for 5th year here at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

"To tell you the truth, I haven't been thinking much about what I want to do lately. I've been so concerned with what is going on with my family and friends that it's hard to focus on what I want to achieve," she replied honestly. Hermione frowned and sighed.

"You shouldn't worry so much about everyone else Ginny. You should enjoy your time here at school, you only come here once. I know I've had some interesting experiences. Think about it... this year you'll have your owls, I'm assuming you'll be the next star chaser on the quidditch team, and who knows.. maybe your one true love will find you. Maybe it's Dean!" Hermione said brightly. Ginny's eyes widened and laughed at Hermione's statement.

"About that..um, I'm not really dating him. I just said that so Ron would quit bugging me. I guess that was a bad idea... I don't want him to be cornered in the corridor or anything and not have a bloody clue what Ron's going on about!" Ginny said and laughed at the thought. Hermione let out a small giggle before responding.

"That's true. Better explain to Ron before he goes looking for trouble. So do you like Dean or something?" Hermione asked. It was strange to see the intellectual girl talking about what seemed to be unimportant, girly things, but it felt good for once to gossip like everyone else. Hermione Granger was only human.

"Oh, no. It was just the first name I could think of from Gryffndor. I figured it better be from our house, so at least Ron would have slight approval of the guy. I'm not really looking for a guy right now. I figure there is plenty of time in 6th and 7th year for that. Besides, if not at Hogwarts, there are plenty of available wizards outside of school, right?" Ginny asked. Hermione grinned and told Ginny she agreed.

"So, what about you and Viktor? You didn't make much mention of him last year." Ginny added. Hermione blushed.

"Yes, well I'm very fond of Viktor, but not in that light. He's too old for me I think. I'd much rather focus on school work anyway." Hermione answered, refusing to make eye contact with the youngest Weasley.

"So there is someone else then?" Ginny asked with a broad smile. Hermione shrugged.

"I suppose so. Maybe. I'm not sure. Anyway, I should head up to the dorms myself. I'm pretty tired, and I don't want to slack off in charms tomorrow. Goodnight Ginny." she said quickly and gathered her things. Ginny smiled and stood up.

"I'll be off to bed then too. It was nice talking to you Hermione. Goodnight." she said and disappeared up the stairs. Hermione sighed and followed slowly behind.

************************************************************************

Harry sat at the edge of his bed as Ron leaned against the post. It was highly unusual for Harry to be so anxious to talk. Ron rubbed his eyes and scracthed his nose before staring at Harry closely.

"What's going on?" Ron asked exasperated.

"Glad you asked, Ron. I've been struck with an idea. I know you are gonna think I'm crazy, but it's something I really want to do." Harry rambled on as Ron eyed him suspiciously.

"If it has anything to do with an invisibility cloak..or spiders...." Ron started to say. Harry shook his head.

"Maybe....somewhat, but just hear me out Ron!" Harry pleaded. Ron nodded and waited for Harry to continue. " I think that we should pull a prank sometime in the next couple of days. Not something simple, like dropping mashed potatoes on Draco's head.. no, something bigger." Harry said and smiled widely. Ron stared in disbelief.

"Are you mad? Why the bloody hell do you want to risk detention for a prank? Is everything ok?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged and looked up at Ron sadly.

"C'mon Ron, you saw how upset your sister was tonight. We need to get Pansy back, but not just Pansy. It's our responsibility to keep up with at least a few pranks this year with Fred and George gone. They would want that from us. Otherwise, what we be the use of their joke shop?" Harry argued. Ron sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Ok, ok...I get what you're saying, but is that really the reason you want to do something stupid like this? It's not like you Harry. Causing trouble and sneaking around, sure, but only when you fear for someone's safety. Why the sudden change in attitude?" he asked with concern.

"The truth? Well, all the things I said before, plus soemthing extra. Ron, I only want to pull one prank this year. Only one... and I want to dedicate it to the memory of Sirius, and my father." Harry answered with a sad and distant look. Ron looked at him for a few moments and smiled.

"All right Harry, for you. But what if we get expelled? How big are we talking here? I mean, it would be a shame for us to miss our last years at Hogwarts. These years are important to our future!" Ron mentioned. 'I may not have much of a future to ruin' Harry thought sadly. He smiled at Ron.

"You sound like Hermione." he said simply. Ron went red and immediately grabbed a paper and pen.

"We're gonna need the best of the best. We better write to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, they'll know exactly what we need...and probably how to do it as well." Ron said and laughed. Harry grinned widely and looked out the window.

"Well make sure to mention to deliver whatever it is they have for us at night, adress it to Dobby in the kitchens, and we'll pick it up there." Harry said to a hastily scribbling Ron.

"Agreed"