Woohoo! 10 pages w/o the authors note.

Chapter Ten

Harry started moved into his new house at the beginning of the new year. He tried to get Hermione to come along, but she wouldn't not with her starting at university and all. This greatly dissapointed Harry, but he still saw her, considering he was still living at there apartment, or when she came around to use the library or when they had dinner together or with various Weasley's.

Febuary, Ginny's out shopping in Diagon Alley, and POW! Smack, right into another person, as they were getting up and gathering there things, they saw who each other were and...

"Ginny?"

"Dean?"

They asked at the same time.

"How have you been?"

"I've been alright, I guess. I heard you were getting married?"

"No, he died."

"I'm so sorry," though hope flashed through his eyes.

"I'm alright now, what have you been up to? We lost touch after you graduated."

"I'm so sorry, 'bout that, I went to Art School."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Would you like to go have lunch or something....?"

"I'd love to."

So, off the two went, to catch up on the past five years, so what could have been? Can it still be? I guess we shall see.

It's March now, Hermione's been dating this guy for a few weeks now, he seems like a good guy, so here comes the ultimate test! How will he handle Harry and Ron? Meeting her best friends, One her roommate. Plus, there famous! One The Boy Who Lived And Defeated Voldemort, the Other England's Keeper, oh and also Keeper of The Chudley Cannons!

"So, how long have you been friends with this, Harry and Ron?" he asked when she invited him to dinner.

"Since we were eleven."

"That's a long time."

"Yeah...."

"So, did you ever date either of them or anything?"

"Ron and I dated for a month when we were sixteen, but that was a disaster, poor Harry! Hid from us till we came to our senses and broke up."

"What about you and Harry?"

"Harry's my best friend, that's all..."

"Are you lying to me?"

"What! Why would I do that?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

Hermione should have realized something after the above conversation, but she didn't, unfortunetly. So here goes the day of the dinner.

Harry pops home at around two in the afternoon, and sneaks up behind Hermione, in the kitchen. "Hi Harry," she calls before turning around.

"How'd you know it was me?"

"We did go through the same training, and we were locked together in a room for six months."

"That explains it then."

"Now. Where in the world have you been, oh the past two days?"

"Sorry, I got side tracked at the manor, I meant to owl you, guess I forgot."

"Next time don't."

"I won't. I'm going to shower, don't want to stink it up for you date, then I'm going to get some sleep."

"Let me guess, you haven't slept in a few days?"

"Yeah, got so caught up in work, forgot."

"Are we going to have to start tying notes to your buttonholes?" she joked.

"Hope not, that'd be embarrising."

"Have a good sleep, Harry."

"Don't worry 'bout me." and he kissed her cheek before heading off to the bathroom.

Seven rolled around. And someone was banging on the door. Hermione answered, "Hello Brad, come on in."

"Hermione," he smiled, "So, where are your friends?"

"Ron'll be here anytime, now, said he might be a bit late."

About five after, Harry stumbbled (sp?) out of bed, pushed his glasses up his nose, threw on a wrinkled button up white shirt, and just as, if not more so, wrinkled khakis. After a minute he gave up looking for his nice shoes, and exited his room, this all taking about 2 minutes flat.

Harry entered the living room, while Hermione was in the kitchen. Brad just watched as Harry approached and stuck out his hand, "Hello, I'm Harry."

"Hi, Bradley Smith."

"Well nice to meet you, Bradley."

"Brad."

"Alright then."

Five minutes of Bradley trying to stare Harry, yes the ex-Auror Harry, who before that defeated Voldemort, Harry. Then.... Knock... Knock... Knock, before Harry could get halfway out of his chair Hermione came flying by to get the door.

"Ron!"

"Hermione, what, nothings burning?"

"Ha, Ha, very funny, living with Harry has helped me become a better cook."

"You mean six..."

She cut him off, "Ron, this is Brad."

"Nice to meet you Brad," as he shook his hand, "I'm Ron Weasley."

"YOUR RON WEASLEY! THE QUIDDITICH PLAYER, RON WEASLEY?"

"Yeah."

"Oh WOW!"

"Hermione, need any help in the kitchen?"

"Sure, Harry."

"Oh, boy am I glad he hasn't figured out who I am."

"Why?"

"Look how he's worshipping Ron."

"Probably wants free tickets, or something, typical...."

"I don't think he likes me."

"Why? He doesn't even know you."

"He tried to stare me down!"

"Fat chance! Someone beat you! You killed Voldiemort, like any mere student can beat you."

"I hope your joking, quit praising me."

"No, you can easily stare down, anyone, Harry."

"Why, thank you," he bowed. They both cracked up, laughing.

Back to the living room. "What's going on in there?" Brad asked getting up.

"Sit down, sit down. It's nothing, typical Harry and Hermione."

"How so?"

"Oh, ever since they were both released from being Aurors, they've had all kinds of inside jokes and such, never seen Harry so happy. He was never like this in school, even when he won the Quidditich cup or when he found out about his godfather and all, he's finally gotten rid of the boulders he's been carrying for ever, and at long last relax."

"They were Aurors?! Is there anything going on between them?"

"Yeah, they were discharged last summer, to answer your first question, and to your second, No." 'Though I wish there were,' he muted.

"You sure?"

"Positively sure, I've known them for thirteen years." Ron noticed Brad for sure did not believe him.

Just then Hermione and Harry came out with dinner. Lasagna, steamed vegtables, garlic bread and Butterbeer.

"Everybody ready to eat?" Hermione asked.

"For sure."

"When am I not?"

"Yep, Ron never changes!" Harry exclaimed, as Ron grinned madly, Hermione rolled her eyes, and Brad, just looked on cluelessly.

Dinner got going and Harry asked, "So, Bradley, what are you studying?"

"Potions."

"Really? Have you ever heard of Severus Snape?"

"Yeah! He's like the premiere Potions master in all of Europe!"

"Did you know he teaches at Hogwarts? And Hermione and I had him as Professor for seven years, Ron for five. Plus WE fought along side him in the war?"

"You were taught by Severus Snape! Wow!" he said dreamily.

"Where did you go to school, anyhow?" Ron questioned, rather shocked at Brad's reaction.

"Durmstang."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Did you go to school with Vicky?" Ron asked.

"Vicky? Vicky who?"

"He means Viktor Krum," Harry answered.

"Yeah! He was a few years older then me. How did you know he went to Durmstang?"

"Triwizard Tournament," Harry replied solemnly.

"Hogwarts fourth year, Harry Potter won that, right?"

"And Cedric, the first casualty to Voldemort's Second reign of Terror."

"You.... You said You-Know-Who's name! Who was Cedric?"

"He was the other Hogwarts and Tournament Champion, Cedric Diggory," answered Hermione.

"Why did you say his name, Harry?"

"Why not, Bradley? He's dead, I would know, and Lord Voldemort, was NOT his name, it was Tom Riddle."

"Quit saying his name," Brad whined.

"Why?"

"Because."

"That's not a reason! I'm going to bed, I have an early interview tomorrow, Good night everyone."

"Good night, Harry," Hermione replied as he kissed her cheek.

"Night, Mate." Brad kept silent.

A little while later, "Well, I best be off. Wonderful meal, Hermione," and he hugged her.

"Thanks Ron, say Hi to Luna for me."

"For sure, Bye Brad," and he was off.

"Why is he staying here?" Brad snobbishly demanded.

"Harry's my roommate, he lives here."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Is there something going on between the two of you?"

"No."

"Why are you roommates then?"

"He's my bestfriend, why not? Do you need another reason?"

"Yeah, I do, you unfaithful bitch."

"What is wrong with you?"

"Your going behind my back!"

"I am not! And even if I was, would it really matter, we've only been on three dates, nothing serious."

"We're through you cheating bitch."

"Wow, can't even think of a better lie? For your information, nothing has ever happened between Harry and I, and even if something had, it's none of your bloody business. GET OUT!"

"Fine, WHORE." And Harry bolted out of his room, punched the bastard in the face, and threw him out the door.

"You okay, Hermy?"

"Never better, How's your hand? I hope he doesn't press charges."

"Fine, he doesn't know my last name, how could he?"

"Your right, How could he be such an idiot as to not see that beacon on your forehead."

"I know, I think he was blinded by.." he was cut off.

"Jealousy and his ego?"

"Exactly."

"So, what are you doing tomorrow?"

"What I said."

"What kind of job?"

"You'll find out, eventually, if I get it. Might be a bit over qualified, but oh well."

"What is it, Harry? Come on."

"You'll find out if I get it."

"Ahh!"

"Goodnight Hermy."

"What is that our private nickname?"

"I guess," and he again kissed her cheek.

"Goodnight Harry, thank you," and she hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"Ginny!"

"Oy, Dean. There you are, why'd you keep me waiting so long?"

"I'm only..." he looks at his watch, "Whoa! An hour late! I'm so sorry, Gin, really, running late at the office, a huge project was due today, I had to finish it before I left, I'm so sorry, just the wretched deadlines. Why'd you wait for me, for so long?"

"I don't know?" she shrugged, "But I understand, I have to turn my papers in on time, or I'm docked at least 20%, before the teacher even touches it, and that bloody well sucks."

"I here you, glad I got through those at Hogwarts."

"Lucky you." He just smiled.

"How has it been going, Gin?"

"I've been better."

"Sorry to hear that, I wish you were happy again... Like at Hogwarts."

"I do too."

"Could we ever try again?"

"I don't see a reason why not to, yes... yes... Maybe we shall."

"Well?"

"Yes."

"Ginny, will you accompany me for dinner, Saturday evening?"

"Of course Dean, I'd love, too!"

"Hello, May I take your order, Ma'am?" he asked the woman digging through her purse, while balancing a toddler.

"Can I have a chicken nugget Happy Meal with a milk, and a... a # 10."

"And to drink?"

"Diet Coke."

"That'll be $5 and 62 cents. (I made up the price). The lady dug through her change purse.

"This should be the right amount. Harry?" She finally looked up.

"Hello Cho."

"How in the world did you end up working at McDonalds? I thought you were an Auror?"

"Shh, I was. Well, I was about to take my break, can I join the two of you?"

"Of course Harry, this is my daughter, Lucy."

Harry punched out as Cho, went and found a table.

"How in the world did you end up working at McDonalds?"

"Something to do, just started last week. I was discharged last summer."

"Really! Why?"

"They thought I was too depressed or someother crazy thing, put me on leave, made me see a shrink."

"Someone should have done that for me after fifth year." Harry kept a stoic face not wanting to offend her, she was the human hose pipe! "Are you still friends with Ron Weasley and that Granger girl what was her name?"

"Hermione is her name. Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

"Yeah, so how have they been?"

"Ron and Luna are expecting there first child, and Hermione's just started at University."

"Luna as in Loony Lovegood?"

"Yes, Luna, the Ravenclaw Alumni."

"How in the world did they get together?"

"Not sure, wasn't around."

"Why is Hermione just starting at University?"

"She was an Auror, as well. She was discharged at the same time as myself."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"So, are you two together, yet?"

"Excuse me?"

"I asked if you and Hermione are dating?"

"Why would we date? We're just best friends who just happen to be roommates," he mumbled the last bit, but she still caught it.

"You see, I didn't know you were roommates. But I would have at least expected you to be dating by now! Not still in full blown denial, still!"

"You know, I'm sitting right here! And your baby's fallen asleep in some ketchup."

"Think about what I said Harry, everyone sees it but the two of you."

"Bye Cho, I'm have to go back to work," wondering 'What's up with all these people thinking there's something between Hermione and me?'

"Bye Harry," she left wondering, 'How can he be so blind?'

********************************************************** ~Hello all, Today (Thursday)is a wonderful day! I was accepcted to the college I wanted to go to, YIPPEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! Okay here an explanation on Bradley Smith (Only the third last name he's head since I wrote down the chapter) originally he was going to be gay, and hit on Ron and Harry, But that didn't work out very well when I tried to put it on paper, so I switched to over protective Jackass. And I have no idea where Cho came from, just popped out of some crevice of my mind.

I'm soooooooooo sorry for taking so long to post, I was gone downstate for 12 days, a wedding, then visiting various family members, I hope this carries you over to next week, (or the next week or weekend), I have a Hockey Tournament this weekend, hopefully I won't play too bad, I've played in our only two games, and missed the 1 practice we had, ahh, hopefully we won't lose too badly. Oh well, if we keep them to 8 goals or less, that's not bad, considering all the other teams have been on ice since like Sep. , or Aug. ! Our ice system has had a lot of problems. Sorry for rambling on for so long. Thanks for all the great reviews, and to the flamers, Leave me the hell alone, I don't have a beta or spell check, I just type and post, rarely rereading what I've posted, so sorry (sarcastically of course).

Bye-ears91, oh would you guys be mad if I changed my penname? I'm thinking of changing it to ScreaminShout, something one of my friends call me, has to do with my last names, if you were wondering.