A/N: Sorry about the Delay. So Enjoy
I don't know." said Hermione, handing back the omniocculars.
"At least we now know why he doesn't like Cho anymore." said Ron with a smile. "I wonder why he decided to go out with her."
"Who knows." shrugged Hermione. "Come on Ron, let them be. Let's go back to the common room. You can kick my butt in wizard chess."
"Yeah, ok." said Ron with a last look at the couple through the omniocculars. Ron and Hermione slowly walked back up to the school.
"Luna, do you think anyone can see us?" asked Harry, looking at Luna hopefully.
"I don't know. We should head back to our common rooms. Out fellow class mates might be worried."
"Yeah, ok."
Luna gave Harry a goodbye kiss on the cheek and walked back to the school. Harry waited a few minutes, then left from opposite side of the shed. When he walked into the common room, he was less than surprised to see Hermione and Ron sitting in the good chairs by the fire.
"So, how's Luna?" asked Ron with a sly smile. Hermione tried to stifle her laugh, but Harry noticed.
"What do you mean?" he asked, quite unconvincingly.
Hermione opened her mouth to explain, but Ron interrupted her. "We saw you behind the broom shed, mate. If you guys are going to be doing stuff like that, find a more concealed area." He started laughing hard. Harry laughed too.
"So, now you know." said Harry.
"Now we know." echoed Hermione. "I still don't know why you felt you couldn't tell us. I mean, we are your friends."
"I know you are, Hermione." said Harry. He was starting to feel guilty. "I just wasn't ready, that's all."
"It's ok, Harry. We forgive you." said Ron. "So, how was it?" he added eagerly.
"What?"
"Come on! I want all the details!"
"Ok now, this is one of the reasons I didn't tell you guys." said Harry.
"Ok, and anyway, I was kidding."
"Oh, like fun you were!" laughed Hermione. "You were hoping he'd spill, and tell you everything!"
"Ok, maybe I was. But only a little."
Hermione laughed again. "Oh, I just remembered. Potions tomorrow. We get to test our Polyjuice."
"What's betting ours will be one of the only successful ones?" said Ron with a laugh.
"One hundred percent." responded Harry. "As we've already made it with success in second year."
"Ah, the memories." said Ron. "I remember being in the girl's bathroom as though it were yesterday."
"Well, let's just hope we don't get in trouble with Snape for being successful." said Harry.
"So, how we gonna do this? The hairs, I mean." asked Ron as they were walking towards Snape's dungeon.
"I have it all figured out." said Hermione, in her tone of voice that said she knew everything. "Harry will get mine, Ron, will get Harry's, and I'll get yours, Ron."
"Why do I have to get yours, Hermione." asked Harry. "I really have no desire to be a girl."
"Neither do I." admitted Ron.
"You think I want to be a guy?" asked Hermione.
"Yes." said Ron and Harry sarcastically.
"Well, I don't. And besides it's only for, like an hour, anyway."
"You're right." said Harry. "Like always."
Hermione smiled. When they walked in, they headed for their usual seats in the back. Right before they sat down, Snape stopped them.
"Why don't you three sit in the front?" he smiled slyly. The three looked at each other, and headed to the front, and sat down.
"I wonder why he asked us to move." whispered Ron as Snape walked to his desk.
"Today, we will be testing your potions. I don't expect most of your's to be successful. Take your potions out of the cabinet, and follow the directions on the board." he waved his wand and the instructions appeared on the board."
"We have to let it simmer for about half an hour." said Hermione, pouring their potion into their cauldron.
"We know, Hermione." said Harry. "We have done this before." he added in a whisper.
"Yes, we sure have." said Ron. The three of them laughed to themselves while their potion simmered.
"Your potions should be done at this time. Acquire your hairs, and.... enjoy." Snape sneered.
The three of them got the hairs from each other. "Ouch, Harry hat hurt." Hermione laughed.
"Sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to pull so hard."
"It's ok."
"Let's get changing." said Ron. He put Harry's hair in his potion, and it turned a get black.
"Nice." said Harry. "Mine's dirt brown."
"Well, mine's red." said Hermione. "I'm not suer I want to do this."
"Hermione," whispered Harry. "we already have, remember?"
"Yes, I know, but I wasn't changing sex."
"Neither was I." responded Harry.
"Well, here goes nothing." said Ron. "Cheers." the three of them clanked glasses and gulped down the potion very quickly.
"Oh, that is disgusting." said Ron. The three of them felt the familiar sensation. Like their faces and skin were bubbling. Then, it stopped.
"Harry, you were Hermione, right?"
"Yes, Ron. And you're me, and Hermione is you."
"This is too weird." said Hermione. "I want this to wear off really fast."
"You and me both, Hermione." said Harry. "No offense, but I don't like being a girl. I prefer being a guy."
"None taken."
"Hey,Potter! Who did you switch hairs with?"
Harry was about to turn around when Hermione shouted, "Ron, you?"
"I switched with Crabbe." said Malfoy. He went on talking to his group.
"Hermione, why'd you do that for me?"
"Because if you had told Malfoy you had switched with me, he would've mocked you until we got on the train at the end of the year."
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Hermione." At the end of potions, their Polyjuice hadn't worn off yet.
"Bloody hell." said Ron as they walked to Gryffindor Tower. "If we start changing back while in the hall-"
"Why are you so worried?" asked Hermione, putting her hands on her hips.
"Oh, right sorry. Harry, can I have you're glasses? I can't see, mate."
"Oops. I forgot about that part." said Harry. "Here." he took off his glasses and handed them to Ron.
"Ah," said Ron. "That's much better. Thanks, Harry."
"Don't mention it." Harry smiled.
"Hey, guess what I heard?" said Malfoy, quite loudly. "Professor Snape put something in our potions, so it'll last for three days!" he laughed loudly.
"Bloody hell" groaned Ron. "No offense mate, but I really don't want to be you."
"At least your not stuck being the opposite sex." said Harry and Hermione together.
"Yeah. Well, come on, let's go." They continued to walk down the corridors to their common room.
"Oy, Hermione, wait up!" panted Matt Green running up the hall.
"What are we going to do?" panicked Hermione. "I can't talk to him. Harry, you have to."
"I'm not going to." refused Harry. "I don't even know how to be a girl. You'll have to talk to him."
"Ok." she took a deep breath, and turned to Matt. "Hey, Matt. What do you want?"
"Um, see, I wanted to talk to Hermione. And you're, not Hermione." he turned to Harry. "Can I talk to you in private?"
"Ok, let me explain something." said Harry rubbing the back of his head where his hair stuck out, out of instinct. "We just came from potions-"
"Ok, so what does that have anything to do with it, Hermione?"
"Can I finish? And I'm not Hermione. Anyway, we did the Polyjuice potion. Hermione has Ron's hair-"
Hermione waved from Harry's right.
"Ron has my hair-"
Ron waved stupidly.
"And obviously, I have Hermione's hair." finished Harry.
"Ah. Ok then, so, your Hermione?" asked Matt, pointing at what seemed to him Ron.
"Yes, I am." said Hermione. "What do you want to talk about?"
"You know what, I'm gonna wait till it wears off. How long?"
"Malfoy said Snape put something in it to make it last three days." said Harry glumly.
"That git." muttered Matt. "Well, ok. See you guys later." He turned and ran in the opposite direction.
"This is going to be an interesting three days." said Ron sarcastically
"You can say that again." said Harry. "You guys want to go visit Hagrid? After classes, I mean."
"Yeah, he'd appreciate the visit." smiled Hermione. The three of them walkedoutside and across the sunny grounds. Harry knocked on the door.
"Who's there?" asked Hagrid from inside.
"Hagrid, it's us." said Harry.
"Oh, well, come in, come in." Hagrid opened the door. "You alright, Hermione?" Hagrid asked Harry. "You look a bit sick."
"I'm fine, Hagrid." said Hermione.
"Oh, I guess you three jus' came from potions." he smiled. "Well, I appreciate you three visiting, but you need to head back to class."
"Ok, Hagrid." said Ron. They waved goodbye and ran back to the castle. Professor Flitwick was about to start when they walked in.
"Sorry we're late, Professor." breathed Ron.
"It's alright, it's alright." squeaked Flitwick. "Take your seats, we were just about to begin."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their seats and waited for class to begin.
"Every one, take out your wands."
There was a little commotion as those who didn't have their wands out scrambled to get them out of pockets and bags.
"Very good. Today, we will be doing a charm to enable you to see through walls. It is called the Transparentous Charm. To do this charm, say Transparentous and roll your wand in your fingers, while moving your hand up the wall you are casting the charm on slowly. This is a very precise spell, and it only lasts about a minute. If this spell goes awry, it can be, interesting. Mistakes can cast the transparency on yourself, or on all your surroundings. Although the effect will be a bit longer than the actual charm , and it can make you feel quite awkward."
"How long does it last when you mess up?" asked Neville.
"Sometimes an hour, sometimes more. It really depends on the person." Now, I want all of you to spread out around the school. Find a wall to cast your spell. When you are successful, return to the class room." He sat down on his pile of books and started sifting through papers.
"Well, let's go then." said Hermione. The three of them walked into the corridors. Their class was going in all different directions.
"Lets cast the charm on a wall near Gryffindor Tower." suggested Harry.
"Yeah, ok." said Ron. They headed up the stairs and stopped in front of the portrait.
"Password?" asked the Fat Lady.
"Oh, we're not coming in." said Hermione. "We're here for a class." The Fat Lady nodded and continued to doze.
"Ok, let's spread out a bit." said Hermione. Ron and Harry nodded.
Harry stood in front of his wall. He raised his arm. "Transparentous." he rolled his wand between his fingers and raised his arm. Nothing happened. He was slightly disappointed. He looked down, ready to try again, but gasped.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"Don't look down." said Harry. Hermione gave him a puzzled look.
"Why wouldn't I look down?"
Harry shrugged. Hermione looked down and almost screamed.
"What is it?" asked Ron.
"Look what Harry did!" screeched Hermione pointing to the floor. When Ron looked down, there was no floor. At least, there seemed to be no floor. Harry's spell backfired and made the floor transparent instead.
"This is weird, mate." said Ron. It's like we're flying. Or, sort of."
"Well, come on we have to keep trying." said Hermione.
"Ok." said Harry, taking one last look below him. He tried twelve more times. Once, making a portrait transparent, once himself, and other various objects around him. On his fourteenth try, he was successful, and he saw Dobby cleaning up the common room. A minute later, the wall became visible again. "Well, I did it." said Harry.
"Me too." said Ron. "Hasn't worn off yet, but I did it."
"Just did it." said Hermione.
"Hermione?" asked Ron. "Where's your arm?"
"It was a backfire." she said. "And I hope it wears off soon. It's my right arm, and I'm right handed."
"Yeah, well, you never know with Charms Class." said Ron. He looked down and smiled. "The floors still transparent, mate."
"Yeah, I know." said Harry. "Come on, we better head back down to the classroom."
Hermione and Ron nodded. On their way down, they ran into Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, being led down a corridor by Matt Green.
"Utterly unacceptable." said Matt. "You three are going straight to Dumbledore. That is not the purpose of the Transparentous Charm!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione had to stifle their laughs.
"Hello, you three." said Matt with a smile. "Please tell Professor Flitwick that these three are going to see Dumbledore, and they are going to be given detentions. They tried to use the Transparentous Charm on the wall of the girl's Bathroom." he added in a whisper.
"Will do, Matt." said Harry.
"Thanks. Oh, and let's see. I didn't take any points off of Slytherin. Shall we make it a round two hundred?"
"Two hundred?" demanded Malfoy. "But that will lose us the lead!"
"Ah. two fifty." said Matt. "And one more word and it will be three fifty." he added as Malfoy opened his mouth. "I'll see you at quidditch practice. Goodbye."
They waved to him and continued down the corridor. "That was interesting." said Ron as he jumped over the sinking step.
"I agree. But, you never know. Matt's a pretty cool guy." said Hermione.
"Yeah, he is." said Harry. When they got back to the class room, only five other people were there, and Harry was surprised to see Neville was one of them.
"Harry, I got it on my tenth try!" Neville beamed. "That's good, right, right?"
"Better than me." said Harry. "I got it right on my fourteenth. Turned the floor by Gryffindor Tower transparent on my first try."
Neville laughed.
"Oh, yeah." said Hermione. "Professor, Malfoy Crabbe , and Goyle won't be coming back."
"And why not, may I ask." said Professor Flitwick.
"Because they tried to use the Transparentous Charm on the Girl's Bathroom wall, and Matt Green caught them."
"Ah, well. I will deduct point from their house, even though I'm am sure young Mr. Green deducted some already. I'll deduct, let's see, fifty points. Thank you for delivering the message. For that, I'll award fifty points to Gryffindor."
Harry smiled broadly. When the bell rang, only a little over half the class was back. They walked out of the classroom and back to Gryffindor tower. They ran into Matt again on their way back.
"Hello, again." said Matt. How was the rest of- what the?" He had just stepped onto the transparent floor.
"Whoops." said Harry. "That's my fault, Matt. Transparentous backfire."
"Ah, well, that's interesting, no doubt." said Matt. "Titilandus." he added to the portrait. It swung open, and Matt bowed sarcastically. "Ladies first."
"Thank you." said Hermione.
"I think he meant me." said Harry with a laugh. "You're funny, Matt." said Harry. "Real witty."
"I know, aren't I?" he laughed. The four of them walked in and sat in the chairs by the fire. Hermione yawned.
"You know, I think I'm going to starve for three days." said Hermione.
"How come?" asked Matt.
"I know why." said Harry. "Same reason I might starve myself for three days."
"Ah." said Matt, although he understood, which he didn't. "Hermione, what happened to your arm?"
"What? Oh, that. Transparentous backfire." she said with a shrug and a smile.
"Ok, now that makes sense. My first backfire bounded off of a suit of armor. It lasted almost a week. It was funny, though, because people kept knocking into it. I was the only one who knew about it. A few people were confused when it became visible again." Matt laughed. "Well, these three days'll be slow. Oh, well. I'm gonna go upstairs. I have a two foot essay on gilly-weed due. What's it do again?" he added, hoping one of them would know.
Hermione was about to explain, but Harry beat her to it. "It allows you to breathe under water by giving you gills. It also gives you flippers But you don't want to be under to long. It lasts less than three hours."
"Thanks, Harry. I can probably draw just that out to a foot. Thanks." he walked up to his dorm.
"How'd you know that?" asked Hermione. "Did you know how you knew that other stuff?"
"No." said Harry. "I know from experience. I used that for the second task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Dobby stole it for me out of Snape's special stores. Then, of course, I got the blame for stealing it."
"Ah. Ok, then. I thought I heard of that before." said Ron looking thoughtfully at the ceiling.
"Any way." said Harry to fill in the long lapse of silence. "What's up with you and Krum, Hermione?"
"What?" asked Hermione, who had heard the question.
"Whats. Up. With. You. And. Krum?" repeated Ron sarcastically.
"I know what he said." said Hermione. "I just don't know what you mean."
Harry and Ron exchanged doughtful looks, because as she said it, her cheeks flushed.
She must have felt them flushing, because she quickly said, "Um, I have to go upstairs." She picked up her bag and ran to the stairs.
"Hermione, you ok?" yelled Ron, as her robes whipped around the corner. Her response was a slamming door. "I guess so."
"I think they fancy each other." said Harry.
"What makes you think that?" asked Ron, digging a chocolate frog out of the chair.
"She was writing a three foot letter to him."
Wicked!" said Ron. "Oh, sorry mate. What did you say?"
Harry laughed. "I said she was writing him a three foot letter. And her hand writing was tiny. Remember when she said she was sending a letter and she needed to borrow Hedwig?"
"Um, I think so, yeah. What does that have to do with anything?"
"The letter was to Krum. She sends them all the time." said Harry.
"Yeah, ok. I though she acted funny about the letter. I mean, why would she keep adding to it? Hermione and Vicktor. Hmm, if they get married, she'll be Hermione Krum." he added with a laugh.
"Yes, but lets not think that far ahead. Besides, it's their choice, not ours."
"Yeah. So who do think I'll end up with?"
"Hmm. What about Lavender?"
"Ew, no. She doesn't like me anyway. And it would be weird. Well, maybe not as weird as you and Luna."
"Ok, what does that have to do with anything?" interrupted Harry. "You keep us out of this mess. You asked my opinion. I gave it. Keep us far, and I mean far away from this conversation."
"Yeah, ok." said Ron. "But you have to admit. It is a bit strange, mate. I mean, at first, it was like you didn't like each other."
"Yeah, I know. But at the end of the year last year, we ran into each other. Apparently some of her things were stolen. That's when I first thought she might like me. But then, she asked me out on the train."
"So that's why you two stayed behind! Bloody hell, am I thick. I should have seen it. She was looking at you weird alot this summer."
"Ron, Luna looks at every one weird." Harry corrected.
"That's true." said Ron. "But, weirder than normal. You know what i mean?"
"Yeah, I think I know what you mean. But you know me, I'm to thick to notice."
Ron laughed. "Come on Mate, Let's go upstairs."
"Yeah, ok."
* * * * * * * *
"Well, mate, we better head to bed." said Ron when they walked back into the common room after being thrown in the lake by the squid.
"Yeah." Harry yawned. "I always knew I hated that bloody squid. well, night Ron."
"Yeah, night Harry."
That night, Harry tossed for an hour until he fell asleep. He dreamed about quidditch, and then, again, he saw his boggart. He shot up in bed with sweat on his face. He lay back down and fell into a dreamless sleep. When he woke up the next morning, the image of his boggart was still fresh in his mind.
I don't know." said Hermione, handing back the omniocculars.
"At least we now know why he doesn't like Cho anymore." said Ron with a smile. "I wonder why he decided to go out with her."
"Who knows." shrugged Hermione. "Come on Ron, let them be. Let's go back to the common room. You can kick my butt in wizard chess."
"Yeah, ok." said Ron with a last look at the couple through the omniocculars. Ron and Hermione slowly walked back up to the school.
"Luna, do you think anyone can see us?" asked Harry, looking at Luna hopefully.
"I don't know. We should head back to our common rooms. Out fellow class mates might be worried."
"Yeah, ok."
Luna gave Harry a goodbye kiss on the cheek and walked back to the school. Harry waited a few minutes, then left from opposite side of the shed. When he walked into the common room, he was less than surprised to see Hermione and Ron sitting in the good chairs by the fire.
"So, how's Luna?" asked Ron with a sly smile. Hermione tried to stifle her laugh, but Harry noticed.
"What do you mean?" he asked, quite unconvincingly.
Hermione opened her mouth to explain, but Ron interrupted her. "We saw you behind the broom shed, mate. If you guys are going to be doing stuff like that, find a more concealed area." He started laughing hard. Harry laughed too.
"So, now you know." said Harry.
"Now we know." echoed Hermione. "I still don't know why you felt you couldn't tell us. I mean, we are your friends."
"I know you are, Hermione." said Harry. He was starting to feel guilty. "I just wasn't ready, that's all."
"It's ok, Harry. We forgive you." said Ron. "So, how was it?" he added eagerly.
"What?"
"Come on! I want all the details!"
"Ok now, this is one of the reasons I didn't tell you guys." said Harry.
"Ok, and anyway, I was kidding."
"Oh, like fun you were!" laughed Hermione. "You were hoping he'd spill, and tell you everything!"
"Ok, maybe I was. But only a little."
Hermione laughed again. "Oh, I just remembered. Potions tomorrow. We get to test our Polyjuice."
"What's betting ours will be one of the only successful ones?" said Ron with a laugh.
"One hundred percent." responded Harry. "As we've already made it with success in second year."
"Ah, the memories." said Ron. "I remember being in the girl's bathroom as though it were yesterday."
"Well, let's just hope we don't get in trouble with Snape for being successful." said Harry.
"So, how we gonna do this? The hairs, I mean." asked Ron as they were walking towards Snape's dungeon.
"I have it all figured out." said Hermione, in her tone of voice that said she knew everything. "Harry will get mine, Ron, will get Harry's, and I'll get yours, Ron."
"Why do I have to get yours, Hermione." asked Harry. "I really have no desire to be a girl."
"Neither do I." admitted Ron.
"You think I want to be a guy?" asked Hermione.
"Yes." said Ron and Harry sarcastically.
"Well, I don't. And besides it's only for, like an hour, anyway."
"You're right." said Harry. "Like always."
Hermione smiled. When they walked in, they headed for their usual seats in the back. Right before they sat down, Snape stopped them.
"Why don't you three sit in the front?" he smiled slyly. The three looked at each other, and headed to the front, and sat down.
"I wonder why he asked us to move." whispered Ron as Snape walked to his desk.
"Today, we will be testing your potions. I don't expect most of your's to be successful. Take your potions out of the cabinet, and follow the directions on the board." he waved his wand and the instructions appeared on the board."
"We have to let it simmer for about half an hour." said Hermione, pouring their potion into their cauldron.
"We know, Hermione." said Harry. "We have done this before." he added in a whisper.
"Yes, we sure have." said Ron. The three of them laughed to themselves while their potion simmered.
"Your potions should be done at this time. Acquire your hairs, and.... enjoy." Snape sneered.
The three of them got the hairs from each other. "Ouch, Harry hat hurt." Hermione laughed.
"Sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to pull so hard."
"It's ok."
"Let's get changing." said Ron. He put Harry's hair in his potion, and it turned a get black.
"Nice." said Harry. "Mine's dirt brown."
"Well, mine's red." said Hermione. "I'm not suer I want to do this."
"Hermione," whispered Harry. "we already have, remember?"
"Yes, I know, but I wasn't changing sex."
"Neither was I." responded Harry.
"Well, here goes nothing." said Ron. "Cheers." the three of them clanked glasses and gulped down the potion very quickly.
"Oh, that is disgusting." said Ron. The three of them felt the familiar sensation. Like their faces and skin were bubbling. Then, it stopped.
"Harry, you were Hermione, right?"
"Yes, Ron. And you're me, and Hermione is you."
"This is too weird." said Hermione. "I want this to wear off really fast."
"You and me both, Hermione." said Harry. "No offense, but I don't like being a girl. I prefer being a guy."
"None taken."
"Hey,Potter! Who did you switch hairs with?"
Harry was about to turn around when Hermione shouted, "Ron, you?"
"I switched with Crabbe." said Malfoy. He went on talking to his group.
"Hermione, why'd you do that for me?"
"Because if you had told Malfoy you had switched with me, he would've mocked you until we got on the train at the end of the year."
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Hermione." At the end of potions, their Polyjuice hadn't worn off yet.
"Bloody hell." said Ron as they walked to Gryffindor Tower. "If we start changing back while in the hall-"
"Why are you so worried?" asked Hermione, putting her hands on her hips.
"Oh, right sorry. Harry, can I have you're glasses? I can't see, mate."
"Oops. I forgot about that part." said Harry. "Here." he took off his glasses and handed them to Ron.
"Ah," said Ron. "That's much better. Thanks, Harry."
"Don't mention it." Harry smiled.
"Hey, guess what I heard?" said Malfoy, quite loudly. "Professor Snape put something in our potions, so it'll last for three days!" he laughed loudly.
"Bloody hell" groaned Ron. "No offense mate, but I really don't want to be you."
"At least your not stuck being the opposite sex." said Harry and Hermione together.
"Yeah. Well, come on, let's go." They continued to walk down the corridors to their common room.
"Oy, Hermione, wait up!" panted Matt Green running up the hall.
"What are we going to do?" panicked Hermione. "I can't talk to him. Harry, you have to."
"I'm not going to." refused Harry. "I don't even know how to be a girl. You'll have to talk to him."
"Ok." she took a deep breath, and turned to Matt. "Hey, Matt. What do you want?"
"Um, see, I wanted to talk to Hermione. And you're, not Hermione." he turned to Harry. "Can I talk to you in private?"
"Ok, let me explain something." said Harry rubbing the back of his head where his hair stuck out, out of instinct. "We just came from potions-"
"Ok, so what does that have anything to do with it, Hermione?"
"Can I finish? And I'm not Hermione. Anyway, we did the Polyjuice potion. Hermione has Ron's hair-"
Hermione waved from Harry's right.
"Ron has my hair-"
Ron waved stupidly.
"And obviously, I have Hermione's hair." finished Harry.
"Ah. Ok then, so, your Hermione?" asked Matt, pointing at what seemed to him Ron.
"Yes, I am." said Hermione. "What do you want to talk about?"
"You know what, I'm gonna wait till it wears off. How long?"
"Malfoy said Snape put something in it to make it last three days." said Harry glumly.
"That git." muttered Matt. "Well, ok. See you guys later." He turned and ran in the opposite direction.
"This is going to be an interesting three days." said Ron sarcastically
"You can say that again." said Harry. "You guys want to go visit Hagrid? After classes, I mean."
"Yeah, he'd appreciate the visit." smiled Hermione. The three of them walkedoutside and across the sunny grounds. Harry knocked on the door.
"Who's there?" asked Hagrid from inside.
"Hagrid, it's us." said Harry.
"Oh, well, come in, come in." Hagrid opened the door. "You alright, Hermione?" Hagrid asked Harry. "You look a bit sick."
"I'm fine, Hagrid." said Hermione.
"Oh, I guess you three jus' came from potions." he smiled. "Well, I appreciate you three visiting, but you need to head back to class."
"Ok, Hagrid." said Ron. They waved goodbye and ran back to the castle. Professor Flitwick was about to start when they walked in.
"Sorry we're late, Professor." breathed Ron.
"It's alright, it's alright." squeaked Flitwick. "Take your seats, we were just about to begin."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione took their seats and waited for class to begin.
"Every one, take out your wands."
There was a little commotion as those who didn't have their wands out scrambled to get them out of pockets and bags.
"Very good. Today, we will be doing a charm to enable you to see through walls. It is called the Transparentous Charm. To do this charm, say Transparentous and roll your wand in your fingers, while moving your hand up the wall you are casting the charm on slowly. This is a very precise spell, and it only lasts about a minute. If this spell goes awry, it can be, interesting. Mistakes can cast the transparency on yourself, or on all your surroundings. Although the effect will be a bit longer than the actual charm , and it can make you feel quite awkward."
"How long does it last when you mess up?" asked Neville.
"Sometimes an hour, sometimes more. It really depends on the person." Now, I want all of you to spread out around the school. Find a wall to cast your spell. When you are successful, return to the class room." He sat down on his pile of books and started sifting through papers.
"Well, let's go then." said Hermione. The three of them walked into the corridors. Their class was going in all different directions.
"Lets cast the charm on a wall near Gryffindor Tower." suggested Harry.
"Yeah, ok." said Ron. They headed up the stairs and stopped in front of the portrait.
"Password?" asked the Fat Lady.
"Oh, we're not coming in." said Hermione. "We're here for a class." The Fat Lady nodded and continued to doze.
"Ok, let's spread out a bit." said Hermione. Ron and Harry nodded.
Harry stood in front of his wall. He raised his arm. "Transparentous." he rolled his wand between his fingers and raised his arm. Nothing happened. He was slightly disappointed. He looked down, ready to try again, but gasped.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"Don't look down." said Harry. Hermione gave him a puzzled look.
"Why wouldn't I look down?"
Harry shrugged. Hermione looked down and almost screamed.
"What is it?" asked Ron.
"Look what Harry did!" screeched Hermione pointing to the floor. When Ron looked down, there was no floor. At least, there seemed to be no floor. Harry's spell backfired and made the floor transparent instead.
"This is weird, mate." said Ron. It's like we're flying. Or, sort of."
"Well, come on we have to keep trying." said Hermione.
"Ok." said Harry, taking one last look below him. He tried twelve more times. Once, making a portrait transparent, once himself, and other various objects around him. On his fourteenth try, he was successful, and he saw Dobby cleaning up the common room. A minute later, the wall became visible again. "Well, I did it." said Harry.
"Me too." said Ron. "Hasn't worn off yet, but I did it."
"Just did it." said Hermione.
"Hermione?" asked Ron. "Where's your arm?"
"It was a backfire." she said. "And I hope it wears off soon. It's my right arm, and I'm right handed."
"Yeah, well, you never know with Charms Class." said Ron. He looked down and smiled. "The floors still transparent, mate."
"Yeah, I know." said Harry. "Come on, we better head back down to the classroom."
Hermione and Ron nodded. On their way down, they ran into Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, being led down a corridor by Matt Green.
"Utterly unacceptable." said Matt. "You three are going straight to Dumbledore. That is not the purpose of the Transparentous Charm!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione had to stifle their laughs.
"Hello, you three." said Matt with a smile. "Please tell Professor Flitwick that these three are going to see Dumbledore, and they are going to be given detentions. They tried to use the Transparentous Charm on the wall of the girl's Bathroom." he added in a whisper.
"Will do, Matt." said Harry.
"Thanks. Oh, and let's see. I didn't take any points off of Slytherin. Shall we make it a round two hundred?"
"Two hundred?" demanded Malfoy. "But that will lose us the lead!"
"Ah. two fifty." said Matt. "And one more word and it will be three fifty." he added as Malfoy opened his mouth. "I'll see you at quidditch practice. Goodbye."
They waved to him and continued down the corridor. "That was interesting." said Ron as he jumped over the sinking step.
"I agree. But, you never know. Matt's a pretty cool guy." said Hermione.
"Yeah, he is." said Harry. When they got back to the class room, only five other people were there, and Harry was surprised to see Neville was one of them.
"Harry, I got it on my tenth try!" Neville beamed. "That's good, right, right?"
"Better than me." said Harry. "I got it right on my fourteenth. Turned the floor by Gryffindor Tower transparent on my first try."
Neville laughed.
"Oh, yeah." said Hermione. "Professor, Malfoy Crabbe , and Goyle won't be coming back."
"And why not, may I ask." said Professor Flitwick.
"Because they tried to use the Transparentous Charm on the Girl's Bathroom wall, and Matt Green caught them."
"Ah, well. I will deduct point from their house, even though I'm am sure young Mr. Green deducted some already. I'll deduct, let's see, fifty points. Thank you for delivering the message. For that, I'll award fifty points to Gryffindor."
Harry smiled broadly. When the bell rang, only a little over half the class was back. They walked out of the classroom and back to Gryffindor tower. They ran into Matt again on their way back.
"Hello, again." said Matt. How was the rest of- what the?" He had just stepped onto the transparent floor.
"Whoops." said Harry. "That's my fault, Matt. Transparentous backfire."
"Ah, well, that's interesting, no doubt." said Matt. "Titilandus." he added to the portrait. It swung open, and Matt bowed sarcastically. "Ladies first."
"Thank you." said Hermione.
"I think he meant me." said Harry with a laugh. "You're funny, Matt." said Harry. "Real witty."
"I know, aren't I?" he laughed. The four of them walked in and sat in the chairs by the fire. Hermione yawned.
"You know, I think I'm going to starve for three days." said Hermione.
"How come?" asked Matt.
"I know why." said Harry. "Same reason I might starve myself for three days."
"Ah." said Matt, although he understood, which he didn't. "Hermione, what happened to your arm?"
"What? Oh, that. Transparentous backfire." she said with a shrug and a smile.
"Ok, now that makes sense. My first backfire bounded off of a suit of armor. It lasted almost a week. It was funny, though, because people kept knocking into it. I was the only one who knew about it. A few people were confused when it became visible again." Matt laughed. "Well, these three days'll be slow. Oh, well. I'm gonna go upstairs. I have a two foot essay on gilly-weed due. What's it do again?" he added, hoping one of them would know.
Hermione was about to explain, but Harry beat her to it. "It allows you to breathe under water by giving you gills. It also gives you flippers But you don't want to be under to long. It lasts less than three hours."
"Thanks, Harry. I can probably draw just that out to a foot. Thanks." he walked up to his dorm.
"How'd you know that?" asked Hermione. "Did you know how you knew that other stuff?"
"No." said Harry. "I know from experience. I used that for the second task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Dobby stole it for me out of Snape's special stores. Then, of course, I got the blame for stealing it."
"Ah. Ok, then. I thought I heard of that before." said Ron looking thoughtfully at the ceiling.
"Any way." said Harry to fill in the long lapse of silence. "What's up with you and Krum, Hermione?"
"What?" asked Hermione, who had heard the question.
"Whats. Up. With. You. And. Krum?" repeated Ron sarcastically.
"I know what he said." said Hermione. "I just don't know what you mean."
Harry and Ron exchanged doughtful looks, because as she said it, her cheeks flushed.
She must have felt them flushing, because she quickly said, "Um, I have to go upstairs." She picked up her bag and ran to the stairs.
"Hermione, you ok?" yelled Ron, as her robes whipped around the corner. Her response was a slamming door. "I guess so."
"I think they fancy each other." said Harry.
"What makes you think that?" asked Ron, digging a chocolate frog out of the chair.
"She was writing a three foot letter to him."
Wicked!" said Ron. "Oh, sorry mate. What did you say?"
Harry laughed. "I said she was writing him a three foot letter. And her hand writing was tiny. Remember when she said she was sending a letter and she needed to borrow Hedwig?"
"Um, I think so, yeah. What does that have to do with anything?"
"The letter was to Krum. She sends them all the time." said Harry.
"Yeah, ok. I though she acted funny about the letter. I mean, why would she keep adding to it? Hermione and Vicktor. Hmm, if they get married, she'll be Hermione Krum." he added with a laugh.
"Yes, but lets not think that far ahead. Besides, it's their choice, not ours."
"Yeah. So who do think I'll end up with?"
"Hmm. What about Lavender?"
"Ew, no. She doesn't like me anyway. And it would be weird. Well, maybe not as weird as you and Luna."
"Ok, what does that have to do with anything?" interrupted Harry. "You keep us out of this mess. You asked my opinion. I gave it. Keep us far, and I mean far away from this conversation."
"Yeah, ok." said Ron. "But you have to admit. It is a bit strange, mate. I mean, at first, it was like you didn't like each other."
"Yeah, I know. But at the end of the year last year, we ran into each other. Apparently some of her things were stolen. That's when I first thought she might like me. But then, she asked me out on the train."
"So that's why you two stayed behind! Bloody hell, am I thick. I should have seen it. She was looking at you weird alot this summer."
"Ron, Luna looks at every one weird." Harry corrected.
"That's true." said Ron. "But, weirder than normal. You know what i mean?"
"Yeah, I think I know what you mean. But you know me, I'm to thick to notice."
Ron laughed. "Come on Mate, Let's go upstairs."
"Yeah, ok."
* * * * * * * *
"Well, mate, we better head to bed." said Ron when they walked back into the common room after being thrown in the lake by the squid.
"Yeah." Harry yawned. "I always knew I hated that bloody squid. well, night Ron."
"Yeah, night Harry."
That night, Harry tossed for an hour until he fell asleep. He dreamed about quidditch, and then, again, he saw his boggart. He shot up in bed with sweat on his face. He lay back down and fell into a dreamless sleep. When he woke up the next morning, the image of his boggart was still fresh in his mind.