On his way to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Harry spotted Stella. "Hey, Stella," he called to her.
What are you doing, Harry?, he thought to himself.
"Hey Harry, how are you?" Stella asked.
"I'm good. I'm just going to class. Not that I normally go to class early. It's just that I felt like it. I mean, I'm not one of those kids who goes to class early. I'm one of the bad boys. Falls asleep in class. That kind of thing." Harry prattled.
"Is that so, Mr. Potter?" Stella said, with a smile. "Well from what I've heard from…what's her name?...Cho?...you aren't telling the whole truth."
Excellent. Perfect. This is exactly what I need. Cho telling Stella about me, Harry thought.
"Okay, so maybe I'm not a bad kid, but I definitely fall asleep in class." Harry said.
"You know, that's really not going to help you on your N.E.W.T.'s," Stella said, jokingly.
There it is again. That nagging feeling that she reminds me of someone. Someone so familiar…almost too familiar. I need to know who, Harry thought. I have a feeling I'm about to do something really stupid, but I'm going to do it anyway. I'm tired of waiting for girls to make moves.
"Listen, Stella. There's a Hogsmeade trip next weekend, and I was wondering if…" Harry trailed off.
"If I would like to go on a tour with you?" Stella finished. "Sure, why not. We'll make it a date." She walked off.
A date? Have I just landed myself a date with Stella Camero? Not bad for a day's work, Harry thought.
By now Ron and Hermione had caught up with Harry. "You all right there, Harry?" Ron asked, tentatively.
"Yeah, I'm fine. But I've got to tell you something. I just asked Stella out," Harry said, quickly.
"You did WHAT? You asked Stella out? Without even consulting me?" Ron exclaimed.
"I don't recall ever having to check in with you before I asked someone out," Harry said. "What? Where you interested?"
"No," Ron whispered, being careful not to catch Hermione's attention. She was buried in her DADA textbook. "In fact, I really have to talk to you about something to that effect."
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Later, at Quidditch practice." Ron said. At this, the trio found their seats. Harry was careful to choose a seat where Stella was in his eyesight. He looked around and noticed that it was a Ravenclaw class. As he scanned the classroom, he realized he saw a familiar face.
"Ron…Hermione!," he hissed. "It's the Sneak!"
Ron and Hermione turned around and saw Marietta Edgecombe conversing with Padma Patil. Ron gasped.
"If she finds out, you're toast, mate. She'll be off to tell Cho before you can say Quidditch," Ron said.
"Finds out what?" Hermione said.
"That Harry asked Stella out," Ron said, impatiently.
"Harry did WHAT?" Hermione yelped.
"He asked her out. Hogsmeade weekend. Next week. The point is, if Marietta finds out, Cho will have a field day. Only yesterday I heard a rumor about you two-timing her," Ron said.
"Thanks, Ron. I feel so much better now," Harry said, icily.
"Hermione, what should I do? You know girls," Harry asked.
"There's really not much you can do. And I really don't want to talk about it at the moment, class is about to begin," Hermione said, briskly.
Tonks entered the classroom and tapped her wand against the desk. "There will be no talking, when I'm teaching please," she said in a firm voice. "Today's lesson is on the Zodiac Stones. Can anyone tell me what the Zodiac Stones are?"
"Like I said, a cinch," Ron whispered.
"Mr. Weasley, I believe I said no talking. This is only a warning, but next time points will be taken," Tonks said.
Hermione gave Ron a pointed look and raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Granger," Tonks said.
"The Zodiac Stones are magical stones found at Stonehenge, each with a specific power bestowed upon it, according to the sign it bears. These signs include Sagittarius, Capricorn, Cancer, Libra, Virgo, Gemini, Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, Aries, and Pisces. There is, however, a catch. Only people born under that sign have the ability to use the stones. It is also rumored that the Druids, who created these stones, made a thirteenth. No one knows what this thirteenth does and no one seems to be able to find it. Rumor has it that the Ministry of Magic has hidden it and the other twelve where no witch or wizard can find it," Hermione recited.
"That is correct," Tonks said, "Ten points to Gryffindor."
"We will now go down up to the Astronomy tower, where Professor Sinistra and I will give you a special lesson on the signs and meanings of the Zodiac."
The entire class gathered their belongings and began the long trek to the Astronomy Tower.