Disclaimer – I'm dead...so I guess it goes to JK Rowling.

-

Hikari woke up early the next morning. She walked around the school grounds, taking in the scenery of the gigantic lake. She sat on one of the benches provided.

She saw Harry walking around. She motioned for him to come over. "Hey Harry," she smiles at him.

"Hey," Harry replies, forcing his face into a smile.

"Are you okay?" Hikari asked, concerned, having spotted the look of worry on Harry's face. "No, it's nothing," Harry's face flashes into a look of sadness before he smiles again.

"Wanna go get breakfast?" asks Hikari softly. "Sure,"

They walk back to the Great Hall, a silence betweens them.

"Harry! Where were you? You need to see this!" Hermione shouts right into Harry's ear, waving a piece of paper around. She hands the paper to him, moving away rather awkwardly, bumping into Ron.

Harry reads the paper aloud.

Daily Prophet

PETER PETTIGREW CAUGHT!!!

Peter Pettigrew believed to have died, was caught by the Aurors last Sunday As this proves the Boy-Who-Lived words true, Sirius Black was indeed innocent and not guilty. When asked on this subject, the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge commented "We, the Minister deeply apologizes to the relatives and friends of Sirius Black,"

When asked, the Ministry replied that Ministry professionals had caught Peter Pettigrew after being spotted by wizards. They had given the alarm to the Ministry Officials. The Ministry had quickly reacted as soon as they message was given.

Thanks to Ministry's quick action, Pettigrew was caught quickly. Not many injuries were sustained during the arrest.

Harry crumples up the paper in fury, tears of anger threatening to fall. "Found innocent to late," he whispers angrily.

Hermione hugs Harry gently.

As Ron watched this simple gesture of affection, the tip of his ears turns red.

From the Slytherin table, Draco watched the scene before him.

Hikari walked to the Transfiguration classroom with Hermione, Ron, and a much calmer Harry.

Professor McGonagall lectured them on the NEWTs as Harry remembered about his OWLs.

#$#

A large tawny owl had just landed near his window. He opened the window and took the letter from the leg. He opened it with trembling hands as the thicker envelope opened.

Mr Potter,

Charms – E

Transfiguration – E

Potions – O

Defense Against The Dark Arts – O

Divination – A

Astronomy – A

History of Magic – A

Care of Magical Creatures – O

Herbology – E

"Harry?" Hermione shakes him slightly. The action snaps Harry back to reality. "Huh?"

Prof. McGonagall stared at him suspiciously. Just then, the bell rang. Hikari checked her timetable. "Oh no! Double Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs!" Ron wailed. "Well, there is limited people with the class, so I guess they put everybody into one class," Hermione said. They head down towards the grounds.

They headed towards Hagrid's hut, hoping to not find unusual creatures there. Hermione edged closer to Harry as Ron tried to take her hand.

"'Ello Harry!" Hagrid greets rather cheerfully. "Uh oh, that means he has something unusual up his sleeve," Harry whispers to Hikari.

As Hikari glanced over to the Slytherins, she noticed that not many were in this class. She spotted a flash of blonde hair. It was Malfoy. He looks over to her and smirks.

She quickly turns her attention back to Hagrid.

He finishes his lecture about the NEWTs and brought out some papers. "'Ere is your hom'work. See how much yeh' learnt las' year, " he said. The class groaned.

A student came running up to Hagrid. They exchange a few words.

"Harry, Prof. McGonagall wants to see' yeh', 'ermione, 'ron and Hikar'" Hagrid says.

"Okay," they head up to the castle. They reach the staff room. Harry pushes the door open.

"Good, you're here," Prof. McGonagall said. "You are wondering why I have called you?" Harry nods. "Well, Professor Dumbledore wants you to start training for the battle. He suspects that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will attack soon. That is why he needs you to be ready, to fight and help defend Hogwarts," she says.

"But, Professor, what does this got to do with us?" Hermione asks, rather timidly.

"He also wants you to be prepared and train the D.A." McGonagall says.

"How about me?" Hikari asked. "Professor Dumbledore said that you should be trained also. As for why, I don't know," McGonagall added quickly, seeing that Hikari had opened her mouth. "Well, off you go now. I presume you have Care of The Magical Creatures?" she said.

"Yes, thank you," Hermione said before walking out the door. The rest follow after.

-

Weeks later, the D.A was started; many had entered, including Slytherins. It had been a success, with many people leaning quickly. One evening, they go for a walk, taking a well-deserved break. Hermione slipped her hand inside Harry's. He quickly removes it, after receiving a stare from Ron.

Ron stares at Hermione. Harry looks longingly at Hermione, knowing she might, or never be his; he treasured Ron's friendship, yet he couldn't bring himself to confess to Hermione. Hikari watches silently, breaking away from the group as she gives an excuse.

Ron glares at Harry, signaling him to go away. Harry understands. Taking one look at Hermione, he says he needs to do something, and he walks away, back into the castle.

Walking around the grounds, Ron stops and grabs Hermione's hand. He gazes lovingly into her eyes. "Hermione,"

-

Harry looks out the window. He spots the shadow of Ron, holding Hermione's hand. He turns away, and a single tear glistens, trailing down his cheek, his face hidden by the shadows.

-

Hikari walks around the castle, exploring it, as she had never seen a castle this big. She bumps into someone, someone with a smirk on his face with blonde hair. Oh no! Not him again!

"Malfoy," She stares at him. "I believe we haven't been properly introduced," he replies, smirking. "What's your name?"

"None of your business anyway,"

"Really?" Smirking, he raises one eyebrow. "Your fault you didn't listen at the Sorting Hat," she retorts.

"I wanted to be introduced to the real thing," he replies smoothly. Hikari turns a slight red. "Whatever," she walks off. "Remember, you still owe me your name," Smirking slightly, he walks off in the other direction.

-

"Ron, what is..." Hermione's sentence trails off, noticing the look in Ron's eyes.

"Hermione, I don't know how to say this...but...I really like you," Ron said, sincerely. He moves closer to her. "Ron..since when?" Hermione asks, backing away slowly.

"Ever since second year," Hermione licks her lips nervously. "Ron, I'm sorry...but I can't be with you. Not now," she runs off, leaving Ron to register her words. She stops near the entrance of the castle, panting, as a tear falls down her cheek.

"I'm sorry Ron, I'm really sorry,"