Harry Potter and the Golden Bell
Chapter 11
The Date With Death

A/N: I am SO pooped out. I'm glad that this story only has 4 chapters left to go including this one. I have 12 stories in the works. argh. READ, DARN U SO THAT I FEEL LIKE I WROTE THIS FOR A REASON!!

Harry and Ron headed down to breakfast together, talking about everything but Anna-Nicole. It was difficult avoiding the subject, because today was Harry's date. Once they got to the Gryffindor table, Dumbledore was ready to give announcements. He stepped up to the large podium at the front of the Hall, and the chattering slowly died down.

"Is everyone ready for exams?" he said, his eyes twinkling, and a slight grin spreading across his wrinkled face. Ron looked down at his empty plate, and Harry, noticing, pat him on the shoulder. It was obvious that he was missing Hermione. There were silent mixed responses from the Hall at that. Dumbledore's grin evolved into a smile, and he chuckled.

"Study hard, everyone. And sixth years, I'm reminding you that N.E.W.T. preparation year is coming to an end...and you will all be in your seventh year next year...and at the end of that year are those dreaded exams. Along with those exams, comes your graduation from Hogwarts. We of course will be missing all the seventh years that are graduating this year, and I wish them good luck on the years forward and hope that they all live good lives outside of the school. Today, after you eat your breakfast, you are to stay at your table and wait for your Head of House to dismiss you. You are to walk with your Head of House to the village, and when you are ready to leave, you are to inform him or her. Now I wager that all of you are getting quite hungry about now, so I shall end this. Thank you, students...and have a splendid day in the village." he nodded his head smiling, clapped his hands together, and sat back down as breakfast food overflowed the tables. Harry looked at Ron on his left, who took a piece of bacon from a large silver tray. He hadn't thought about it, but since Hermione wasn't there, what was his friend going to do while he was with Anna-Nicole? The three didn't normally go to Hogsmeade with other people. That's why, when the first visit to the village of the year rolled around, and Hermione said she was going with the Patil twins, it was such a surprise.

"Ron," said Harry finally. Ron looked up from some freshly syruped french toast, and a few pieces of bacon. "What are you planning on doing while I'm...you know...on my date thing?" he asked awkwardly. His red headed friend shrugged.

"I don't know...I guess I'll go around with Seamus or Neville or something." Harry's heart dropped. He didn't feel so good about leaving Ron with Seamus or Neville.

"I won't be long, I promise. I'll just...have a coffee with her and then leave."

"No, Harry...take as long as you want. You don't have to leave for me."

"Yes I do," said Harry, "You're all I have until Hermione comes back." Ron looked up from his breakfast at Harry. He had never really thought of it that way. Hermione had always been there...after all, the three had met each other in their first year...before they even got to Hogwarts.

"I think we took her for granted before," said Ron. Harry nodded.

"Yeah."

"It sort of hit us in the face now that she's gone." Ron went back to eating his breakfast, as did Harry. The circular window on the wall near the ceiling of the Hall whipped open and a thousand owls flocked in through it. Ron's tiny owl, Pigwidgeon swooped down to the Gryffindor Table and held out his leg, where a cream colored envelope was tied. Ron sighed and began to untie it. When he removed his letter from its envelope and unfolded it, he announced to Harry that it was from his mother.

"Dear Ron," he began, "I heard about Hermione! It was in the Daily Prophet the other day and I couldn't help but write you. I think that they should get that child out of the school before she kidnaps anyone else. It's clear that she wanted something from Miss Granger...maybe they had gotten into a row or something. Is the young woman still there? I bet she left the school...she's dangerous, Ron...keep away from her.

"I got a letter from Percy the other day...you can imagine what he wrote. Agh, I won't even tell you, it'll sicken you so. It's terrible what's happened to him, I always thought him to be the model child.

"Bill and Charlie have both come to visit, although they'll be leaving in a few days. They, Fred, George, your father and I send our best. I sent a letter to Ginny as well and I would appreciate if you make sure that she got it. Thank you, dear. I'll be seeing you in a few days. Good luck on exams!
xoxox Mum" Ron rolled his eyes. "I thought she's stopped reading the Prophet. I bet Malfoy's got one too. No doubt there's something in there that he can get you with. Hey Ginny." Ginny spun around to look at her brother. "Did you get your letter from mum?"

"Yes, did you?"

"Uh huh."

"Allright. Are you going with anyone to Hogsmeade today?"

"No. Are you?"

"Yes, Luna and a few other girls. Would you like to tag along?"

"Er..." Harry smiled.

"Go on, Ron. Tag along. I'm sure it'll be great fun."

"Shut up, Harry. Yeah, I'll come."

"Okay meet me at the fountain in fifteen minutes."

"Will do," said Ron. He looked away from Ginny before she could say anything further. Harry laughed into a bowl of applesauce and Ron grimaced.

After a few minutes, the Hall began clearing and the two headed to the fountain together. Harry had to meet Anna-Nicole there as well, so it was only logical to walk together. When they got there, Ginny was indeed there with Luna Lovegood and a few other giggling Fifth Years.

"'Ey, Harry," said Luna, smiling. Harry politely smiled back and got a bit closer to Ron. Luna had gotten a little bit closer as a friend since last year in the Ministry of Magic, but she still was Loony Lovegood, after all.

"See you, then," said Ron, not looking very happy. He took off with the girls, leaving Harry alone. He sat down on the side of the fountain, and turned around to look into it. He saw himself, as plain as day, which made him think. Voldemort was at Hogwarts. He was meeting Harry at the fountain and he'd be here any minute now. What was he doing this for? To please someone and possibly get himself killed later on? It was for Hermione, though. He'd be doing it for Hermione, for her sake. Where was Hermione, anyway? It pained him to think about it. Maybe he shouldn't go with Anna-Nicole to Hogsmeade...maybe it was too much of a risk to. He was about to get up, when a second face appeared in the water next to his.

"Hey, Harry."

"Um...hi, Anna-Nicole."

"Are you ready?"

"Couldn't be more ready," he replied, his voice shaking a bit.

"Great! Let's go, then."

"You see, I never get to do much with friends...we live sort of away from everybody else. If you saw my house, you would mistake it for a Muggle home. My dad's really into them...I think he seriously wants to actually be one."

"Sounds a bit like Mr. Weasley...except I don't recall ever hearing about him wanting to be a Muggle."

"Mr. Who?"

"Erm...the dad of my friend. You know, the red headed one I hang around with."

"Oh yes, that one. He seems very shaken by the disappearance of his girlfriend," she said smirking, "Seems like he fancied her a bit."

"Er...what does your dad do?" Harry had to change the subject...he really didn't want to talk about Hermione now...especially to the person who kidnapped her. It was unintentional of course, but the way Rita Skeeter described it, it sounded as though Anna-Nicole really was after Hermione. She had said, however, that she was friend's with Anna-Nicole. Maybe Rita should have done more research, actually have come to the school and questioned someone. But then again...she was banned from the school fourth year. That was the year that Hermione had discovered that the writer was an unregistered Animagus...a beetle...and caught her in a jar...
"He works at the cable company...in the muggle world. You know...for television sets. They're – "

"Yeah I know what they are."

"Okay."

"And your - your mum?" It came out a bit brief and frightful, considering what Ron had said a few days ago about her mum...about her being a Death Eater. Hermione had said that it wasn't true, because Ron had heard it second hand. Or maybe third...or fourth...or fifth..."Now where, Ron, did you hear that?"

"Um...I haven't seen her in a while. What did your dad do?" Oh! Bravo for Ron! The rumor was true!

"He didn't work...(he looked Anna-Nicole straight in the face, as if trying to send a message to Voldemort) he and my mother went into hiding after Lord Voldemort (putting emphasis on Lord Voldemort) made them a target, and killed them," he finished gravely. Anna-Nicole's eyes briefly flashed red and Harry's scar burnt a bit. He winced, and Anna-Nicole went back to being her normal self.

"Oh...I see..." Harry nodded and looked up ahead. The sign for Hogsmeade was coming closer and closer. Let's just get this over with, he thought. He began to walk faster, thus forcing Anna-Nicole to keep within his pace. They walked on, and after a few minutes, a low rumbling sound came from the sky. Harry looked up, and saw grey storm clouds moving in.

"Come on," he said, grabbing her hand and moving her along. They ran together to Madame Puddifoot's tea shop, and by that time, rain was pouring down hard. When they got to the door, Harry hastily twisted the handle and opened the door. They stepped in, absolutely drenched and tired, and found a small table in the corner near a window. Anna-Nicole frantically began fixing her hair.

"You don't have to do that," said Harry. She stopped and looked at him. "I don't care what you look like."

"I do," she said back. There was a long, awkward silence and then she continued messing with her hair, as Harry mentally cursed himself. A waitress came over to the table and watched Anna-Nicole for a while. Harry looked at the waitress and forced a polite smile, lifting his hand off the table just enough for a tiny wave.

"Okay," said Anna-Nicole, finishing with her hair.

"What can I get you two?"

"Er...two coffees," Harry said, "Please."

"Allright, anything else?"

"No, that's fine, thanks." The waitress left the table, leaving with them a hanging silence at the table. Anna-Nicole looked out the window at the falling rain.

"Rotten day, isn't it?" Harry looked at her and nodded. Another great silence.

"Um...Anna-Nicole." She looked at him.

"Remember before dinner two days ago when I spoke to you about...about feeling things?"

"Feeling things? Like...love?" Harry's heart smacked into his ribs as his stomach turned. He swallowed it back, and hoped that his cheeks weren't burning red.

"Erm, no...feeling like you want to - "

"Harry!" Harry looked up from Anna-Nicole, to a smiling Cho Chang.

"Oh, hi, Cho," he said, getting to his feet.

"Merlin, Harry, I haven't seen you much this year," she said smiling.

"Yeah I know," he merely said back. "So...how have you been?"

"Fine, I guess...what with Cedric gone and all...but you know, it's been two years." Here we go again, Harry thought.

"Yeah."

"You?"

"Great. I've been great. Uh, Cho this is my friend, Anna-Nicole. Anna-Nicole, this is Cho Chang...an old...er, friend of mine."

"Hi."

"Hi," said Cho back. Then she looked at Harry and pulled him aside.

"Haven't you read the Daily Prophet?" she asked.

"Um...no, but I heard abut what Rita wrote.

"Isn't she the girl that...?" Harry shook his head.

"Meet me back here in a half an hour, allright?"

"Okay...see you then," she said smiling. Harry was going to tell Cho everything. Hermione wasn't there to help him now, and she was about all he had left.

"See you." Harry waved goodbye and sat back down across from Anna-Nicole. She was looking at Cho skeptically, who was walking out of the tea shop, back into the rain, with two other seventh years.

"What was that all about?" she asked, taking a sip from her mug.

"Nothing," said Harry.

"So...what were you saying?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Okay..."

Harry and Anna-Nicole finished their coffees in under a half hour. Harry stood up first and then pulled Anna-Nicole's chair away from the table. She smiled, got up, and turned around, her hands landing unironically on his shoulders.

"Harry...I - "

"- Have to go. So do I." He took her hands off of his shoulders and held them for a few seconds, then let go. "I'll see you back at school, allright?"

"But don't you want to - "

"- Go? Of course not. But I have to. I'm really sorry."

"No...walk around with me," she said, wringing her hands together compulsively.

"Oh...I can't." She put her head down, and this made Harry's heart sink. He shouldn't leave her. "It's raining," he said, desperately, "We're going to get wet if we just walk around. We could go to Honeyduke's. I'll buy you something there." Her face brightened immediately and she lifted her head to look at him.

"Harry, I love you."

"...O-Okay. That's great. Well, let's go then." He started heading towards the door, Anna-Nicole following. They ran to Honeydukes, dodging raindrops as they did, and stepped inside. Draco Malfoy turned his head around to look at Harry and smirked.

"Oy, Potter. Out on a date with your new girlfriend?"

"She's not my girlfriend, Malfoy," Harry responded cooly. Ron, who was with Ginny and her friends, turned around also with a pained look on his face.

"HARRY!" He shouted. He ran into Harry with full force and pulled him into a hug. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and tried desperately to breathe.

"Ron - "

"Save me!"

"Ron, get off." Harry pried his best friend off of his body, and watched people move away from the two. Harry frowned. Great now they think I'm gay, he thought, rolling his eyes. What next after this? Malfoy crossed his arms, the same evil look on his face.

"You can have one or the other, Potter. Take your pick." Crabbe and Goyle howled at this, and Harry, Ron, and Anna-Nicole moved to the other side of the shop.

"Is your sister going to be angry with you if you come with us?"

"Um..." Ron looked at his sister and the rest of her friends, who were now chatting and giggling loudly, "I don't think so; no."

"Okay, then," said Harry. He looked at Anna-Nicole, who picked out a large lollipop in the shape of a rat. Harry got a large swirly lollipop and Ron, since Harry was paying, got a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and two chocolate frogs.
The three walked out of the store after paying and stopped near a large green bench.

"Anna-Nicole, I have to go. I'm really sorry," said Harry.

"Why? Where are you going?" asked Anna-Nicole sadly.

"I need to meet someone back at Madame Puddifoot's."

"Who, that girl?" asked Anna-Nicole, offended.

"What girl?" asked Ron.

"Oh, some silly chinese girl," retorted Anna-Nicole. Harry frowned.

"Cho is not silly," he said cooly.

"Oh, Cho Chang?" said Ron, amused, "Where did you see Cho?"

"Puddifoot's," muttered Harry.

"Who is she?" asked Anna-Nicole.

"She's Harry's old crush. I wouldn't be surprised if she still is taking a liking to you."

"OH!" at this, Anna-Nicole got to her feet and stormed off having no destination really.

"Nice going, Ron," said Harry when the girl was out of earshot. That didn't take long because of the speed she was moving. "I'm trying to get closer to her, not further away."

"Sorry," said Ron as the two started walking back towards Madame Puddifoot's. He started falling behind a little bit while thinking, then got back up beside Harry.

"I have a question."

"What's that?"

"Do you like Anna-Nicole?" There was a long pause, then Harry looked at Ron.

"Yes...and no. I'm not about to get involved with any girl at the time. I mean, I did kiss her..."

"Would you have longer if it wasn't for Snape?"

"Probably...yeah..."

"I think you like her."

"I do like her. But I'm not going to be her boyfriend. Never in a thousand years."

"Well, that's an awful long time," said Ron, smirking.

"Are you coming to Puddifoot's to meet Cho with me or are you going back with your sister?" asked Harry frustratedly.

"I'm going with you to Puddifoot's," said Ron.

"Good. Then keep quiet."

"I was just wondering," said Ron. When they got to the coffee shop, they spotted Cho Chang at a table in the middle of the room. She waved and the three got situated. Ron and Harry explained to her about everything. Harry's dream about the messenger in the black cloak coming to Harry to tell him to "beware the golden bell", that Voldemort was back at Hogwarts; how Harry had found the bell on his night stand after waking up from his second dream. The two also told about how they thought Voldemort was possessing Anna-Nicole, how Hermione had been kidnapped while in possession of the golden bell, how Snape had explained how he saved Harry's life when he had stopped the two from kissing in the corridor, how the Malfoys were in on killing Harry as well, and last but not least, how the bell worked. When they were finished, Cho was dumbfounded.

"So this is why I haven't seen you this year," she finally said, "You've been spending your free time trying to figure this all out."

"Er...yeah," said Harry. It was because of that, and also because he had been somewhat avoiding Cho. Since last year on their date in the same tea shop, he had been a bit annoyed with her.

"So...what you're saying is that Voldemort's here - at the school. And he's in the body of a sixth year girl from my house that has a crush on you?"

"Exactly."

"Jealous?" asked Ron, devilishly.

"Of a girl who's being possessed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Eh, no," said Cho.

"No I mean because she likes him. And he likes her," Ron said, a huge smile on his face.

"Oh...well, a little."

"So you still like him?"

"Excuse me," said Harry a bit irritably, "I have a name." Cho looked at Harry and smiled a bit. Ron nudged him and began 'ooh-ing'. "Allright, cut it out,"

"So that's Loony (Ron counted on his fingers), Anna-Nicole, Cho, Hermione - "

"Hermione doesn't like me!" Harry protested impatiently.

"Oh, I can tell, mate. The way she looks at you, how much she always cares about you - "

"She likes you, Ron. And I most certainly am not being a part of that. Anyway - yes, that's correct, Cho." Ron smirked and crossed his arms.

"Any ideas to get him out of the school?" asked Cho.

"Yes, I've thought of one. I'm in the process of getting real close to her now - which Ron is not helping with at all - so that on Monday, I can tell her that she shouldn't "see" me anymore and he'll attack me right there. Which is good because I can just fight him off. If he - " The door of Madame Puddifoot's burst open and a brown haired scraggly girl with tattered and torn robes ran to Harry, Ron, and Cho's table.

"Harry! Ron! I have something to tell you!"

"Hermione!"

A/N: I was asked by a few very literal friends a few questions. I'm sharing them with you so that if you have the same questions, you won't be all confused.

1. How can Voldemort leave his body and go into another's?
2. Where did Anna-Nicole's soul go when Voldemort went into her?
3. How can Voldemort suck out one's soul like a dementor?

ANSWER TO 1: He's Voldemort! He can do weird stuff like that. It's called fanfiction.
ANSWER TO 2: Anna-Nicole's soul is still there...because she can act like herself at times..and then Voldemort can take over when he wants to. I guess her internal body would be a bit crammed with two souls...but....IMAGINATION.
ANSWER TO 3: See answer to 1, and add: cuz I feel like it.

I wasn't going to have Hermione come back until the end of the summer at the end of Golden Bell 2: , but I put her in GB2 by mistake and figured: oh, what the heck..I'll just have her come back. It would have been to much of a zymiss to write her out. Plus, I luuuurrvveeee Hermione. So that's that. I put the thingy down there so that you don't think that the next chapter is going to be just as boring as this one if you thought it boring. The end is exciting though. Kind of a cliffhanger. lol. I hope you have fun wondering what's happened to Hermione and I hope Kat has fun dreaming about it.

NEXT CHAPTER SUMMARY CUZ I KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING: Hermione explains stuff to Harry and Ron, History of Magic Class the next day, Stuff after HOM class, Quidditch Game