~Harry Potter and Rise of the Dark Lord~
by: Logical Raven

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Before you read this chapter be forwarned. It seems pointless at first glance, but there is a reason it had to be written. I hope it doesn't discourage you from reading further...

read and review
nothing is my own

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Transfiguration




Dearest Harry

How is everything going at Hogwarts? I hope all is well. I know I just saw you, but I wanted to write you so you wouldn't be without a letter at the first Owl Post of the year.

I'm taking my assessment today. I'm so nervous. If I pass then I can start participating in what the Ministry calls "Low Risk Raids." I know you're worried about me, but don't be. This is the reason I wanted to an Auror. So I'm not one of those people who just sit by and let terrible things happen.

On a lighter note, you'll have to Owl me at once when you find out who the new Ravenclaw seeker is, I'm so jealous. Oh, what I wouldn't do to feel that golden ball in the hands just one more time. I hate to say it, but I hope Ravenclaw kicks Gryffindor's butt this year at Quidditch. I never got to beat you, so if I can't do it in person, I'll do it in spirit.

Tell everyone hello for me.
I hope you're thinking about me, because I'm always thinking of you.

Love,
Cho


Harry felt a smile appear on his face as he scanned through her letter a second time. He had to admit he was a bit surprised that she had written him so soon. He hadn't really expected at letter for a few more days.

"So what did Cho have to say?" Hermione asked as she buttered her toast.

"She's taking her assessment today," Harry replied flatly.

It was the first time Hermione had sounded like Hermione in weeks. The absences of Ron from the table might have been what the difference was. Hermione sighed loudly and took a small nibbled of her breakfast.

"Hermione, is everything okay?" Harry asked.

"Fine," Hermione said instantly.

"Harry! Hermione," greeted an all to pleasant voice.

"How was your summer Pavarti?" Harry asked, feeling a grin spread across his face as he shook his head. In all honesty he had been avoiding her since they had returned, but he knew she'd make her move sooner or later.

"Absolutely boring. That is until Padma got her Hogwarts letter, then it was 'oh Padma this, oh Padma that'," Pavarti mocked. "I was amazed you didn't make Head Hermione."

Hermione rolled her eyes in annoyance, but didn't respond.

"So, are you and Cho still seeing one another," Pavarti said sweetly, playing with the cereal in front of her by scooping is up in her spoon then letting it fall back into her bowl.

"Yes, she's in Auror training," Harry answered.

"So I've heard. I've also heard that she was working with Eros Raymer the III," Pavarti added.

Harry sneered at the mention of Eros's name, "Yea, he's her mentor."

"Oh don't worry Harry, you're much more charming than he is anyways," Pavarti said with a wink.

Hermione, who had chosen to ignore the conversation, was staring at the Great Hall doors like she was waiting for someone to come in. If Harry didn't know better she was looking for a certain red head.

"Have you seen Ron this morning?" Hermione suddenly asked.

"No, he probably overslept since I wasn't there to wake him up this morning," Harry tired to joke.

Hermione sighed, "I really need to talk to him about something."

Harry looked guilty, he turned away hoping Hermione wouldn't notice him.

"He told you didn't he?" Hermione reared, her mouth in a annoyed frown.

"Told me what?" Harry tried to play off, but Hermione could always see right through him.

"That stupid prat," Hermione ranted, "How could he tell you? Who else did he tell?"

"Nobody, it isn't that big of a deal. I would have figured it out eventually," Harry interjected.

Pavarti Patil's eyes were big as she kept her ears perked to Hermione and Harry's conversation. She was desperately listening for that one word to start the rumors with.

"Harry, you popped in on it and you didn't suspect. No offense but I highly doubt you have put two and two together," Hermione said harshly. "It wasn't like it meant anything anyways. I'm just anxious to put this behind me so it won't be so weird around him anymore."

"Hermione," Harry started.

Hermione grunted, "Stupid jerk was probably carrying on about it like I'm the one who initiated it. Didn't he?"

"Oh course he didn't," Harry lied, feeling his stomach rising into his throat.

"Oh Patil, get your own life," Hermione suddenly snapped at Pavarti who was leaning ever so closer into the conversation.

"Granger come on, don't leave me hanging like this," Pavarti pleaded.

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "Why don't you go ask that stupid X-boyfriend of yours. He seems to like dispersing gossip."

"Hermione calm down. Ron hasn't told anybody but me," Harry attempted.

"How do you know that Harry? Did you ask him if he had told anybody else?" Hermione continued with a glare.

The doors to the Great Hall opened as four Hufflepuff sixth years pushed through. Harry breath a sigh of relief, he had a feeling that if Ron had walked through those door at that moment, it wouldn't have been a lovely sight.

"Ron Weasley?" Pavarti tried to egg on, "What happened between you and Ron?"

"None of your business!" Hermione hissed, throwing her head away from Pavarti's direction.

"He kissed you didn't he?" Pavarti jeered.

Harry tried to pass her a warning look, but she didn't catch the hint.

"Oh wonderful! Why don't I just post it on the announcement board," Hermione flared.

Harry could see an anger he had never seen before flashing behind Hermione eyes as she rose to her feet. Pavarti giggling at the new gossip she had just dug out.

"Everybody, can I please have your attention. Ronald Weasley and I have kissed, just thought I'd announce it since it is only a matter of hours before everyone at Hogwarts knows anyways. I just thought I'd steal the limelight from little Miss Gossip over here!" Hermione vocalized loudly, getting the attention of the majority of the student body.

Pavarti frowned slightly as Hermione finished. Part of the fun about spreading gossip was the shock value. How much fun would it be to spread around the news if everyone already knew it.

"I hope you're satisfied!" Hermione yelled at Pavarti and Harry before running out of the Great Hall, leaving her book behind.

Pavarti smirked as she let out a suppressed laugh, "This is so awesome! I can't believe she just did that!"

A few moments later the Great Hall doors opened again, and unprepared Ron Weasley made his entrance. A few students who knew him, (mostly Gryffindors) broke into applause, and offered him a few congratulations.

"What the hell is going on?" Ron asked, looking dumbfounded as he took a seat next to Harry.

"Well you missed the show this morning," Pavarti teased with a giggle.

Ron's face crinkled as Ernie Macmillian shot him a thumbs up from the Hufflepuff table.
"I don't get it."

Harry sighed and gave Pavarti the go ahead look to tell a clueless looking Ron what had just been diverged.

"Hermione just shared the tale of the kiss between the two of you with the entire Great Hall," Pavarti said elegantly.

"SHE WHAT!" Ron shrilled, looking like someone just told him he wasn't a wizard anymore.

"Oh yes, she stood up from right where you sitting and announced to everyone that you two had kissed," Pavarti assured.

Ron looked at Harry for some sign that this was all just a bad joke, but Harry just lowered his head.

"I'm sorry mate, you know how hot headed Hermione can get at times," Harry tried.

"I can't believe she'd do something like that," Ron said in disbelief and then smiled.
"Oh well, at least she can't blame me if people start talking."

"She kind of blew a fuse because I told her you told me," Harry said quickly, hoping Ron would just shrug it off.

Ron threw his head back and groaned, "NO! She's gonna kill me!"

"Probably," Pavarti teased.

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Harry noticed Ron trying to hide behind him as they entered into their first class of the year, Transfiguration.

"Is she in there?" Ron asked nervously, glancing over Harry's shoulder.

"Yes, have you ever known Hermione to not be in class," Harry said annoyed, as he started into the classroom.

"Maybe I should just go back to the common room and forget about classes today," Ron said stupidly.

Harry smiled, "You've got to face her sooner or later. It's just going to get worse."

Hermione was sitting in her normal front of the class seat, still fuming from the incident during breakfast. Harry could tell she had probably been teased about her display, it explained why her nose was pointed upwards towards the ceiling.

"Here is your bag Hermione," Harry greeted, handing her a hefty satchel.

"Thank-you," she said flatly, not looking at either of the two boys.

Ron looked like he was ready to run for his life, "I heard you put on quite a show at breakfast this morning."

Hermione's eyes widen as she slowly turned towards Ron, "Excuse me? I can't believe you're joking about this! You make a fool of me in front of the entire school and you think it's funny!"

"I'm not the one who stood up in the Great Hall and announced it everyone," Ron defended.

"No, you decided to take the more scum like route and just tell a few mouths until the rumors starting flying. What did you think, when the word got out I'd come throw myself at you?" Hermione hissed.

"I'm not the one who started the throwing to begin with! I only told Harry, it isn't like he was going to go tell the entire school!" Ron fussed back.

Hermione's eyes were glaring like fire, "Oh, so I guess you think I kissed you!"

"Yea," Ron said stupidly.

Harry knew that look. He had seen Cho look that way once or twice, and he knew Ron had just crossed that line a bit too much. He took a seat a few rows away, hoping he wouldn't get pulled into it.

"Oh my God," he heard Padma Patil, who was sitting in the seat next to the one he had selected, say.

"RONALD WEASLEY! How dare you, I'm not the one who tried to use a stupid line. 'Oh Hermione you're the smartest witch at Hogwarts, Dumbledore is a complete moron for not picking you, I'd pick you'!" Hermione fumed.

"I WAS TRYING TO BE NICE!" Ron yelled, raising his voice at least three notches from his previous statement.

Hermione took in an enormous breath, "Well, don't waste your time. Insensitive warts such as yourself are incapable of being nice. You're just a pathetic baby. I can't believe you'd sink to this level, and I thought you were my friend!"

"You thought wrong. You're horrible, I've always said that. You think you know everything!" Ron retaliated.

Harry closed his eyes, wishing the scene would stop.

"This is bad," Harry muttered.

"Maybe I do! I know more than you. Honestly, you couldn't find your way out of a bathroom with my help!" Hermione screamed, tears now racing down her face.

Ron was breathing in rage, "Like I need you or your help! Why in the bloody hell would I tell anyone about kissing you. The only reason I told Harry was because he noticed you acting all funny. I've already asked someone else out!"

Hermione fell silent, "Who?"

"What do you care?" Ron retorted.

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "I just want to go tell her what a bloody mistake she's made, dating an insensitive toad like you!"

The classroom doors busted open and a clueless Tonks walked in. Her hair changing from pink to blue with every step she took.

"Morning class, I'm your new Transfiguration teacher Professor Tonks," she started.

The argument between Ron and Hermione had not yet ended as the two stood there looking like they were ready to kill each other.

"Did I miss something?" Tonks said naively, as every eye in the classroom focused on Hermione and Ron.

"Hermione, this is…" Ron started, but didn't get to finish.

"Triliouious !" Hermione said sharply, aiming her wand directly at Ron.

Ron stood there looking shocked for a second, then he slowly started to change, until all that was left was a small warty looking toad. The classroom exploded with snickers, and Tonks tried desperately to call order.

"Hermione, what did you do that for? An excellent use of a Triatiolus Spell, but Hermione, a toad?" Tonks said, look exasperated.

"I'll send myself to the Headmistress," Hermione said softly, wiping the tears off her cheek.

Ron was playing hard to catch, as several students made a move to catch him. He was too slimy and jumpy, and kept retreating from their grasp.

"I've got him!" Seamus Finnigan yelled, clutching Ron tightly in his fist.

"Unutriliouious," Tonks countered, tripping over her feet as she hit Ron with the spell.

The class was no longer snickering but laughing. Ron reappeared, looking like he was about to throw a curse himself.

"A toad! You turned me into a toad!" Ron ranted, but Hermione ignored him.

She finished gathering her things and left the class to head to McGonagall's office. If Harry knew McGonagall she'd probably get a weeks worth of detention, if she were lucky.