Chapter 2: The Good and the Bad

The four 6th Year Gryffindors awoke very early the next morning to the dawn. It had been an eventful night for Arabella. She had spent the night in a smaller bed than the other girls, and even then it had to be squashed into the room. The room had always occupied just three girls, and now there were four of them in one room.

Parvati and Lavender were intrigued by Arabella. She introduced them to the American style of Truth or Dare, much more intense. Parvati and Lavender had played the game before, but were interested in Arabella introducing them to this new twisted style of it.

Arabella, being an American girl, had posters of American stars torn out of magazines. Parvati and Lavender wanted to trade posters with her, but Arabella insisted that they could keep all of them.

Hermione just looked on and rolled her eyes. She was reading The Basic Book of Spells, Year 6 for the about her ninth time already, and had no time for childish crushes.

But behind the book was something else. Something addressed to her and millions times more personal than any book. It was a letter from Ron that she had received right before they met up at the Burrow three weeks ago.

Dear Hermione,

Can I call you 'Mione? I bet you won't say yes. It gets you mad. But I enjoy that. You look kind of cute when you're mad.

You aren't seeing 'Vicky' are you? Well of course you wouldn't be. I just couldn't resist asking you. Don't worry, I am not seeing Fleur either. I will leave that to Bill. Anyway, your mine.

I'm just writing to say that I can't wait until tomorrow. I have something very important to tell you.

Love, Ron

Hermione had of course replied and knew what he had told her, but she still liked to reread it every now and then, and treasured the letter greatly.

'Ready for breakfast, 'Mione?' Ron asked his secret girlfriend. She flinched at the nickname Ron had developed for her over the summer, all because it made her react.

'Yes. Where's Ginny?' Hermione asked as she let Ron help her up at of the cozy armchair in front of the smoldering fire.

'Already left, I s'pose. Harry and Arabella too,' Ron replied.

'Oh,' Hermione sighed. The two left the common room and departed for the Great Hall, where they found the other three, and where Harry, Ginny and Arabella found them mindlessly holding hands.

'We get our schedules soon, so hurry up. Classes start in,' Ginny looked at her watch (which had been Bill's at one time), 'one hour, and we get our schedules in half an hour.'

'All right, all right,' Ron told her. Harry hadn't said anything yet, just raised his hand in a semi-wave when Ron and Hermione had entered. He had also raised an eyebrow at Ron and Hermione when they entered, although they hadn't noticed. His full attention, however, had been on the black-haired girl sitting across from him. Ginny had been also watching, but had been watching the black-haired boy. She too had a longing look on her face.

Hermione saw this, but kept quiet. Instead she said, 'Look, we still have an hour, so let's go outside.'

'Fine with me,' said Harry. 'I need to get my Firebolt out and practice anyway,' he then looked at Ron, 'and McGonagall wants to speak to you.'

Ron paled, 'I haven't done anything yet! Classes don't start till later.'

'I know mate, but best not keep her waiting.' The thought of keeping Gryffindor's head waiting was almost enough to give Ron a heart attack. He jumped up and ran to find the professor.

'We'll meet you outside,' Ginny called to him.

Arabella looked directly at Harry, 'What was that all about?'

'Well, Professor McGonagall asked me to be the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain this year. I was going to accept, but then I thought about Ron. He knows almost everything about Quidditch, so I recommended him instead.'

Harry had directed the past comment at all three girls, but now he turned to Arabella.

'You'll be trying out for the team, right? I mean, you look like you play Quidditch,' Hermione noticed Ginny looking at the two of them and scowling.

'Of course. I played at my old school,' Arabella answered happily, as the four headed back up to the dormitory so Harry could get his Firebolt.

As soon as they got outside, Harry mounted his broom and didn't come down for ten straight minutes.

When he finally did land, his hair was windswept and his glasses were askew but he was smiling.

Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Arabella ventured around until they found a soft patch of grass under a large shady tree.

'Arabella,' Harry began, 'you mentioned you played Quidditch at your old school. How long did you play?'

A smile lit up Arabella's face. 'Well, I've been goofing around with brooms for as long as I can remember. In my 2nd year and 3rd year I was the reserve chaser. The next year, my 4th year, I started playing regularly. Last year, I had to play seeker, but honestly I prefer chaser,' she explained as they all mounted brooms and kicked off the ground, with the exception of Hermione who chose to sit and read underneath the tree.

'Good, because we are two chasers short,' Harry informed the two girls in the air. 'What about you, Ginny? Since I'm allowed to play again, you're out of a position.

'Chaser,' and that was all that she would say. Hermione, from the ground, heard part of the conversation and could tell that the young red head was becoming a bit touchy. So did Arabella. The only one who did not notice was the one who needed to, the 16-year-old boy named Harry Potter.

Soon, the two girls were flying side by side, throwing the ball Harry had snuck outside, to each other and Harry was swooping in circles below.

Ron was still missing in action. It had been awhile since he left the Great Hall. Harry hoped he would accept the captainship, though deep inside Harry hoped that Ron would turn it down and give it back to him.

'Harry! Harry!' Ron came running towards the four.

Harry quickly landed as Ron came towards him, and Arabella and Ginny followed suit, 'What?'

'I'm captain!' Ron exclaimed. He was beyond excitement.

Harry was of course happy for him, and so was everyone else. Hermione and Ginny hugged him, both ecstatic for him. Arabella, still feeling like the newcomer, just congratulated him.

'Good job, mate!' Harry shook Ron's hand. But Harry couldn't help feeling both a little sad and jealous.

'That's not all. Not only am I captain, but so are you!' Ron said with pride.

'What?' Harry was flabbergasted. 'B-b-but…..'

'McGonagall told me what you did, mate. It was only fair.'

'Thanks.'

'Well congratulations to you both,' Ginny ended the touching moment with an unsmiling face. 'Sorry I can't stick around and jump for joy, but I would really like to go get my schedule.'

Neither Harry nor Ron noticed the coldness in her voice, for they were too elated.

Hermione turned to Arabella, 'You can stay if you like, but I'm going to get my schedule. Want me to get yours?'

'Thanks, Hermione. I really need to practice,' Arabella said indicating to her Nimbus 2000.

'I'll go get ours Ron,' said Harry,' as I've practiced already and you haven't.'

'Thanks mate. Arabella can try and score on me,' Ron commented as Harry walked off smiling, knowing fully that Arabella wasn't going to score, no matter how good she was.

'Good schedule?' Hermione asked Ginny. Since they were a year apart, each had a different schedule.

'Not bad. I have Herbology first thing this morning, and then I have Transfiguration later. Then, hey, I have Spell Building on Friday. But I'm only a fifth year.'

'McGonagall and Flitwick must think you're smart enough, and you'll be in our class. How did you do on your end of term exams last year?' Hermione sounded both pleased and jealous about Ginny's advanced class.

'143 for Transfiguration and 150 for Charms,' Ginny replied still looking down at her schedule. The scores were much higher than even Hermione had achieved.

'Oh,' and Hermione said no more until Harry and Ron come wondering over, asking about Spell Building.

'It's the class for 6th and 7th year students. It includes advance Charms and Transfiguration, higher than the N.E.W.T. classes. So let me guess, you boys made it?' Hermione sighed. She, being the resident genius, had read all about the class.

'Oh,' this was Ron this time.

'We have DADA first, with that new lady-' Harry said.

Arabella came walking up behind the quad and finished, 'Professor Holden. She's from inner London and very proper I hear.'

Ginny quieted down along with Hermione. The boys continued talking to Arabella, even though she noticed how quiet her Hermione and Ginny had become.

All students were congregated in the Great Hall when each and every one of them realized that it was time to get to class.

'Oh my gosh! Bye Gin!' Hermione cried at Ginny as she hurried towards the stairs with Ron, Harry and Arabella in tow. Ginny swung the great oak doors leading outside wide open, waving to Hermione as went.

'Welcome class. I am Professor Holden,' Professor Cecilia Holden welcomed her N.E.W.T.s class.

'Good morning, Professor Holden,' the class replied in a monotonous tone, expecting her to be just like Umbridge.

She laughed, which surprised the group of 6th Year Gryffindors. All had received their O.W.L.s in that class, even Neville. The DA sure had paid off for him.

'That is not necessary. Now get your wands out for a quick review.'

Ron leaned over to Hermione and whispered, 'There may be no need for DA this year.'

Professor Holden turned out to be a mix of Lupin and McGonagall. She was nice and very into Defense Against the Dark Arts, but she was strict and generous at giving out homework.

'She is nice and all, but notes on the whole chapter one? She has got to be kidding,' Arabella sounded exasperated.

'Not really. We're in our final two years after all,' Hermione answered as the four walked outside for break.

'I guess you're right, and anyway, it isn't due 'til Thursday,' Arabella concluded.

'Oh, boy, I though she was going to be like us, but no, she appears to be quite like Miss-Know-It-All over there,' Ron commented to Harry and Harry alone.

Harry smirked and Hermione noticed.

'What?' She inquired sternly.

'Nothing,' Harry held his hands up in innocence.

Hermione glared at Ron, 'Ron Bilius?'

'What, Hermione Jane?' Ron called back, with an innocent grin.

'Oh, never mind,' Hermione resolved and stormed outside.

'Is this how life always is?' Arabella asked as she walked backwards.

'Pretty much, yeah,' Ron answered 'Except when Harry here is fighting trolls, giant snakes, dragons, centaurs, or giants,' Ron counted off on his fingers.

Harry just looked at Ron. The things that he had said reminded Harry of what had gone on in the last five years. 'At least he didn't say dementors,' Harry thought to himself.

Arabella laughed as Ron spoke. It was not a put on laugh or a small one either. It was a wholehearted laugh. Harry forgot about everything as he watched her, until two certain redheads both called his name and Harry realized that Arabella had stopped laughing and was looking at him weirdly, as were Ron and Ginny.

'Harry?' Ginny asked again, timidly this time.

'Huh? What? Harry stuttered.

'You were staring off in space with a queer look on your face. We thought that maybe ummm…' Ron looked hesitantly at Ginny and Arabella before finishing, 'well I thought that maybe you'd felt V-Vo-Voldemort again. But you had a smile on, so I dunno. You okay, mate?'

'Oh, sorry. I'm fine,' Harry answered quickly and with a hint of snapping at Ron, and walked hastily back into the school.

The four who were left behind were quickly joined by Hermione who had been watching the whole thing, and they all walked hurriedly into the school.

Harry didn't understand what just happened. Him staring at Arabella? Not possible, not possible at all. Harry decided not to tell anyone the truth about what had just happened.

Harry kept walking, but he realized that he had no idea where he was going. Harry consulted his schedule:

'Double Potions.'

'Oh, great,' Harry grumbled. His day had started out good, then his friends suspected him of seeing Voldemort, and now he had to spend two whole hours with Snape. 'Just great.'

'A two foot essay on, what was it again?' Ron complained.

'The history of the use of veritaserum on humans. But I guess that is what you boys get for not paying attention and almost murdering everyone in the room with that smell,' Hermione informed him.

Harry, still confused, and Ron, worried about him, had been mixing two almost identical potions. Unfortunately, both had not been paying attention about halfway through and mixed ingredients. The room had reeked with the smell the potions had produced.

'Have you heard of skunks?' Arabella asked, with a cheeky smile, or maybe that was how she always looked.

'Not really,' Harry answered in a muffled sort of voice. 'I just know that they smell, bad.'

'Well, a couple of years ago, my mother and I went camping and encountered a skunk. The smell stuck to us and everything we brought. It didn't leave for weeks. And let me tell you, your stink was worse!' Arabella grinned.

'Gee, thanks. That really makes Harry and I feel better as we have extra homework that includes a two foot essay, and you all you have to do is research for your essay this weekend, which I might like to point out, Harry and I have to do that as well?' Ron huffed. His day was going about the same as Harry's.

Later that night, Harry and Ron were by the fire finishing their Potions homework.

Out of the blue, Harry inquired about the very thing that was on Ron's mind.

'You like Hermione, don't you?' Harry asked and didn't even look up.

'W-w-what?' Ron was surprised. Just moments before, the boys had been talking about Quidditch.

'Do you like Hermione?' Harry repeated, slower than before.

'Ummm…..' Ron stuttered, not sure what to say.

'You do, don't you? I've seen the way you look at her,' Harry finally looked up with a grin. ''Cause if you want to go out with her, I'm okay with it. But if I am not mistaken, you two are already a, oh how should I say it, an item?'

'Yeah, we are,' Ron looked up with an embarrassed smile, that Harry laughed at, making Ron get up, grab a pillow of the sofa, and throw it with all his might at Harry.

'Just don't go telling Hermione that. She wants us to keep it a secret,' Ron grinned. 'But seriously, don't tell anyone,' Ron looked at Harry, the humor gone from before.

Harry smiled. 'Why would I? Everyone already knows!' That got the boy-who-lived another pillow in his face.