A/N: well here is the second chapter to my new story! It is fortuanatly longer than the first! I hope you enjoy! read and REVIEW! please! Well... here it is!

"Geeze, did you two take long enough?" Ron asked, smirking, as soon as Harry and Ginny appeared in the doorway.

They sat down together in the compartment, who, in addition to Ron and Hermione, was occupied by Neville Longbottom and Luna "Loony" Lovegood. Luna, as usual, had her face hidden behind The Quibbler and only took a short break to say hello to Harry and Ginny. Neville was also hidden behind something, though a little more unusual. Ron commented, when seeing the look on Harry's face, "Yeah, it scared me at first too."

"Scared you! You nearly jumped out of your shoes when you first walked in." said Hermione.

"It did not!"

"Ha! You just keep thinking that!"

"Neville, how large are you actually going to let that thing get before you stop carrying it around?" Harry asked, once more ignoring Ron and Hermione's scowls at one another, and again staring at Neville's Mimbulus mimbletonia sitting on his lap.

"Well, the book I read said that it should've stopped growing awhile back. I must've done something wrong."

Neville Longbottom was still not the sharpest wizard to ever walk the hallways at Hogwarts. Though he had improved greatly since their very first year there was always room for more.

"First years! Attention all first years! Ger you free school maps here!" Many first years were running down the corridors seeming very excited. Hermione poked her head out of the compartment too see what all the commotion was.

"On no it's Malfoy!"

"Why would he be giving away free maps?" Ron asked.

"He must have bewitched them!" Harry responded, his brain moving a little faster than Ron's.

Hermione nodded in agreement as Harry walked out into the corridor.

"You can't do this Malfoy!"

"Oh, and you're going to stop me Potter?"

"If he doesn't I will!" Hermione said marching up to the scene. Many first years were now being attacked by their maps. Some were getting licked by gigantic tongues protruding from them or they simple coming to life, sprouting legs, and chasing them.

"Oh no the mudblood might hurt me!" Malfoy commented in a fake panicky voice.

"Don't call her that!" Ron said joining them.

"What are you going to do to me Weasley? Drop you're mom on top of me?"

"Petrificus Totalus!" Hermione yelled at Malfoy who was binded by the spell, while Harry still trying to hold Ron back from trying to charge at Malfoy.

"Will you two please help me try to gather up these maps! I don't think he's going anywhere at the moment. So one by one Harry, Ron, and Hermione started chasing down the maps and recovering each and every one to the first years' relief.

"Well, glad that's over with." Harry said after they had gathered and destroyed all the maps. Malfoy was released and quickly went back to his own compartment where he remained quiet for the remainder of the trip.

The train had finally arrived. The carriages there, waiting to take them up to the castle. As they walked toward the giant oak doors Harry noticed Ron staring at the back of Hermione's head. He was hypnotized, watching her hair as it blew in the wind. Suddenly he noticed Harry's eye and quickly looked away.

They eventually made their way into the great hall, sitting down at the Gryffindor table. As they at through the sorting Ron's stomach growled as loud as always. When the sorting had completed Dumbledore stood up to make his usual start of term announcements.

"Welcome students, faculty, and ghosts. I have the usual announcements. The dark forest is still forbidden to all students. There are also more restricted items that have been added to the list, for more details please refer to Mr. Filch's office."

Everybody then started moving around, thinking that Dumbledore was done and anticipating the food that was about to appear on their plates.

"I also have another, but very special, announcement." He went on.

Students at once began to send him looks of great curiosity, momentarily forgetting about their stomachs.

"This year, we will be having a special Valentine's Day Ball. We have not had a ball at Hogwarts sense the Yule ball those three years ago, and I thought it would be a good idea to have something different this year. More information will come later on. For now, eat up!" And the food at last magically appeared on the tables in front of the students, and the room filled with much more talked than usual.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other with great excitement, and for two reasons. Not only would they get to go on a real date with each other since they got together at the end of last year, but they had a new deadline. They had to get Ron and Hermione together before the ball. They would have to go together.

"Well I know who I'm going with." Harry said putting his arm around Ginny.

"Yeah, you two have it easy. I don't think the rest of us have it as easy." Ron responded.

"Oh Harry and I can find you a date Ron!" Ginny said innocently yet with a slight evil tone in her voice.

"Finding Ron a date! Can I help?" Hermione asked.

"What about you? There's no Victor here for you this time!" Ron said angrily towards Hermione.

"I'll figure out something." Hermione said, realizing what Ron was saying was very true.

"Sure you can help." Harry said thinking that this could help Ginny and his' plan go more smoothly than expected.

"And I thought that you were on my side mate." Ron said with a look of surprise on his face.

"Not to worry, I am. Trust me."