A/N:

Paladin3030: Actually, the flashback chapters are a good portion of the story. If you mean when the flashback chapters will end, then it's a few more chapters to go. Sorry about the confusion.

SuZeSiMoNwriter: I'm really sorry, but I can't tell you. It would kind of ruin the whole thing. Sorry again! )

The next day, Ashley was sitting with Harry in the Great Hall reading the book that Harry had ruined for her the night before. He kept trying to kiss her while she was reading.

"Harry," she said.

"Hi."

She giggled.

"The butler did it," he said, trying to get her to stop reading.

"Hey!" someone behind them said, "Look at that!"

It was Hermione dressed in a neon pink skirt with high-heels and a jacket to match, and a bright orange shirt with a purse to match that. To top it off she was wearing bright red lipstick that could be seen a mile a way. She didn't look as appealing as she thought she did.

"Hey guys!" she yelled as she stumbled her way over to the table. High-heels weren't her thing, "How do I look?"

Everyone trying to hold in their laughter.

"Just like Ashley, right?" Hermione said.

Nobody could hold it in any longer. The hall burst out with laughter, including Harry and Ashley.

Hermione's happiness quickly turned to sadness and embarrassment. Ashley noticed this and stopped laughing. She tried to get everyone to shut up, but didn't have any luck.

Hermione ran out of the hall, tripping on the way, and wiping tears from her face. She went and stood underneath one of her favorite trees outside and started to sob.

She felt someone approach her. It was Ashley. She pointed to Hermione's face.

"What?" she asked, thinking there might be something stuck in her teeth.

"It looks nice," Ashley said.

Hermione gave a small laugh from beneath her tears. "Okay," she said, "I'm crazy, aren't I? I wanted to look beautiful like you, but I don't even know how to."

"You are beautiful, Hermione," Ashley said.

"You're lying," she said, "Didn't you hear those people laughing?"

"Those people are..."Ashley began, but another voice cut her off.

"...Idiots like me," Harry said, from behind them, "Actually, you are very beautiful, because you're very special. At least you're not like those stupid girls that I run after, right?"

Hermione laughed.

"You know," he continued, "You can have any boy you want."

"Anyone?" she asked.

"Anyone."

"Anyone?" she repeated.

"Yes," he confirmed, "Anyone. But he has to be cockeyed."

He laughed along with Hermione and hugged her.

"Okay, so tell me," Harry said, "Where'd you get this lipstick?"

"From that girl in our class, Samantha. I'll beat her up so bad."

"And these clothes?"

"Shut up!"

All this while, Ashley stared at the two best friends, wondering. She decided to leave them alone for a while, but as she was about to go, Harry grabbed her hand while he was hugging Hermione.

Later that night, Ashley went to her father's room to spend some time with him before heading for bed.

Snape all of a sudden started to sing weird love songs.

"Daddy!" she exclaimed.

"Harry," he said back.

Ashley was surprised. "Daddy?" she asked, wondering if he was in his right mind.

"What's this 'Daddy?'?" he asked, "You can't keep any secrets from me. But Harry? Couldn't you have found anybody else?"

"Come on, Daddy," she pouted.

"Actually, I would have felt as bad even if it were someone else."

"Why?"

"Because I'll have to share your love with him."

Ashley hugged her father. "I love you, Daddy."

"That's the problem," he said, "I love you too."

Ashley giggled.

"Have you told him that you love him yet?" he asked.

Ashley sat down. "I just feel that Harry and Hermione..."

"Ashley," he interrupted, "Harry only loves you. And Hermione is his best fried. Nothing else."

"No, Daddy," she said, "Somewhere hidden in this deep friendship is deep love, and I don't want to come in the way of this love."

"The whole school knows that Harry and Hermione are best friends and nothing else," he repeated.

The next day, Hermione was sitting with Susan asking her what she should do.

"Go," Susan said, "Tell him that you love him."

"But I don't even know if he loves me."

"Don't keep matters of the heart a secret. Go and tell him."

A/N: I hope it's getting more interesting!