A/N: More winter fun. God, im gonna hav 2 start writing sum more, u ppl are catchin up with me! Hope u enjoy this chapter! Angel

Chapter 18- Childish mischief

At midday, the snowball fight was still in full swing. The current champions were the boys, even though Harry kept letting the girls win.

Dean and Seamus took the game rather seriously, and had no mercy on the other team. Seamus would make snowballs behind the hill, while Dean would attack, and vice versa. Erin, Daisy and Luna were putting up a very good fight. They were much sneakier than the boys, and had managed twice to sneak up on a boy, and double team them.

Ron and Hermione were a different story. It turned out that the snowball champion, Hermione Granger, had met her match. She was living up to her reputation, but Ron was giving her a run for her money. They were fighting one on one, and Harry wondered whether they knew the others were actually there, or if they were wrapped up in their own little world.

Ginny seemed to be targeting Harry throughout the game, but he supposed that was because he let her win. Whenever she threw a snowball at him, Harry would fall to the ground in a mocking manor, or run away screaming. Ginny found it hilarious, but the boys on his team weren't quite as impressed.

Neville wasn't as skilled at snowball fights, but he had fun none the less. Harry couldn't help noticing how close he was to his sister. Neville had always been one to keep a distance from people, yet him and Daisy seemed as close as best friends. They would make private jokes that only the other understood, they would reminisce together about past experiences, and laugh, and they would never hesitate in taking sides with the other.

It was 10 minutes before lunchtime, when the gang decided to make a verdict before they ate.

They teams trudged back to their bases, suggested final tactics and made their last snowballs. Once all was decided, they entered back into no man's land.

Dean passionately lead his team, but found that the girls were nowhere in sight.

'Where are they?' Dean asked. 'I swear I could hear them over here a minute ago, maybe they-ow!'

A single snowball hit Dean on the shoulder. He turned round, but saw no one.

'Show yourselves!' Ron called, arrogantly.

Several flying snowball pelted the team, and the girls appeared from behind the boys stack of snowballs, giggling.

'Hey! That's not fair!' Seamus moaned. 'They're our snowballs.'

'Not anymore.' Daisy grinned, and the war was back in action.

Snowballs were flying everywhere. Dean was chasing Erin, Hermione was pelting Ron, Luna and Seamus were battling, Neville was being beaten by Daisy, and Harry and Ginny were unstoppable.

Ginny was speedily tossing snowballs in Harry's direction, and Harry was nimbly ducking and sliding out of the way.

'Won't you stand still!' Ginny called in frustration, as she threw her last snowball.

Harry stopped still, and caught in his hand the snowball, which was heading straight for his nose.

'I'm not the Gryffindor Seeker for nothing.' Harry grinned.

Things began to get hectic. Erin, Daisy and Luna had attacked Neville, and he was laying buried in the snow. They then turned to get Seamus, who lifted his hands above his head. Before he knew it, the girls had taken him by the arms, and were dragging him off.

'Sorry mate!' Seamus called to Dean. 'You're on your own. They're taking me as a hostage. Not that I mind.'

Seamus was easily dragged away, so Dean turned on Ginny. He threw a snowball at her stomach, so Harry threw three back at him.

'What are you doing?' Dean exclaimed, wiping himself down. 'You're on my team!'

'Sorry.' Harry said. 'Reflex.'

The three girls returned, armed with snowballs.

'Two down, three to go.' Erin grinned maliciously, and the three girls charged at Dean.

Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione's vicious battle had turned into a playful game. They were tossing snowballs at each other, but had both lost the ability to aim. Snowballs were flying everywhere, and one hit Luna as the girls were passing by.

'Another one!' Luna called dramatically, pointing at Ron.

'Oh no,' was all Ron managed to say, before he was knocked to the ground by snowballs.

'Ron.' Hermione said, as Ron lifted himself up from the ground. 'Are you ok?'

'I'm fine.' Ron said, like a hero who had been at a deadly war. 'Are you ok?'

'Yes.' Hermione answered meekly. 'Just a little bit cold.'

'Let me warm you up then.' Ron smiled warmly, and wrapped his arms around Hermione. Hermione hesitated for a moment, before wrapping her arms around his waist, and resting her head on his chest, thinking about how open Ron was suddenly being.

Harry noticed, and couldn't help smiling. He knew he'd have to have a word with Ron later. Something had to be said.

Harry was knocked back to reality, like a snowball had hit him on the head. Infact, a snowball had hit him on the head, and it had flown from Ginny's direction.

'Sweet, aren't they?' Ginny smiled, walking to Harry's left side.

'Hmmm.' Harry said uncertainly, nodding his head. She didn't know what he knew.

'Sometimes I wish I had someone to hold me like that.' Ginny revealed, staring mistily into the distance.

'You've got me.' Harry grinned, cheekily.

Ginny smiled.

'I know.' She said simply, and threw another snowball at him.

'That's it.' Harry grinned, and began to tickle her sides.

Harry tickled Ginny to the ground, and sat on top of her, trying to hold her still. Ginny was kicking and laughing, and Harry was surprised at his own daring, when he kissed her on the head.

'Surrender, my sweet?' He grinned.

'You wish.' Ginny smiled, and pushed Harry over, and straddled him.

'Hey! Help!' Dean bellowed, as loud as he could.

Erin and Daisy had double teamed Dean, and nobody was around to save him.

'Ouch!' Dean called, as a snowball hit him in the groin. 'Some help would be nice, guys!'

'I'm buried!' Neville called. 'I can't move.'

'I'm kind of busy right now.' Harry said, as Ginny pinned down his arms.

'I'm a hostage.' Seamus called. 'And I can't get past Luna.'

'Don't look at me.' Ron said, as the others turned to him. 'Who would you choose out of Dean and Hermione?'

The boys nodded their heads, in agreement.

'What!' Dean called. 'Now what do I do? You girls realize you haven't won until all the boys surrender?'

'We know.' Daisy grinned, then added to Erin. 'I think it's time for plan B.'

Erin smiled, and lifted up her t-shirt, in Dean direction. Dean's face was priceless. It was a mixture of shock, surprise and joy. Daisy quickly tackled Dean to the ground, and both girls sat on him.

'I think we win.' Erin grinned, and gave Daisy a hi-five.

After the gang had collected their coats and belongings, they headed back to the Great Hall for lunch.

Lunch was much appreciated, and eaten in large amounts with haste. Even Hermione, who had been watching her weight in this world, filled her plate with a bit of everything.

Several sandwiches later, the Gryffindors said goodbye to Luna and Neville, and returned to their common room.

Apon arrival, Dean and Seamus engaged themselves in a conversation about quidditch, and disappeared to their dorm room. Predictably, Ginny disappeared to find her followers, much to Erin's dismay. Erin herself, busied herself with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate, and Daisy went off to meet Neville.

The trio, on the other hand, took the good seats by the fire, and began a meaningless comforting conversation.

'I think I'd like to get married one day.' Ron said, midway through their talk. 'Sometime in the near future.'

'Me too.' Hermione sighed. 'And have a family with lots of children.'

'Really? You don't seem the family type.' Harry said, examining Hermione closely.

'I think she does.' Ron smiled. 'I can see her with a band of small children, giving them hugs, and forcing them to read.'

The boys laughed, and Hermione hit Ron playfully on the arm.

'What about you Harry, any plans for the future?' Hermione asked, cheerfully.

'Well, if I live to be old enough, I'd love to get married and have a family.' Harry said, seriously. 'But I wont get my hopes up. Not with Voldemort around. My main aim is just to make it till the end of the school year.'

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

'I'm sorry, Harry.' Hermione said, apologetically. 'I don't mean to bring it up. I just forget that this isn't our world.'

'I had until just now.' Harry sighed.

'Lets talk about something else.' Ron suggested. 'Like Christmas.'

'No.' Harry said, plainly. 'We need to discuss how to get home. We can't just hide in this world forever. Sooner or later I've got to face my problems.'

'You're right.' Hermione said. 'So how are we getting home?'

'I don't know.' Ron said, honestly. 'I'd say our best bet is just to tell Dumbledore.'

'But after Christmas.' Harry added. 'If that's the only way to get home, we'll have to wait till after Christmas. I really want to meet my parents.'

'Sure.' Hermione said, softly. 'We'll go back after Christmas. Now I'm going to go and get a book. You can never have too much knowledge.'

Hermione sprang from her chair, and headed straight up the girls staircase.

'Bonkers, that one.' Ron grinned, when Hermione was out of earshot.

'Hmmm.' Harry said, unconvincingly.

'Something on your mind?' Ron asked, as he got up from his chair and positioned himself in Hermione's one, next to Harry.

'Kind of.' Harry said, and came straight out with it. 'You and Hermione, you're getting rather…close, don't you think?'

'Are we?' Ron asked, guiltily.

'Yes.' Harry said, honestly. 'You two are always hugging and stuff, especially today. Has something changed?'

'Well, she is my pretend girlfriend.' Ron said quickly. 'Nothing's changed.'

'Ron.' Harry began, raising his eyebrows. 'Do you like Hermione?'

'Of course I do.' Ron said. 'She's been my best friend since forever.'

'No, I mean…like the way I liked Cho.' Harry said, seriously.

'No! Not like that! Of course not!' Ron exclaimed, going red in the face.

'Are you sure?' Harry asked, 'Because you two, you're different around each other at the moment. I'm sure you-'

'No.' Ron said. 'There is absolutely nothing going on between me and Hermione. We're close, I'll admit it, but not like that. We're just more…huggy. More huggy.'

Harry chuckled.

'If you're sure.' Harry said, rolling his eyes.

'I've got my book.' Hermione chirped, appearing at the bottom of the girls staircase. She walked over to the chair which she was previously seated in, and found Ron there. 'That's my seat.' She stated.

'Not anymore.' Ron grinned.

'But I was there first.' Hermione said, putting her book down.

'But you left the chair.' Ron argued.

'The chair, not the country, Ronald!' Hermione exclaimed.

'Why don't you take my seat?' Ron asked.

'Because I want to sit back where I was sitting.' Hermione explained.

'Well that's just too bad.' Ron sighed.

Harry thought he was in for a big fight, but was surprised to find he was wrong.

'Fine then, I'll just have to sit on you.' Hermione said, and did just that.

'Hey!' Ron argued, with a smile on his lips. 'No fair!'

'Want to move yet?' Hermione asked, sitting round so she could see him.

'No.' Ron said stubbornly, and crossed his arms.

'Harry?' A voice asked, and it was Erin's. 'Would you come with me for a walk to the kitchen's.'

'Sure.' Harry said, glad to have a reason to escape.

The pair walked in silence, until they were out of Gryffindor tower.

'So how's life treating you?' Erin asked casually, as they strolled across the Entrance Hall.

'Ok.' Harry said, nodding his head. 'Not too bad. Quidditch practice is good, a ball soon, Christmas on it's way…'

'Same here.' Erin said, but didn't seem as bubbly as usual. 'First match soon.'

'Yea.' Harry said. 'Should be an easy win, though.'

'Hmmm.' Erin replied.

Harry noticed that it was the same 'hmmm' that he did when he was thinking.

They arrived at the kitchens, and after being bombarded with house elves and stuffed with food, headed back to the common room.

As Harry picked at a strawberry tart, he couldn't help but feel bad. Dobby hadn't been in the kitchens. In this world Harry had never tricked Lucius into freeing Dobby, and it hurt Harry to think of Dobby still with the Malfoy's, not that Lucius was alive in this world.

Oddly enough, Winky was still there. Harry supposed she'd got herself freed, one way or another.

'Harry?' Erin asked, in an unusual tone, like before. 'How did you know that house elf's name?'

'What? Oh, Winky.' Harry chuckled. 'We're old friends.'

'I thought I was the only one who visited the house elves.' Erin said, suspiciously.

'But you're not the only one who goes to the kitchen's.' Harry grinned, taking a large bite of strawberry tart.'

'Right.' Erin said, then went quiet, which Harry had learnt in his short time knowing her, was something she never did. It made Harry suspicious.

'Anyway, Hermione goes to the Kitchen's sometimes.' Harry said, thinking of SPEW. 'Sometimes I go with her.'

'But you and Hermione never used to get along well.' Erin said, pulling a thinking face.

'Things change.' Harry said, simply.

'Yea, they do.' Erin agreed, then said in an undertone Harry was sure he wasn't meant to hear. 'More than you think I've noticed.'

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