This chapter's short, but at least it's another update, right? Thanks for everyone who has stuck with me and reviewed, or just reviewed. I really, truly appreciate it.

Chapter 20

A Plan and the Truth

Just then Hermione turned over, revealing her neck.

"Hermione, oh my god, what the hell happened?"

"H-h-he…hurt me."

"Who? Who hurt you Hermione?"

"Viktor," she said very softly and weakly. Harry could tell she didn't or couldn't talk.

Harry felt his temperature rise. It felt like his blood was about to boil. His anger was flying high towards Viktor. He wanted to go pay him back. He needed to hurt him. Harry got up to go have a 'talk' with Viktor.

"No…Harry…don't …leave…" Hermione took a deep breathe and Harry could tell that cut was giving her a lot of pain. "I need you."

'IF only she meant it,' Harry thought.

"Mione, you really need to get some sleep."

"Stay…don't."

Harry cut her off.

"Shh…" he said trying to calm her down. "I won't leave, don't worry."

Within a minute, Hermione dozed off. Harry sat there, wide awake. He envisioned the events that might have happened with Hermione. How did she really get that cut? The more he thought, the wider awake he'd become. Finally, he fell asleep, overcome with tiredness.

"But what did you tell them?" Hermione asked, hoping she didn't answer with the truth.

"I told them you were attacked," Ginny responded.

"By who?"

"I didn't tell them."

"Okay Harry, you can stop pretending that you're asleep," Hermione joked, noticing him through the corner of her eye. He slowly sat up straight and began to fully wake up.

"Yeah, so would you now tell me the whole story," Harry asked the two girls.

"Maybe we should wait for Ron," Hermione suggested.

"Where is Ron," Harry asked, taking a quick glance around the room.

"He's off to go get some breakfast," Ginny said explaining it to the both of them.

"Wait, Harry, what do you know already?" Hermione asked, afraid she might have told him something when she was half out of it.

"Nothing…Just that Viktor gave you that cut on the back of your neck." Harry answered, calmly.

"That must have been you, Hermione," Ginny whispered.

Hermione rolled her eyes, angry at herself. "When did I tell you that?"

"Well, last night I saw the back of your neck and asked you what happened, you said Viktor hurt you."

"Right," Hermione said, still upset that she told him almost everything when she was half asleep. The door opened and Ron walked in to a very silent room. With a flick of his wand, a table appeared and the four of them sat around it.

"Okay, we both want to know exactly what happened." Ron said.

Hermione took a deep breathe and told the whole story. Every word she spoke made her relive what happened that morning. As much as she didn't want to talk about it, or tell them, she did anyways, hoping it would be for the better.

"That's it. I can't take anymore, I'm going to find Viktor" Harry said, jumping out of his seat. Ron followed right behind him.

"No wait. You guys can't get expelled, not when we need to take on Voldemort and his death eaters. We're already on thin ice with the ministry because of last year." Hermione said, trying to find a better reason to try and stop them.

"I'm just not going to stand by and let him hurt you." Harry said, truthfully.

"We'll, if we want to get him back, we need to come up with a plan."

"But what?" Ron asked Hermione.

"Don't worry, we can think of something."

Over the weekend, Viktor was no where in sight. Out of the four, no one could come up with a good way to get him back. The end of February was nearing. Snow was starting to disappear off the ground and the sun was starting to shine. The students were now starting to join outside, in the fresh air.

It was a bright and sunny Monday afternoon. The four friends were all joined in the room of requirements, talking. It was just hours before many of students would meet here for practice of defense in the DA meeting. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron all sat on bean bag chairs, in the room where the DA meeting usually took place, discussing what they were planning on doing with Viktor.

"I think we should do something involving Quiditch, since that's what he's famous for." Harry suggested.

"Is he still a Quiditch player?" Ginny asked, knowing Ron would know.

"Yeah, I think he's just being an auror part time." Ron answered.

"Plus, it's not Quiditch season," Harry added.

"We should get his coach to come and help us." Ron said, not thinking.

"Ron," Ginny shouted. "Don't be stupid."

"I've got it." Hermione said, coming out of her deep thoughts.

"Thanks for coming to the DA meeting. Unfortunately, this is only our second meeting, because of many interesting events. Anyways, we are all here now." Harry started.

"Today, I am going to teach you how to block almost all spells. This, when used correctly, can even block the Unforgivable Curses.

"The incantation for this spell is, repeat after me, Trisama Reflecto."

The room filled with repetition of these words.

"Alright, please breakup into partners. If you need help, see Hermione, Ron or myself."

The whole class split up into pairs. Different spells were shot at partners, and then the streak of light would just disappear. Within minutes, everyone, including Neville, seemed able to perform this blocking shield. After about an hour of practicing, Harry decided to end the meeting. Soon, there were only about five people left in the room. Harry went to leave with Hermione, but he was pulled back.

"Harry, can I talk to you." Harry turned around to see Cho, standing there, looking happy. Hermione turned around to see Harry with Cho, and exited the room, leaving the two alone.

"Look, Harry, I wanted to say that I'm sorry about everything that happened last year. I really mean it." Cho said sincerely. Harry was afraid she was going to start to cry again.

"Um…I'm sorry, but I really have to go catch up with Hermione and -"

"Oh, Hermione…" Cho said becoming jealous. She looked up and kissed Harry, trying to prove herself to him. Instead of a soft, passionate kiss, like Hermione's, it was hard and unfriendly. It was plainly a kiss made out of anger, and Harry could tell.

"Whose was better, mine or Hermione's?" Cho asked.

Harry could tell she was mad by the anger in her voice. He looked down at his feet, unsure of what to say. Suddenly, a grin spread across his face.

"Hermione's," He said simply and truthfully.

"What happened, mate?" Ron asked when Harry made it back to the common room. Ron and Hermione were sitting there, doing homework and waiting for Harry to return.

"She kissed me," Harry said, disappointedly. Hermione felt a jealous rage form inside her.

"I didn't kiss her back," Harry said, straight out. Hermione could tell she had now started smiling, but she couldn't help it.

"And why not?" Ron asked, trying to get Harry to come clean with his feelings toward Hermione.

"I don't like her anymore."

This chapter was just a total and complete build up for you guys. The end of this chapter reminded me of a part in the movie, The Parent Trap. I would have made this chapter longer, but I didn't want to give anything away about the plan until next chapter. Well, review, please! Hope you all are enjoying my story

Kelly