A FRIEND TO TALK TO

CHPT 9: HOGSMEADE

DISCLAIMER: I dont own the Harry Potter series.

Hermione hated Claire, and she didn't even know her.

As soon as Harry said that he changed his mind and said he was going to Hogsmeade, she left the boys and decided to dress up a little.

Harry said Claire was gorgeous.

She wasn't so bad herself. During the Yule Ball, she got a couple of stares and comments, and she wasn't even trying. Claire sounded as if she was one of those girls who piled on tons of make-up just to go outside.

Hermione didn't know if she was cool or not, so she couldn't do anything about that. Nor was she American, and she couldn't do anything about that either.

But Claire was a muggle, and Hermione was a witch. Claire could never be a witch. Hermione smiled at the thought of her advantage. But if Claire was a muggle, how can she go to Hogsmeade?

So Hermione was in the girls bathroom, working on her hair.

After an hour of transformation, she was done.

Her once frizz ball hair was strait and sleek. She was wearing mascara, gold eyeshadow, and lip gloss. She looked mega-pretty and natural.

Instead of her usual school cloths or regular cloths, Hermione decided to dress a little more casual.

She wore her cutest pair of warm pants and tank-top. On top of that was her heavy cloak since it was snowing.

Hermione headed down to the common room and ingored the gasps from the other students.

"Hermione? Is that you?" Ron said. Hermione giggled.

"Of course, why do you ask?" She beamed.

"You look so beau- different!" Ron said quickly. Hermione smiled.

"Thanks. So, where's Harry?" She asked inconspicuously.

Ron shrugged. "He left already. We'll probably meet up with him later."

Darn! "Oh, alright, lets go." She took Ron's arm (since he offered) and headed out.

Harry walked around the cozy town. The shops where dressed up for Halloween and ghosts roamed around through the streets and walls.

He didn't know where to look first, he just walked around.

He went passed The Three Broomsticks.

He should have looked in there too.

Snow fell softly onto Harry's messy dark hair. His green eyes sparkled as he felt like he was geting closer to her... even though he really just passed her.

He was wearing black slacks and a tan long sleeved shirt. On top of that, his black cloak. He was looking pretty good right now...

"Potter! Eh, Potter!" A familiar voice called.

Harry turned around and saw...

Oliver Wood! The tall browned eyed quidditch fanatic.

(a/n: ooo u thought i was Claire random reader: psh, not me! a/n: uhuh)

"Hullo Oliver. What are you doing here?" Harry asked. He was happy to see Oliver, but slightly disappointed that it wasn't Claire.

"I'm just here with some of my friends for a few butter beers and such." Oliver smiled. "So, how is the team doing?"

Harry knew what he was talking about. Quidditch!

"Great, i suppose. Next game is in two weeks." Harry said.

"Whose the captain?" Oliver asked.

"You're looking at him." Harry smirked.

"Really?" Oliver beamed. "Thats great Harry. I know you'll lead the team well."

(a/n: i didn't add the whole quidditch thing because i wanted to focus on the story...and i forgot to add it, heh heh. the 3 gyffindor quidditch girls have graduated already, so harry is captain)

"Thanks!" Harry said. Oliver patted him heartedly on the back.

"I'll see you later Harry" Oliver said. "Gotta get back to my friends so they wont think i ditched them. You know how it is."

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Good to see you."

"Later!"

"See ya!"

And they parted.

Harry smiled and contined to walked around. Then he remembered what Oliver said.

Gotta get back to my friends so they wont think i ditched them...

He frowned. He has been ignoring Ron and Hermione when they were trying to make him open up.

Claire probably already left, Harry thought sadly.

He might as well have a good time with his friends.

"Harry!" Hermione called. Or was it Hermione?

Her hair was different and her facial features stood out beautifully.

"Hermione?" Harry said. "Is that you?" He smiled.

Hermione blushed. "Of course! Who would it be?"

"Wow, you look great." Harry said. They were standing outside of a candy shop.

"Thanks!" Hermione gushed. She looked around. There wasn't a girl around him.

"What put you in such a good mood?" Ron asked. "Did you find Claire?"

Harry shook his head. "No, i think she left already." Harry shrugged. "I'll just hang out with you guys."

Ron grinned and Hermione blushed and beamed. "Great!" She chirped.

"About bloody time too." Ron added.

So the golden trio was glowing once again.

They roamed around the streets of Hosmeade, along with other students, random people, and ghosts. They went into shops and played with the merchandise, and Hermione accidentially broke something... then they took off, laughing.

Harry had to admit, he was having fun. He even forgot about Claire for a moment!

It was a quarter until nine, which was the time all Hogwarts student were to return and join the feast 1st and 2nd years where stuck at.

"What now?" Ron asked the other two, laughing.

"I think we should get going. I dont want any angry store keepers chasing us." Hermione giggled. Harry laughed and she beamed at him.

"Yeah, okay. Lets go." The trio started heading back to the Hogwarts entrance until...

There was a voice calling Harry.

"Harry!"

He knew that voice. That tone. He turned around. That face.

It was Claire alright.

"Oh my god." Hermione whispered.

"Bloody...hell..." Ron muttered at the girl.

Harry ran over to Claire, who was walking.

Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron was practically drooling everywhere.

Harry, meanwhile, smiled in pure bliss and frowned in confusion.

Claire glowed. Her cheeks were pink from the cold an her lips were perfectly glossy. Her shiny brown hair was curly at the bottom and bounced a little as she made her way toward Harry. Her honey eyes sparkled.

Underneath her dark cloak, Harry could she was she was wearing black boots.

They stood infront of each other. Silence.

Harry was a bit taller than she was, so Claire looked up at Harry.

She smiled, and hugged him. Harry, who was enlightened at the moment squeezed her back. Their chests pressed against each other and Harry felt the tingle of Claire's warmth seep into him. Very happy and excited, he picked her off the ground and spun her around.

Hermione muttered something that sounded like "muggles" and whatever Ron was saying was clearly not English.

Claire looked at Harry and smiled. "Long time no see, yeah?" She beamed.

Harry nodded, still hugging Claire. "Yeah."

Hermione took a good look at Claire.

"Come on Ron, lets leave them alone." Hermione said reluctantly.

She pulled Ron along, even though she didn't want to, and he didn't want to... but it had to be done. She needed to think of a plan.

Harry noticed that Ron and Hermione left. He was happy they did too. He needed time alone with her.

He let go of Claire and they walked in to snow.

"How come you never wrote back?" Harry asked. Claire looked over at him.

"What are you talking about? You never wrote me back. " She snapped.

Harry was taken back. "No, i did. I wrote to you as soon as i got your letter!"

Claire crossed her arms. "Oh really? I never got a letter."

Harry frowned. "Well i never got a letter from you!" He retorted, a bit peeved.

Claire shrugged, a little pissed, but she waved it away. "Whatever."

"What! I have been going crazy for the past month and all you can say is 'whatever'! You didn't even write back! You're just some little american girl who thinks she can get all the boys wrapped around her little finger to do all her little deeds!" Harry shouted. Now where did that came from?

Claire stared him down. "You have NO idea what i've been doing through. And whats being American have anything to do with this?" She hissed. He was silent. He never heard her talk like that.

She continued. "I came all the way over here to see you, and you yell at me for no reason! Someone's messing with your bird, i bet. " Claire ran her hand throught her hair and took a deep breath. She forced a smile. "Bye Harry, see you in the summer."

Then she was gone.

Harry was standing in the snow, all alone.

Then he realized that he was alone.

"FINE THEN!" He roared to no one.

He stomped his way back to Hogwarts, fuming.

He realized what she said.

See you in the summer.

It was barely even winter!

He shook off that thought.

Stupid muggle, i dont need her.

Harry was making his way to the common room, forgetting about the feast.

He stomped up to the boys dormitories and plopped down on his bed.

He remember what else she said.

"Someone's messing with your bird, i bet. "

Someone said something like that... something about Hedwig. Who was it though? Harry took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"Good luck finding your bird."

Harry's heart sank.

"Malfoy!"

An: Edited Version of Chapter Nine. Tell me ifi miss something, yes?