Chapter. 2

I arrived back at my dorm after a few more minuets of partying at the dance. My mind had secretly hoped the mysterious boy would return and dance with me once more. I finally realized he wasn't coming back after about twenty minuets. I walked out the doors and slowly up the stair case. Every step I took I felt like I was growing farther and farther from the puzzling boy.

I wished so badly he would have let me obtain the mask from his face. He couldn't were it forever. I told myself. He did say we would meet again didn't he? Well he surely wouldn't wear it again would he? The questions continued until I made it to the fat lady's picture. Giving her the pass word I walked leisurely up the stairs and to the girls' dormitories. The room was silent but warm and comforting. I removed the plastic crown from my head and placed it on my night stand.

Flopping down onto the bed I picked up Happy. Happy is my stuffed panda bear cub. I got him from the hospital in which I was born. I knew I was much too old for toys but some how I couldn't throw this one out with the rest. It still had a place in my heart.

"I had a wonderful evening happy" I whisper. I knew it was abnormal to talk to ones self let alone a nonliving stuffed animal, but this bear was like my walking diary. If some one could jinks it and make it talk it would know all of my deepest secrets. Even the ones about the boy with the emerald eyes and dark hair that always stuck up.

Harry is and has been my friend since our first year at Hogwarts. It wasn't until yesterday I realized how fawned I was of him. He was sitting quietly in the common room next to the fire in a large chair. I stood there for at least ten minuets before he had noticed I was even in the room. I just looked at him and that was when it hit me.

I was completely dumb founded. I was a love stricken fool, and when he spoke I blushed. Most likely he couldn't tell with the room being so dark. It had to have been love I was feeling. I had never felt it before this was all brand new. Harry always had a way with me. Just being around him made me happy.

Who was I kidding the great Harry Potter would never go for a brain like me. He had his own problems to worry about with Sirius after him and all. Even if we did fall in love it wouldn't be safe. Every time we wanted to be alone there would always be fear, fear of Voldemort finding us and trying to kill him.

"Hey" came a voice that made me jump from my place on the bed.

"Harry" I smiled "And Ron" I shot a small glare remembering that we weren't speaking to each other.

"Yeah that's me!" Ron sneered

"Why don't you go find some hand me down books and study then maybe…just maybe you'll learn something!" I shot back wishing I could take those words back. I felt awful for talking to Ron that way.

"You filthy Mugb…"

"RON NO!" Harry shouted with a look of surprise plastered on his face. Harry knew as well as I what he was about to call me.

"So been hanging around Malfoy I see" I said my eyes began clouding over with tears. "Just go please" I said as the tears escaped my eyes for the second time in one day. How could he call me that? I wondered as I heard foot steps leaving the room.

"Harry are you coming!" Ron huffed

"In a moment you go on" he said waving his hand for Ron to go. "Hermione are you ok" he says still on the other side of the room.

"How could he call me that Harry? Friends aren't supposed to do that!" I say fighting of more tears

"You weren't exactly nice ether. You know how touché Ron gets when people call him things like a hand me down like he is dirt poor"

"Whose side are you on?" I say wiping the tears from my face

"If you two keep it up like this I won't be on either of your sides" he says giving me the 'knock it off' look

"I'm sorry Harry I know you're already having a difficult time I'll try and get along with Ron" I say meaning every word. "But Harry he was going to call me a Mugb…" I couldn't bring myself to say it "Well he was going to call me dirty blood"

"I'm sure he didn't mean it" Harry tries to protest looking so cute with his forehead all crinkled.

"I guess your right" I say even though deep inside I am feeling hatred for him to my very core. Then Harry did something he had never done before. He walked over to me and kissed the top of my head and then left.

Was there something more between us? No there couldn't be he was the famous Harry Potter. He probably does that to a lot of girls.

I sat there lying on my bed replaying the image of him kissing the top of my head. I felt happy all over again even with my fight with Ron still on my mind. Why did he do that? I kept asking myself. I must have sat there for a good hour until I heard a small tapping noise at the window.

I turned to see an owl pecking at the window a piece of parchment attached to its leg. I quickly opened the window and the owl instantly stuck out its leg and aloud me to untie the parchment from its leg. I quickly opened it my hands trembling.

Dear Hermione,

I must see you again. Meet me tomorrow night at 8:00 at the entrance of the forbidden forest.

All My Love

Red Rose

Should I meet him? I think to myself. Of coarse I should! I had to there was no doubt in my mind. Tomorrow I would find out who was behind the mask. Tomorrow I would find out who was the mystery called Red Rose.

I sunk down onto my bed holing the small parchment close to me. Tomorrow night at eight….