Disclaimer: Do I have to say it?!

A/N: Thanks to my reviewers!!! I only have a few but it matters. Muchas gracias. Glad the story is enjoyable.

Lock and Key

Chapter 6

It was Thursday and Harry sat in Charms, thinking about Quidditch. (There was only about five minutes left in class). Gryffindor's second game was against Ravenclaw—Rice's team. Ever since Sunday, Harry had noticed "the friends" much more than before. He also knew Ron had yet to get Rice alone and way dying to. The game was set for next week and neither Harry nor Ron could wait to face him on the field.

"Don't forget about your projects! They require much work so I suggest you begin as soon as possible!" Professor Flitwick heeded.

"When do you want to start Harry?" asked Hermione, who was sitting next to him. He started.

"Start what?" retorted Harry.

"The project."

"What project?" She gaped at him, pure irritation written across her face.

"The one Flitwick was just mentioning! The one for which you're my partner! The one he told us about on Tuesday!" Hermione told him.

"Oh, that..." he murmured.

"Yes, that. We've known about it for two days so we're much behind. We need to begin very soon," They walked out of the classroom, "What do you think?" He knew what he thought: he didn't want to do it, knew Hermione would murder him if he admitted that, and knew she would work him to the bone. Either way, Harry was glad to be working with her. For a minute he had considered working with Parvati; she had indeed asked him. But in the end the idea of spending extra time with Hermione (even if it would be laborious) won him over.

"I—"Harry began.

"I think we might as well start now. There's no time like the present, right?" And we're not doing anything.... We can work in the library until dinner." Hermione spilled out. She looked at him expectantly. He simply nodded, seeing no point in arguing.

"And of course if the library is no help, we can always use the Head's Room..." she went on.

When Harry and Hermione resurfaced a few hours later, they had to explain their absence to Ron. The three of them then walked to the Great Hall, meeting Ginny along the way. Before they entered, someone called out to Hermione. The other three were so wrapped up in their own conversation they didn't hear it, or when Hermione told them she'd be a minute. She waved them off, frustrated, and went to see her caller: David. She spoke with him for a couple of minutes and then he walked in to eat, giving her a warm smile. Hermione, on the other hand, did not feel like eating anymore, or better yet, being around people. She sighed. However, it'd look really suspicious if she just took off suddenly. But what if they start on a certain subject you don't want to talk about?, she thought. They're bound to, you know? Hogsmeade is on Saturday. With that, Hermione went back to the Tower, not caring.

Meanwhile, the subject of Hogsmeade had been brought up. Dean had announced he was going with Bethany King and Ginny claimed she was going with someone as well. Ron had surprisingly not said anything to his sister, but had no trouble complaining to Harry.

"If it's Burnstone, I swear he's a dead man." Ron quietly snarled.

"It's not." Harry remarked. He had heard Colin Creevy earlier that week telling his friends he was going with Ginny.

"Are you going with anyone Harry?" Parvati wondered, smiling lightly.

"No," he retorted, "Are you?"

"No," she remarked, eyes searching elsewhere. She sounded a bit sad and hopeful, "It'd be nice though."

"See you there then." Parvati stared at him for a second before lamely replying:

"Yeah, see you there." Lavender gave her friend's hand an encouraging squeeze under the table, grinning. God, boys could be so daft

Hermione could not believe what she had done last night. She had no idea what in all of Britain had made her agree, but it was too late to back out now. If she went back on her word it would be rude. Hermione was stuck with her decision and the consequences of it, those being Ron and Harry's reactions. Of course she still hadn't told them she had accepted David's invitation to Hogsmeade, but doubted it could be put off.

Once again, she sat alone at the Gryffindor table sipping coffee. Hermione wondered when the opportune moment to tell them would come.

"What happened to you last night? You just disappeared!," Ron said as he and Harry sat down, "Don't tell me you've got another Time Turner!" She fed him her well-rehearsed lie:
"I remembered my Muggle Studies essay at the last minute. I had to finish it." Ron bought it but Harry didn't. It wasn't like Hermione to forget an assignment; it was damn near impossible is what it was.

"So what are we going to do tomorrow in Hogsmeade?" asked Harry, stabbing a piece of sausage. She gulped her coffee down. Perhaps now was the time....

"Don't be surprised if I don't show up. I'm going to ask Rebecca today." Ron wickedly grinned. Harry smiled.

"Um, actually, I won't be going with you two." Hermione reported.

"Why? You don't have Head Girl business, do you?" Ron inquired.

"Mo, it's just that... well, I-I'm going with someone." They stared darkly at her.

"Come again?"

"I'm already going with someone."

"Who?" Harry half demanded, fearing her answer. God, why did Harry have to ask that question?!, she thought.

"It's not Rice, is it?" Ron sharply pondered.

"I am going with David, in fact." Hermione answered in a rather small voice. Ron closed his eyes and clenched & unclenched his hands under the table.

"I thought you were just friends." Harry roughly pointed out.

"We are! But friends go to Hogsmeade! I go with you!" she insisted.

"That's different!" defended Ron, eyes flying open.

"How?!"

"We've known you longer!"

"Ron!," She sighed loudly, "Why can't you two give David a chance? He's very kind and sweet—"

"That's because he wants something!" scoffed Ron. Hermione's fear and patience floated away. She was tired of constantly defending her relationship with Daivd; they were merely friends. Ron and Harry needed to stop acting insane. Were they going to scare off any and every other male?!

"Ron, you're going with that Mesh girl!" Hermione cried.

"Maybe! And that's different as well!"

"Oh what rubbish! Look, I'm going with David. I'm sorry if the idea doesn't please you." She stood up. Before she left she looked at Harry. The look he gave her sent chills down her spine, both good and bad. She left the Hall, cursing those green eyes of his.

"I can't believe her!" Ron fiercely stated, throwing down a fork. No, neither could Harry. All throughout Transfiguration, the only thing he could think about was Hermione and David. Why was she going with him?! Was she trying to anger Harry purposefully? Because it was working, well. But this time he promised he wouldn't get into a confrontation with her; that had been ghastly. No, no fight.... But Merlin! What was Hermione playing at?! She was killing Harry!

Unfortunately, that unpleasant thought stayed on his brain until the last class of the day. He then remembered had had scheduled Quidditch practice at seven, so he had to eat an early supper. When that was done Harry went back to the Tower at a quarter to seven to fetch his broom. Coming back down to the common room he saw Parvati sitting with Lavender; they were laughing. It then struck him. Of course.... He debated over whether or not to wait to speak to Parvati or to do it now. Harry decided it could wait until practice was over, and made his way to the field.

Once there, he saw a disturbed looking Ron sitting moodily in the stands. The red head's broom sat by itself in the grass.

"What's up with you?" Harry asked.

"Rebecca already has a date." Ron said, brow furrowed.

"Was she mean about it?"

"No. She seemed sincere."

"Then just try again later. You know of the dates in advanced in anyway," Ron unfolded his arms, looking somewhat hopeful, "Listen—I'm going to ask Parvati to Hogsmeade."

"What? Really?!," questioned Ron, his face lighting up, "Ha! I knew it!"

"It's not like that. Hermione just made a good point: there's no harm in going with a friend," smirked Harry.

"If you say so Harry." Ron shrugged, totally unconvinced.

An hour and a half later, the Gryffindor team went back into the castle. Most of it hit the showers but Harry didn't have the patience. He needed to find Parvati as soon as possible. She wasn't in the common room at first glance so he took the opportunity to put away his Firebolt and wash his face. He checked the Marauder's Map to make sure she was at least in the Tower; he saw her dot in its dormitory. Harry then went back to the common room (still clad in Quidditch robes) and waited. At one point Seamus and Dean asked him what he was doing. He told them and received grins.

At 8:45, Parvati finally came down. She was heading towards the portrait hole but he stopped her.

"Parvati!," he cried out, "Can I... talk to you?" She looked puzzled.

"Sure Harry," she said, walking over to him. She loved it when he was in uniform; he looked so cute.

"Um, are you still not going with someone tomorrow? I mean, you're still going alone?"

"Yes."

"Right. Do you... can I...," he struggled, mentally slapping himself, "Would you want to go with me?" Joy overtook her face so fully and suddenly it was shocking. Parvati nodded vigorously, grinning.

"All right, cool," smiled Harry, "I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at one?"

"That's fine," she breathlessly said.

"Okay. Um, sorry to have stopped you from... wherever you were going."

"Oh! Yes, that! No, it's not a hassle so you don't have to apologize. Though I should probably get going again." A group of third and fourth years neared them, whispering intently. They were silent while actually passing the two and started up again when they thought they were far away enough. One of the girls purposefully gazed back at Harry and Parvati. He was beyond the point of caring why people stared & gossiped on his regard; it happened too often.

"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow Harry!" Parvati called, smiling broadly and leaving through the portrait hole.

"Bye." Harry answered. He then went back to his room, proud of himself for asking out Parvati. Sure, a part of him had done it to get back at Hermione, but he found more of himself truly anticipating the next day and spending it with Parvati. Tomorrow would be interesting.

"Looks like it's just me and Neville." Ron bitterly remarked as the five boys made their way down the staircase.

"Now that's just wrong Ron. Neville's a nice lad and I'm sure he likes you." Seamus responded.

"Sod off Finnigan," he replied, smiling in spite of himself. The others laughed, including Neville. They reached the front of Hogwarts, said goodbye to one another, and departed.

"See you there with Ms. Patil." Ron grinned slyly to Harry.

"Maybe we won't. Maybe they'll find a secluded corner." Neville added. Ron laughed and Harry shook his head, turning around to wait for her.
A few moments later Parvati came walking into view. She wore a yellow sweater & jeans, and her dark hair curled richly around and past her shoulders. In short, she looked painfully pretty.

"Hi!" greeted Parvati.

"H-hi," Harry remarked. Should he say something about her appearance?, "Uh... ready to go?" (Apparently not).

"Yeah." They walked to the doors where Hermione and Malfoy stood, making sure the correct students were leaving to Hogsmeade. Luckily the Head Boy was busy telling two fifth years they didn't have parental consent (which was a lie), so they encountered Hermione. Her face mirrored Harry's when his name had been pulled out of the Goblet of Fire: pure shock and disbelief.

"Hi Hermione." Parvati warmly said. She couldn't answer. As they left her eyes followed them, focusing mainly on Harry. He glanced back and they made eye contact. A second later David Rice came strolling slowly up to Hermione, throwing a weary glance at Malfoy. Harry turned back around, smiling smugly, and started a conversation with Parvati.

A/N: Posted like I said I would! I made the Heads check for Hogsmeade b/c I am trying to give them tasks that seem Headish, lol. I will post again on Saturday, the day b4 Halloween! (Oooh, spooky! MWA HA HA!!!) Til then! Oh, and sorry about the shorther than usual chapter! Chapter 7 makes up for it.