Yay! It actually took me a while to get this chappie finished, but it's finally done! I've got so much to do in school it isn't even funny. Plus I've got a country report due on the 19th. Lovely, isn't my life?

Disclaimer: I do not own anyone in this story. Really, I don't! Hard to believe, isn't it?

Picnic:

"Okay, now where are the girls?"

"Well, they were supposed to meet us here…"

Ron slumped against the wall next to Harry, who was carrying the picnic basket they had gotten from Dobby the house elf. Just then, they heard hurried footsteps.

"They approach."

"Ron, lighten up! You sound like we're hunting the enemy, or something." Ginny and a girl came trotting into the room, Ginny having to tug on the girl's hand more than once to get her to come. They came up to the boys, and Ginny said,

"Harry, Ron, this is Nicole. She's shy."

"Hi," they said in unison.

Nicole kept her head down the entire time while they were walking down to the lake. Ron set up the picnic while Harry and Ginny played tag, laughing and having fun. Nicole just sat by the lake, looking into the distance.

"Hey, Nicole, is it?"

"Yes."

"Why've you worn that cloak out here? It's not cold, or anything."

"Because."

"Because why?"

"I get a little chilly sometimes? And McGonagall said I couldn't when ever I go outside… "

"Sure."

They just sat there, trying their best not to look at each other. Harry and Ginny came running over, and Ginny asked, "Is the picnic ready?"

"Yeah, of course." Ron replied. They all sat down but Nicole, who continued to sit a distance away. Harry and Ron started eating, but Ginny glanced over at Nicole and frowned. She got up and marched over to Nicole, whispering something in her ear.

Nicole reluctantly got up to join them. Ron, thinking her uncomfortable, said, "Ginny, she doesn't have to come over if she doesn't want to."

Nicole immediately plopped down back on the grass, staring once again into space.

Ginny walked back over. "Thanks a lot, Ronald!" she muttered.

"What?"

"I was trying to get her to become more social!"

"Well, it didn't look like she wanted to! So excuse my honest mistake!"

"Guys…guys!" Harry shouted. "Ummm…"

Nicole was standing by them head down. She sat down on the blanket and started eating an apple.

"Well, okay, then." Ron said. Giving Ron one last glare, she too sat down to enjoy the picnic. Harry just shrugged his shoulders at Ron.

The rest of the evening went wonderfully, and at sunset Ron and Harry decided to ride their broomsticks.

"Hey, Ginny; want to ride with me?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Yeah, sure!"

"My sister is perfectly able to ride her own broomstick!"

"And Nicole can ride with you, Ronald." Ginny answered, glowering at him.

"No!" Ron and Nicole shouted in an instant agreement.

"Yes!"

"No; no, that's all right. I prefer to stay on the ground, anyhow…"

"C'mon, Nicole!" Ginny whined.

Nicole glanced at Ginny's hopeful face, and then mumbled, "Fine."

"Don't I get a say in this?" Ron complained.

"No." Came Ginny's reply.

Ginny hopped on Harry's Firebolt behind him, holding tightly around his waist, and they were off.

Ron gave Nicole a fleeting look, and then said, "Okay, just, like do whatever Ginny and Harry did, or whatever."

Nicole just nodded and got on the broom behind Ron. She squeezed his waist so tight, he thought he was going to be sick.

"Could you loosen up a little?" He gasped.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! It's just I don't…well…"

"You don't like flying?"

"Yeah. And I'm afraid of heights," Nicole confessed meekly.

'Great' thought Ron as he kicked off. Nicole only squeezed a little bit tighter, allowing him plenty of space to maneuver, but she was a bit clingy.

"Nicole, open your eyes." They were now about fifty feet in the air, and had a wonderful view of the starts, moon, and dark, majestic grounds of Hogwarts.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Yes, it is! It's beautiful up here! And I wouldn't let you fall. Trust me," Ron assured her.

Nicole reluctantly opened her eyes, looking up at the night sky. Ron was right. It was beautiful.

"Oh." Nicole whispered into the darkness.

"Yeah, it's pretty great up here. Just don't look down. Keep your eyes on the skies."

The rest of the night went smoothly, and Ginny decided to accompany Nicole back to her dormitory.

"Good night, Harry. I'll see you in the common room, right?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Okay, then."

"Wait! You promised me a kiss!"

Ginny pecked him quickly on the lips, and then strolled out of the Great Hall to Nicole, who was waiting by the door.

"Ron? RON?"

"Oh, yeah, Harry?"

"What do you the matter is with them?"

"Oh, I dunno. Maybe they wanna go gossip for a bit or something?"

"Yeah, right." Harry alleged. They walked through the corridors towards the Gryffindor common room, both immersed in their own thoughts about two strange girls…