Time passed quickly for the four friends, and soon they were as close as could be. No one could know that every night Ron tossed and turned in bed, dreaming about Hermione's most likely fate. No one could know that Nicole didn't sleep in a dormitory, and she cried out in the darkness when no one was there. Her nightmares were of utmost horror, of her past, and of her possible future. Ginny was frightened for her friend's sake; sometimes she fell to the floor and shrieked for the grief of her past. Harry was completely oblivious to all, but if he stayed up late enough he would have heard his best friend rolling around in his bed. But, as I said, no one knew.
The Unmasking:
Ron knew what he would do today. He had been planning it so very carefully. It was just, curiosity was slapping him in the face. Nicole was nice; they had been friends for a month, now. But he had never seen her face.
Ron was planning on taking her on a date. His first date; but not as boyfriend/girlfriend, but as best friends. What was wrong with that? Nothing!
So he put his plan into action.
(&)
I walked down the corridors. Ginny had told me Ron wanted to meet me at the Gryffindor common room. I wondered what for?
I met Ron just outside of the common room, and he immediately asked, "Youwannagoanadatewithme?"
"I'm so sorry, I didn't quite catch that." Actually, I had; I was just teasing him.
"You want to go on a date with me? Just as friends, not, like, as a couple, or anything like that…" Ron was blushing bright red.
"Yeah, sure. Where to? There's a Hogsmeade trip today, you know," I said hopefully. "I wasn't going to go, because I would be too lonely, but…"
"Yeah! That's what I was thinking!"
"Great! Let's go."
(&)
I peered through the shop window, excited to be out of the castle. I wasn't supposed to, you know. Really not supposed to; but I couldn't resist! There were so many things to do, so many things to buy. With Ronald's money…
Yes, he bought me everything I wanted. Mind you, I didn't buy that much, just a couple new quills and rolls of parchment. He left me in The Three Broomsticks, mumbling something about having to buy something and to wait for him here.
I waited for some time, and then I saw him through the window. Ron smiled and waved, pointing to the owl he held in his hands. It was a medium sized owl, with little tufts of hair that actually looked like horns – cute horns – right on top of its head. The colors of the feathers made it look as though it was wearing a mask and cape.
I rushed outside, and Ron showed off the owl.
"Oh, how cute! I've never seen this type of owl before."
"It's a new breed. I bought it for you."
I stared at him in awe and surprise, and then I flew into his arms, hugging him in thanks.
"Thank you so much, Ron! I…I don't know what to say…" the owl was now perched on my arm, clicking her beak.
"I think I will name you Lisianthus. Sia for short."
"Lisian-what?"
"Lisianthus: I like it. It's pretty."
"You should let her go and hunt for now. She looks hungry."
"Okay, sure." Sia flew away into the sky. She was so majestic. I was watching her, and didn't realize what Ron was doing.
(&)
I hesitated. Was this right? Yes! It was! She had no right to conceal her face…or did she? She had never given a reason, so why not?
I reached over to the hood, grabbed the back, and pulled.