Disclaimer: Dude, I wish I owned Harry & Co., That would be awesome. But I don't, so I must resort to writing fanfiction. In the words of the album "A Magical Christmas of Magic" (Which my friend got for me! It rocks! Thanks E!): "This recording has not been prepared, approved or licenced by any person or entity that created, published or produced Harry Potter books or related properties."

Previously in Shade: "I don't know," Hermione said solemnlyThe girl's voice had been a little too familiar for her taste, but not familiar enough for her to be concerned. As Harry and Celia walked by, in their own world, the raven–haired girl's croon tickled something in the back of her mind.

Coming Soon: He stared at Harry; when had this happened? When had they grown so far apart? He felt so helpless, so cold, so alone. Had all this happened in those few weeks that he had felt his friend slipping away? This was because of her. It was her fault. He knew she was up to something. Whatever it was, she would pay.

A.N: Oh. My. God. You all must HATE me. Go ahead. I deserve it. I am so sorry. When I got back from my trip I had loads of Homework and then it was my birthday and I had to go back to school. And my parents are getting divorced and I don't know what to do and I've only told my best friend. And it's been chaotic. So at least forgive me a little bit. And don't give up on reviewing. If I need anything, its reviews. Some thanks are in order:

A. Lynn the Poet: Thanks for all of you reviews! They made my day. No really. I was feeling bummed and then I read your reviews and I had a huge grin on my face for hours afterwards. I promise I will reply to your reviews, kay? Thanks for reading my other stories as well.

Marie Fay: Yay! My first faithful reviewer! Thanks so much! And thanks for the suggestion about the summary. I tried to improve it…but it still kinda sucks… Sorry bout the cliffie… and the long time since I've updated.

Kitotterkat: I love your pen name! I don't know why, I just do. Thanks for reviewing! I hope you continue to. :) pwease.

Well Before the chapter I have four things to say:

Anyone who can think of a better/decent/awesome summary for "Shade", PLEASE send it to me.

Everyone should watch "Wonderfalls". It's such an awesome show. Seriously. Just like rent it or something. Also "Dead Like Me".

REVIEW! Even if to tell me that I misspelled "teach" or "with", or to tell me I need to take writing classes. I also like constructive criticism or edits.

Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus, "Never Tickle A Sleeping Dragon."

Here We Go:

Chapter Eight: Flight of the Passing Fancy

Operation NTSB (Nail That Skanky Bch) was in effect early the next morning. Hermione had bewitched Celia's jewelry box to record what was said around it and Ron bribed a first year named Troy Fletcher into following Celia around. Hermione was still unclear as to what he was bribing the kid with, but figured it was better not to ask. Ginny stumbled in on them whispering one day and demanded to know what was up.

"Okay, so she spent seven minutes in the bathroom where that Fletcher midget couldn't follow her…" Ron hushed. One could almost hear the cogs turning.

"Hmm… Do you think you could get a girl for those instances?" Hermione was crouching beside Ron and their ears were nearly brushing. She had never been so conscious of her hearing appendages.

"In what sort of instances would my brother need a girl?" a drawling voice interjected. Ginny Weasley towered over them and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, er, um…I…erm…" Ron fumbled and red crept up his neck.

" You see, Ginny, we have a plan. Ron calls it Operation NTSB." Hermione said curtly. She looked meaningfully at Ron, coaxing him to continue.

"Hermione, are you sure?" Ron spoke through gritted teeth.

"Yes, I think your sister will be quite useful. After all, this is Harry we're talking about." Hermione grinned mischievously.

"Oooh," Ron breathed. They shared a grin.

"Hullo! I'm still here!" Ginny sang in agitation.

The two conspirators told her everything. She insisted on joining in. When she asked if they should tell Harry, they widened their eyes and shook their heads vigorously. They knew he'd take it the wrong way and wouldn't believe them until they had proof.

ooo

Harry lay sprawled in a common room chair. He ran an absent-minded hand through his bird's nest of hair, bringing unpleasant recollections of a certain bigheaded boy before him. Celia sat perched in his lap, like a drop-dead gorgeous bird. She is birdlike, Harry mused. The chair wasn't made for two people and creaked under the weight. Definitely an improvement from Cho, she sure wasn't crying. But she was kind of clingy. He hadn't hung out with Ron or Hermione, just them three, for ages. But he'd been watching. He saw the way they were always together, always huddled and whispering. He wondered if it would always be like that, like they knew something he didn't. Soon they'd be snogging in the hallways along with Roger Davies and his flavor of the week. Why didn't he just go over there and whisper with them? Yeah, I will, he confirmed, I'll go over there, and I'll–oh, Ginny, he suddenly really didn't want to be spontaneous and make a fool of himself with her there. Celia turned her graceful neck and gave him a simpering smile. All of Harry's fretting seemed trivial then. After all, he had her; he didn't need secretive friends and cute girls with carrot hair.

ooo

"Ron, do you ever see the way he looks when she looks at him?" Hermione queried. Her head lay in Ron's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. After all, they were friends. Friends lean on each other, right?

"Hmm?" Ron twirled a curl around his finger.

"He looks like he hasn't a worry in the world, like as long as she's there, it'll be alright. As if her eyes hold the world. But right before, he looks so troubled, so stuck in chaos, as if there's a war within him." She furrowed her brow.

"But when she looks at him with those eyes…"

"It all goes away! That's it Ron! It's her eyes!" Hermione grinned, ecstatic and buzzing with excitement from her discovery.

"Like Medusa or the basilisk?" Ron raised an eyebrow, incredulous at this whole "eyes" thing.

"I guess. But she controls it. I think." They lay in thought for a while, breathing in the smoky flames and the warmth that emanated from the fireplace.

"I want someone to look at me like that. Like my eyes hold the world," Ron murmured sleepily.

Hermione looked up at him with a drowsy smile, "Someone will," she yawned and closed her eyes. Ron gazed at her as if her smile was life itself.

A/N: Apologies:

Sorry for the wait.

Sorry for the teeny chappie, but I really NEED to do my homework, and I wanted to give you something.

Sorry the "In the Next Installment of Shade" wasn't in this installment. It will be in the next chapter or so, I promise. If it isn't you can hit me with a Rap CD, kay?

Okay, the usual: Review. And so on. C'mon. I'll give you a chocolate, chocolate chip muffin. Yummy.

In the Next Installment of Shade: "Ron! How could you do this!" Hermione couldn't take it. This was so unlike him, so… cruel. She knew something was up, but simply smiled sadly.

"Me? What about you? If anyone's at fault, it's you!" Ron yelled. He knew he shouldn't, that he should be calm and talk it out with her, but he couldn't. Not when it was all falling apart like this. It was then that he walked away.

Yo! Any ideas? For what their argument should be about? I am not sure. I can't promise that will be in the next chapter, but I hope it is. I'm sick of Hermione walking away; it's Ron's turn. Tell Me Your Ideas!

Love,

L-to-the-K :)

P.S. Tell me if you want to here about the hilarious HP love pentagon my friend E and I made up. Everyone thinks we're weird, but their not obsessed with HP. We think it's v. v. funny.

Mischief Managed!