Chapter Two: Something Gone Wrong
A/N: Here's the next chapter! I didn't get many reviews for my last chapter, so I'm hoping for more on this one. Remember, I'm new to writing fanfiction so I'd love your amazing feedback! You all are great writers ) Thanks soo much to the people who read this and review. Enjoy!
"Harry, I can't. I told you already. It'll just put myself in so much danger. It's not what I want right now, or as a matter of fact, until Voldemort is dead," Ginny exclaimed, sighing, "Also, someone has already asked me."
Harry shook his head and sighed, "Y-You don't understand. I don't understand. All that I know is that we're perfect together. Come on, Ginny, everyone knows this."
"Not if you're going to have to face You-Know-Who. Not if I'm going with Michael Corner to the ball. Not if you're enemies with the darkest wizard known. Sorry, Harry, it'd never work out," Ginny cried, running up the other half of the stairs without saying another word.
Harry sighed and then took a seat on one of the stairs. Ginny was right, nobody was going to want to go with him to the ball. He knew that he was going to have to face Voldemort. Nothing could possibly change. He buried his face with his hands and slowly started crying. His breath came out in short gasps and he sniffed as tears came streaming down his face. Now his sobbing became louder, and by that time Hermione came running out of the Great Hall.
"Harry, what happened?" Hermione asked, true feelings hidden inside of her rosy cheeks. She sat down beside Harry. He didn't say or do anything but cry.
"Come on, Harry. Tell me. Please, I really want to know what happened," she whispered, her hand touching his face gently.
"Y-You wouldn't understand, Hermione," Harry said, lifting his head up to stare into Hermione's tan eyes, "Please. I need to be alone right now."
"Harry. Listen to me. I've been your best friend since 1st year. That's almost 7 years now. I think I can understand you. I understand you more than anyone else besides Ron. Please, just try me," Hermione said into Harry's ear.
Harry whipped his tears with his sleeve and began to tell Hermione about what happened with Ginny. At times, Hermione would shake her head or nod.
"Harry, it's not that Ginny doesn't like you. It's because she doesn't want to put herself in danger," Hermione told Harry. She placed her hands in front of her lap.
"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked. He touched his eyes and realized he wasn't crying anymore. Hermione really knew how to cheer someone up. He was glad they were best friends.
"I'm positive. I can ask her if you want. It'll just be a casual conversation," she replied. "Maybe it's time you look for someone else? Hey, I have a great idea. Why don't you come with Ron and me to the Halloween Ball? We could all just go as friends together, and you could meet some new girls, if you'd like."
"I don't know. I don't think I should be going to this thing. Ginny's going to be there with Michael Corner… and I'd just be hurt when I saw the two of them dancing together," Harry explained, touching Hermione's arm, "but thanks anyway. I feel better already."
"No, really! You should come. I really want you to come. It'll just be like all of us together. Please," Hermione pleaded. She twisted her face into a smile.
"Oh, okay. Fine. I'll come, but I'll have to go shopping for a tux, and you know how much I hate shopping," Harry agreed, finally clearing the tears on his face. Hermione jumped from her seat and kissed Harry's right cheek.
"Great! I'll go shopping for my dress tomorrow at Diagon Alley. You can go tomorrow too, if you'd like. Not with me, though, because I like to go shopping alone." Hermione and Harry laughed, and they both walked up the stairs to the Common Room together.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even though Hermione had made sure that Harry had fallen asleep before going to her own bed, Harry was still awake. In fact, he had pretended to sleep just to make Hermione go away. As much as he appreciated Hermione right now, he had to have some time to himself.
Harry sighed heavily and knew nothing else could be done. He knew he could get about any girl he wanted, since he was "The Chosen One", but the only one he wanted was Ginny. Ginny Weasley. He pictured him, standing beside Hermione and Ron, watching Ginny and Michael dancing and laughing together. He cringed at the thought of them going together.
"At least Thanksgiving break is only four weeks away. The Burrow's better than here," Harry said to himself, sighing again. After a few minutes of laying in bed, he finally fell asleep.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry rubbed his eyes, and felt around for his glasses. He got out of bed and looked out the window. The sun was shining through the window, and he could smell the fresh grass outside.
"Ron! I told you already, Michael's a great guy. You'd see that if you'd just give him a chance! You're not Mum, anyway, so I don't even know why I'd bother," Ginny screamed, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Ginny, he's horrible. Stay away from him, or, I'll tell Mum," Ron said, his face turning red. He turned and saw Harry, and waved.
"Hey." Harry smiled, walking back slowly so that they could finish their argument. He looked toward Ginny, but she had her hand on both of her hips and didn't look like she wanted to talk to anyone. Actually, Harry was probably the last person she would want to talk to.
"I'm getting out of here. Now you can go owl Mum telling her that I'm leaving the room," Ginny cried, running out. Harry chuckled to himself, and then walked over to Ron.
"So I was wondering if you'd like to come with me to buy a suit for the Ball before we leave. Hermione said I could go with you guys," Harry announced. Ron looked confused.
"Long story, mate. I had… a thing yesterday. I'll fill you in later, but she said it would okay if I just tagged along with you."
"Hermione said that?" Ron asked, confused, "Well let her know that I say it's not okay."
"Ron, please. Either this, or I'm not coming at all." Harry said politely, giving him a stern look.
Ron nodded, "Fine, but I want some alone time with her. I-I think I may like her, Harry. I mean, I know how we're all best friends, but…"
Harry shrugged and changed into his clothes. Ron did the same.
"So are you coming with me or not?" Harry asked attentively. He looked around the room and saw that Ginny and Ron had made quite a mess of the place, throwing things around.
"Actually, I can't, mate. Hermione promised to help me study for our Potions exam on Monday. You should probably study for it too, I heard it was horrible. Hermione would probably help you too. She wouldn't mind." Ron told Harry.
"Nahh. I'll go shopping by myself, then. Shouldn't take much time, because I don't have anyone to impress," Harry sighed, once again thinking about Ginny.
"Come on, Harry. Try to get over it, please? It kind of is disgusting for me to see you gush all over her," Ron exclaimed, combing his hair.
"What are you getting all dressed up for, anyway?" Harry asked curiously, ignoring Ron's remark. He took a seat on his blue and white striped bed.
"I told you, Hermione's helping me study," Ron said, rolling his eyes. Harry gave him a look, and then shrugged, not wanting to get involved.
"Whatever you say," Harry smiled. It felt great to have two such perfect best friends.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry pushed open the doors to Professor McGonagall's office and tiptoed in, not wanting to make much sound. His large, black shoes were making thumping sounds.
"Harry?" A squeaky voice echoed from behind him. Harry whirled around to see a confused Professor McGonagall standing by the bookshelf.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there, Professor," Harry apologized, moving closer. He rolled up the sleeves on his robes.
"It's quite alright. Is there anything I can do?" Professor McGonagall asked, now walking over and talking a seat at her desk. There were papers and books everywhere. Harry noted that since Dumbledore had died, the office had become a lot messier.
"I was wondering if I could use floo powder to get to Diagon Alley. I need to buy a suit for the Halloween Ball," Harry wondered. He saw her eyes flash a dark green.
"Of course, Harry. Hold on, let me just get some floo powder…" Professor McGonagall agreed, opening some cabinets. Harry patiently waited.
"It must be here somewhere. Oh, here it is! Ugh, things have gotten so out of hand ever since the tragedy. Professor Filch has to help out a lot. Be careful, Harry," she finally said, handing Harry and small pouch with soft powder. Harry gratefully took it and walked over to the fireplace.
"Thanks. I'll be back in no more than an hour," Harry answered. He poured out some of the powder and stepped into the dusty fireplace.
Harry cleared his throat and closed his eyes, "Diagon -" Harry cut off short. The dust was too overwhelming now, so he had to give a loud cough.
He then continued, "Alley."
He felt the world whir around him, like someone was sucking his soul out. His insides were squirming, and finally, with a thud he had landed. He stepped out of the fireplace and felt a big jolt. He opened his eyes, and there he was – standing in the middle of a mall. A mall that looked very civilized.
There were dozens of people walking around him, holding a lot of shopping bags. People were shouting and talking to their friends in hushed voices. There were stores on both sides of him.
Harry looked around him and noticed a store that seemed to be attracting quite a few people. There were fake palm trees, surfboards, and bikinis in the window. Harry's eyes skimmed the store and then made it's way to the top of the building. In large print, read the words:
California's First Beach Shop
Since 1903
Harry Potter, his jaw hanging open and his eyes growing wider by the second, then realized, that he was in sunny California.
A/N: Yayy! There it is, he's finally in California. Next chapter is FULL of surprises! PLEASE review ) It means soo much to mean. Thanks a lot, and I'll be posting the next chapter after a week or so.