Harry was still basking in his victory a week later. And two weeks after that, Katie was still reliving plays. "Did you see the barrow? Wasn't it fantastic?" Ron had found that he is a celebrity in his own right…at least in Lavender Brown's eyes. Harry still felt confused about his interlude with the lovely Aaliyah. Through this all, no one noticed Hermione sinking into depression.

Harry was walking toward the kitchens one fine evening in late November. He was famished due to the fact that his latest talk with his father and Sirius and Remus took forever. It went something like this:

"So what can we help you with now?" Sirius asked, munching on a chocolate frog.

"Um…"

"You're not still on that ridiculous infatuation with the Slytherin are you?" Sirius continued.

"Well…"

"Good, so what can we help you with?"

"Actually…"

"Who's the next quidditch game against? Do you know?"

"Yeah, it's…."

"Really? That's interesting. I wonder-."

"Shut up, Sirius!" James shouted. "Will you let him speak?"

Sirius looked at Harry who was already red. "Sorry mate. I thought you did answer."

"Okay," Harry said slowly. "Apart from Sirius being clearly delusional, nothing new is going on. But I can't help but still be on 'that ridiculous infatuation with the Slytherin'."

"Why?" Remus asked.

"I don't know," Harry answered honestly. "I mean, she gorgeous, yeah. But I just can't stop thinking about her. Something about her draws me to her."

"Oh!" Sirius realized. "I know your problem. You, mate, need to get laid."

"What?" Harry cried, completely red now.

"Get laid, romp, roll in the sack, shag," Sirius suggested.

"I'm going to have to agree with Sirius," James nodded. "I'm sure you can do it. I mean, you are practically identical to me."

"Merlin knows you got a lot of girls in school," Remus nodded.

"Okay, I am not talking about this," Harry mumbled to himself.

"Why are you so red?" James asked. "It's not as if you never did it before."

"Um…"

"Oh," James realized. "Sorry. Wait, what do you mean you've never been laid before?"

"Um…"

"Sorry, son," James sighed. "You've had no guidance whatsoever," he stressed the whatsoever looking at Sirius and Remus.

"We had more pressing things to talk about than him having sex," Remus defended himself.

"Okay…."

"Shut up," James and Remus shouted.

"I will…"

"Okay, fine. This is true. But how are you sixteen and a virgin? Is that even possible?" Sirius asked confused.

"Um…"

"Let grown people talk, mate," Sirius admonished.

"Huh?" James answered. "I never thought it was. When was your first time?"

At that time Harry stood and made a hasty getaway.

"What's with him?" Remus asked.

"Ah, virgins," Sirius explained with a wave of his hand. He grabbed another chocolate frog and began eating that.

Harry walked into the kitchen shaking his head. Before he could order something the elves had already set up a plate full of pastries. "Thanks," he said as he walked out a while later.

He couldn't believe the conversation he had with them. They were just weird. 'I will never go to them for advice EVER again,' Harry vowed. Yet again as he walked on he did not notice a dark haired Slytherin reading as she walked. Inevitably they ran into each other.

"Merlin, Potter, spaced out much?" Aaliyah snapped as she dusted herself off and picked her book up.

"No more than you," Harry shot back.

"We need to stop running into each other like this," she said.

"You need to get out of my head," he told her.

She smirked slightly. She grabbed his hand. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" he asked as she dragged him down the hall.

"You'll see," she said mysteriously.

They walked through a few secret passages until they reached a portrait of a dark haired woman. Aaliyah whispered a password and the portrait opened. Aaliyah dragged him inside. His jaw dropped when he saw what was inside. The room had muggle appliances along with a couch and a refrigerator. There was also a cupboard next to the fridge.

"What is this?" Harry asked.

"My mum told me about this place. She said that it was a room that was used for muggle studies or something. I love this place. I brought like a ton of movies and put them here so I can come whenever I want."

Her whole face was lit up when she spoke. Before he could think he kissed her. She froze for a second and melted into the kiss as well. She sighed softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry dragged her closer by grabbing her by the waist.

"Um," she said when they broke away. Her forehead was still against his.

"Um," he agreed.

"You wanna watch a movie?" she asked shyly.

"Sure." They sat on the couch and she put in a movie.

"You want something to eat?" she asked as she went toward the fridge.

"I'm good," Harry assured her.

She nodded and got out two butterbeers and a package of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans and sat next to him again. She gave him one and set hers on the floor and opened the package.

"What movie did you put in?" he asked.

"Soul Food," she answered simply.

"I saw that this summer," Harry said.

"You can never watch Soul Food too many times. You learn something new each time," she explained.

"It's such a chick flick though," Harry whined.

Aaliyah laughed and threw a black bean at his face. "Shut up and watch the movie."

Two hours later the movie was over. She was right, he did learn something new. This time he realized that Terri totally wanted Kenny. "Isn't it wonderful?" she sighed. She blew her nose. She'd begun crying when Mama Joe died.

"Uh, yeah," he responded. He patted her back awkwardly.

She laughed. "You're awful at comforting," she insulted him.

"Yeah, well…"

They stood and walked toward the exit. When they left the room, Harry looked at her awkwardly. "So…"

She leaned up and kissed him softy. "Bye."

Harry couldn't wipe off the silly grin on his face if you paid him. He walked back to Gryffindor Tower in bliss. He entered the common room and saw Ron and Hermione sitting there waiting for him. They did not look happy.

"Where were you?" Ron asked.

"With Sirius and my dad," he answered. "Why?

"You weren't with Sirius and your dad, Harry," Hermione said quietly. "We just spoke to them ten minutes ago. They hadn't seen you since earlier this evening."

"Are you guys my keepers or something?" Harry exclaimed. "Merlin, you'd think I was in prison rather than school."

"You missed quidditch practice," Ron said angrily.

Harry faltered. "Oh," he said sinking into a chair. "Was Katie mad?"

"Ya think?" Ron shouted. "Where the bloody hell were you?"

"With this girl…"

"I knew it!" Ron cried. "That Slytherin? I bet Malfoy put her up to it so that you would miss practice and then lose the game next week."

"No, she didn't," Harry said defensively.

"I agree with Harry, Ron. She's just a fifth year, why would Malfoy care what she did?" Hermione questioned.

"Shut up Hermione. You don't know anything about Malfoy," Ron said crossly.

Hermione flushed in anger. "Oh really? I know that he pays more attention to me than you two have for the past month!"

Harry looked at Hermione. She looked tired and depressed. He got up and sat next to her. "I'm sorry Hermione. I've just been occupied-."

Hermione silenced him by putting her finger on his lips. "It's okay," she whispered. "I understand."

"What do you mean Malfoy pays more attention to you than we do?" Ron asked.

Hermione glared at him. "Figure it out," she snapped. She stood and went upstairs. She shut her door with a BANG.

"She's right mate," Harry said sadly. "We haven't been talking to her lately."

"So?" Ron questioned. "She should've came and talked to us first."

"I bet she did," Harry sighed. "See you in the morning, mate."

The next morning Harry made sure to wait for Hermione. She came down looking happier. She wore a sweater and a pair of jeans. She saw Harry waiting for her and brightened even more.

She linked hands with him and led him out of the common room. "How was your sleep?" she asked.

"Alright; no dreams if that's what you mean," Harry responded.

"About that," Hermione continued. "Has Dumbledore made you take up Occlumency again this year?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I actually haven't seen him all year except in the Hall during meals."

Hermione frowned. "That is rather weird."

They continued talking and Harry bumped shoulders with someone as they were turning into the hall. He turned and saw Aaliyah. He was going to smile when he saw the cold look on her face.

"Would you stop knocking into me, Potter?" she snapped before walking in with her friends.

Harry frowned, as did Hermione.

"That was weird," she said.

"Yeah," Harry replied. "I don't get it."

Hermione looked down at their linked hands. "Oh, Merlin, I'm sorry Harry. I suppose she saw us holding hands and came to the wrong conclusion."

Harry shook his head. "Oh, well, then. I'm not going to stop being friends with you for a girl."

Hermione smiled slightly and led him into the hall. They sat at the Gryffindor table with Ginny. She seemed a bit preoccupied. "What's wrong, Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing," she said quickly.

"Really? You seem sort of out of it," Hermione prompted.

"Well, bloody hell, Hermione, you maybe think it's because I have a life?" Ginny snapped before getting up and rushing out of the hall leaving Hermione looking crestfallen.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Harry tried.

"It's okay, I just…," Hermione trailed off and got up. "I gotta go." She left before Harry could even respond.

"What's with them?" Ron asked as he sat down.

"No idea," Harry said.

In a dark room many miles from Hogwarts a counsel was taking place. The leader sat upon a throne-like chair in the center of the room while his "people" or peeps (homies?) stood around him.

"I want it done tonight," the leader snarled.

"My Lord, that is not possible," a blond male responded.

"Are you questioning me, Number 2?" the leader's red eyes narrowed in hatred.

"N-n-no, my Lord, I am simply sa-say-saying that it won't be possible. I t-th-think that for maximum success we should attack while t-they are all out where the o-old fool can't p-pr-protect them," the "homie" stuttered.

Red-eye stroked his chin in thought. "I suppose you may be right," he said causing Homie to sag in relief. "But heed this Lucius, if you ever, let me repeat so your tiny brain can comprehend, if you ever question me, I will Avada Kedvra your ass! Is that clear?"

"Yes, My Lord," Lucius said bowing slightly.

"Good, and as thanks for your quick thinking," Red-Eye stated, "crucio!"

Hogsmeade weekend in December came with a bang. Death eaters pored in from everywhere. No one had a chance.

Please, please, please, make it Harry/Ginny!
There are a lot of you H/G fans out there, huh? Well. I don't know. I might change my mind from the pairing I had in mind. I might not. It depends on what I think when I get the editing of those chapters.

Hermione/Ron?
GOSH! If it'll get you guys off my back, YES, Hermione and Ron will date. Happy, now?

When is Lily coming back in?
Next chapter!