Chapter 11:

Harry's mouth dropped and his eyes widened. "YOU WHAT?!"

"Don't get mad!" Ron said quickly. "I don't fancy her or anything like that. I have no feelings for her or anything, I mean she also has a boyfriend so you don't have to worry…"

"A BOYFRIEND!" Harry said astonished. "Ron! That's my father!!!!!!!!!"

"I know," Ron said looking around. "Just let me explain…"

"What the hell possessed you to ask her!?" Harry asked still yelling.

"When you and Gin went to go talk we were just talking about it." Ron said staring at Harry. "She was telling me about one that she went to with your dad, and how it was fun. I thought I was being nice. I told her, if that she was still her by next weekend that she could come with me. Just as friends…."

"Ron!" Harry said. "That's my mother!!!"

"I know," Ron said. "I don't know why you're so caught up in this. I mean she loves your dad!"

"Do you hear yourself!?" Harry said loudly. "Loves my dad!!!"

"Look I'm sorry," Ron said. "I just thought that it's better she went with one of us than someone like Neville. I heard him saying that he might ask her…" Harry just stood there staring blankly at Ron.

"See," Ron continued. "This is how I felt when you and Ginny…"

"Ginny?!" Harry said. "Is this what this is all about? She's your sister! Not your mother!!"

"I know," Ron said. "but to tell you the truth, Lily's not your mum yet."

Harry's mouth dropped. "Ron, my mum's dead if you want to get specific…"

"I'm sorry," Ron said. "I mean I don't know what to tell you. I just thought I was being helpful. I mean I don't have any intentions. Which is more to say than you have with Ginny…"

"She's your sister…" Harry repeated, finally returning to a normal tone of voice. "This is completely different. Don't you understand?"

"Yes," Ron said nodding. "Fine then…I'll un-invite her. I mean she honestly doesn't think she's going to be her next weekend anyway."

"Whatever," Harry said walking.

"So what you hate me now?" Ron said following a few steps behind him. "I mean five minutes ago you yourself heard me tell you that I fancied Hermione. Now you're getting all upset because I was trying to be a good friend, and look out for your mum."

"I don't hate you," Harry said stopping. "I'm just…shocked that you would ask my mother out. I mean Hermione would have said yes if you asked her."

"Well…" Ron said not knowing what to say.

"Go with my mum if she's still here," Harry said shrugging. "But if you do ANYTHING…"

"Harry," Ron said. "It's your mum…"

"I know," Harry said. "I'm just in shock right now. What am I'm going to tell Hermione and Ginny?"

"About what?" Ron asked as they finally reached the north tower.

"About this!" Harry said. "I mean I was suppose to convince you to go with Hermione."

"Oh," Ron said slowly. "Maybe we shouldn't say anything?"

"That won't work," Harry said. "Ginny's going to want to know. Hermione's not going to wait around forever either. Like fourth year when she went with Viktor…" Ron made a face.

"You have no right to even look like that right now," Harry said pointing at him. "Come on, we need to figure something out to tell them…"

*************************

Later that night, Harry returned from Quidditch practice to see Hermione studying intently in the common room. A little too intently.

"Hey," Harry said sitting down next to her. "What's up?"

"Nothing," Hermione said. "Just looking up some Arithmancy work…"

"Herm," Harry said looking at the book. "That's a seventh year book…"

"I know," Hermione said. "I borrowed it from a seventh year."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"I just thought maybe I should know some of this stuff…" She said nonchalantly.

"In your seventh year maybe," Harry said as he wiped some dirt off his forehead.

"Well," Hermione said. "Your mum sure does know a lot about it…"

"Oh I see what this is all about," Harry said sighing.

"Harry," Hermione said slamming the book shut. "No offense or anything but she's really getting to me…I mean she knows everything there is to know."

"Is this about the whole Ron thing?" Harry asked.

"Ron?" Hermione asked. "What does he have to do with anything?"

"Oh…" Harry said looking at her. "You don't know…"

"Know what?" Hermione asked.

"Well," Harry began before suddenly seeing Ron entering the portrait hole.

"Hey," Ron said coming over to them. "Hermione can I talk to you?"

"What is with you two?" she asked confused.

"Did you tell her?" Ron asked looking at Harry wide eyed.

"I was just about to," Harry said. "But if you want to…"

"Yeah," Ron said nodding. "Hermione what are you doing for the ball?"

Hermione's faced suddenly lit up. "Why?"

"Because," Ron said taking a deep breath. "I think you should go with me." Harry's mouth dropped.

"I guess we can do that," Hermione said fighting back a smile. "I mean I don't have anyone else to go with…"

"All right," Ron said smiling and turning to walk away. "Be back in a second…"

"Ron," Harry said standing up and following him. "What was that…?"

"I talked to you mum," Ron said. "Apparently she felt that I should ask Hermione, kind of dumped me I guess. Said that Hermione kept bringing me up, and that she 'had a feeling.' that I should ask her."

"You were never dating," Harry said smiling. "She couldn't have dumped you."

"You know what I mean," he said grinning. "Guess we weren't meant to be!"

"Sod off!" Harry said laughing. "Guess it's a good thing that I didn't tell Herm…she's kind of aggravated that my mum knows everything in all her classes."

"More that Hermione," Ron said as they walked upstairs. "I hardly believe that…"

"Mr. Potter?" said a female voice from the bottom of the stairs. "Mr. Weasley…" They both turned and looked to see Professor McGonagall standing there. Hermione next to her.

"Professor Dumbledore needs to see you," she continued. "Right now."

"Ok," Harry said as he looked down at his practice clothes that were covered with dirt. "Can I change?"

"No need," Professor McGonagall said. "Follow me…" The two of them came back down the stairs and followed her and Hermione out of the common room and down the path to the Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Bertie Bott's" Professor McGonagall said as the door to Professor Dumbledore's office slide open and all of them entered. They walked up the staircase and into the office where they saw Professor Dumbledore standing there smiling. Harry glanced towards the window. Sitting next to the window was a large black dog