Chapter 18:

"Malfoy," Harry stammered very carefully. "You really don't know what you're getting yourself into here."

"Don't I though?" Malfoy asked with fake skepticism. "I mean, it really isn't that hard of a question there Potter."

"Malfoy," Hermione said stepping in front of Harry. "If you were to…go there…you would be punished so severely…."

"By who?" Malfoy said menacingly. "I mean as long as your mud blood hands don't touch me…"

"Take that back…" Ron mumbled very fiercely as he balled his hands up tightly. Harry, Hermione, and Lily all looked at Ron slightly surprised.

"Did you say something Weasel?" Malfoy asked glancing at Ron.

"Yeah," Ron said stepping up to Malfoy. An unusual air of bravery and confidence was about him. "I said take that back…"

"And if I don't?" Malfoy asked half laughing.

"Then I will be forced to beat the bloody pulp out of your face," Ron said very straight faced. "No wands, no magic, just my fists and your face."

"Ron…" Hermione mumbled. Her cheeks were a shade pinker than usual.

"So take it back," Ron interrupted. "Or else…." He raised his fist.

"You don't have the balls," Malfoy said.

"Try me you little prat…" Ron said in a voice that even shocked Harry.

Draco stood there for a moment with his mouth open as if he was trying to think of something to say. He glanced at all the faces quickly before beginning to speak. "Well, if that's the case…"

"WHAT ON EARTH!?" said a stern female voice from behind them. It was Professor McGonagall. She was dressed in a robe and slippers, and had a hairnet over her head.

"We were just headed back from Professor Dumbledore's office," Hermione said sharply. "We swear! You can ask him…"

"I'm well aware of your whereabouts Miss Granger," McGonagall. "Why you are still her however…and Mr. Malfoy, you are out of bed because?"

"Ummm…" Draco said turning a shade paler than usual. Harry didn't think that that was actually possible.

"He wasn't with us," Ron said slowly, the fierceness still in his voice. He hadn't taken his eyes off of Draco.

"Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said. "I would ask that you please return to your common room. Fifty points will be taken from Slytherian."

"Fifty?!" Draco said shocked.

"Yes," McGonagall said. "I will remove more, from both houses, if you all don't start moving."

"Yes Professor," the all said as they started to head back to their dorms.

"Hey!" Draco shouted after the Gryffindors as they were walking. "Just look it up in the library if you want to know about his mum." Harry's heart sank. How was he going to fix this. He began to rack his brain with solutions when Lily suddenly interrupted him.

"What did he just yell?" Lily asked turning around to glance at Draco.

"I dunno…" Harry said abruptly.

"Didn't hear a thing," Hermione said shrugging.

"Couldn't tell you," Ron said as they all quicken their pace. Harry now realized one thing and one thing alone. He had to keep Lily as far away from Malfoy as he possible….

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

The next morning came quickly. Harry felt he had just shut his eyes when he was suddenly awakened at 9:00 by the sound of Dean singing some muggle song in the shower.

"Is someone killing a cat?" Ron said as he shoved his pillows against his ears.

"I would think that the sound of a dying cat would be a bit more pleasant than this," Seamus said as he too covered his ears. "Didn't we discuss this with him?"

"You discussed it with him," Ron said giving Seamus a look. "Right after you were telling him some Lavender story. I'm not surprised that he tuned you out!"

"What exactly is a smooth criminal?" Neville asked sitting up. "Someone who gets away with a crime?"

"What?" Ron asked.

"Listen…" Neville said pointing to the bathroom.

"You been hit by, you been struck by, a smoooooth criminal!!!" sang Dean's echoed voice.

"You can actually hear words out of that noise?" Ron said standing up. "I can't take it!" He walked over to the bathroom door and pushed it open. Steam poured out as Ron walked in.

"Dean! Who sings that song?!" Harry, Seamus, and Neville all heard Ron yell. Dean mumbled something that the others couldn't distinguish.

"Yeah?" Ron asked. "How about we keep it that way!" He walked back out into the bedroom.

"Is he shutting up?" Harry asked.

"He better," Ron said as he climbed back into bed. "Threw a bar of soap at me!"

"What times the match today?" Seamus asked turning to Harry.

"Noon," Harry said staring up at the ceiling. "Would have been nice to get in another hour of sleep though." As he said that, Dean emerged from the bathroom.

"Well," Ron said glancing at Dean. "You can thank choirboy himself for that…"

"You all just don't know good music," Dean said as he walked across the room to his dresser.

"Oh we do," Ron said grumpily. "And that wasn't it…"

"Oh please," Dean said facing Ron. "If you…"

"Enough!" Neville said. "I'm going back to sleep. I'm going to enjoy a lie in for once."

"Neville is skipping breakfast?" Seamus said. "Neville what exactly happened to you this summer?" Neville never answered though. He fell back asleep relatively fast.

"You going back to sleep?" Harry asked glancing over to Ron's bed.

"Don't know," Ron said as he stared up at the ceiling.

"I'm not," Harry said. He was quiet for a few moment before he propped himself up on his elbow. "Hey?"

"Yeah?" Ron said looking at him.

"What came over you last night?" Harry asked as a small grin came over his face.

"When?" Ron asked puzzled.

"With Malfoy," Harry said. "After he called Hermione a mud blood."

"Oh," Ron said meekly. "I don't know. I'm just sick of him always starting on her just because she's muggle born."

"Well I am as well," Harry said. "However, I've never seen you so angry."

"I guess," Ron said shrugging.

"Having feelings for someone will make you do stupid things I guess…," Harry said avoiding Ron's eyes while grinning widely. "I mean first it was with Fleur Delacour, and now it's Hermione…"

"Harry," Ron said interrupting him. "Stuff it…."

"Sensitive much?" Harry said standing up.

"How much longer do you think she's going to be here?" Ron asked casting a slightly worried look at Harry. "Things are starting to come out…"

"I know," Harry said as he breathed in deeply. "We just have to make sure that we keep Lily away from Draco and the library."

"That's the thing," Ron said sighing. "Now it's Draco and the library…soon it'll be Draco, the library, Snape, Neville, Hagrid, Hedwig….you name it."

"I know," Harry said as he started to put on his Quidditch uniform. "It's been a few days and we've done really well. It shouldn't be too many more…"

"But after last night…" Ron began.

"I realize this Ron," Harry said distantly as he pulled his shirt over his head. "I mean they're going to wipe her memory anyway…"

"Yeah," Ron said. "I guess you're right."

"Just as long as I get to talk to her before they do it," Harry said. "Just to say good bye, you know?" Ron just smiled.

"Anyway," Harry said sighing. "I really don't think it'll be too many more days…."

"Well," Ron said. "I hope so for your sake."

"Yeah…" Harry mumbled. "I'm going downstairs."

"I'll be down in a few minutes," Ron said turning to close the curtains on his bed.

"Sure…see you at the match," Harry said half laughing as he left his room and headed down into the common room.

"Hey Harry," said a female voice. It was Lily.

"Hey," Harry said. "Coming to the match later?"

"Of course," Lily said shrugging. "I never missed a match before. Then again that was because of…"

"My dad?" Harry said grinning.

"Yeah," Lily said blushing. "but I can't wait to see you out there."

"Well I can definitely say that I'm most excited to have you watch me. More than anyone else," Harry said beaming.

"Awww…Oh wait!" Lily said as if she remembered something. "I left something upstairs. I'll meet you in the dining hall?"

"Ok," Harry said turning to leave. Suddenly he heard a muffled cough. He turned around.

"Ginny?" Harry asked realizing that she was sitting only a few feet away.

"Harry…" Ginny said meekly as she stood up. She seemed very preoccupied. "Can we talk?."

"Ok," Harry said shrugging. He was completely oblivious to the seriousness in her voice. "What's up?"

"Well," Ginny said awkwardly. She was playing with her hands, and couldn't seem to stay still. "About the ball…"

"What about it?" Harry asked somewhat confused.

"I don't think I'm going to be able to go," Ginny said forcefully. It seems like she never wanted to say that.

"What?" Harry said shocked. "Wh…why?"

"I have my reasons," Ginny said as she avoided his eyes.

"Such as?" Harry asked.

"Found it!" Lily said smiling widely as she walked back over to Harry. "I thought I was meeting you in the dining hall?"

Ginny glared at Lily before turning to Harry. "I just do." Her voice was much more steady and hostile. "I'm sure you'll find someone else easily enough." With that she turned and walked out of the portrait hole.

"Something wrong?" Lily asked. She obviously noticed the different mood.

"I…I just got dumped," Harry stammered. He looked at Lily with a look of utmost astonishment.

"Oh," Lily said. "I'm sorry, Harry. What happened?"

"I don't know," Harry said rubbing his head. "This is the last thing I need before my match though…"

"I'm sure you'll sort this out," Lily said trying to be reassuring.

"Yeah…" Harry said distantly. "I mean I don't think I did anything?"

"You don't think?" Lily asked. "Oh that's never good…Come on, I'll help you figure something out…"

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

"The fact that you pummeled Malfoy made it all worth it!" Ron said laughing as he reenacted Malfoy's face right before Harry had rammed him so he fell off his broom.

"We still lost," Harry said sighing as he collapsed on his bed. He seemed to have a lot on his mind.

"Yeah," Ron said a little less excited. "It was still a great match. Your mum was really excited."

"Really?" Harry said grinning.

"Yeah," Ron said. "Said you flew just like your dad."

"I get that a lot," Harry said. "Guess she's one of the better sources though. Since I'm sure she rarely ever took her eyes of him."

"Ahhh," Ron said goofily. "Young love…"

"Yeah it can sod off…" Harry said in a rather stirred fashion.

"Yeah…ok?" Ron said glancing at Harry.

"Hey Ron," Harry said trying to fake enthusiasm. "You know how you didn't want me to go to the ball with your sister…?"

"Yeah," Ron said.

"Well," Harry said. "You don't have to worry, because she dumped me."

"What?" Ron asked sitting up. "Your joking?"

"Nope," Harry said a little saddened. "I don't have the slightest clue why. I'm officially dateless though."

"I'll talk to her," Ron said. "Or we can get Hermione or Lily to talk to her…."

"Yeah, I guess," Harry said. "I don't know…."

"You'll get her back," Ron said. He seemed a little unsure of where these words were coming from. "If that's what you want..?"

"I don't know," Harry said shrugging. "With all that's going on I really don't know what I want anymore…"

The door opened and Neville walked in almost skipping. "Hello!"

"Neville," Ron and Harry said in unison. "You look rather happy, seeing as we just lost." Ron said.

"Oh," Neville said as if he had suddenly remember that there was a Quidditch match today. "Rotten luck with that, huh? Good job on Malfoy though there Harry."

"Thanks," Harry said grinning.

"So," Neville said smiling. "Actually, I'm happy because I've gone and gotten myself a date for the ball."

"Good for you," Ron said trying to catch Harry's eye. "Whose the lucky girl?"

"Your sister," Neville said smiling. "She just asked me."

"What?" Ron said as the color drained slightly from his face. "You and…my sister?" Harry sat up straight and stared wide eyed at Neville.

"She said she didn't have a date," Neville said. "Said something about her last date not working out…"

"Did she say why?" Harry asked in a loud tone.

"Didn't ask," Neville said grinning. "Should be fun though. It's our second date to a ball. Next thing you know Ron, you and I will end up being brothers." Ron's face went completely white at the mere mention at this.

"Oh well," Neville continued. "I'll see you all later…" He turned and left.

"I did not get dumped for Neville!" Harry said loudly to Ron. "Tell me I didn't get dumped for Neville?!"

"Brothers?" Ron said meekly.

"This is ridiculous," Harry said shocked. "I need to get to the bottom of this…I mean, Neville!?"

"But I already have enough brothers…" Ron said vaguely. "I really don't need anymore…"

"Come on," Harry said jumping up. "Let's go find Hermione and my mum."

"Ginny Longbottom?" Ron mumbled. "This is a really bad dream, right?" As soon as Harry and Ron left the room they ran smack dab into Hermione.

"I was just coming to talk to you!" Hermione said.

"Same here," Harry said. "I got dumped for Neville!"

"What?" Hermione asked confused.

"Ginny Longbottom," Ron mumbled.

Hermione looked from one friend to the next. "Have you both gone mad?"

"Oh I went mad a few years ago," Harry said. "Now I'm on the brink of being a full on loony…"

"I realize this," Hermione said skeptically. "Anyway, I have something more important to tell you! McGonagall just came to my room and got Lily."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Something about getting prepared," Hermione said. "She was very hush-hush about it."

"She can't be leaving yet," Harry said. "They would let me say good bye…"

"She didn't say she was leaving," Hermione said. "Just preparing…"

"But that must mean they're close," Harry said. "Close to her getting back…"

"What could they be preparing her for?" Ron asked as he suddenly snapped back into reality.

"I don't know," Hermione said shrugging.

Harry looked bewildered for a minute before something suddenly came over him. He face turned very white. "Oh no…"

"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked concerned.

"The memory charm…" Harry said. "They may be cleaning her memory…"

"Before you got to say goodbye?" Hermione asked. "You think they'd do that?"

"I don't know," Harry said as he took off in the direction of Dumbledore's office. "But I'll be damned if they don't let me say good bye while she still recognizes me…"