AN: Hi everyone slowly for the long wait. I still had my finals so yeah.

Announcement: Guys! I finally have a BETA and her name is lavanyalabelle! Please welcome her and give her a warm round of applause for she had so kindly beta-ed this for me! I'm so excited as this is my first Beta-ed chapter and she might Beta my next oneshot which I'm so excited to write, which is also one of the reason why I want to finish PF soon so I can write 'Inklesss Pen'.

Share: This is irrelevant but I'm finally on portkey, so yeah I'm transferring my stories here to there and maybe doing a few edits and adding scenes to them like making '3 Doors' more harmonious…but it's still all up in the air so we'll see. BTW: My poll has to reach 20 votes when I post the next chapter and if still didn't reach, then I might not, if I do then I might post the third part on portkey, so…but it's just plans I don't know if it'll materialize. LOL.

XXX

-September 16, 1996-

Harry opened his eyes groggily and shifted in his bed. At first he was disoriented and slightly bewildered as to why it was so dark in his dorm. He wondered if it was still night or if he had been sleeping for far too long. He turned his head to the side and saw hazy droop like silhouettes of black and that's when he remembered that he had drawn his curtains to a close before his dorm mates came in last night. Realising this, he first stretched his limbs as he made a move to open the drapes and he flinched as he was momentarily blinded by the sudden and unwelcome rushing of sunlight which was pouring through and spreading across his bed covers; meeting his eyes that were still sensitive from being asleep. He reached out for his trademark round spectacles and put them on, the blurry unrecognizable shapes finally falling into their respective places, no longer dancing infront of him, now they stood still, too still. He glanced around his room and realized that he was all alone. His friends must be in the Great Hall for breakfast. Sighing slightly, Harry made a move to shower and dress.

Harry was in the shower and letting the warm water cool him off. He had it rough last night and he found the massaging of the hot pounding water against his back quite therapeutic. He was preoccupied by the thoughts of Hermione and Ella and the show they had put on last night. He kept on wondering why that had happened and if for some reason, he had played a part on it too, after hours of pointless tossings and turnings, he was left with more questions and no answer.

Although his midnight musings seemed to be nothing but a mindless distraction for his mind that had been kept idle for months, he had decided that he was going to apologize to Hermione even if it's only on Ella's behalf. He figured he had to since he can't really blame Ella, as Hermione had said; she's a rose with no human emotion or sensitivity for anyone aside from her maker. Could he really begrudge her that? What's more he feels like he's to blame. Afterall, isn't he her maker? He's responsible for her. With this in mind, Harry hurriedly turned his shower off and quickly put his clothes on.

When Harry came down the stairs he saw Ella sitting on one of the couches. She was sitting demurely, her stance that of unmatched confidence; her back was straight, even perfectly so. Her gaze was far and wide almost dreamy and yet oddly focused and thoughtful too. Her red full mouth was closed and as if constantly set in a half smile that would have anyone mesmerized by their plumpness and seeming delicateness. Her shimmering golden straight hair was combed perfectly with a small blue hair clip adorning it. She was wearing a pink sweater and a black and white plaid skirt and a pair of white sneakers. The peacefulness of this beautiful scene was disturbed when she heard him come down, Ella greeted him with a bright smile before standing up.

"Good morning Harry, how was your sleep?" Ella had asked him to which Harry sighed. He had made up his mind that he was going to be nice to her. Maybe it would be awkward, as he did yell at her and probably embarrassed her and himself in front of his housemates last night, but he certainly didn't want a repeat performance of the debacle and the only way he saw how to do that was to be on good terms with both Hermione and Ella and maybe, just maybe, he'd get the two girls to be civil with each other if the both of them can't be friends.

"Good morning Ella. I slept well last night. Where did you get your clothes?" Yesterday Hermione had been so kind to lend her some trousers and a shirt but judging by the fight last night and the bright pastel colours she was wearing, it's clear she didn't get that wardrobe off from Hermione's closet.

"Oh, these? Lavender and Parvati lent them to me. Hermione left me another pair of trousers and a jumper to change into but Lavender and Parvati had told me I looked better in these clothes. What do you think, Harry?" Ella asked him with hopeful eyes. He had to be honest, Ella was an attractive girl. She was definitely pretty that he was positive she could wear a trash bag and rock it. And looking at her now he has to admit the clothes she was wearing were very flattering on her; though it wasn't really modest he's quite sure it wasn't considered as skimpy either.

"It suits you. Where are Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked her and suddenly very aware that he had missed the presence of his two best friends waiting for him like they always do. He wondered if Hermione was mad at him, she had certainly seemed so. If last night had indicated anything it was that his best friend hadn't wanted to see him, let alone allow him to comfort her as he had always done before. And if neither she nor Ron were down here waiting for him like they usually did, then maybe his friends didn't want to see him now either.

"Hermione was already gone when I woke and so was Ron. I asked Ginny where they were but she didn't want to talk to me. But my guess is they're in the Great Hall, after all they'd be needing breakfast like everyone else." Ella had kindly informed him.

"Okay, let us go…" Harry told Ella and as he walked out of the common room. He had expected Ella to follow suit, but the girl had caught up with him and grabbed his hand then laced her fingers with his, just as she has done yesterday. Harry had cast her a quick look of surprise which she had met with a smug smile, shrugging to himself as he knew arguing with her would be quite futile, he decided to just indulge Ella as they continued to walk towards the Great Hall.

XXX

"I can't believe that's what they're all saying! And they have the audacity to say those lies as they were there to witness the truth." Ginny complained as she stabbed her eggs furiously. Ron who was sitting beside her, just nodded his head in agreement whilst wolfing down another piece of sausage. Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Neville were all in the Great Hall enjoying breakfast together, or rather attempting to enjoy it.

The atmosphere around them was definitely not pleasant, rather, it held a warning that a storm was at bay, not yet here but coming. Ginny was practically fuming and she certainly did her hair color justice as she vented out her frustrations at her poor meal. It was apparent that she was quite vexed by the rumours going around coupled with frustration that Dean and Seamus had gone somewhere, she was definitely in a sour mood. Her other friends weren't looking practically jubilant either but they were more subtle about it and continued to act normally, especially Ron who couldn't be happier in any place else than where he was currently in.

"Let it go Ginny. It's Lavender and Parvati, you know that they love to make up stories." Hermione had told the younger girl attempting to abate some of her anger while momentarily glancing up from a book she was reading; no doubt it was some advanced material that she was using for light reading.

"But still, that is just mean! They have known you for far longer than they have known her. Obviously, they should have known better." Ginny insisted, as she used a piece of toast to wipe off the yellow smear on her plate and Hermione flinched at the unpleasant screeching sound it had caused.

"That is true, but Ginny, we're sharing the same dorm for almost six years now and we've never been friends. In just a day Ella has become theirs, I think that speaks for itself." Hermione replied as she took a bite out of her buttered toast. It was no secret that she had more enemies than friends. Probably she was just one of those persons that are so easy to hate, maybe there wasn't anything wrong with her haters, and probably there was a reason why she was hated. But her idle thoughts were interrupted when Ron cleared his throat to speak.

"But you were mean too, Hermione. You did call her a Barbie doll." Ron pointed out seriously to Hermione as he poured himself a pumpkin juice and the latter looked at him, quite amused and her sly almost coquettish smile slowly threatening to break into one of laughter.

"I suppose you would know what a Barbie doll is Ron?" Hermione asked Ron and the latter just shrugged while Ginny and Neville just shared looks of utter confusion.

"Yeah, what is a Barbie doll Hermione? Is it some muggle derogatory term?" Neville asked her and Hermione just laughed at her friends, while the three just stared at her in wonderment, silently asking themselves if she had gone nutters.

"A Barbie doll is a famous toy for girls in the muggle world. She's very influential especially for young muggle girls. Ever girl wants to be her. She's beautiful, smart, with all these supposed talents too. She's generally perfect and often has blonde hair. It's a pretty famous toy, almost iconic actually." Hermione told them as she took a sip of her pumpkin juice while eyeing her friends and allowing them to digest the information she had loaded them with, but they looked more confused than ever.

"So, were you complimenting her?" Neville asked her, and Hermione just shook her head, and grinned at her friends.

"Not really."

"Muggle terms are confusing." Ginny breathed as she took a slice of toast and used it to eat her eggs. The four friends continued with chatting and were soon joined by Dean and Seamus. Despite the rumors going on around them and people casting silent but none too discreet glances at Hermione, which sometimes turned to bitter scowls every once in a while, the Gryffindor table still seemed to be a fun place to be. That was until Harry and Ella walked in hand in hand.

It was apparent that everyone turned to watch them make a move towards the lions' table. But it seemed Harry hadn't notice the furtive glances or maybe he had just chosen to ignore them. Afterall, he received the same treatment yesterday when he walked inside the Great Hall with Ella. Harry had paused in front of his friends and looked at them rather uncertainly, he couldn't help but noticed that they had greeted him with silence instead of the boisterous laughter and jokes they usually did to start their mornings.

"Can I join you?" Harry asked them as he gazed at them quite hopefully, he had suddenly grown nervous when he saw hesitation in their eyes as they passed silent looks amongst themselves. It seemed like an eternity before one of his friends finally talked to him.

"You can Harry, except her." Ginny told him whilst glaring at Ella.

"Ginny, don't make a scene. You and Ella can join us Harry." Hermione chided the young girl before turning to address Harry, but he could not help but notice she was being polite…too polite. She didn't even smile at him. Harry took a seat beside Dean and Ella sat closely to him. Across Harry, he could see Hermione concentrating on her book with a look that says 'don't disturb'. Harry could feel the tension enveloping him and his friends as they all ate in silence. He instead found solace in the fact that he preferred quiet over loud and angry any day. He would have been perfectly happy to eat his breakfast in silence if it wasn't for Draco bloody Malfoy's taunting voice begging to be heard.

"Well, look what we have here? It's Potty with his gorgeous girlfriend. Now, I feel sorry for you Granger." The friends looked up and saw that Malfoy was standing beside their table with Crabbe and Goyle right behind him, the two tossers perfectly portrayed the act of faithful watchdogs to their equally savage git of a master.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked his all-time favourite nemesis while trying hard to keep his cool.

"Just came to see if the rumors were true." Draco replied grinning at them as if he knew something they didn't, or in this case, something that only Harry didn't know.

"Bugger off Malfoy, just in case you didn't notice, the snakes are over there." Ron told Draco with an annoyed scowl painted on his face and pointed at the Slytherin table.

"I don't need you giving me directions Weasel." Draco spat at Ron, before turning his attention back at the bespectacled boy.

"I can't say I blame you though Potter, she is a clear improvement compared to Granger here." Draco told Harry and sneered at Hermione's direction. Hermione glared at him in response but still held her tongue thinking she was above such childish antics anyway.

"What the hell are you talking about Draco?" Harry stood up from his chair and faced Draco almost challengingly, but Draco only laughed at him instead of being intimidated.

"There's a rumour going around that two girls were fighting over you. One who looks like a goddess but in truth is just a rose, and the other is your ugly friend over there. It seemed liked you picked the beautiful rose and Granger threw a fit and insulted your girlfriend. Couldn't say I'm disappointed at Granger's hysterical behavior, after all what can you expect from a mudblood-" Draco wasn't able to finish what he said, for Harry leapt at him and grabbed him by the collar of his robes. His eyes clouded in pure loathing for the worm who had deluded himself to be a snake, but before Harry could land the first blow Ella grabbed his arm and held it quite firmly. Harry turned to look at her annoyingly and noticed that Hermione and Ron had also had stood up from their seats, almost quite protectively. While his other friends remained glued to their seats quite transfixed with the scene, but they too were quite attentive, faithfully listening to signs of trouble and were prepared to help.

"He's not worth it Harry." Ella whispered at him when Harry tried to disentangle his hand from Ella's but she kept a tight grip on his arm as if knowing that if she let go he would certainly punch the living daylights out of Draco. She kept her eyes on him almost defiantly, she didn't even have to speak to let Harry know that she did not approve of what he was planning on doing.

"None of those are true Draco, so why don't you and your dogs take a walk if that's all you came here for." Ron told them and Draco raised his eyebrows at him, as if appalled that the red headed boy even plucked up the courage to look at him.

"You don't have the authority to boss me around Weasel."

"But I do." Hermione spoke and glared at Draco.

"See this Draco…" Hermione told him as she pointed at the prefect's badge on her robes.

"This says I can deduct points. If you don't leave right this instant I will deduct fifty points from Slytherin for using inappropriate words, libel for the ugly rumors you are spreading, and lastly, for disrupting the peace and order during breakfast."

"I'm a prefect too, and I can deduct more points if you don't follow Hermione's orders." Neville said this time, standing up from his seat and glaring at the Slytherin Prince. Draco just looked pissed and annoyed before finally turning to walk away. The people in the Great Hall who witnessed the scene began talking amongst themselves. Harry thought that by lunch time there would be another outrageous rumor for them to deal with.

"You shouldn't have bothered with Draco Harry; you know he only does that to provoke you. Don't give him the satisfaction." Hermione told Harry reproachfully and he looked as if he was offended by her words.

"I was trying to defend you. What kind of a friend would I be if I stood by and just watched…"

"You should have thought that last night!" Hermione hissed at him, and Harry looked at her quite confused. Fora while, it seemed that Hermione too had been surprised with her words but with a quick shake of her head, her features had settled into a mask of indifference.

"I'm going to the library." Hermione announced as she picked up her book bag and nearly ran out of the Great Hall in her haste.

"Hermione, wait!" Ron called after Hermione and left his seat as well and following Hermione. Harry contemplated standing up and going after his friends and heading towards the library too, but he decided against it. He felt annoyed and hurt by Hermione's cold behavior towards him. What was wrong with her? Here he was, trying to be her friend and she bloody explodes at him? Did the world turn upside down and he's now suddenly Ron? Usually he's the one chasing after Hermione when she and Ron fought; now it was them fighting. But unlike Ron and Hermione; whose fights have been small and petty he and Hermione only fought about serious issues, he gloomily thought that this must be one too.

"You don't know why she's mad at you, do you?" Ginny said noticing the confusion painted on the older boy's face. Harry was about to ask her what she meant by that, when Professor McGonagall arrived at their table with disapproving eyes and tightly pursed lips.

"Mr. Potter, I would like to have a word with you alone." Harry was puzzled and partly frightened and wondered if Professor McGonagall had seen the altercation with Malfoy and if he was going to get in trouble because of it. He was suddenly feeling grateful that Ella had prevented him from punching Draco. Deciding that he didn't want to be in more trouble, the young boy nodded and followed his Head of House out of the Great Hall, with Ella trailing faithfully behind him.

Ginny snuggled into Dean's arms as she watched her friend and previous love interest walk out. She truly could not help but feel sorry for him. For a while she and her friends settled into some sort of normalcy and had even begun laughing and joking with one another, they were keeping matters light as the drama was getting to be too much and they were in dire need of a reprieve when suddenly, a light voice greeted them.

"Goodmorning, Ginny, Dean, Neville and Seamus." Luna Lovegood greeted the friends and they returned the favor and grinned at the young blonde.

"Where are Harry, Ron and Hermione?" The girl asked them with her ever searching dreamy eyes.

"Ron and Hermione went together to the library. Harry was called by Professor McGonagall and Ella followed him. Why?" Ginny had asked her friend and Luna merely shrugged.

"Nothing. I was hoping I'd finally see Harry's girlfriend, she wasn't here the day before. With her elusiveness, I'm beginning to think this Ella person doesn't exist." Luna had told them in her usual tone that made you uncertain if she was serious or bluffing. Seamus in his seat snickered and whispered the word 'loony' in his seat. Obviously, Luna hadn't heard but Ginny glared at the Irish boy for dubbing her friend as such.

"She exists, Luna." Ginny politely reassured the girl but Luna remained unmoved.

"So everyone says. Oh, I almost forgot, are you certain Hermione is in the library, I was hoping I'd get to have a word with her."

"We expect she will be there for a long while." Neville had told the girl who seemed pleased with this answer.

"What do you need from Hermione, Luna?" Ginny asked her. And Dean beside her started to pour himself a glass of pumpkin juice.

"I just found out she's a virgin." Luna excitedly told them and with this Dean had managed to splutter his pumpkin juice all over their table, causing some of the patrons to stare at them. Ginny had begun rubbing her boyfriend's back while Seamus turned to say to Neville…

"No surprise there…" Ginny hearing this, glared at the boy again.

"One more of your crude remarks and you'd get the bat bogey hex." Ginny warningly told Seamus.

"Don't get your wand in a twist. Luna started it anyway, be mad at her." Seamus reasoned out, and wanting to abate the new found tension Neville turned to Luna and asked.

"What do you mean by that Luna?"

"Well, I don't know how I managed to forget that Hermione will be of legal age in a few days. She's born on the virgin's month and I was wondering if she'd help me in my little project and maybe you can too, Neville. I shall just eat some pudding before heading my way."

XXX

For some time Ron had allowed silence to reign over him and his friend. He had watched her carefully, almost critically so that he had noticed the visible slumping of her shoulders, her constant scowl and her lip biting that had gone too severe from her usual habit. She was just grabbing random books off shelves and opening them and probably pretending to read them. Ron wondered if his friend was aware that she had grabbed the standard book of spells that he's sure she had read when they were still in first year, and the most shocking, alarming and almost ironic twist of Fate was that Hermione had actually grabbed a book about Divination. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! He would have laughed, even teased if only he wasn't so aware of the insensitivity of the actions if he chose to do so. Finally, he had had enough of it and decided to break the ice.

"You know, you wouldn't be in a twist if you just told Harry how you felt sooner." Hermione suddenly removed her eyes from the tome that she was currently reading and gave her friend an innocent look.

"Tell Harry what?"

"About how you feel."

"Which is what exactly?"

"That you bloody fancy him. And that you're annoyed and jealous of Ella." Ron told her pointedly and Hermione raised an eyebrow at him before crossing her arms infront of her.

"I don't 'fancy' anybody. Secondly, why would I be jealous of her? Honestly, why would I have a problem with Ella? Frankly, I have no right to hate or begrudge her anything."

"Oh, so why are you blowing up on Harry all of a sudden, and last night why did you make everyone see just how disagreeable you can be?"

"Fine. I let my emotions get the best of me. Besides, it's not like I've done something they haven't seen before, like you and I don't give them a show of what monsters we both are."

"Why are you mad at Harry then?"

"I am not, just disappointed I suppose."

"How?"

"He's my best friend, but last night he just stood there, letting Ella do as she pleases. Then he rubs it in my face that he sides with her by holding her hand. And then he has the audacity to say that he's my friend. I thought it was always bros before hoes." Hermione replied indignantly and Ron could not help but laugh.

"Technically you're not a bro, Hermione."

"Same thing."

"If you remember correctly I too, didn't stand up for you. You're judging Harry a bit unfairly, don't you think? If you truly believed that, shouldn't you want to see me too?"

"Well, that's different!" Hermione had insisted but Ron remained unconvinced.

"Just admit that you have feelings for Harry and you're hurt because of it."

"That's not it at all."

"Oh, really? Why do you always have a look of bitterness when you see them together? You just scowl like you are doingnow."

"I'm not scowling now; I always wear this expression when I'm around you. Secondly, I just find it ridiculous how Ella sticks like Velcro to Harry. I've always been vocal about my distaste with some of the girls you two find yourselves with. Remember, I did the same for you. I told you I didn't approve of Lavender. This is no different from how I treat Harry."

"Yes. But you've never been mean to Lavender upfront nor tried to meddle in her life. You just leave her to do as she pleases and you don't try to embarrass her nor offend her in front of anybody. Though you may roll your eyes when she talks to me, you don't look at us in pure hate. Admit it Hermione."

"If I like Harry so much as you claim I do, why did I support him when he fancied other girls? Cho and Parvati, remember them?"

"That's because they've never been a real threat to you. Cho and Harry from the beginning would not have worked, remember she has a boyfriend, and you did tell him to just wait patiently because Cho and Cedric might break up or he'd move on, whichever comes first; your words Hermione. And this might sound mean, but Parvati had always been just a pretty face. Yes, there were other girls too but like you said they're all superficial. You act like you do now, because you know Ella actually poses a threat to you. It's your fault too; you let the both of you dance around for too long."

"Just shut up, Ron! What you're saying is rubbish. Stop insisting that you know best because you're not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, so why should I listen to you?" As soon as she said this, Hermione was appalled by her horrendous behavior and sharp hurtful words. She looked at her friend who was rapidly turning scarlet. She felt chastised, really, she should learn to not be so condescending, and she sounded so horrible there. But with the realization of her mistakes, the painful and ugly truth came creeping out slowly; the realisation of her own faults, led her to acknowledge that she's quite prideful too. Hermione watched regretfully as Ron stood up from his seat preparing to leave, but not before saying a few last words to her.

"Just so you know, I'm on your side." And Hermione didn't even have the strength to apologize to her friend who had tried so hard to keep her on his side. She could not help but sigh in frustration as she realized that she had ruined the foundation Ron had started building to make their friendship better; she had thrown the stone that shattered it so pitifully. She was losing her friends, and it was all her fault. Maybe it was better for her friends if she wasn't with them. All she ever did is make them feel miserable and she felt so heartbroken knowing that she has been so selfish by wanting to be by their sides for she detests being alone and because of that, she has strangled both her friendships. Maybe she didn't deserve them, maybe Ella was right, and she was not a fun friend, and is quite the contrary.

"Hi, Hermione, can we talk?" Luna greeted her suddenly and shook her out of her reverie. Hermione gazed at the girl whom she didn't understand at first, but Luna had always been kind, and yet so easily misjudged by her. Hermione thought, she didn't deserve even Luna's friendship. Thinking that both her friends might loathe the sight of her, she decided to cast her attention at the younger girl instead.

"What can I do for you Luna?"

XXX

Harry finally went out of Professor McGonagall's office and he looked quite surprised to find Ella waiting for him outside. Harry approached her rather uncertainly and the girl once again greeted him with her unfaltering smile.

"Are you alright Harry? What was it? What did the professor want?" Ella asked him and Harry just sighed.

"She wanted to tell me that I should learn to control my anger and that I should be thankful my friends were there to stop me. She said she'd give me detention the next time something like that happens again." Ella then reached out and started to intertwine her fingers with his. Harry looked at her, quite confused by the sudden gesture, and then mentally berated himself thinking that, he mentally reminded himself that he should not be surprised and just start getting used to Ella's soft touches and caresses.

"Want to go for a walk?"

XXX

Harry found himself sitting under a tree by the lake with Ella beside him. Since Hermione and Ron didn't seem to want to be around him as of the moment he instead found himself talking to Ella. And it surprisingly relieved some of his stress. She was a great listener and she even let him vent on her. He suddenly found himself wondering about her, if she had something inside of her that was genuinely hers. Something that he hadn't designed. He wanted to find out who she was, was there a person inside of her? Did she have a soul? Dreams, hopes, and ambition, did she have those, or were those denied to her too?

"If you weren't a rose what would you want to be doing?" Harry suddenly found himself asking her.

"Well for starters, ban plucking of roses." Ella had told Harry calmly and Harry was surprised by this but he also found it funny.

"Ban the plucking of roses?"

"Oh yes, roses are living things too aren't they? Shouldn't they be given the equal right to live? A lot of people say they love flowers and think they are so beautiful but they cut them and place them in glass vases, is that loving and caring? The roses die faster that way. I believe plants in general should have rights." Harry almost laughed at that. The way she said that roses deserved rights sounded just like Hermione when she talks about S.P.E.W. and the rights of other magical creatures that she was so adamant to promote and pursue.

"You reminded me of Hermione there." Harry told Ella quite amused but Ella seemed unsurprised.

"Of course, I have a piece of her inside of me. I also have a part of you…"

"That sounded so strange." Harry said laughing at her words. As it did sound weird almost as if Ella was referring to herself as his and Hermione's daughter, truly a weird notion, there was no way he can rightly follow that train of thoughts.

"Not really. I have your blood and Hermione's hair. It's that simple. Harry, don't you like me?" Ella suddenly asked him and Harry could hear the sincerity ringing in her voice and tone. He was surprised to see that crack of vulnerability, that tear, he was almost certain he could peek inside of her, and then maybe he would find out, find out if there was love, if there was such a thing as the spirit of a rose.

"I guess I like you. After all, I did ask for you."

"But you're not happy with me."

"I don't know, I guess I didn't have enough time to get to know you."

"But you know me Harry, you already do."

"What?" Harry looked at her confused. But Ella just sighed and smiled lightly at him.

"My hair colour it's the same as Luna's. My long straight locks, they are Cho's and Ginny's. The shape of my eyes, it reminds you of Cho. My body; its Lavender's and Parvati's. My eyes they are those of Hermione's. You know me." Ella told Harry pointedly and for a moment Harry was stunned. It was true; Ella's a combination of girls he met, and maybe, just maybe it's more than the physical aspects. Ella reached out to Harry and softly glidded the back of her hand across his cheek and smiled at him almost sadly.

"Maybe, you don't know what you want."

XXX

After Harry and Ella's walk near the lake, the rest of the day was spent rather uneventfully. Rumours for some reason haven't started like Harry had suspected. After lunch he talked with his Quidditch teammates to ask them convenient dates for their Quidditch practice so he could begin making their schedules. And after dinner he spent his evening playing wizarding chess with Ron. Ella was beside him all the time and unlike before he didn't find her presence as annoying as before, he was starting to get used to her and their talk by the lake helped too.

Although, he couldn't help but notice that throughout the day Hermione hasn't spoken withh him. She didn't even bother to remind him of the study schedules she had so kindly prepared for him and Ron. He was mostly left alone to his own devices, without a nag, a voice, a whisper or a breath. Ron didn't seem to mind the absence of their best female friend as he was all too happy to not study on a Sunday night but Harry found it strange and weird. He didn't think he'd miss Hermione's nagging voice, not at all.

XXX

-September 17, 1996-

As he stepped inside the Great Hall he saw Hermione bent over a book and barely even eating her bowl of cereal. She was sitting across Neville and he saw Ginny, Ron, Dean and Seamus were at the other side of the table. He really did find it weird. He wanted to ask Hermione why she was avoiding him all of the sudden, he's pretty sure he had done nothing wrong, well maybe he did with the Malfoy incident, but Hermione had always been someone who was quick to forgive him. Harry was about to approach her and when he came close to her side of the table she quickly stood up, said goodbye to Neville and grabbed her books. Harry cursed silently, Hermione was making things hard for him and he was getting mad. What was with her and her avoidance all of the sudden? Just as Hermione left, Ron, Ginny, Dean and Seamus finally spotted him and called him and Ella over.

"Hey Harry, Ella!" Dean greeted them as he and Ginny made space for the two to sit down

"Oi, not too close…"Ron warned the pair of lovebirds, Ginny and Dean, when their already close proximity became closer but the young girl merely rolled her eyes at her brother and scooted closer to Dean as if telling Ron that he was no boss of her. Ron just glared at his younger sister but decided he couldn't win against her stubborn little self.

"Aren't you going to take a seat Harry?" Ella asked Harry and Harry realized he was still standing up and staring stupidly at the opened doors of the Great Hall as if waiting for Hermione to come back.

"I think I forgot something. You guys stay here and eat. I'll be back in a bit." Harry excused himself before quickly rushing out and ran towards the direction of the library. He knew that was the place Hermione would most likely be in.

He just round up a corner when he heard Hermione's angry voice and decided to eavesdrop as he might be intruding.

"For the last time McLaggen, Harry and I did not break up. We were never even together. And no, I don't need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. Now let me pass. You're blocking my way." Harry peeked from around the corner and saw Hermione's annoyed face as she did try to get passed McLaggen who was blocking her way effectively. Hermione seemed to grow more annoyed by the minute that Harry wondered why she hadn't hexed the obnoxious boy by now.

"Now Granger, you know I like feisty girls but stop denying you like me too, it's getting quite sad." McLaggen's egocentric voice sounded like the singing of merpeople in dry land for Harry. Truly, that complete and bloody wanker is just too full of himself.

"The day I'll like you is the day I should be put inside a mental asylum. Now move. I'm a prefect, I'll start deducting points." Harry didn't think he should stay hidden for long for it was clear that Hermione was having trouble brushing off McLaggen's advances on her as she was now using her 'prefect' card on him.

"McLaggen you know keepers block Quaffles, not girls. Now, let Hermione pass." Harry told Cormac as he stepped closer towards them and stood firmly beside Hermione who was slightly surprise to see him come to her defense.

"Harry, Hermione and I were just talking…" The older boy smugly reasoned as he moved to enclose Hermione in a one arm hug but she had shrugged out of his grasp before he could even try.

"She doesn't want to talk to you. I think you should leave before I remove you as reserve keeper." Harry warned McLaggen; the latter almost looked like he was about to tackle Harry on the ground but then decided it wasn't worth it and left the pair but not before winking at Hermione who was fuming at his retreating back. When McLaggen left an awkward silence seemed to have enveloped the two friends butt Hermione turned to Harry and said.

"Thanks for the help Harry, but I should go now." But Harry wouldn't let her go that easily.

"Why are you avoiding me Hermione?"

"I'm not avoiding you; I just don't want to talk right now. I need to study for our upcoming tests."

"Why didn't you take dinner with Ron and me?"

"Ron and I had a small misunderstanding yesterday, and like I said I'm busy."

"What did you and Ron fight about?" Harry insisted he was getting tired of her excuses tired of hearing the woordd 'nothing' which in truth, only causes him to be more suspicious that there was indeed a 'something'.

"Nothing, Harry. I just…let's talk at a better time, just not now." Hermione told Harry before rushing towards the library's direction. Harry stared at his best friend's back quite annoyed and disappointed that he once again failed at getting her back and then he remembered that Hedwig was coming today bringing a package from his parents. And he wondered what his parents had sent Hermione for her Wizarding'coming of age' birthday.

And maybe it might be just the thing to bring her back.

XXX

AN: Okay, we're now in the part of the story that I haven't written yet.

Guys I need your help as I am not bluffing…

Please answer this question.

"What do you think Lily and James sent Hermione, because I don't know what?"

Please, I truly don't know what gift to give Hermione.

Thanks.