Harry Potter and the Revenge of the Veil

[tomluvr1218]

Ch. 1: Letters and Leaving

It was nearly four in the morning, and yet, we can find a young boy of sixteen years old, his emerald green eyes that he inherited from his mother Lily, wide-awake, reading a letter. This boy's name was Harry Potter and he was no ordinary boy. He was a wizard. He had found this out when he was eleven years old and he had been accepted to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Rubeus Hagrid had come to get him and tell him the truth about his parents. Fifteen years ago, a very evil wizard, Lord Voldemort, had come to Harry's parent’s house and killed them. He then tried to kill Harry, but the spell backfired, and Voldemort had become something less than human, but in Harry's fourth year, Voldemort had got his body and his powers back. And only a few weeks ago, the Order of the Phoenix, a secret society against Voldemort, had been reestablished.

When his parents were killed, he was sent to live with his mother's sister, Petunia Dursley, her husband Vernon Dursley, and their whale of a son, Dudley. They had lied to him for eleven years about him being a wizard, and told him his parents had died in car crash. He had been forced to live in the cupboard under the stairs, but was moved into Dudley's second bedroom when he began receiving his Hogwarts letters, which the Dursley's wouldn't let him have.

Now Harry was sitting on his bed, writing his letter to the Order, whom he had been writing to ever since he had arrived back at the Dursley's for the Summer holidays. Uncle Vernon was always asking him if he had sent a letter to "those people" recently; only because he was afraid Mad-Eye Moody would come to his house if he thought they were mistreating Harry. He had good reason to be afraid of this though, because only a few weeks ago, at King's Cross Station, Moody had threatened him by showing him his eye that moved all over the place. Hence the name, Mad-Eye.

Harry reread the letter and decided he was satisfied with it. He looked out the window wondering when Hedwig would be back because she had been out hunting. He was just staring into space as he was daydreaming about Sirius. He had been having nightmares about Sirius falling through the veil almost every night that summer. That's why he had been staying up late every night, and waking up at noon. Sometimes never even going to sleep at all, so he would not have to endure the pain of seeing Sirius die over and over again, and keep feeling like it was his fault Sirius was dead because he had been tricked into going to the Department of Mysteries and he thought he had led Sirius to his death.

He was just beginning to fall asleep when he saw a large dot in the sky. He immediately recognized it as three owls. The first one was his snowy white owl, Hedwig. The second one was one of his best friends, Ron Weasley's, owl named Pigwidgeon, Pig for short. The last owl, he thought, must have been a school owl because he didn't recognize it. As the owls got closer, he unlatched his window to let them inside. They all landed on Harry's bed and he relieved the Hogwart's owl of its letter and package first and it immediately took off out the open window. He began to open the envelope and he pulled out his O.W.L. results.

Divination- Poor
Defense against the Dark Arts- Outstanding
Transfiguration- Outstanding
Potions- Outstanding
History of Magic- Dreadful
Care of Magical Creatures- Exceeds Expectations
Charms- Exceeds Expectations
Astronomy- Acceptable
Herbology- Exceeds Expectations

As his eyes went farther down the parchment, his smile grew wider. "That's enough to become an Auror", he exclaimed to himself.

He then opened the package, which was from Hagrid, and found a bag of his rock cakes. He decided not to touch these and read the letter.

Happy Birthday Harry!
Hope you’re all right. Can't wait to see you. Hope those muggles are treating you all right.
Hagrid

Harry then looked up and saw Pig hooting and flying around the room, happy he was successful in his delivery. Harry quickly grabbed him before the Dursley's would hear and wake up. Pig had two envelopes, one from Ron and the other from Hermione. He opened Ron's letter first.

Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! Hermione and I are at the Burrow. I don't think we are going to Grimmauld Place for a few weeks. Hope to see you here soon.
Ron

Harry then opened Hermione's letter.

Dear Harry,
I really hope you have a great birthday and I hope your aunt and uncle are treating you all right. Ron and I are at the Burrow. Have you gotten your O.W.L.'s back yet? Ron and I have. I think you are coming to the Burrow soon, so you can tell us your results when you get here. We are not going to be going back to Order Headquarters until Dumbledore can sort out Sirius's affairs. I do hope you are coping all right with Sirius's death. Make sure you get plenty of food and sleep.
Hermione


Harry was glad he didn't have to go back to Grimmauld Place in a hurry. He went to get the letter Hedwig had, and noticed Pig had already flown out the window. Hedwig's letter was from Remus Lupin.

Dear Harry,
If you want to leave the Dursley's, some of the Order members will come pick you up later tonight. Please respond if you want to go. You would be going to the Burrow with Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore still needs to sort out Sirius's will before we can go back to Headquarters.
Remus
P.S. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I think if you come to the Burrow, Molly will want to throw you a party.

[tomluvr1218]

Harry put his three cards on his bedside table, glanced at his alarm clock, and thought the Dursley's must be up by now. He got off his bed and opened his wardrobe. He quickly put on some clothes and looked at himself in the mirror. He ruffled his jet-black hair that he had inherited from his father, James. He then looked at his forehead and saw his lightning bolt scar that he got when Voldemort tried to kill him. He flattened his bangs down over his scar and sighed as he opened his bedroom door and ran down the stairs.

He used to think his scar was the only feature he had that he liked, but now every time he saw it, he just missed his parents and wished he could just be normal, as normal as a wizard can be that is.

When he got downstairs, all three Dursley's were seated around the table. Immediately after Harry sat down Uncle Vernon asked him if he had sent those people a letter.

"I was about to, but I need to add something. They said they are going to pick me up tonight. So, I just have to add that I want them to", Harry replied.

"Fine, but I don't want any of 'your kind' in my house," Uncle Vernon replied.

Harry just mumbled, "Like you can do anything about it," as he picked at his toast.

He hadn't had much of an appetite lately. Aunt Petunia looked at him with concern. She, at least, had been considerably nicer to him.

Harry managed a few bites before he went back upstairs to finish his letter. He grabbed a spare quill and quickly added a P.S. to the letter.

P.S. Yes, please come pick me up from the Dursley's. I can't wait to see you all.

He went over to Hedwig's cage and prodded her awake. She slowly opened her eyes and seeing Harry had a letter for her to deliver, she hopped out of the cage.

"Take this to Professor Lupin at Order Headquarters," Harry told her.

Hedwig hooted in response to let him know she understood. Before she flew out the window, she gave him an affectionate nip on the finger. Harry then busied himself with packing the rest of the day except for going down to lunch.

It was now 5 o'clock and Harry was starting to get anxious even though Lupin never actually told him a specific time they would get him. He walked back downstairs to find a frightened Dudley rushing past him up the stairs, clutching his bottom. He ran the rest of the way downstairs in case there was something wrong and found his aunt and uncle backed into a corner staring at the intruders. Harry followed their gaze and saw three people. The first person was Remus Lupin, Harry's Defense against the Dark Arts Professor from his third year. The next one was Mad-Eye Moody, a member of the Order. The last of Harry's guard was Nymphadora Tonks, an auror and member of the Order whose hair was bright yellow today.

"Hello Harry," Lupin said.

"Hi everyone," Harry replied slowly.

"Are you ready to go? Where's your trunk?"

"It's upstairs, but how are we getting to the Burrow? Are we flying again?"

"No Potter, we're going to go by Floo powder," Mad-Eye grunted.

"But isn't the Ministry watching the Floo network?"

"Oh, Harry it's safe to travel by Floo powder now . . . Fudge has been kicked out of office," Lupin said.

"Really? But who's the new Minister of Magic then?"

"Madame Bones, you remember, from your hearing?"

"Oh yeah, she'd be great", Harry said cheerfully.

"Okay then, Tonks, would you please help Harry with his trunk"?

Tonks nodded and walked ahead of Harry, as she already knew the way to his bedroom.

"So, Harry, how has your holiday been?"

"Ok I guess. No dementors this summer."

They both laughed as they made there way up the rest of the stairs and into Harry's bedroom.

"Ok, you grab your broom and owl, and I’ll get your trunk." As she said this, she levitated his trunk with her wand. Harry opened the door for her, then grabbed Hedwig's cage and his Firebolt, and followed Tonks down the stairs.

"Excellent. Let's get started then", Lupin said as he saw them coming down the stairs.

Moody and Tonks took Harry's trunk to the fireplace and Lupin handed them a bag of Floo powder. Moody took out a handful and said, "I'll go first with the trunk and tell the others Potter is on his way." So Tonks walked out and Moody yelled, "The Burrow." Tonks went next and when she disappeared, Lupin turned to Harry and asked him very seriously, "Are you ready?"

"Yes, I’m okay", he replied. Harry then grabbed some Floo powder from Lupin and stepped into the fireplace. "The Burrow", he yelled and immediately he felt like he was going to be sick. After all the spinning, he finally landed on the floor of the kitchen in the Burrow.

He had barely stood up before he was blinded by lots of brown bushy hair. Then he felt someone pull the person off him and he saw his two best friends, Ron and Hermione.

[tomluvr1218]

"Hey guys", Harry said.

"Oh, Harry, how are you doing? We've missed you so much," Hermione said as she pulled him into another hug.

"Hermione, calm down. Let him breathe," Ron told her.

As Hermione was letting go, Lupin appeared beside them. "Hi Professor Lupin," Ron and Hermione said in unison. "You three need to stop calling me professor. I'm not your proffesor anymore. Just call me Lupin," he replied. "Ok" they all said as he walked into the other room.

"So what did you guys get on your O.W.L.s?" Harry asked.

Hermione began to jump up and down and screamed, "I passed everything and got 12 O.W.L.s."

"Wow, that's great. Congratulations. What about you?" He said turning to Ron.

"Urgh...I only got 5 O.W.L.s," Ron said.

"That's not bad; I got 7. We will all still be in the same classes except you have Arithmancy during our History of Magic, Hermione," Harry said.

"Yeah. So you get to be an Auror, that's great," Hermione said.

"Yeah I...

"Harry, oh Harry, how are you?" Mrs. Weasley ran into the room to hug Harry.

"I'm okay Mrs. Weasley."

"That's wonderful, dear. Well, why don't you three go upstairs while I make dinner?"

"Ok," they all said as they started upstairs. They got up to Ron's room and Harry's trunk was there as well as Hedwig. Harry ran over to her and was absentmindedly stroking her feathers when he realized Ron and Hermione, his two best friends, didn't even know about the prophecy and what he was predestined to do.

"Guys, I have to tell you something," Harry said finally.

Just then, Ginny walked into the room. "Hi Harry," she said.

"Get out Ginny, Harry has to tell us something," Ron told her.

"No, it's okay", Harry said, "She can stay. She has a right to know as well."

Harry had their attention now and as soon as Ginny sat down beside Ron on his bed, Harry began to tell them everything that happened that night at the Department of Mysteries. Including when he ran after Bellatrix and what happened to Voldemort and the things he said to Dumbledore in his office. He finally told them about the prophecy and how his life would either include or end in murder. When he was finished, there was a silence for a few minutes. Then all of a sudden, Hermione burst out crying.

"Don’t cry Hermione, it will be okay. Don't cry." Harry said walking over to her and awkwardly patting her on the back trying to comfort her.

"Oh," Hermione said wiping her eyes, "I'm sorry. I'm okay." Hermione sighed and said, "I just can't believe this. All these things have been decided for you and are expected of you before you were even born. It's just . . . not fair."

"Well actually, there is one other person the prophecy could have been talking about," Harry said.

"What?" Ron said coming out of his trance, "Who?"

"Well, it could either be me, or . . . Neville."

"WHAT?" they all shouted at the same time.

"Yeah, but Dumbledore reckons Voldemort chose me as his equal because we're both half-bloods"

Ron and Ginny winced when Harry said Voldemort's name.

"Wow. That has to be tough. I'm really sorry, Harry," Ginny said.

"Yeah. Well, I just had to tell you guys that, but let's talk about something else okay?"

"Okay," they all said.

There was another silence until Ron thought of something else to talk about.

"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher will be. What if they can't get another one because no one else will take the job and then Snape might finally get it"

"Don't be stupid, Ron. Dumbledore will find one. And even if he didn't, Snape couldn't be because then there would be no Potions master," Hermione snapped back.

Mrs. Weasley yelled for them to come downstairs for dinner before Ron could respond. Harry saw Ron give Hermione a look, but it wasn't the usual angry look he gave her when they were arguing, but a different one. Harry couldn't tell what it was so he looked at Ron questioningly, but Ron wasn't looking at him, he was too busy staring at Hermione. They ran downstairs and into the kitchen and what he saw made his jaw drop.

There was a huge banner that said, "Happy Birthday Harry" and right under that was another banner saying, "Congratulations Ron, Harry, and Hermione on your O.W.L.s"

Everybody was there, including Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, Moody, Tonks, Kingsley and to Harry's horror, Professor Snape. He guessed Snape was only there because there had just been an Order meeting and he was forced to stay for the party. There were lots of other decorations everywhere. When they sat down, he saw that Mrs. Weasley had made all of his favorite foods.

"Wow, Mrs. Weasley, this is really great of you. Thanks," Harry said.

"Yes, thanks so much, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said.

"Yeah, thanks, Mum. Is there cake?" Ron asked.

"Of course there is, but you have to eat your peas first," Mrs. Weasley said.

Harry and Hermione laughed as Ron's ears turned red.

After dinner, Mrs. Weasley brought out a cake and the party only ended when Ginny yawned loudly and they were sent up to bed. Making no objections, they all thanked Mrs. Weasley again and made their way up the stairs. Harry and Ron said goodnight to Hermione and Ginny and again Harry saw Ron give Hermione the look, but was too tired to say anything. They went into Ron's bedroom. Harry fell onto his bed and decided he would talk to Ron about it tomorrow. Besides, he could already hear snores coming from Ron. Harry was about to fall asleep when he remembered he needed to clear his mind. Ever since he had come home for the summer holiday, he had been practicing his Occlumency every night and morning. So, he cleared his mind then went to sleep.

[Jess]

that was good for a first chapter! i think it was a little OOC for Hermione not to ask about his O.W.L.s in her letter... but other than that, it was great!

-Jess;D

[Jess]

whoops... you posted while i was replying to the first one.... haha

[*~PoOkIe~*]

Hey Christina...this seems different from the ones u posted on my site and how come nobody goes there anymore

[Jess]

i go there, but i thought no one else did... i go there every day to see if there are new posts, and i try to post too.

-jj

[*~PoOkIe~*]

oh ok

[Jess]

and i just posted on there too;D

[tomluvr1218]

yea, like i said, i change alot of my stuff wen i reread it, but thats the final change for the first chapeter

[*~PoOkIe~*]

oh

[tomluvr1218]

Chapter 2: The Reading of the Will


The next morning when Harry woke up, he closed his eyes for a few moments and cleared his mind. When he opened his eyes, he saw Lupin in his room.

"I'm glad you're practicing, Harry," he said.

"Yeah, well, I don't want anyone else to get hurt just because I can't do what I'm told."

"Harry, you have got to stop blaming yourself. Sirius wouldn't want you moping around and telling yourself it's your fault. Because it's not, Harry, and you need to realize that." And with that Lupin walked out of the room leaving Harry feeling pretty bad. Just then, Ron walked into the room. "C'mon, Harry, everyone's downstairs. What's the matter?" Ron asked, seeing the look on Harry's face.

"Nothing. Let's go"

They walked downstairs in silence and when Harry saw Lupin, he gave him a smile. Lupin, understanding, smiled back. Everyone from the previous night had slept over. So, they were all at the table along with all the decorations. Harry and Ron sat down at the table and were immediately absorbed in talking about Quidditch. They were brought back to earth when they heard a knock at the door. Mrs. Weasley got up to answer it and when she came back, she was accompanied by, none other than Albus Dumbledore.

"Good Morning everyone," He said. "How are you, Harry?"

"I'm okay," Harry assured him.

"Good. Well, I have an announcement. Now, I know it's a little earlier than expected, but we are ready to go back to Grimmauld Place," Dumbledore paused then said, "Also, I have Sirius's will and can read it to you now, if you are ready." He stared pointedly at Harry.

Harry nodded at Dumbledore. He had thought about what Lupin had said and decided that he was right. Sirius would want him to be happy. He was not going to be depressed and mope around anymore.

"Well then, I will let you all finish eating this wonderful looking breakfast. Then, we can all go into the living room and discuss the will."

"Albus, are you sure you wouldn't like a bite to eat?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Oh no, Molly, I already had quite a few bites. I am very full," He repied. "I'll just wait in the other room."

Harry looked down at his plate. He suddenly wasn't hungry anymore. Not many other people were continuing to eat either, except Ron. The rest of breakfast was eaten in silence. When everyone was finished, they walked into the living room to find Dumbledore and Lupin whispering to each other. When they saw everyone come in, they fell silent.

"Please sit down everyone," Dumbledore said.

After everyone sat, he remained standing and said, "Well I think we should begin this right away and get it over with." Harry agreed with this part, but sat quietly in the middle of Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore flicked his hand and a long piece of parchment appeared in it. "Now then...let's begin, shall we?"

"Well, if you are reading this I suppose I must be dead. Either that or you are rummaging through my desk drawers looking for God knows what. Anyway, I want you all to know that I care deeply for each and every one of you. Even you, Severus, and I will miss you all terribly. It is really hard to write this, but I hope I died defending the Order somehow. And no matter how it happened, I don't want any of you to be sad forever. I know you will miss me, but you have to know it was for the good of the Order. Everything happens for a reason, remember that."

Harry smiled to himself. Hearing that confirmed what Lupin told him; Sirius would not have wanted him moping.

"To my good friend Remus Lupin, whom I have known most of my life and consider closer than a brother, I would like to leave you one third of the Black fortune. I daresay you should buy some new robes with it."

Everyone laughed when they heard this. But when the laughing subsided, the room became tense once again.

"To Hagrid, I would like to leave you Buckbeak. Even though he was yours to begin with, I think I should leave him in your care once again."

Hagrid beamed with excitement at this.

"To Miss Nymphadora Tonks and Mr. Kingsley Shacklebolt, I leave you all of my family's dark detectors. Perhaps you could find some use for them in you line of work. Alastor Moody, I would like to leave you my invisibility cloak, to replace your spare."

Harry was getting a little nervous now that when it came to be his turn he would get emotional. "I must not cry. I must not cry," he said over and over again to himself, "That would be too embarrassing."

Dumbledore continued, "To Severus Snape, I will leave my house elf, Kreacher."

Everyone except for Hermione laughed at this because Kreacher wasn't the greatest house elf in the world to own.

"I'm only joking. I'm sure now that the last Black is gone, he will want to be mounted on the wall, alongside his mother. But Severus, I do want to leave you my apologies for all those years we spent fighting, in hopes that you will not hate me while I’m dead."

It was very tense in the room by now and nobody was looking or saying a word to one another.

"To the entire Weasley family; I have come to know and love you all."

Mrs. Weasley let out a quick sob at this.

"And I am well aware of your financial situation and am not happy about it at all. Therefore, I give you all another third of the Black fortune. It is still quite a lot, so I doubt you will be having any more money problems."

"Oh my," Mrs. Weasley said.

"We're rich. We're rich," Ron screamed.

"Ronald Weasley! That is so rude!"

"Sorry."

"Oh Arthur, this is wonderful."

"I know. I can't believe it. We can afford anything."

Mrs. Weasley ran up and hugged Mr. Weasley.

"Shall I continue?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh yes. We're sorry, Albus," Mrs. Weasley said.

"That's quite all right. Now then," Dumbledore cleared his throat and began again, "To Albus Dumbledore, I leave you my house to be used for the Order of the Phoenix. I hope I have helped the Order in any way I possibly could have. You are a wonderful man, Albus, and I thank you for everything you have done to help me."

Harry could now see a tear forming on Dumbledore's cheek. Harry looked around the room while Dumbledore paused to compose himself. "Oh no," he thought, "He's already mentioned everyone in the room. I'm the only one left." Harry turned back to Dumbledore and he began again,

"And finally, to Mr. Harry James Potter, I give you the final third of the Black fortune; and so you will never forget me, I want you to have my wand. There is one final thing. You may have my other mirror that James and I used to talk to each other. Perhaps you and Ron could use it."

Harry and Ron looked at each other and grinned evilly.

"I am so sorry that I wasn't there for you all those years I was in Azkaban, but I hope I have made it up to you. You are truly a great wizard, Harry, and a great person, just like your parents were. Remember that I will always be with you no matter what. And, Harry, now that I am gone, I want you to go to Remus for anything, like you did to me. You could look to him as a godfather now. He is a good man and I know he would love to be your godfather."

Harry looked around at Lupin and smiled at him. Lupin smiled back, nodding his head.

"You must listen to Dumbledore and the others, and do what they say. I cannot stress that enough. I will miss you so much, Harry, and," Dumbledore paused, "I love you."

Harry could feel the tears welling up in his eyes and tried to hide them. But he reckoned Hermione must have seen because she put her hand on his shoulder. He turned and smiled at her to let her know he was alright. Then he whispered, "I love you too, Sirius."

"Well, I’ve got to be off," Dumbledore said. "I will be back tonight to take you all to Grimmauld Place."

Everyone nodded and with a pop Dumbledore was gone.

"Yes, we should go as well," Tonks said indicating Kingsley, Moody, and herself.

"Us too," Professor McGonagall said pointing to Snape and herself.

Mrs. Weasley nodded at them and with another pop, the six of them disappeared.

"Alright, I think you four should go upstairs and pack your things." Mrs. Weasley said to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.

So they all headed upstairs in silence only breaking it when Harry and Ron said, "See you later" to Hermione and Ginny when they got to Ginny’s room. Ron and Harry continued walking upstairs and finally reached Ron’s room. When they entered the room Ron asked, "Harry, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I.-," Harry started to say before Ron cut him off as if he didn’t even want to hear an answer.

"Harry, I really need to tell you something," Ron said urgently.

"Okay, go ahead," Harry said while opening his trunk.

"Ok. Well, lately I have been acting a little differently around Hermione for some reason."

"Really? I haven't noticed," Harry said sarcastically.

"Yeah. Well, anyways, I think it's because I...because I...because I like her," Ron finished.

Harry dropped the book he was holding and it fell on his foot. "Ouch! What? Are you serious?"

"Yes. I think so," Ron said

"Well, when did this happen?" Harry asked amused.

"Well, I think it all started in our fourth year because I was jealous of Krum and all that. But I really just realized it when she got here. I don't know what it was, I just felt different around her"

"Well, about time. So, what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know! What should I do about it?"

"Well, Ron, I think you have to go and tell her how you feel," Harry said slowly holding back a laugh.

"I was afraid you were going to say that," Ron said as he started to walk out the door.

"You're going now?" Harry asked surprised.

"Yeah. I might as well get it over with."

"Ok, good luck," Harry said as he turned back to his trunk laughing.

[Christina]

Harry shut his trunk and sat down on the bed. "Wow, I really can't believe Ron actually has the nerve to finally talk to Hermione about them," Harry thought to himself. "I can't believe Ron might actually have a girlfriend when I don't even have one." Harry's eyes widened when he realized what just went through his mind.

"I can't believe I just thought that. Am I...am I jealous?"

"No, I can't be jealous. I don't like Hermione."

"Then why am I so jealous?"

These thoughts went back and forth in Harry's mind until finally Ron came back. "I'm back," Ron said.

Harry jumped when he heard Ron's voice; Harry had been in his own little world and it surprised him to hear someone else's voice after hearing only his own for a while. Harry immediately jumped off the bed and acted like he had been packing the whole time instead of trying to decide if he was jealous of Ron or not, which he still hadn't decided. "Oh...hi. Well, what happened?"

"Well, I told her."

"AND..." Harry said beginning to get annoyed.

"And...she said she was glad I finally said something to her and she would love to go out with me," Ron said with a smile.

"Excellent," Harry said smiling. "So, should we jump up and down?" Harry said sarcastically with a fake girly look on his face.

"Shutup, Harry," Ron said throwing a pillow at him.

"I'm just kidding," Harry said catching the pillow before it hit him in the face.

"Anyway," Ron said rolling his eyes, "We're going to hang out alone outside for a while."

"Alright, but don't forget, you still have to pack," Harry yelled after him as he ran out the room.

"Yeah, I'll be back later," Ron yelled back at him from the top of the stairs.

[Christina]

Harry was pacing back and forth across the room after he had finished packing because he had nothing else to do when Ginny walked into the room. "Hi, Harry," she said.
"Oh, hey Ginny," Harry said looking up.
"So, what's up?" Ginny said sitting down on Ron's bed.
"Nothing," Harry said sitting down on his own bed, "I don't have anything to do."
"Oh, where's Ron?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, you didn't hear? Ron and Hermione are going out now."
"Really?" Ginny asked surprised, "Well, I figured that's what Ron wanted to talk to her about. About time too," she added.
"That's what I told Ron," Harry said.
Harry and Ginny laughed for a little while until Ginny said, "Do you want to go downstairs; dinner's almost ready?" Harry nodded and they walked out of the room.
When they got downstairs Mrs. Weasley said, "Will you two please set the table for me?"
"Sure," they both said at the same time.
Mrs. Weasley waved her wand at the silverware drawer and the silverware flew out of it and landed on the counter. Harry walked over to the counter to get the silverware and looked out the window. he could see Ron and Hermione sitting under a tree and they were holding hands.
"What are you looking at?" Ginny asked walking over to the window.
"Oh, nothing...just seeing if Ron and Hermione were still outside. They are," Harry added.
"Oh, um, Harry, don't take this the wrong way, but, I mean, I just wanted to ask because you, well, are you jealous?"
"What? No! Well, I mean, I guess, a little, but not of Ron having Hermione as his girlfriend. I guess I'm just kind of jealous that Ron has a girlfriend and I...don't," Harry finished lamely.
"Oh, ok. I get it. Sorry I asked; I didn't mean to be rude," Ginny said quickly.
"It's ok; you weren't. By the way," Harry said trying to change the subject, "How are you and Dean doing?"
"Oh," Ginny said laughing, "Ron didn't tell you? Well, I guess he wouldn't tell you."
"Tell me what?" Harry said slowly.
"Well, Dean came over for a few hours last week to see me and we were outside. So, Ron comes outside, right, and he sees us kissing and HAS A FIT. It was hysterical."
"He did?" Harry asked laughing, "I wish I could've been there to see that."
At that moment while Harry and Ginny were laughing, Ron and Hermione came back inside still holding hands.

[Christina]

"What's so funny?" Ron asked curiously, letting go of Hermione's hand when he saw that Harry and Ginny were in the kitchen.
"Oh, nothing," Harry said still laughing.
"Okay," Ron said slowly, suspiciously looking back and forth from Harry to Ginny, "Whatever. Anyway, is dinner ready yet?" he asked looking around hopefully expecting food to appear out of thin air.
"It should be in a few minutes," Ginny said after she finally finished laughing, "We just got done setting the table."
"Oh ok," Ron said dissapointed.
"So, was that your first date?" Ginny asked sarcastically, starting to laugh again.
"Shut up, Ginny," Ron said giving her a dirty look.
Mrs. Weasley yelled, "Alright everyone, dinner's ready" before an arguement could be started. Once everyone came into the kitchen and sat down they all started talking and eating.
"So, what were you two laughing about, Ginny," Hermione asked.
"Oh," Ginny said glancing at Ron, "I was just telling Harry what happened last week when Dean came over." Ron choked on whatever he had just stuffed in his mouth. When he looked up his ears were red.
"What happened?" Hermione asked wanting to know the reason for Ron's reaction.
"Well," Ginny started, highly amused, "Ron saw us kissing and went ballistic."
"Oh, honestly, Ronald, why do you act this way whenever Ginny gets a boyfriend? She is only one year younger than you and it is not even any of your business, "Hermione shouted at Ron loud enough to sound angry but quiet enough so the adults wouldn't hear her, "How can you expect to have a relationship of your own if you can't even deal with Ginny having one?"
"Hermione, that is completely different. She is my little sister and I am her big brother. I am supposed to be protective of her."
"Yes, Ron, but you go overboard." Harry and Ginny were looking back and forth from Hermione to Ron like it was a tennis match.
"Okay, fine. I promise not to get involved in her relationships...as much," he added under his breath.
"Good," Hermione said looking satisfied with herself for winning the arguement. Hermione was smiling at Ron and Ron was smiling back. They were just staring at each other until Ginny said, "Gross! Enough already." Harry started laughing again and he saw Ron grin a little until Hermione gave Harry the death glare and they both stopped. Ginny smiled and said, "Well, I'm glad my love life gives you two a reason to drool over each other. Feel free to discuss it anytime." she said sarcastically.
"Thanks, Ginny," Hermione said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"But seriously, guys, was that your first date or what?" Ginny asked being serious this time.
Ron and Hermione glanced at each other and blushed. "I don't know, maybe." Hermione said. "Kind of," Ron said. "I guess," Hermione said.
"Well?" Harry asked, "How is it going so far then?"
Ron and Hermione glanced at each other again. "Ok, I suppose," Hermione said, "I think it could work." Harry saw Ron's hand go under the table undoubtedly going to find Hermione's. After Ron grabbed her hand they started smiling at each other again.
"Well I'm done eating," Ginny said pushing her plate away sounding disgusted.
"Yeah, me too," Harry said pushing his plate away as well.
Harry and Ginny sat in silence waiting for Ron and Hermione to finish eating, every once in a while having to wait for them to stop staring at each other again. A few minutes later, for the second time that day there was a knock at the door.