Trapped in the Wake of a Dream

After sneaking out of Honeydukes while the shopkeeper was occupied with a rather angry-looking customer, Ron and Harry made their way up to the Three Broomsticks.

Madam Rosmerta gave them reproving looks as they walked in.

"Shouldn't you two be in school? I know this isn't a Hogsmeade weekend for you," she said as she clunked 2 mugs down. "and where's that girl you two are always with?"

"That's why we're here, actually," Harry said, glancing at Ron.

"Yeah..." Ron added, not wanting to say much more.

With one more disapproving look at the two boys, Madam Rosmerta walked back towards the bar. She didn't look too mad, however, so Ron and Harry proceeded to enjoy their butterbeers.

"Mmm..." Ron muttered, wiping his lips of the last of his drink. "Well, shall we go?"

"Indeed," Harry replied, and dropped a Galleon on the table.

Ron looked momentarily torn at seeing Harry pay for another thing, but having no money, sighed and followed Harry as he walked out of the pub.

They walked along the street quietly, as it got slightly darker. The day had never been bright to begin with, it was dark in a peaceful and snowy manner. They watched the snowflakes fall under the streetlight until they reached the bookstore in which Harry had mentioned.

As they walked in, the shopkeeper grinned and welcomed them. He didn't even seem to notice they weren't supposed to be there, and they didn't offer the information.

"What can I do for you boys today?" he asked.

"I'm looking for something... for my uh, girlfriend," Ron said, and Harry turned to him and grinned.

"Oh, a gift? Here in a bookstore? Well, I have a few good ideas," the shopkeeper replied, leading them towards the back of the store.

"Er, something she'd really be surprised about, but like a lot," Ron added.

"I have here a diary, concealed as a book on ancient Transfiguration. A history book, if you will. If anyone but her opens the book, that's all they'll see, too. However, she can open it, read and write her own experiences, or whatever it is girls do with these things, and no one will ever know," he explained.

"Really? Hmm... I dunno," Ron mused, looking around.

"By the way, my name is Gerald Storey," the shopkeeper added, shaking hands with both Harry and Ron in turn. "Hang on, I have something in the back I know your girlfriend will love."

Watching the shopkeeper walk away, Harry and Ron turned to each other.

"What do you think of the diary?" Harry asked.

"It's... too cliche, if you know what I mean," replied Ron.

The shopkeeper came out of his storage room, dusting himself off and holding a large book in his hands.

"This book is everything anyone could ever need. It has 3 uses; it reads as an actual book, with more spells than one could ever even learn at your school. To read it, you just tap it and say, "Diminuendum!" before opening it up. You can use it as a storage place as well. It holds a surprisingly huge amount of things in it. Don't let the size fool you. To use it for this, tap it and say, "Finenedium!" and place your things inside. To keep them from being stolen, you close the book and place a password on it. There's instructions that come with the book to explain how to use the password function."

"Hermione would know that, eh Harry? Wow, that's great though! Look how useful that'd be!" Ron exclaimed, reaching out for the book.

"Hang on son, it also works as a diary. Just tap it and say "Renadiadum!" open it, and start writing. This can also be used with a password. The pages won't tear, rip or fade at all."

"It's perfect, she'll love it! Come on, a multi-purpose book? She'll have a heart attack," Harry said to Ron. "you have to get it."

"Wait... how much is it?" Ron asked, frowning slightly.

"Nope, nothing doing, don't even say a thing, I'm paying for it, no matter the cost," Harry replied firmly.

"But..." Ron looked frustrated. "Fine, but I'm paying you back the instant I get any gold whatsoever."

"Sure, it's all good," Harry grinned.

After paying for the book and leaving, they started to get a bit antsy about the time. They threw the invisibility cloak over themselves and climbed down back into the passageway to head back.

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"Sit down, Zabini," Hermione had sighed, "and tell me why you're here."

"I really do want help with the Potions project. I honestly thought you could help me. I don't mean any harm," he said, and she watched his face closely. He seemed to be sincere, but with a Slytherin, you could never tell.

"Did you bring your textbooks and parchment, and what you've done so far?" Hermione asked, wishing she had her own things.

"Yes, right here," he replied, pulling out his bookbag and taking his things out.

"Ah, I see a mistake already," Hermione spotted, grabbing a piece of parchment. "See where you wrote that thyme and monkshood produce a mild stinging potion when stirred together over heat? It's actually under heat, because the effects are only drawn out of the herbs when the heat comes from above."

"Oh, okay, thank you," he said sincerely, smiling at her. She hesitated, then reluctantly smiled back.

The studying took many hours, until she felt she couldn't work anymore, but promised to meet him again the next night.

------

Ginny sat in the common room, alone, thinking and wondering. So Harry was gay. She was only grateful she'd pulled on the most nonchalant face she could and laughed it off in front of him. He had no idea she still had feelings for him - but she was a Weasley and she was strong. She wouldn't let her feelings for someone take over her life.

Just as she was about to get up and leave, Hermione came through the portrait hole looking exhausted, sitting down next to Ginny and conjuring up a butterbeer for each of them. Feeling a little abandoned by the trio, Ginny felt a little resentful, but pushed it aside as useless.

"Long day?" she asked her weary companion.

"You have no idea," Hermione replied.

"Where've you been?"

"Don't ask."

"Well this is a productive conversation," Ginny said, smiling at Hermione.

"Sorry, Gin, I'm just messed up. Where's Ron?" Hermione asked, looking around as though he might be hiding somewhere.

"Him and Harry ran off on some secret mission. They wouldn't tell me anything. Probably breaking rules, though."

"They'll get caught!"

"And if they do, it's their necks, not ours."

"That's not a very good attitude!"

"But sometimes, when you can't keep them out of trouble, it's what you have to do."

"I suppose so," sighed Hermione, "but I do worry about them. They can be so foolish."

"I know," agreed Ginny.

The lapsed into silence after that, thinking of their own lives respectively. Both were less than happy; neither minded the company.

---------

Harry and Ron returned to the common room while they knew dinner was going, so as to avoid Hermione. They knew she wouldn't be fooled by the invisibility cloak if they tried to sneak by her, so they figured they'd wait until she was eating down in the Great Hall.

The plan worked well enough, and the rest of the day passed quickly. Everyone had an early evening, and not much more was accomplished.

By the next day, it seemed as though Ron and Hermione weren't even arguing anymore - in fact, they weren't doing anything at all. They talked as normal, though perhaps a little more subdued than usual.

All in all, it seemed a normal day for the Trio. And Ginny, who'd been involved with them more often lately.

"We have Transfiguration," complained Ron. "I still can't turn my cat into a dog - sixth year is hard!"

"Oh Ron, you're just not concentrating right," snapped Hermione.

Ron moaned and complained all the way to Transfiguration. Fortunately for him, he got the hang of it by the end of their class, and didn't get extra homework.

Potions was another story all together.

"Harry! You don't add the dragon egg's syrup until after the thyme!" cried Hermione, grabbing his arm to stop him.

"Oh, right, sorry," he said sheepishly.

“Ready to fail again, Potter?” drawled Malfoy from across the room.

“Yeah, that's it,” Harry replied nonchalantly.

“Wouldn't be surprised, you know, you fail at life, and fail at potions,” Draco smirked.

“Really good one, wow, that's very hurtful, I'm sure,” Hermione said, laughing.

Malfoy scowled. “He also seems to fail at keeping people around him alive, am I right?”

Without even a thought in opposition, Harry flung himself at Malfoy and attempted to punch him in the face. Drawing back his fist, he had almost reached the boy's face when Snape grabbed his arm.

“You will unhand Mr. Malfoy, you will not attack him, you and Granger will receive detentions, and you'll leave the classroom immediately. No, Potter, I don't care if you were in the middle of a potion. Out!”

Both leaving parties gave a disappointed look to Ron before exiting angrily.

“He can't do that! One of these days I'm going to jinx him into next week!” Harry fumed angrily as they walked up the stone steps away from the dungeon.

“Detention! Well, I'm not going to Snape to get it. We'll go to Dumbledore, won't we?” asked Hermione calmly. She was angry too, but kept her cool.

“Yeah,” agreed Harry.