Win a Date with Harry Potter!

~Chapter 2~ The Embarrassment

Early the next morning, Harry sent Hedwig with his reply, but he could never get up the courage to tell Hermione, as he doubted she would approve. In the course of the next few days, Harry completely forgot about the contest, what with the pressures of homework and Quidditch. A little more than a week after Harry sent his reply, he received a note from Mrs. Skowers, explaining the details of the contest and what the date would likely involve.

"What is that?" Hermione asked, leaning over the table.

"Er...just another note from Mrs. Skowers," he answered, quickly putting the letter in his bag.

"Are they still trying to get you roped into that contest?"Hermione scoffed.

"Yeah, they're just not giving up," Harry laughed nervously.

Harry had hoped that he would be able to keep this a secret from Hermione, but he was very much mistaken.

The next day, a Saturday, Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall for breakfast late. Jeers and catcalls came their way from the Slytherin table. At the other House tables, boys were laughing, but girls were looking intently at Harry.

"What's going on?" Ron asked as he took his seat next to Ginny, who was engrossed in the Daily Prophet. Ginny showed her brother the article she was reading. Ron's eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. He stared at Harry. "Did you know they would be doing this?" he asked.

"Doing what?" Harry and Hermione asked at the same time.

"I can't believe it, Harry," Ginny said, laughing as she passed the Prophet across the table.

Harry was greeted by a picture of himself, over a headline screaming: "Win A Date With Harry Potter!"

Harry felt his head hit the table, narrowly missing the butter dish.

"Harry!" Hermione said. "You actually...they got you to...I can't believe you're going to do this!"

Harry lifted his head from the table. "Yeah, I...er...yeah..."

Hermione glowered at Harry the rest of the meal, while continued to sporadically laugh. Ginny and the rest of the girls in the Great Hall kept glancing at Harry. His face stayed a bright shade of red until it was time to leave for Hogsmeade.

"I don't think I should go," said Harry as he, Ron and Hermione joined the queue to leave.

"Why not?" Ron asked.

Three second-year girls ran by, giggling.

"Oh," said Ron. "Come on. No matter where you go, this'll happen."

"Thanks, Ron. You're a real pal," said Harry.

"Yeah, I know. Let's go," said Ron.

Half an hour later, Harry, Hermione and Ron were walking past Zonko's. As they neared Honeydukes, Hermione gasped and stepped in front of the window. "Oh my gosh," she said.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Nothing," she said.

"Move over," he said, gently pushing her aside. There was a large poster of Harry's face, with the headline from the paper. There was also an address to send entries to, and details of the contest.

"I had no idea there would be so much fuss about this," said Harry. "Otherwise I never would have done this."

"Why did you do it in the first place?" Hermione asked.

"Ron made me!"

"What?" Ron asked. "No, I didn't!"

"Yes, you did!"

The two argued about it for a while, until they were interrupted by some girls asking Harry where the date would be. When the girls left, giggling, Harry turned and stomped back to the castle.

"What's he so upset about?" Hermione asked. "He got himself into this."

"I just think he's upset that you're not very supportive."

"Supportive? Supportive of what? Harry's turned himself into walking propaganda for a cleaning solution! Girls all over Britain are entering a stupid contest to win a date with him!"

"So?" asked Ron. "What if you were in his shoes?"

"I'd hold my head up high and refuse to be a part of something this silly."

Ron laughed. "Wouldn't you want every boy in the country to enter a contest to date you?"

"No! Well, maybe...ok, yeah, I guess so..." she said, smiling. "Let's go find Harry." The two turned and followed Harry's path back to Hogwarts.