Harry Potter and the Forgotten Founders

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The forbidden forest is strictly prohibited to all students unless accompanied by a teacher. As usual Mr. Filch asks that you do not do magic in the corridors in between classes. Oh, yes I can hear you all groaning so let me introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin," Dumbledore had to take a break from his speech as she Great Hall burst into applause from every table but Slytherin. "He is back again by popular demand. We had to beg him to come back. Also Hagrid will have a new assistant while teaching dragons among the sixth and seventh years, may I introduce Charlie Weasley," more applause came from everyone but the Slytherin boys. "Firenze and Trelawney will be co- teaching Divination; this should defiantly be a most unique year. We also can add a little diversity to our school we have a new transfer from the American school Tiernan; she was sorted while the first years were arriving at Hogwarts. Can everyone welcome Michelle Trouch from Tiernan, she is in Gryffindor. Let's make sure that she feels welcome. Well, I won't bore you any longer let the feast begin."

"Professor Lupin!! Isn't that great!!" exclaimed Ginny in Harry's ear.

"And your brother, Charlie too."

"Yes, but I am only a fifth year," she said sadly.

"I'm sure that you could still see him and the dragons. I mean he's your brother; he isn't going to say no. Oh, and ask Dumbledore if you can do what I'm doing, you know the training."

"Right, Operation Phoenix," she giggled.

"Yep, and Operation Hippogriff," he replied smiling broadly.

"We so need lives," Ginny giggled.

"Yep, but then again my life is sad, every year I can't wait until summer is over so I can get back to school."

"But you have to consider who your living with."

"True, but I mean they're all afraid of me now so it's good."

"I fear Fred and George if that counts."

"They scare me sometimes too. I can't wait until I am of age and then I can keep apparating everywhere."

"But who's going to take you to get your license?"

"You make a good point. I guess that maybe um, maybe Lupin can take me?"

"Or my mom or dad. They pretty much won't care."

"I know I wish I have your family sometimes, but then I think that they'd probably all be dead then, so I reconsider."

"Harry?" scolded Ginny sounding worried.

"What? Everyone I basically care about dies, if I were you I'd run," Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Sorry, Harry I'm not going to run. Everyone in my family has been in Voldemort's path for years. We hate Malfoys' remember."

"Now, they might as well be carrying around Voldemort is #1 foam fingers."

"What?"

"Oh, just things people bring to sports," he looked over at the Slytherin table, Draco was notably absent. He looked around the room.

"Harry who're you looking for?"

"Malfoy."

"Oh, he's talking to Michelle; they make a cute couple, don't they? They're over by Professor Snape," Harry looked over and sure enough they were talking to Snape, but what confused him was Professor Severus Snape was smiling ear to ear and looked like he was restraining a laugh.

****

"You said that to Lord Voldemort?" questioned Severus Snape.

"Yep, I also told my father that you were a clever bastard for leaving. I told Voldemort that I wished that Harry Potter would have killed him."

"How did he react?"

"He wants my children. It's scary, and I have to have Draco's children. Like that's going to happen!"

"I'm insulted, I'm not bad looking," Draco said sounded offended. "I'm a lot hotter than Harry Potter. You don't see him with a fan club unless you count the camera boy and Ginny Weasley."

"The camera boy?" just then Colin Creevy walked up and took a picture of Michelle.

"Colin Creevy, I want to show my dad the American exchange student."

"Hello?" she said looking baffled.

"Are you two dating?" he looked back and forth between Draco and Michelle.

"No, but we have to mate," said Draco flatly, Michelle nodded in agreement. Colin looked disturbed.

"I best be going now," he walked back to the Gryffindor table, and sat down next to his younger brother Dennis. They talked for a second and then looked at Draco and Michelle who waved to them in reply.

"See camera boy, he's most annoying. Sometimes you just want to drop-kick him," said Draco. They turned back to Snape. "Anyway when Voldemort told us we had to get married, we were distraught until he threatened to kill us, but then we kind of agreed. He then he wiped under his eyes and said that we would have beautiful children together. It was most amusing."

"He cried! That isn't very like him. He's usually kill, maim, torture, gurgle, die."

"Gurgle? Anyway, ten galleons say that he's trying to get us to fall in love so we can be the Ultimate weapon for him."

"I know that guy has issues, everything's always me, me, me. I mean one day he's going to get exactly what he deserves. I just hope that I'm there," said Michelle.

"Last year was so stupid, all he wanted was that dull prophecy. I told him that all it probably said that Harry Potter is the only person who he can be killed by and vise versa, but my father smacked me upside the head and said 'don't be thick boy.' I'm thick, that was rich coming from someone who was a bit mad. My father always said that it's better to be at the right hand of the devil than in his path."

"Oh he so ripped off that quote!" said Michelle.

"He ripped off the quote?"

"Yep, don't you people watch movies? The mummy, Benny says it."

"Ah, movies that thing that muggles watch on something called a television right?"

"Yes, but in America everyone watches T.V."

"All I ever do is memorize stupid books. I had to read Hogwarts, A History seven times."

"I read that book, it was really long, and really boring. I took me a year; let's just say that I would rather be reading Lord of the Rings, not that those books are a barrel of laughs either. They go into so much detail sometimes half of a page describes the sunset. That's why I like the movie better, plus you got the visual aids like Orlando Bloom and Viggo Mortensen."

"Who and who?" asked Draco.

"Don't you know anything? I swear it's like talking to my younger brother, except at least he knows what a TV is. Oh and by the way my brother is three."

"Hey, it's not my fault my father never liked anything to do with muggles."

"Okay fine then I'll explain. Orlando Bloom is my future husband and is so unbelievably hot that it really isn't funny, he plays Legolas in the movies. Legolas is an elf, so he stays clean throughout the whole movie so you need a rugged hottie and that's where Viggo comes in. He plays Aragorn a ranger and a future king."

"Oh okay, is that the book where the guy makes a ring that can take over the world?"

"Yep."

"Okay, now I know what your talking about. Voldemort idolizes Sauron. In fact one time he called all of the death eaters so incompetent that he should make some orcs, because at least they wouldn't fail. "

"I can see how he would want orcs. I can also see how he would idolize another psychopath."

"You better go back up to your dormitories it's getting late," interrupted Severus Snape, with a look of sheer amusement on his face.

"Alright, have a good night professor," said Draco and Michelle in unison. They were walking toward the entrance to the dungeons, when Michelle stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes were big and she smiled.

"Who's that, he's really rather attractive."

"Him?!" exclaimed Draco. He put his hand up to her forehead. "What's wrong with you? You don't feel like you have a fever, because if you think that Longbottom is attractive you might want to see Madam Pomphrey," he shook his read and then retreated down to the dungeons. "Good night you...you...you know I can't even think of a word, and when that happens it is so utterly terrible that I lose self confidence for a day. Good Night," When she turned away Neville was gone, she mumbled to herself and then walked up to the Gryffindor common room.

****

"Harry!! Harry!! He's going to let me do it!! I have a class with you!!"

"That's great!!"

"You get to do what, Gin!!" asked Ron.

"Oh, um look at the dragons!!"

"Oh, because you know we never visit Charlie in Romania," he said sarcastically, flipping through Quidditch Weekly. Hermione then rushed into the dormitory with a bunch of timetables, she handed them out to everyone. She then went on and told Ron off for not helping her.

"Tuesday's from hell!! Look at this double Potions with the Slytherins, a free period, History of Magic, and then Divination!" exclaimed Ron.

"At least classes don't start until next week," said Harry in reply.

"I hope that I'm caught up in everything," said Michelle.

"Don't worry if you aren't I can help you," offered Hermione.

"Thank you that would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait until potions, I have it was Draco and Professor Snape seems really nice," everyone in the room stared at her. "What? A girl can't have an opinion?"

"So do you like Malfoy?" Hermione asked changing the subject.

"No, not like that, although I am supposed to marry him."

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. We just understand each other is all."

"What do you understand? He's not a fellow many people have things in common with."

"He is if your father beats you within an inch of your life," she looked at her watch. "I better be going to bed, I'm drained."

****

"Good morning," said Michelle happily when she came downstairs from the girl's dormitory. "Did everyone sleep well?" They all nodded somewhat reluctantly, because Harry had a dream last night that he had just been explaining to Ron and Hermione. He really didn't have a choice because he had woken up the whole boy's dormitory with his screams.

"Yes, I slept quite well, thank you Michelle?" answered Hermione politely.

"Hermione there's something you're going to find out eventually so I have to tell you. If I don't you and you're scoobies will find out."

"Scoobies?"

"You know Buffy?" when Hermione shook her head and looked clueless Michelle continued, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the television show."

"Oh! What was it that you have to tell me?"

"Well I didn't exactly draw on the dark mark, I got it last July."

"What?!" Hermione sounded shocked then Michelle went into the whole story on what Voldemort had said and what she replied. "You said all of that to Vol-Voldemort."

"Yep, and he found me greatly amusing, especially since I offered him the Midol."

"Why, would you do a thing like that?"

"I don't know, he didn't take it because if he would've he would have been surprised that it wasn't really Midol, but ecstasy, and when he was high enough I was going to convince him that he could fly. If only things were simpler," Hermione looked at her sternly, she sighed. "I don't take ecstasy you moron, I bought it especially since I had the whole evening planned out, he would take the 'midol' and I would kill him. Oh well, its best that I go take those tests to see where I am performance wise."

"What do you mean?"

"They want me to take a pretest, you know to see what I know," she headed toward the portrait. "Good-bye all."

****

"Wake up, Potter!!" shouted the head-of-house Professor McGonagall.

"Wha?" Harry mindlessly droned, before he came to his senses. "What did I do?"

"Guilty conscious, huh," said Ron from the corner. "You were screaming, you prat!! Something about Maria, I swear Neville almost pissed his---"

"I need to speak to Potter," acknowledged McGonagall after shooting Ron a look of absolute venom that cut him off from finishing his sentence. "That means leave!!!"

The four other boys ran to the door. McGonagall sat on the bed looking at Harry with a motherly expressing, with the thoughts of the fateful night nearly 15 years ago that took his parents life. "Harry, what's bothering you? You have been screaming in your sleep for the last three nights, screaming the name Sirius, or in tonight's case, Maria. If you don't want to discuss it with me I could run and get the headmaster."

"It's nothing, really. I just keep having this dream about the founders, and then I see Sirius or sometimes a girl and a quill get jabbed into his or her throat."

"A quill? Sssurly not a yellow quill?"

"I don't recall telling you about the color, but now that you think of it was yellow."

"We need to go to the headmaster, now," she rapidly leaped up and dashed toward the door. Harry followed her, up to the headmaster's office. "Albus, come quickly."

"Minerva and Mr. Potter, for what do I owe this pleasure."

"Harry tell him about the dream," after a half a seconds pause she snapped, "Spit it out Potter."

"Well, Headmaster I had this dream about this girl, well not always sometimes she turns into Sirius, but I haven't ever seen her before. She turned around and there was a yellow quill stuck in her throat, then I heard the cackling I remember from when my parents died and then I see Voldemort, but he turns into someone who looks a lot like Draco Malfoy, but older and with black hair. Then I see a man, who looks exactly like Ron's older brother Charlie. He came running towards her and shouting 'Maria! Maria!' Then she got up and pulled the quill out of her throat and ran in the opposite direction, not bleeding at all actually."

"Yes, I have heard of this dream before," said Dumbledore peering over his half-moon spectacles. "Can you describe Maria?"

"Yeah, she has long, dark hair that ended a couple of inches below her shoulders, and dark, brown eyes. She wasn't too bad looking. She had a ring on, it was gold, with little engravings on it, and it was in English it said something like the key to my heart is...."

"Love and a kiss can unlock my past. Sounds like Drucilla Clearwater, doesn't it Minerva," said Albus Dumbledore.

"Ah, Miss Clearwater, a lovely young girl, except she hung out with the wrong crowd. She was in Slytherin if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, Minerva by choice, she really belonged in Gryffindor, but she fell in love with Tom Riddle."

"You didn't see one without the other, until she abruptly dumped him after the Camber of Secrets was opened, in his fifth year. If I recall correctly he begged for her forgiveness, she accepted and then he joined forces Grindelwald. She left him again and then she disappeared 31 years later, without a trace, no kids, only a sister."

"Sorry if I'm being rude, but what does this have to do with anything?" interrupted Harry.

"Oh it has to do with everything Mr. Potter; it has to do with everything."

****

"He didn't tell you anything else?" quizzed Hermione Granger, the next morning, after Harry told them about the dream and the late night visit to Dumbledore.

"I've said it once, and I'll say it again Dumbledore is off his rocker," Ron said and then flinched from the look Hermione gave him.

"Don't worry Harry it's probably just post-traumatic stress," said Hermione soothingly.

"No, wait I know something," Ron interjected he thought for a second then, "Um, oh yeah Charlie-"

"Ron, Harry said he saw a Charlie look-alike in his dream."

"No, Charlie used to have the exact same dream. One time when he was home for the summer he woke everyone in the house up screaming 'Don't hurt her!' 'Maria!' and 'You will rot in hell for this you bastard!' When we woke him up he put his head in his hands and rocked back and forth chanting Maria. I wonder who she was."

"That's precisely what I'm going to find out. Her name was Maria Ravenclaw? I'll try some books on the founders."

****

"Potter can you tell me what you did wrong with this potion?" asked Professor Snape.

"I didn't--"

"You didn't what? Crush the beetles properly. Yes, that would be correct. Five points from Gryffindor," he walked over to the next cauldron. "Mr. Longbottom this is the first potion that you have done that hasn't turned out soup. Would it be a new you? I think not, I think that it would be your partner, Miss Trouch. Yes, ten points to Gryffindor, for being ahead of many of your peers on your first day," Michelle smiled at him, he nodded back at her.

"Thank you sir," she said cheerily, smiling at Neville.

"I don't get it how does she get on his good side, no Gryffindor ever does that," asked Ron. "Maybe it's because she's an item with Malfoy."

"They're not an item. They just understand each other is all," interrupted Hermione.

"Who could understand Malfoy?" asked Ron.

"Someone else who's father is a prick and beats them within an inch of their life."

"What? I always thought that Malfoy was a spoiled rotten prick, who was very fond of his father."

"Oh, he didn't have a choice. He had to like his father."

"Why?"

"Or he would die."

"How do you know all of this Hermione?" asked Harry, who had spoken for the first time.

"Michelle told me, she basically had the same life," then she went on and explained everything that Michelle had told her, about the death eaters and whatnot.

"Wow, some people have all the luck."

"Ron, what are you talking about?"

"I mean she talked to You-Know-Who like that and then she's still here."

"Ron you're hopeless."

"What? What did I do?"

****

"Halloween! I love it!" squealed Michelle on the steps of the great hall.

"Yes, because it's always so much fun," said Draco sarcastically, "Maybe if we're lucky someone will let a troll in."

"A troll?"

"Yeah, I just hope that I get to see it this time."

"Draco do you smoke?" she asked.

"No, why?"

"Because you always seemed to me to be a smoker, you have a drawling voice and I can picture you flicking a cigarette in between sentences. Anyway, did you get a costume?"

"A costume?"

"You know you usually dress up on Halloween."

"No, I don't do that, do you?"

"Yes I do, this year I'm an angel."

"I'd like to see you wear that tonight to the feast."

"Is that a dare Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes, it is."

"Fine, I'll wear my costume even if everyone else isn't."

****

Michelle walked into the Halloween feast wearing her angel outfit, with wings and a halo. She didn't really care that everyone was staring at her, she was dared to do something and she did it. She spotted Draco across the hall followed by the usual people. The Slytherins were hanging on his every word.

"It must be nice," she said to herself, then Draco's head popped up and he smiled at her. He looked so much nicer when he smiled then when he scowled. Why was he so mean and nasty all the time were some of the things that went through her mind as Draco detached himself from his friends and made his way over.

"You're a sight, I didn't think that you'd do it."

"Well I never back out of a dare. Plus I like this outfit."

"It's alright," he said, "I'm a guy I don't like frilly, fluffy things, especially frilly, fluffy things with sparkles on them."

"Let's face it you're in denial."

"Yes, I am gay, didn't you get the memo?"

"You're always sarcastic! Loosen up! It's Halloween; you should have a happy disposition, like me!"

"Since when do you have a happy disposition?"

"Since right now!"

"You're very strange do you know that?"

"I've been told that, but live life to the fullest, because if you died tomorrow, you'd be dead," he gave her a look that plainly said that she was crazy.

"What? Oh course I'd be dead if I died tomorrow!" he said, but he was now smiling. "I think that you should lay off of the sugar for awhile Shell."

"Accio stereo!" she yelled, a few seconds a very large stereo came hurling towards her. Students were dodging and diving out of the way. Michelle screamed and ducked so the stereo slammed into Draco who caught it, but was knocked backwards.

"That's going to leave a mark," he said through gritted teeth.

"I am so sorry Draco. Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine; did you just all of a sudden have an urge to kill me? Did you just decide you wanted to be an angel of death? No, wait you were trying to kill me so then I could die and be dead, right? To prove a point."

"Sorry," she said smiling sweetly. "I though that this place need music. Oh look Hermione's coming over."

"Oh joy!" Draco said sarcastically.

****

"I can't believe that we still haven't found anything," sighed Hermione who was playing with her food on the night of the Halloween feast.

"Cheer up Herm! Its Halloween be happy! We've been friends six years today," he smiled and it must have been contagious because she smiled back at him.

"You're hopeless Ron! Harry's had that dream five more times and most of the books I checked she isn't even in there. Most of the books on the Founders are in the restricted section," then all of a sudden a large stereo whipped through the air and knocked Draco backwards.

"Holy shit! That was great!" yelled Ron, then he turned back to Hermione, "Buck up, we'll find it eventually. We always do," then he turned to Harry. "You have to stop having those dreams if you want anyone in Gryffindor to get some sleep."

"Sorry," he mumbled. Hermione then leapt up and ran towards Draco Malfoy and Michelle.

"Wonder what that's about?" Ron asked, as they watched Hermione grabbed Michelle's hands and looked like she was talking 1,000 miles per hour. They hugged and Hermione came running back to the Gryffindor table.

"Doesn't Michelle look so cute!" she squealed.

"I guess, if you like frilly and fluffy stuff," answered Ron. Hermione gave him an oh-please-you-like-it-you're-just-afraid-to-admit-it look, and Ron flinched.

"Herm, why do you have to give me looks? Why can't you just say what you are thinking?"

"Because it's so much easier to give you the look and admire your bothered reaction," Ron threw his hands up and walked down to talk to Dean and Seamus, Harry followed. Hermione hung back a minute mouthed 'you look so cute' to Michelle and then fled up the stair to the library to do some last minute research. After she left Michelle walked up to Dumbledore, who nodded and she blared her music and started a dance.

"This just got a hell of a lot more interesting," acknowledged Harry.

"Should we get Hermione?" asked Ron.

"Maybe, we should."

"I think that we should," Ron ran up to fetch Hermione, while Harry was surrounded by a group of third year girls asking him to dance.

"Hermione!" shouted Ron from across the library. He got a death look from both Madam Pince and Hermione. So he decided to walk across the room and talk to her one on one. He flopped down on the seat next to Hermione, "What are you reading?"

"Mysteries of Hogwarts Unraveled," she said matter-of-factly, tilting the book up and showing him the cover.

"Well there's no time for that, there is a dance downstairs and you can't miss it."

"Why can't I miss it?"

"Because you have been up here way to much and you need to let off a little steam."

"Fine, it's not like I'll find anything tonight anyway."

"Now there is a winning attitude."

"Just let me do something first, Achleio," she said and her hair started to straighten out.

"Wow neat! When did you learn that?"

"Last summer."

"Oh, shall we go?"

"We shall!" they walked down the stairs and into the Great Hall. There they saw Harry with a group of giggling girls.

"No sorry I don't think that I could possibly dance with you, I am still healing from a summer breakup."

"Oh poor baby!" said one of the third years patting him on the back.

"Oh, I don't mean to pry but was she a muggle?" asked a Slytherin girl.

"Shouldn't you be hanging around Draco?" Harry asked.

"He won't talk to me," she sighed. "Oh well, you will. Just because you're still healing doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a dance."

"Actually it does you see he's trying to win back this girls heart, she goes here, and if she sees him dancing with you he doesn't have a chance," interrupted Hermione.

"He could play hard to get," said Ron. Harry gave him a look of spite. "Oh shove all of your looks already. I get looks of spite, malice, and venom almost hourly now! Cut it out you two! I say what I say, and I don't think before I say it. So you have to ignore half the things that come out of my mouth. Last year I just all of a sudden started saying mate, I don't even know where it came from."

"Sorry?" asked Harry.

"Come again?" asked Hermione giving him an innocent look.

"Oh you two just...suck!"

"Strong comeback Weasley," they heard a drawling voice from behind them say. "You might want to compile a list of cuss words first, then insults, I believe that it helps beginners. Try doing one cuss word for each letter of the alphabet now that gets hard once you get to g."

"Was this a conversation you are apart of Malfoy?" asked Hermione.

"No, but I always do pop in at the most convenient timing, just to say something vindictive. I'm rather talented at it if I do say so myself."

"Shouldn't you be off hexing someone because they insulted your family name?" asked Harry.

"Nope, my family name is crap. I'm thinking about permanently changing my last name to something like Smith," then he laughed, "Who am I kidding? Names still count for something, even if my father is in Azkaban."

"Right where he belongs!" sneered Harry.

"Agree with you on that one Potter. He was suited for that place."

"If you think that then why did you try hexing me last year?"

"Oh that! I needed to make it look like I cared. He wasn't convicted yet," he said and with that walked away over to Michelle and his Slytherin friends.

"He just gets stranger every time you see him," stated Ron. "Hey Hermione?"

"Yes Ron?"

"You know the Yule Ball?" he asked, she smiled very broadly.

"What about it?"

"Remember how you went with Victor Krum?"

"Yes, I do."

"Whatever happened to him. I mean obviously he still plays Quidditch, but what about you and him."

"We're friends, I told him that it would never work out and I was interested in someone else."

"Oh. Who!?" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Honestly Ron!" she exclaimed and then walked off.

"What did I say?"

****

"I've found something!!!" Hermione yelled, from down the hall to Harry and Ron. "Let's go to the Library."

"Hermione we have History of Magic," said Harry.

"So this is history, we'll discuss it all during class, like Binns will notice."

"What?" stared Ron in disbelief, throwing his arm around her. "Harry we have been a bad influence on Hermione."

When they reached the classroom Hermione open her book and then began to read in a hushed voice. "Maria was the sister of Hogwarts founder Rowena Ravenclaw. Maria didn't not excel at magic as her sister. She is known for her wondrous singing voice and her flings with Godric Gryffindor and especially Salazar Slytherin, who she claimed was her true love. All the bloodshed started when Maria found her sister kissing her longtime crush Salazar Slytherin. Maria then fled into the arms of Godric Gryffindor, where she was soon betrothed and then married. The day after their marriage Maria found Godric in bed with her older sister. When she was fleeing the castle she ran into Slytherin and her love for him rekindled, they began a three year romance that ended when Salazar abruptly stuck a quill in Maria's throat after Rowena wanted him back. Salazar wanted Rowena, but couldn't bare to see Maria with anyone else. William Hufflepuff, the brother of Helga Hufflepuff, and Maria's best friend, was the first one at the scene of the attempt at murder. He cursed Salazar and cradled Maria in his arms. Most people say that he was madly in love with her. She was presumed for dead but then she jumped up and took the quill out of her throat with no trace of blood present, and ran away never to be seen again."

"Wow, she had it rough. Sad that she didn't notice William at all, she probably could've been happier. I can kind of see where she's coming from, I mean always outdone by my siblings. It kind of sucks, although it was far more drastic from her point of view," stated Ron, he took the book; Hermione looked at him fondly, as he flipped through the pages. "Is this her? She's pretty."

Hermione glanced at the old picture that looked liked it was drawn. She had to take a second look because the young girl in the picture looked so familiar. She just couldn't place it. . Then she looked at Ron, without him they wouldn't be friends. If he hadn't insulted her then she wouldn't have needed to be saved, and she wouldn't have lied and they wouldn't have been friends. She desperately wanted him to ask her to the upcoming Yule Ball that settled it she wouldn't go with anyone else until he asked. "Harry, what did Drusilla's ring say again?" asked Ron.

"The key to my heart is love, and a kiss can unlock my past. Wait, no, yeah that's it," replied Harry.

"Maria had the exact same one. See," he showed Harry and Hermione the picture.

"Ron I could kiss you!!" squealed Hermione.

"By all means, kiss away," retorted Ron. Hermione didn't like his cockiness, so she pulled him in and gave him a quick kiss and then giggled.

"What was that for?" asked Ron after a minutes silence, with the exception of Harry when he snorted with laughter.

"That was for making me come to my senses. Drucilla Clearwater was a descendant of Maria Ravenclaw. I mean she has to be, and whose brother dated a Clearwater."

"Percy still isn't on speaking terms with anyone in my family currently and at any rate, I doubt that his fiancé would be."

"Percy is engaged!!" Hermione squealed.

"I heard Fred telling Ginny that he knocked her up so they had to get married," replied Ron. That's when they realized that the whole class was staring at them.

"It's rather like a soap opera!!" yelled Dean.

"As interesting as this is I would like you all to get back to your studies," droned Binns. That's when Hermione's hand flew up into the air.

"Professor, I was just wondering about the founders. Particularly about Maria Ravenclaw's ring. I assume that you couldclarify it. It says key to my heart is love and a kiss can unlock my past," Binns looked slightly startled at someone asking a question.

"Since it pertains somewhat to history then I believe that I will answer this question, as well as I can, since it particularly interested me while I was living. Now there were many philosophies on this ring, because it was seen being worn by an exact replica of Maria whenever it was seen. Now myth is that she was so traumatized when Salazar Slytherin tried to murder her, unsuccessfully, that she ran off. Then a few years later a young girl who was exactly like Maria at that age was spotted. Myth has it that she is doomed to repeat life over and over again until she finds her one true love whom she lost all those years ago. Now the Goblin Rebellions...."

"Wow, he actually answered my question without a debate on myths this time, remember second year,"

"When you turned into the cat, or when you were petrified?" questioned Ron.

"Ha Ha just because it was the worst year of my life does not mean that you have to make jokes about it Ronald Weasley."

"Okay, you guys break it up! Would her true love be um Slytherin?" asked Harry, he was frankly getting tired of all this arguing between Hermione and Ron.

"I highly doubt that Harry since he tried to kill her."

"My guess would be William, he was head over heels in love with her," stated Ron.

"But the feeling wasn't mutual, and I doubt that William is doomed to repeat the same pattern."

"You never know Charlie could be over a thousand...Poor Charlie. Hermione, remember your philosophy when in doubt check the library."

"Now you're just making me do it. Maria Ravenclaw and William Hufflepuff two people who have nothing to do with the founding of this school, and yet everything to do with anything."

"What are you going on about?" asked Ron. "That didn't make any sense!"

****

Ginny was now officially a Gryffindor chaser, along with Michelle and Dean. Sloper and Kirke did resign and Colin and Dennis Creevy were the new beaters. The team was looking up. Ginny and Harry did their animagus training, every night together with McGonagall. One night after training Ginny burst out in tears.

"Ginny, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Dean and I just broke up. Now, I don't have anyone to go with to the Yule Ball with."

"Ginny, there are still a couple of weeks before the Yule Ball I'm sure you'll find someone to go with. Why did Dean break up with you?" she hugged him.

"Because I'm spending too much time with you, and the time that we train he thinks that we're snogging," she cried into his chest.

"What?" she looked up into his eyes, hers were wet with tears.

"He's jealous of you Harry."

"Of what?"

"Us snogging."

"But we haven't," Harry said getting annoyed.

"I know. Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go to the Yule Ball with me, maybe, if you aren't going with anyone else? Are you going with anyone else? If your not it would be strictly as friends, and I'm rambling. Please Harry."

"That would be nice Ginny," she hugged him tighter. "Thank you, Harry," she grabbed his hand and they made their way to the Common Room. It was pretty late so they were confident that no one else would see them walk in together, save for Ron and Hermione.

****

"Oh my dear God!!!" screamed Professor Trelawney.

"Let me guess I'm going to die," said Harry sarcastically. She shook her head. "I see you going back 1,000 years with 3 other people, and the two siblings. Back when Hogwarts was founded," her voice was deeper than usual. She snapped back into reality. "You are tainted with death, I can smell it on you."

"Thanks for the warning professor."

"It is my job. Class dismissed, and a three foot long paper on the founders and the siblings of the founders Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. I find myself very interested with them all of a sudden."

Harry packed up his stuff, "Ron that was an actual prediction. Did you hear how her voice got deeper? It was kind of freaky how she mentioned the founders."

"Yeah, weird. Better not mention it to Hermione or she'll just yell at you saying it's nonsense."

"Who are you going to the Yule Ball with?" Harry asked randomly.

"No one, yet, but I'll find someone. You?"

"I'm going with your sister. She asked me last night."

"Ginny asked you? What about Dean?"

"Evidentially they broke up. He was jealous that she was spending so much time with me."

"Yeah, where are you guys going every night?"

"Promise you won't tell. You can't tell anyone," he dropped his voice, "We're going to be animagi."

"What!?"

"Shhhh!!! I'm a hippogriff and Ginny's a phoenix."

"No shit!!"

"Dean thought that we were going off to snog every night. Like we are going to snog in front of McGonagall, and then Ginny offers support during Occlumency lessons, Dumbledore doesn't mind."

"No offence, but I thought that you guys were snogging too. I was just happy that she was dating you over Dean that I didn't say anything."

"How many people thought that we were snogging in the halls late at night?"

"Oh, everyone. Hermione looked hot in forth year," said Ron randomly.

"I know that you thought that. It was really evident; you wouldn't even dance with your date. You stared at Hermione all night."

"I think that I'll go ask her to the ball...right now. See you Harry," he ran off.

"Just make sure that you don't freak her out, by staring at her all night again, she'll think you're having impure thoughts!" Harry yelled after him.

"Who says I'm not!?" Ron yelled back, "Bye Harry."

****

"Oy, Hermione!!"

"Yeah Ron."

"Um, I was just wondering that if you weren't going with anyone else then maybe we could I don't know go to the Yule Ball together," he flinched on expecting a 'no'.

"Sure, Ron, that would be fine."

"Really!"

"Yes, really."

"Cool, I mean good. Well, see you later."

"Bye."

"Wait, would you like to help me. I have a paper to do on the Founders."

"From who?"

"Trelawney, she predicted that Harry was going to go back in time with three people and the two siblings. So she wants three feet on them."

"Wow, you actually are doing something constructive in her class. Maybe we should give her some confidence and then tell her about the dreams."

"No, I don't think so then she'll just think that she is the Ultimate Seer, again, and then I bet Harry will die in the alternate universe."

I can't believe that he asked me out!!! I wonder if I should kiss him or wait until the Yule Ball. I'll wait, unless he does something really sweet. I have to look really good that night if he's going to pay attention to just me. I wonder if there's a better hair straightening charm, the night of the Halloween dance my hair started to frizz within an hour. I'll look into it. I can't wait until the Yule Ball. It's only five and a half weeks away. I wonder if I should give Ron a hard time about me being a girl. No, I'll try to stay away from shouting matches as far as he's concerned. I need to stop looking at him. Her brain was buzzing she was so happy. She was going to the Yule Ball with Ron.

"Um, Hermione?"

"Yes, Ron."

"Whose idea was Hogwarts Rowena or Maria?"

"I've read different theories, but I think that it was Maria's idea and the first person she told was Rowena and so Rowena took all of the credit."

"Wow what a bitch! Thanks! That's what I was leaning toward, but I wanted your opinion, because you are the smartest person in school, and your opinion is more important to me than the teachers."

"Thank you, your opinion means a lot to me too. I mean a compliment means more when it comes from you than anyone else. Do you think that it's because we're always in a constant battle?"

"I think that's the most part of it," he said as the top of his ears turning slightly red. "Hermione? Um, there's something that I wasn't to tell you, but I don't know how to put it so I'm just going to say it. I like you as more than a friend and I want you not only to go to the dance with me, but to be my girlfriend. Since you kissed me in Binns's class you're all that I can think about. I know that it only lasted like threw seconds but will you go to Hogsmeade with me in three weeks?" he said really quickly. There was a couple minutes silence, "Hermione? Stupid question, stupi--" he got cut off because she leaned across the table and kissed him.

"Ron?"

"Umm."

"I'd love to go to Hogsmeade with you. One question: How are we going to get rid of Harry?"

"Easy! We'll fix him up with Ginny. She's still in love with him."

"Really? What about Dean?"

"She dumped him for Harry, but she told Harry that Dean broke up with her and that Dean was jealous of Harry. For sympathy points."

"So they haven't been snogging in to corridors late at night."

"Nope," An owl flew over and landed on Hermione's arm. "Hello, Lysander. What have you got for me today? A letter from Evelynn. EVELYNN!!"

"What about her?"

"She looks like Maria!!"

"What? That picture I wouldn't show you, look," she pulled the picture out from in her bag. "I didn't want you to look because I thought that you would think that she was prettier that I am so..."

"Hermione, I don't think that anyone's prettier than you are."

"Really?"

"No one. No one's smarter either," he kissed her. Harry walked in to spy to see how it was going. He saw the two of them kissing; it was a very deep kiss. Should I go over there and embarrass them? That would be funny to see Ron's face. I think that I will.

"Come up for air you two!" he said as he sat down next to them. "I take it that she said yes. You're lucky that I said something before Madam Pince came over here. She looked appalled. God forbid you get drool on one of her books," Hermione covered her face with her hand, and Ron's ears became as red as his hair.

"I'm going to go far away from you now Harry," said Hermione. She stormed off.

"I think that I embarrassed her."

"No, really you think," Ron sarcastically said.

"Yes, and I think that she is waiting outside of the library for you to come out."

"Really? Oh and Harry, Hermione and I are going to the Hogsmeade weekend for a date, and I was wondering if you could do something with Ginny."

"Sure. You better hurry before she goes back to the common room."

****

"Okay Harry and Ginny today I want to try and hold your animagus form for as long as possible," Harry transfigured into a Hippogriff and it wasn't a pleasant feeling it felt like every bone in his body was being broken, he suddenly felt very sorry for Professor Lupin. Ginny transfigured into a Phoenix next to him. She was even more beautiful than Fawkes. Her feathers looked a lot like her hair, red tipped with orange. Ginny couldn't hold into her animal form for more than a few minutes. Harry could go an hour without being able to transfigure back.

"Very good Harry," praised Professor McGonagall. "Ginny remember Potter has been doing this a few weeks before you even started so don't get discouraged. That will be all. Oh, Harry no Occlumency lessons today Dumbledore had to visit the ministry for a conference with Fudge. God I hope that man loses in the next election," Ginny and Harry made their way slowly to the common room.

"I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me at the three broomsticks this weekend, while Ron and Hermione have their date."

"Sure Harry."

"Okay so see you then."

"It's a date. Ron and Hermione? Really?"

"I just saw them snogging in the library. Don't tell anyone. I still think that Hermione's touchy on the subject. When I talked about drool..."

"Harry! You talked about drool!! No wonder Hermiones pissed. You never ever do that. How did you word it?"

"I told her that Madam Pince was going to get mad because they got drool on the books."

"I would've slapped you good."

"Sorry, I'll never ever do it again," he said making puppy dog eyes at her.

"Harry, stop that," she snorted swatting him playfully. "Michelle, is good in potions, right?"

"Yeah, I guess Snape likes her as much as he likes Draco. That's saying something coming from him."

"Okay, thanks," she started to walk off, he grabbed her arm.

"Why do you ask?"

"It was just that, well, I'm failing potions and I'm concerned with my O.W.L's coming up and everything, so I wondered if she could tutor me."

"Oh. Okay."

"Well, I have to go, see you later. I have to talk to Michelle."

****

"So Harry where do you want to go??" Ginny questioned on the Hogsmeade weekend.

"I don't know, do you think we should check out your brothers' shop. I really want to get out of History of Magic this week."

"Sounds like a plan. I would skip class, but with O.W.L.'s. It's rather frustrating, you know. Are they as hard as everyone makes them out to be?"

"Oh there hard, but I think you'll do fine. If I can get eleven, anyone can. I didn't even hand in the History of Magic Test. I fell asleep."

"What?!"

"Yep, I made up for it in Defense Against the Dark Arts," they walked into the Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Harry noticed right away the abundant lack of Slytherins. It was set up like an old sweets shop. Harry notice that they had ice cream.

"Um, Fred?"

"What would you like Harry?"

"Is that regular ice cream?"

"For the most part. The flavors on the end were created by George and me. If you're going for the regular, you might want to stick to the solid color ones. "

"Is that the truth?" questioned Ginny.

"Yes, flavors like Neapolitan turn you into a spectrum of colors."

"What flavor do you want?"

"I think that I'll stick to chocolate."

"Can we have two chocolate ice creams please Fred?" asked Harry.

"Coming right up," Fred scooped some ice cream and handed a cone to Ginny and one to Harry. Harry paid him a galleon and they sat down and very cautiously ate their ice cream. They finished their ice cream and their cones. When the cone was gone Harry felt like something was wrong. Ginny finished the ice cream and cone at the a little before him and he noticed that her skin took the texture of the cone.

"Ginny, does my skin look like a waffle cone?" she nodded.

"Does mine," Harry nodded as well. "Fred!!"

"Hey it wasn't the ice cream was it? It was the cone," Harry noticed that Ginny was starting to crumble, in a few seconds she was all over. Was the same thing happening to him? Then all of a sudden she popped back up as herself, with a slight glow around her. Harry felt himself falling apart. In the next couple of seconds he was all over and then whole again. By this time Ginny's aura was gone, then his aura disappeared and he and Ginny started to laugh.

"Next time I think I'll get it in a cup," Ginny laughed. They were on their way to the Three Broomsticks when they saw Draco Malfoy rapidly walking towards Hogwarts, with a look of sheer terror on his face. "What's his problem?"

"I don't know?" answered Harry. Malfoy now broke into a run. "Should we follow him? Maybe question him a bit."

"Like he'll answer, but it's worth a try," they sped after him. Ginny yelled. "Malfoy wait up."

"Potter? Weasley? What do you want?" he said and spun around.

"You look terrible, what happened?" asked Ginny.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," he said and then dashed up the stairs to Hogwarts.

"See, I told you that he wouldn't answer. He's just self-obsessed as always."

"I'm still curious."

"So am I, but what do you think we should say? 'Hey Malfoy, we saw you fleeing in fear and wanted to know what was up.'"

"Maybe we should say that," she shrugged. "I guess it's not our business."

****

"Malfoy, where's Michelle?" asked Ginny.

"You're who I'm supposed to be tutoring?"

"No, I asked Michelle to tutor me."

"Yes, and she asked me to take over for her."

"Oh! Look you don't have to if you don't want to."

"Never mind that, it's fine. I've got nothing else to do other than boss Crabbe and Goyle around which gets boring," he sighed, Ginny laughed.

"Is there something wrong with them?"

"No, they are just really slow. My guess would be that they were dropped on their heads as young children. Not necessarily young, I guess. They probably jumped off of the roof when they were ten, you never know. When I asked they just stared stupidly," Ginny smiled.

"So where should we start?"

"I think that we should start with crushing beetles."

"Is Michelle sick?"

"She claimed to be, but she's probably just off snogging with her boyfriend."

"Oh, who's her boyfriend?" asked Ginny.

"Okay, I laughed for days when she told me but she's going out with Longbottom," Ginny dropped her spoon.

"Neville?" she said in disbelief. "I just always assumed that you and she were..."

"Nope, we're just friends. I mean once you get past me being a total and complete asshole to everyone I've met, I'm actually not that bad," he smirked at her, she laughed. "So what about you and Potter?"

"Harry?"

"Yes, Harry, do you know any other Potter?"

"No, I guess not. Um, well there's nothing to tell."

"I see. So you just went to Hogsmeade together. While Granger and Ron were snogging in the coffee place, I witnessed it."

"Really, who were you in there with?"

"I made the unfortunate mistake of going with Michelle and Neville. I had never been in there before and I like coffee, but that mental image is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I'm surprised I stay composed long enough to make it back into my room, so I could scream without anyone hearing. Now, I'm really good at hiding what I'm thinking, but that was just traumatizing. That's what I was running from at Hogsmeade."

"God, I can just imagine. Neville and Michelle?"

"Michelle was voted best kisser in the school and everything."

"Guys do that, too?"

"Do what?"

"Have a best kisser."

"Yep, one for every year and then we compare and vote total. It's the only time house rivalry doesn't matter."

"Wow, the girls' do that too."

"Who's the best male kisser in the school? I'll tell you who the best kisser in your year is," Ginny shook her head. "That's the exact reaction I got from Michelle. I bet you think I'd off them."

"No, you wouldn't do that."

"I know I wouldn't. I've never killed anyone before, and I don't plan to start."

"That's truly touching, but...."

"You might want to bring that to a boil, before you add that."

"Okay, right. Aren't you like a death eater?"

"Aren't you shy when it comes to asking personal questions?" Ginny because interested in the floor. "No its fine, yes if you must know I am a death eater. It's the only way they wouldn't kill my mum. She's getting along better now that dad's out of the picture."

"Did he hit you?"

"Hit us? Oh wow, another personal question, it doesn't matter does it 'cause the bastard's in Azkaban."

"Sorry."

"No you're not, and neither am I. I know you hate just about everything about my family and frankly I don't blame you. The diary incident must have been really bad. By the way about that, I didn't know."

"It's fine."

"No, it really isn't. Well, it looks like you're about done here. It doesn't look as if you need tutoring. Just don't let Snape intimidate you. That's why a lot of people are failing when they shouldn't be."

"Thanks for the help Malfoy."

"It's Draco."

"Okay, thanks for the help Draco and my name is Ginny not Weasley."

"Okay, I got that. Bye."

"Bye," Ginny gathered up her things, and headed up the stairs. She saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione chatting away. She ran up to them. They started talking at the foot of the stairs when Draco came up to her. He tapped her on the shoulder.

"You forgot this in the potions dungeon," he said handing her a vial.

"Thank you, Draco."

"Your welcome. Bye," he scooted off avoiding eye contact with Ron, Harry, or Hermione.

"Ginny what was that all about?!" yelled Ron as soon as Draco was out of earshot.

"It was nothing; Draco is just tutoring me in potions today. Michelle couldn't make it."

"Oh yes, and you're on first name basis now, are you? I'm sure that once you get past him being a total and complete asshole to everyone, he's actually not that bad."

"That's exactly what he said."

"He called himself an asshole," Ron looked shocked.

"Yep he did. He also wasn't that bad, and a patient instructor."

"Is Michelle sick?" asked Hermione.

"Draco just thinks that she's off snogging with her boyfriend."

"Who's her boyfriend?"

"Neville Longbottom."

"Neville?" Hermione looked shocked. Ron and Harry burst out laughing.

"As in Neville Longbottom?" Harry said gasping for air.

"Yep, Draco said he saw them snogging and he said that the mental image would haunt him for the rest of his life."

"Neville, really?" questioned Hermione.

"Yep, although they were in the coffee place with you guys, you two were probably too wrapped up in each other to notice anyone else," Ron and Hermione turned bright red.

"Busted!" yelled Harry.