As Harry and Hermione strolled toward the front of the train and the Prefects' car, they looked in each compartment. They were looking for Dean Thomas. All of the DA members were happy to see them except Marietta Edgecombe who was wearing a balaclava, and Cho Chang. They found Dean in a compartment with Ron, Seamus and Ernie Macmillan. Ron was busy in a game of chess with Seamus while Dean and Ernie were finishing up a game of exploding snaps.
"Ron," Hermione said. "Shouldn't you be headed to the prefects' car?"
"I'll go as soon as I finish this," He nodded at the board.
"But the train will leave soon and we're supposed to be there before it does."
Ron waved his hand dismissively as he turned his attention back to the board.
Before Hermione could respond Harry silently told her to leave it. He then said. "Dean, got a minute? I want to discuss something with you."
"Sure Harry," Dean replied as he got up.
"Excuse me," Ernie said has he squeezed past Harry. "I'll see you in the Prefects' compartment," He said as he started toward the front of the train.
"At least someone knows what it means to be a Prefect," Hermione muttered overly loud so Ron could hear her. No response came from their old friend as he continued to stare at the chess board. By then Dean was with them.
When they were in the corridor and the compartment door was shut, Harry started. "There's a rumor going around that you and Ginny are now an item."
"Ginny? Weasley?"
"Yeah."
Dean shrugged. "Not that I know of, but you know girls...uh sorry Hermione," He stammered. "She was talking to me in the carriage earlier. She mentioned she'd write," Dean smiled. "Even promised to send me an apple pie from apples picked from their orchard. I mean she's cute enough and everything but we're definitely not an item."
"Well we can guess how she planned on getting to him," Harry said as he glanced at Hermione. He then nodded at Dean. "Just thought I'd ask. Sorry to bother you."
"No problem," Dean replied. He turned back toward the compartment and as his hand touched the door, he turned back. "Hey are you planning on the DA again next year?"
"We'll see. Have to see what kind of Defense instructor they get next."
"I guess, but anyone's got to be better than Umbridge, right?"
"What if it's Snape?" Harry asked.
"Oh please don't even kid about something like that," Dean replied with a pained look. "That's horrible."
Harry patted the taller boy's shoulder. "You never know at Hogwarts," He said.
"We need to get going Harry," Hermione said. As they left Dean she whispered to her husband. "Well he's not been potioned yet, but it's a pretty good bet that Ginny will use the pie or something else she sends to him as a way to get a love potion to him."
"True, but we'll never be able to prove it."
"Maybe not, but we can keep in contact with him, see if the attitude changes," Hermione replied. "But hopefully we can deal with Ginny sooner than later once we get to Grimmauld."
When Neville showed up an hour later and told them what Ginny was implying, Hermione was ready to deal with the issue then and there.
"She's small Harry, I sure she'll fit if I throw her out the window," She implored her husband. "If she doesn't I can always enlarge the window."
"I'm tempted to let you," Harry replied. "But no," He looked at Neville and remembering the trip to Hogwarts in the fifth year. An idea came to mind. "She's got to have the stuff somewhere right? Probably in her bag?"
"Yes?"
"We just need a reason to be in her bag," Harry said. "Neville do you still have that Mimbuls whatever?"
"My Mimbulus mimbletonia? Of course, why?"
"Will it still throw out that stinksap?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Can you get it to aim it at something...like Ginny's bag?" Harry asked. He remembered last time it went everywhere.
Neville smiled as he understood. "I think so; I'll have it out when you get back."
"Just don't let Ginny go to the bathroom until we get there," Harry said. "She'll eventually have to go and that'll give us our chance."
Neville gave another grin and turned and made his way back down the train.
They passed by the compartment with Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe again and Hermione said. "Marietta was on that list of bullies wasn't she?"
"Yes."
"I have an idea," Hermione said as she slid open the compartment and stuck her head in. "Marietta, may I have a word?"
The girl with the Balaclava looked over and her eyes had a mixture of fear and anger. "What do you want Granger?"
"A word," Hermione repeated.
....
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