Hermione's POV
I laughed silently as I made my way down to the great hall. Everyone was still eating, but Harry and Ron were exchanging both worried glances and excited ones. I wondered what had happened. I sat down next to Ginny, who was eating some bacon hungrily. I took some more toast.
"Hi Hermione where were you?" she asked with concern.
"Oh nowhere, had to read a letter and it was a type that's better to open out there." I said.
"A howler? Why would you get a howler?" she asked. I shook my head.
"No, not a howler. Just one of them letters you don't realy want to open in public." I replied. The boys didn't notice me until me and Ginny stood up.
"Oh hey Hermione didn't see you there!" Harry said once he had seen me.
"Hi boys" I said acting like I'd only just seen them too. Ron looked up, a mouthful of food as always. He swallowed.
"I have some news, 'Mione," he said. I raised my eyebrows.
"What news would that be Ron?" I asked him. He swallowed again.
"These winter holidays my mum's said that I can invite you and Harry over to the Burrow!" he said.
"Hey she said I could invite Mya too!" Ginny whined at her brother.
"So how 'bout it 'Mione? Wanna come over to the Burrow during the winter holidays?" Harry asked me. His voice was distant, because I was deep in thought. I'd hate to turn the boys down, but spending time with my dad is so important. I needed a lie. But I hate lying to them. So I need a half truth . . . and a half lies.
"I'm realy sorry guys, but I have to go home during the winter holidays because my aunt is ill. I need to spend time with my family. That was the letter I got," I added for Ginny.
"You're parents are Muggles and they have an owl?" Ron said disbelievingly. I didn't think about that, but there was only one answer. Wait two, and I'll use the second.
"I sent them a letter a few days ago and that letter was when they replied?" I said.
"Oh." Harry understood my lie, which was unusual because I didn't understand it.
"Oh." Ron said, probably copying Harry like he usually does.
"Oh." Ginny said, her voice believing me, but her eyes, the windows to her soul said not.
"Oh!" all four of us turned and saw the Hufflepuff table on fire.
"Augumenti!" I pointed my wand at the blazing fire. But others shouted it as well, I wasn't the only one. I looked around, and was surprised to see Malfoy stood in the exact position I was. When did he leave the owlery? I wondered. He turned and winked at me devishly. Since when does Malfoy wink? At so-called Mudbloods? As suddenly as the fire started, it ended, showing a group of burnt Hufflepuff's glaring at each other lethally. One was angrier than the others. He stood up and swiftly walked out of the hall. As he stalked past the Gryffindor's, I and Ginny recognised him. Justin Finch-Fletchly. We looked at each other and followed him.
A/N: Okay, so there's the third chapter. I'm sorry it's so small, but Justin has nothing to do with Ron's news, according to the note I left myself at the bottom of the chapter...