29 August 1993 — Thicker Than A Brick Wall
Ron and Hermione, in what would not be the first argument of this nature, were pointedly glaring away from each other as they headed towards the brick wall that would take them back to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry walked between them, still eating his ice cream.
Crookshanks, Hermione's new pet, blinked lazily at Ron from his secure place in Hermione's arms. As Ron glared at the weird-looking cat, it licked its lips and turned its gaze to Ron's breast pocket.
"Stupid animal," Ron mumbled, feeling Scabbers shake against his chest.
"What was that?" Hermione asked sharply, snapping around to look angrily at him.
"Nothing," muttered Ron. They walked past Ollivander's and Quality Quidditch Supplies, where a shop's assistant was trying to force off the crowd of window-shoppers admiring the Firebolt on display in the window.
"We need to close!" the poor wizard cried. "We need to—aiee!" He disappeared, swallowed up by the small crowd.
"Look," Ron said, clearly forcing a more solicitous tone. "Your—cat—is clearly not safe to be around Scabbers. Isn't there some way you could—I dunno—take it back?"
"His name is Crookshanks," said Hermione acidly, "and no, I won't take him back, that shopkeeper said that no one wanted him." Ron rolled his eyes. "Cats chase rats, Ron. You'll just have to learn to keep better track of Scabbers. Besides, it's not as though Crookshanks will be near your dormitory."
"Hermione, I'm warning you—"
"Oh, you're warning me?" she asked hotly.
"If you won't get rid of that bloody cat, I swear I'll do it for you."
Hermione leveled a glare that made Harry flinch. He slowed his steps so that Ron and Hermione walked ahead of him. They stopped before the wall to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Listen, Ron," Hermione said angrily, readjusting her hold on Crookshanks, whom Ron scowled at. "Just because you're too thick to take care of your own pet doesn't mean—"
"Too thick?" Ron cried indignantly. "Too thick?"
"Oh please," said Hermione. "You're thicker than this brick wall." She tapped the wall with her wand, letting the archway open and marching through the back door of the pub.
Ron stood spluttering for a moment before he looked at Harry, who popped the last of his ice cream cone in his mouth, mumbled something incoherent, and clapped Ron on the shoulder before hurrying after Hermione.
Ehehe. Not the funniest, but how do you follow Firewhisky? Thanks very much for reading, and I'm so glad you all got as much of a laugh out of that last chapter as I did!
Love, Lucy