Chapter 5
Six Years Later
Harry
Everyone was excited because it was the last year for all the seventh year people. School was almost finished and the traditional Hogwarts Homecoming Ball was on the way. It is the biggest event for us, but it was also the saddest because it took place right after our examinations. After the Homecoming we all go our separate ways and go on to bigger things. My future is split both ways, I could be a teacher or a St. Mungo's doctor. I have to decide in a couple of days but I guess that bridge can be crossed later, right?
Now the whole school was in havoc because of the fact that everyone needed a date for it. Everyone is going mad trying to find a date. My unofficial date was Ginerva Weasley, or better known as Ginny; my girlfriend (I say unofficial because neither of us actually asked the other, she just assumed that we would go together and that nobody would dare ask me). My best friend Ron introduced me to her and the both of us connected immediately. Though Hermione always said the reason for that was because Ginny was more like her brother. I suspected she said that because she was jealous but I do see the resemblance they both have. They love to eat, play Quidditch, fight, fool around, and occasionally pull pranks on everyone. Though I would always say to her that "I got the better half of the deal," because Ginny was smarter than Ron.
Hermione would always heat up whenever I said that because she was currently dating Ron. It wasn't typically love at first sight with them Hermione had to go through a whole group of boyfriends through the years. The most embarrassing boy being Justin Finch-Fletchley who Ron and I formally call Just-a-big-pussy. That was because Justin would always just talk to Hermione. Eventually every date became a psychiatry session.
Every time he would talk he would always reveal everything he is afraid of to her. It started out with dementors and werewolves which were understandable but then one day he mentioned a fear of the colour red; that's when things went downhill for him and for Hermione because she had to bear it. Days after days it went from fear of lady stockings to fear of dark brown hair. At first we though he was joking so we did an experiment and placed a pair of lady stockings in his textbook and a lock of brown hair wrapped around it. To our amusement he screamed like a girl and ran out the classroom; Ron and I died of laughter.
Hermione never forgave Ron for that, well she forgave me because I told Justin and apologized. Ron however never said anything to him and there has been a little hostility between the two of them. I didn't care about that after all we have a ball and classes to worry about.
Walking from Transfiguration I was hoping to be able to get some solitary time. That was until I saw a big commotion in one of the hallways. Everyone was gathering around in a circle yelling "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
I ran towards the gathering crowd and looked at what the big commotion was. That when I saw a very familiar blonde boy with two of his bodyguards fighting Ron. Ron was doing surprisingly well considering the size of the two other guys and actually looked like he could manage on his own but I wasn't going to let my best friend take any kind of beating. So before I could consider any further consequences of my actions I joined in and started joining the fight. I went after Malfoy but the bigger body guard got me from behind and held me in a strangle hold. I didn't care what happened to this guy so I jumped and fell towards my back. Nothing major happened to me because I had something to cushion my fall; the big guy had nothing and wriggling in pain on the ground.
That's when I went after Malfoy who tried to hit me first but I dodged and send a punch to his gut followed by a perfect uppercut. However Malfoy recovered quickly and tackled me to the ground. He put his knees on top of my arms and landed a couple of blows to my face cutting my lip. Then Ron pulled him off and did the same thing to him. The chubbier guy was about to tackle Ron but I got there ahead of time and tackled to chubby bodyguard. However he was surprisingly strong and managed to throw me back. Fighting him was a little frightening however his movements were slow so I resolved to just dodging and occasionally landing a punch.
"Harry I need a little help here" Ron said. I turned around to face Ron for a moment which was bad decision because when I turned back Bam! The chubby bodyguard's fist connected with the right side of my cheek. It was a very powerful and painful blow; I think he might have broken my jaw because there was a very sharp stinging sensation where he hit me.
The scrum still ensued despite the growing crowds of students however Ron and I stopped when we heard a whistle. The five of us turned to see the red face of Madam Hooch.
"All of you will report to the Deputy Headmistress at once!" she yelled. The five of us shut up and walked towards McGonagall's office. Ron and I stood back of the three Slytherins. I felt horrible for the buff guy whose back I broke until I realized that given the same circumstances he would have done the same. Throughout the long walk to the Deputy Headmistress Ron was kind enough to help break the tension.
"I hope she'll be a little bit softer on us" he said.
I chuckled and then said "When has she ever been softer on us?"
Ron was about to speak but then stopped when he realized the answer was 'never'. I smirked and then said "Hermione is gunna kill you, you know"
Ron shrugged and then said "You've said that many times before and I'm still breathing."
"It's not about just that. You know McGonagall could ban us from the ball. Hermione's been dying to go, if you're suspended what's she going to do?" I asked.
We reached her office and entered. The Slytherins were first "Don't worry Harry, she is our house head she wouldn't do too much for us at least" Ron said. When we entered Ron and I saw McGonagall's red face "RONALD WEASLEY!" she shouted from across the room. The both of us flinched and both our eyes went wide.
"Harry" Ron whispered to me.
"Yeah" I whispered back.
"Hermione's gunna kill me"
