An Interlude: Chapter 9 3/4

If there was one thing Hermione Granger could never be taken for, it was a fool. The minute Harry Potter left the common room (after practically brainwashing her) she set a plan in motion.

Operation Find Out What The Hell Happened To Harry At All Costs.

This new persona was something entirely different from anything Hermione had ever picked up from Harry, something so not himself, that she would stop at nothing to find out what could have changed him so drastically in 5 months.

Despite Ron's apparent faith in Harry, Hermione knew he was certainly not as stupid as he looked. And so, Hermione set off in search of Ron, knowing that he was most definitely harboring his own suspicions.

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Ron sat on top of the comforter of his well made bed, fully clothed, concentrating much harder than was usually necessary (or expected) for him.

Ron's mind wandered back to dinner and to this new version of Harry's return.

Ron had gaped at the ethereal being claiming to be his friend. The shock was too much. There was no way this was the same boyish, awkward teen he had spent the last five years with. The creature moved gracefully, fully aware of every move he made, and stood in front of Dumbledore (not to mention the entire school) with as much attitude he had shown on his first arrival at the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters.

As 'Harry' sat across from Ron and Hermione, a smirk firmly in place, and said sounding more pretentious then Ron thought he was capable of being, "Well, it's nice to see you two again."

This was as much of a shock as anything else. Harry just escaped kidnappers and couldn't muster a proper greeting for his best friends?

Hermione had said in a disbelieving voice, "Harry?" and Harry has the audacity to mock her?!

'No way,' Ron had thought, 'this can't really be Harry. What happened?'

So he'd voice his question, "What happened, mate?"

His response had been, well, similar to something Harry would say, but not quite right.

Hermione asked him something about his looks, Ron was too distracted to really focus on her exact words, but what he did catch, was what Harry had to say to it:

"You know, puberty. Lots of- exercise, what with escaping evil boy wonder nappers, you know how it is."

Again, close, but not right. It was as if it was someone was doing an impression of Harry, a mockery. 'Like someone impersonating hi- BLOODY HELL!' Once this occurred to him, Ron thought quickly, looking to deter the imposter, to convince him that they were convinced, but how?

"Yeah, mate, 'course! I shot up nearly five inches last summer!" Good. Now what?

"Harry, you're so lucky you've been missing potions!"

Ron sighed, missing his closest friend more than ever, hoping the real Harry was okay out there, wherever he was.

He couldn't stop himself from squealing and rolling off the bed when Hermione opened the door with a 'BANG!'