Gossip spreads fast around Hogwarts, but two pieces of gossip spread like enchanted fire. In a matter of hours, the whole school knew two rumours concerning Gryffindor students. The first and most important rumour (in gossip girls' eyes) was 'Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are a couple', this was on every girls' lips. Some said two first years had seen them making out, other say they saw them holding hands, whatever way you put it female pupils were unhappy. How dare Hermione Granger get the fittest pure-blood boy in Hogwarts? She had frizzy hair, was a nerd and a muggle born, Slytherin girls said the same comments but were much more callous and heartless.

The second rumour was vaguer and it took an extra hour to get around Hogwarts 'A Gryffindor student was a werewolf'. Thankfully the two students, who had overheard Ron and Hermione's conversation late last night, had obviously decided to keep the werewolf anonymous. Anyway this made for better gossip; who was it?

Ron awoke to see his dorm mates, Lavender, Padma and Parvati, crowding round his bed with knowing smiles on their faces.

'Erm...morning,' yawned Ron, he was confused. Why were his friends crowding round his bed, with those annoying smiles on their faces?

'You could have told us! We would have kept it secret!' burst out Seamus and Dean; Ron's mind went to the worst. Had someone found out?

'Err... don't hate me,' Ron pleaded. They laughed; Ron was even more bewildered than before.

'Ha, why would we mate?' once again Ron shivered, but this time he hid it, 'You're only dating Hermione, it's nothing to be ashamed of,' he wasn't dating 'Mione...oh last night! He was cuddling 'Mione, someone must have seen and got the wrong end of the stick!

'Thank Merlin,' Ron whispered; 'I'm not dating her,' Ron smiled at the faces staring at him.

'Yes you are. I saw the picture and heard it from a Huffelpuff...,' started Padma

'And they don't lie,' finished her twin.

'What photo? And I think I would know if I was dating someone. They must have wizardshopped it,'

'I said it was fake. I didn't believe a word, Ron. He would have told me,' came in Lavender, with a very satisfied smile, who then sat on Ron's bed, staring at his topless body.

'Oh, and by the way, it is all round Hogwarts. You better go and tell the hall it isn't true,' Lavender added.

'Thanks Lav. Could you guys start telling people?...It's not that I think 'Mione is bad or anything but...you know?' They group nodded; Lavender looked even more thrilled, with her nickname Ron called her, and practically skipped out the room. Padma and Parvati followed Lavender, like faithful puppies to their mistress.

'So it is true she likes you. And I'm guessing you like her?' Seamus seemed deflated.

'Never mate, she is just a good friend, she's all yours,' smiled Ron.

The rest of the week flew by, and by the end of week the rumour about him and Hermione had been cleared, but something worse had become of the Gryffindor werewolf rumour; this was the only interesting rumour so it had become better known. Umbridge, or Umbitch as Ron was now calling her, had found out. Everyone was called to the hall, late Friday night.

A girlish 'Hem Hem' broke the whispering of the houses.

'Now I have heard that a Gryffindor student is a disgusting, vile, impure, worthless werewolf,' she spat, Ron could have slammed her against a wall and beaten her to a pulp.

'Now whoever informs me, of who this is or gives me a clue on to the right path, will be highly rewarded and the Minster will be informed of your loyalty to the school and ministry. This obnoxious half breed will be dealt with in the right manner. I think a nice trip to Azkaban, would do nicely,' she smiled, Ron could have been sick.

'I will not stop until I find this girl-attacking, blood-drinking wolf,' she finished, looking proud and stood waiting for a round of clapping, but got none.

Everyone was in shock, even the Slytherins, poor boy! Everyone looked around to their peers to see the same astonished faces, Azkaban? Ron felt sick, was this how his life would be like? Running from the ministry, hated by the magical world, having to hide secrets from best friends, Ron didn't want that life! Was she right, would he hurt someone?

The questions and worries that Ron had pushed to the bottom of his mind where resurfacing. Ron panicked. People would start to wonder why he was so strong, why he wasn't in on full moons? He couldn't stop. Fear spread across his face, before he could wipe it off.

Lavender, Padma, Parvati, Neville, Dean, Harry, Seamus all seemed to notice.

Unfortunately, so did Umbridge!

DUN DUN DHHHHH! :(