Don't forget the bounty. For those of you who don't remember what I'm
talking about, it's my obsessive quest to find a picture of the boy cast as
Colin, Hugh Mitchell. Find one, and you get 100 points.
Harry had left the Weasley's backyard and headed out into the street after Ron once again insulted his friend Colin. Ron was attempting to apologize, but it didn't work. Hermione was waiting by the mailbox for him to return. Night was falling and the moon was rising. Dinner had already come and gone. Ron was sitting in a chair in the living room with his knees drawn up to his chest. He hadn't eaten and his eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. Hermione had told Ginny and his parents that the two of them had a fight over something but didn't say exactly what. His mum looked concerned but Arthur said quietly to her, "Don't interfere in this, Molly, let the boys work it out." Though it broke her heart to see her son like that, she agreed with Arthur.
After dinner, Hermione had gone to the street to wait for Harry. There she stood, waiting. The moon had now almost fully risen. Finally, he appeared over the hill.
"Harry, I need to talk to you." Harry still looked a little pissed, but no longer mad.
"Sure, go ahead." He stopped at the mailbox and waited for the questions that he knew were coming.
"Harry, whatever Ron said, he didn't mean to say it. He was trying to apologize. He doesn't even know what it was he said."
"Oh, he conveniently forgot. How quaint. Really, Hermione. Did he put you up to this?"
"No, he didn't put me up to this, and yes, I believe that he honestly doesn't know what it was he said. Why don't you tell me what he said, then."
"Okay, I will. He said quote, 'Honestly, Harry, why would you ever give someone like that any of your time? He's nothing but a needy little prat. You could do so much better, even with Malfoy. Come on Harry, sheesh. He is worthless.' end quote. So don't tell me that he was trying to say he was sorry, because that is the worst apology ever."
"Now why would he say anything like that? That is not like Ron at all."
"Hermione, I have no idea why he would say it. The point is, he said it. End of story. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm tired and am going to bed." He walked past her and in the house and up to the room. He took the pillow from the bed the boys shared and put it on the floor next to the bed. He pulled a blanket over as well and curled up and went to sleep.
Hermione was left standing like a jilted bride. She racked her brain and couldn't fathom any reason for Ron, any at all, to do something like that. In the five or so years she'd known them, they were so close as to be inseparable. Now, after one day, they were an ocean apart. What the bloody hell happened? Why was Ron so jealous of Colin all of a sudden? It wasn't like Harry never talked to anyone else but Ron, he had many friends in Gryffindor. Puzzled, she walked inside also.
Over the next week, Hermione brokered an extremely unstable truce between the two of them. It almost collapsed in the middle of the week, when once again Ron said something disparaging and just like before, couldn't remember even thinking it. It took her two days to get them talking again. Finally, school neared. Tomorrow, actually. It was time for a trip to Diagon Alley. Maybe that would get them back to normal.
They floo-powdered their way into the Leaky Cauldron and stepped threw the amazing brick archway (that was so very cool) into Diagon Alley. The sights and sounds and smells of the place always made any visitor feel alive. The place simply vibrated with energy. Children ran back and forth, strange vendors sold things you'd probably never need but looked and sounded very cool. Cauldrons, wands, owls, books, robes, delectable snacks, you name it, it was here.
The three of them had nearly finished their shopping. The Ministry of Magic was covering Hermione's costs this year out of the Magical Disaster Fund thanks to Arthur's lobbying. They were heading toward a candy store for a snack when they a chillingly familiar voice stopped them from behind.
"Crabbe, what's a shame?"
"Uh, I don't know, Draco."
"When a Mudblood house gets attacked by Death Eaters. Now Goyle, what's a crying shame?"
"Um, I don't know either."
"When one of them isn't home." the creepy drawl was that of non other than everyone's least favorite Slytherin, Draco Malfoy.
"Malfoy, say one more word and it will be your last," Ron said before he turned around.
"Promises, promises. Weasley, I would have thought by now that you'd realized that I care not about your idle threats. Touch me, I dare you." On that, Draco's sidekicks pushed their sleeves up and got ready to brawl.
"Malfoy, there will come a time when you don't have your two boulder headed goons at your side. Then, we'll dance. That I *promise*," Ron said, shaking with anger but not stupid enough to fight two on three.
"Come on Ron, let's go get some coconut cockroach clusters from Scrivvles.. *Come on*." Harry said, dragging the bigger boy away. "Come on, Hermione, my treat."
"Aah, isn't that so cute. The dashing hero comes to his lady's aid. Saved by Potter again, eh, Weasley?"
Ron broke Harry's hold and in the blink of an eye had his wand pulled and cursed the lot of them. Draco wasn't quite sure, but he thought that Ron's eyes lit up green for a split second before he cursed them. Mud began flowing from their ears and they started coughing sandy dirt clods. Vines began growing from their scalps and cheeks. Ron put his wand away and said, "Come on, I want some candy."
Harry and Hermione were in shock. Ron pulled them this time. "Candy is this way."
"Ron, where did that come from?" Hermione asked as they were sipping an Endless Tankard of root beer soda. "I've not seen that curse before."
"Honestly, I don't know. I just pointed and flicked. I really don't remember what I said, it just sort of happened."
"Well, Ron, is was quite bloody awesome. Wait till we tell everyone in Gryffindor about this," Harry said.
"Well, you don't have to tell us," Seamus said as he and Neville walked into Scrivvles. "We saw. It was bloody brilliant, wasn't it, Neville?"
"I'll say. They'll probably be belching dirt for hours." He started laughing.
"Hey guys, grab straws. This thing is supposedly bottomless," Hermione said and the two of them jumped in the fray. Twenty minutes and an account of the attack on Hermione's house later, the five of them were floating in root beer. The tankard was still seemingly bottomless.
"Hermione, we sure are sorry about your mum and da'," Seamus said.
"We sure are. That's awful," chimed in Neville, never sounding so sincere in his life. "If you need anything at all, just say the word."
"We'd like to stay and drown ourselves further, but we've got to get the rest of our stuff and meet my mum in a bit. See you all tomorrow," Seamus piped as he and Neville started for the door.
"Thanks guys. We'll see you on the train tomorrow," Hermione said to the two. "We should finish our shopping as well, we told your mum we'd be back at five and it's quarter after four now," Hermione said looking at her watch.
"We've only got to get our books, right?" Ron asked.
"Uh huh. That's it. Let's go." Flourish and Blotts was just around the corner and it was there that the seemingly peaceful day exploded into tiny pieces.
They had picked out there required books, like The Standard Book of Spells, grade 5, and the rest and had just paid when another familiar voice called to them, only this one was much more welcome, at least to some.
"Hey Harry! Ron, Hermione! How are you guys!" Colin squawked in excitement. He and Dennis walked into the store.
"Hey Colin, what's new?" Harry asked. Hermione was looking with apprehension at Ron, but he seemed perfectly fine.
"Mum is letting us stay here over night in the Leaky Cauldron 'cuz she and dad can't get us here tomorrow," Dennis said almost as excitedly as Colin.
"That's cool. You'll have a good time here. I've stayed before. It's really nice," Harry said.
Ron had turned to one side and looked at a glass bound book on the counter that had caught his attention. The book reflected a very short flash of green as Ron turned back to the group. "Oh my bloody god!" he said, waving his arms in the air, "Here we go again with the Harry Potter adoration show, starring Colin Creevey. Harry, may I kiss your arse, please? Why sure, Colin, go ahead. I swear." Everyone stopped at one time and stared at Ron. Ron was incredulous. Where in the world did that come from?
"Hey Colin, you know what? I'm staying here tonight too," Harry said, breaking the silence. "And you, Ron, can go straight to hell. I'll see you tomorrow Hermione. Tell Mrs. Weasley that I'll pop by and pick up my things shortly."
"Uh, okay," she replied, completely stunned by the last ten seconds. Harry put his arms on the boys backs and steered them to the stacks to pick out their books, leaving Ron and Hermione standing at the counter.
Ron was still completely dumbfounded. "I was going to say 'hello' to him. Honest, Hermione. I was going to say 'hello'. What is wrong with me?" he began choking back sobs again.
"Ron, I-- don't know what to say. Let's go home." They picked up their books and other packages and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace.
They stepped back into the Weasley's and went into the kitchen. Hermione poured Ron a glass of milk to calm him down. He was still sniffling when Molly walked in.
"Ron, what's the matter?" she did a quick scan of the room. "And where's Harry?"
"He's staying in Diagon Alley tonight," Hermione said.
"He's what? Why ever for?"
"He um…he's staying-" Hermione started but was interrupted by Ron.
"He's (sniff) staying there because he hates me now (sniff). I was trying to say hello to (hitch) Colin, but what came out was something totally awful. So, (sniff) he walked off with him and his brother."
"This is what happened the other day as well," Hermione said.
"I swear, I didn't mean to say any of it. I was about to say 'hello' when the other stuff fell out." Ron now had regained control of himself.
"Ron, are you okay?" his mum asked him very seriously.
"NO, I'm not. My best friend will now most likely never speak to me again. I don't seem to have control of my own mouth. Who knows what I might do next. So, no, I'm not doing so hot right now. I'm going to go sit outside," he said rather absently.
As the door closed behind him his mother sat down. "Oh Ron, what happened? Hermione, did anything happen to him recently?"
"Not a thing that I know of. I've wracked my brain trying to figure it out. He was fine until we got back from Newhaven. That's when this all started. I don't know."
"Maybe he just needs a spot of rest. Maybe he isn't handling the last week or so as well as you. You're still okay, right?" Molly asked Hermione.
"Yeah, I'm holding it together." Barely, she thought.
"I'm sure Dumbledore will have some information for you when you arrive. Oh, and we might want to go and pick up the rest of your belongings from your house, if you're up to it."
"Sure. We can do that. We might want to wait for someone else to get home for Ron first, though."
"Well thought, my dear. Arthur will be home soon," she said, looking at the clock whose Arthur hand was 'traveling'. Ginny's hand was also 'traveling' and she walked into the kitchen right about then.
"What's the matter with Ron? Why's he sitting outside by himself?" Ginny asked.
"He and Harry had another blow-out a while ago."
"Gosh, you'd think they were married the way they've been fighting recently," she said.
"Will you keep an eye on your brother while we go and pick up Hermione's school things? You father will be home shortly. Just make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
"Sure, I'll look after him." Molly and Hermione walked into the fireplace and disappeared.
*Back in Diagon Alley, Flourish and Blotts, to be Specific, At the Same Time*
"What was all that about, Harry?" Colin asked. "Why'd Ron say that?"
"Colin, I have no idea. None at all."
"But, he's your friend. Everyone knows that. Why-" Dennis started.
"*Was* my friend. Friends don't talk about other friends like that."
"Ah, here we go, Dennis, book of spells, grade 2, and Colin, 4 for you. Is that everything?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Yep, that will do it," Dennis chirped.
"Good, let's get out of here and get me a room and then my stuff and then dinner. How's that sound guys?"
"Sounds good" was the reply from the Creevey brothers. Then Colin added, "But you could just stay with us, the room is huge."
"Plus Colin is afraid of the dark."
"I am not," he said, trying to sound convincing. Seeing that it wasn't working, he added, "okay, maybe a bit."
"Fine. That's settled, let's go drop off this stuff and get mine."
The three of them traveled back to the Cauldron and went up to the Creevey's room. They weren't kidding, it was huge. The bed could likely sleep four with ease. They dropped off their books and quills and all on a corner of the 100 acre bed. The Creevey's things were piled in a corner, with Thierry asleep in his cage.
"All right, now a quick trip to the Burrow and we'll eat. Colin, do you mind helping me?"
"Are you sure that is a good idea? I don't think that Ron likes me much."
"This way it will only take one trip. If he wants to do anything, he'll have to go through me first."
"What if Dennis went instead?"
"Sure. Dennis? Wanna go?"
"Fine with me."
"We'll be back soon, Colin, figure out what we'll have for dinner," Harry said.
"Okay, will do."
They walked out of the room and down the stair and to the fireplace. A puff of floo powder later, they were in the Burrow. Seeing no one, Harry and Dennis walked up the stairs and began gathering Harry's things. Five minutes later they finished and were at the base of the steps, heading for the fireplace.
" Harry, what happened today?" It was Ginny, from the kitchen doorway.
"What happened? Well, ask Ron. If he can remember."
"Harry, please, talk to him."
"No, Ginny, I think that I've heard enough from him for a while. See you tomorrow. Let's go Dennis, dinner's waiting."
"Harry, come on, please." Ginny said achingly.
"The Leaky Cauldron!" Harry shouted and tossed the powder. He vanished.
"Dennis, please. Try to-" Ginny saw his gaze drift over her shoulder and looked back and saw Ron. Dennis gave a small smile and a wave to the two of them and squeaked "The Leaky Cauldron!" and followed Harry. Ron turned and walked away, his face blank, his spirit ebbing away.
Harry had left the Weasley's backyard and headed out into the street after Ron once again insulted his friend Colin. Ron was attempting to apologize, but it didn't work. Hermione was waiting by the mailbox for him to return. Night was falling and the moon was rising. Dinner had already come and gone. Ron was sitting in a chair in the living room with his knees drawn up to his chest. He hadn't eaten and his eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. Hermione had told Ginny and his parents that the two of them had a fight over something but didn't say exactly what. His mum looked concerned but Arthur said quietly to her, "Don't interfere in this, Molly, let the boys work it out." Though it broke her heart to see her son like that, she agreed with Arthur.
After dinner, Hermione had gone to the street to wait for Harry. There she stood, waiting. The moon had now almost fully risen. Finally, he appeared over the hill.
"Harry, I need to talk to you." Harry still looked a little pissed, but no longer mad.
"Sure, go ahead." He stopped at the mailbox and waited for the questions that he knew were coming.
"Harry, whatever Ron said, he didn't mean to say it. He was trying to apologize. He doesn't even know what it was he said."
"Oh, he conveniently forgot. How quaint. Really, Hermione. Did he put you up to this?"
"No, he didn't put me up to this, and yes, I believe that he honestly doesn't know what it was he said. Why don't you tell me what he said, then."
"Okay, I will. He said quote, 'Honestly, Harry, why would you ever give someone like that any of your time? He's nothing but a needy little prat. You could do so much better, even with Malfoy. Come on Harry, sheesh. He is worthless.' end quote. So don't tell me that he was trying to say he was sorry, because that is the worst apology ever."
"Now why would he say anything like that? That is not like Ron at all."
"Hermione, I have no idea why he would say it. The point is, he said it. End of story. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm tired and am going to bed." He walked past her and in the house and up to the room. He took the pillow from the bed the boys shared and put it on the floor next to the bed. He pulled a blanket over as well and curled up and went to sleep.
Hermione was left standing like a jilted bride. She racked her brain and couldn't fathom any reason for Ron, any at all, to do something like that. In the five or so years she'd known them, they were so close as to be inseparable. Now, after one day, they were an ocean apart. What the bloody hell happened? Why was Ron so jealous of Colin all of a sudden? It wasn't like Harry never talked to anyone else but Ron, he had many friends in Gryffindor. Puzzled, she walked inside also.
Over the next week, Hermione brokered an extremely unstable truce between the two of them. It almost collapsed in the middle of the week, when once again Ron said something disparaging and just like before, couldn't remember even thinking it. It took her two days to get them talking again. Finally, school neared. Tomorrow, actually. It was time for a trip to Diagon Alley. Maybe that would get them back to normal.
They floo-powdered their way into the Leaky Cauldron and stepped threw the amazing brick archway (that was so very cool) into Diagon Alley. The sights and sounds and smells of the place always made any visitor feel alive. The place simply vibrated with energy. Children ran back and forth, strange vendors sold things you'd probably never need but looked and sounded very cool. Cauldrons, wands, owls, books, robes, delectable snacks, you name it, it was here.
The three of them had nearly finished their shopping. The Ministry of Magic was covering Hermione's costs this year out of the Magical Disaster Fund thanks to Arthur's lobbying. They were heading toward a candy store for a snack when they a chillingly familiar voice stopped them from behind.
"Crabbe, what's a shame?"
"Uh, I don't know, Draco."
"When a Mudblood house gets attacked by Death Eaters. Now Goyle, what's a crying shame?"
"Um, I don't know either."
"When one of them isn't home." the creepy drawl was that of non other than everyone's least favorite Slytherin, Draco Malfoy.
"Malfoy, say one more word and it will be your last," Ron said before he turned around.
"Promises, promises. Weasley, I would have thought by now that you'd realized that I care not about your idle threats. Touch me, I dare you." On that, Draco's sidekicks pushed their sleeves up and got ready to brawl.
"Malfoy, there will come a time when you don't have your two boulder headed goons at your side. Then, we'll dance. That I *promise*," Ron said, shaking with anger but not stupid enough to fight two on three.
"Come on Ron, let's go get some coconut cockroach clusters from Scrivvles.. *Come on*." Harry said, dragging the bigger boy away. "Come on, Hermione, my treat."
"Aah, isn't that so cute. The dashing hero comes to his lady's aid. Saved by Potter again, eh, Weasley?"
Ron broke Harry's hold and in the blink of an eye had his wand pulled and cursed the lot of them. Draco wasn't quite sure, but he thought that Ron's eyes lit up green for a split second before he cursed them. Mud began flowing from their ears and they started coughing sandy dirt clods. Vines began growing from their scalps and cheeks. Ron put his wand away and said, "Come on, I want some candy."
Harry and Hermione were in shock. Ron pulled them this time. "Candy is this way."
"Ron, where did that come from?" Hermione asked as they were sipping an Endless Tankard of root beer soda. "I've not seen that curse before."
"Honestly, I don't know. I just pointed and flicked. I really don't remember what I said, it just sort of happened."
"Well, Ron, is was quite bloody awesome. Wait till we tell everyone in Gryffindor about this," Harry said.
"Well, you don't have to tell us," Seamus said as he and Neville walked into Scrivvles. "We saw. It was bloody brilliant, wasn't it, Neville?"
"I'll say. They'll probably be belching dirt for hours." He started laughing.
"Hey guys, grab straws. This thing is supposedly bottomless," Hermione said and the two of them jumped in the fray. Twenty minutes and an account of the attack on Hermione's house later, the five of them were floating in root beer. The tankard was still seemingly bottomless.
"Hermione, we sure are sorry about your mum and da'," Seamus said.
"We sure are. That's awful," chimed in Neville, never sounding so sincere in his life. "If you need anything at all, just say the word."
"We'd like to stay and drown ourselves further, but we've got to get the rest of our stuff and meet my mum in a bit. See you all tomorrow," Seamus piped as he and Neville started for the door.
"Thanks guys. We'll see you on the train tomorrow," Hermione said to the two. "We should finish our shopping as well, we told your mum we'd be back at five and it's quarter after four now," Hermione said looking at her watch.
"We've only got to get our books, right?" Ron asked.
"Uh huh. That's it. Let's go." Flourish and Blotts was just around the corner and it was there that the seemingly peaceful day exploded into tiny pieces.
They had picked out there required books, like The Standard Book of Spells, grade 5, and the rest and had just paid when another familiar voice called to them, only this one was much more welcome, at least to some.
"Hey Harry! Ron, Hermione! How are you guys!" Colin squawked in excitement. He and Dennis walked into the store.
"Hey Colin, what's new?" Harry asked. Hermione was looking with apprehension at Ron, but he seemed perfectly fine.
"Mum is letting us stay here over night in the Leaky Cauldron 'cuz she and dad can't get us here tomorrow," Dennis said almost as excitedly as Colin.
"That's cool. You'll have a good time here. I've stayed before. It's really nice," Harry said.
Ron had turned to one side and looked at a glass bound book on the counter that had caught his attention. The book reflected a very short flash of green as Ron turned back to the group. "Oh my bloody god!" he said, waving his arms in the air, "Here we go again with the Harry Potter adoration show, starring Colin Creevey. Harry, may I kiss your arse, please? Why sure, Colin, go ahead. I swear." Everyone stopped at one time and stared at Ron. Ron was incredulous. Where in the world did that come from?
"Hey Colin, you know what? I'm staying here tonight too," Harry said, breaking the silence. "And you, Ron, can go straight to hell. I'll see you tomorrow Hermione. Tell Mrs. Weasley that I'll pop by and pick up my things shortly."
"Uh, okay," she replied, completely stunned by the last ten seconds. Harry put his arms on the boys backs and steered them to the stacks to pick out their books, leaving Ron and Hermione standing at the counter.
Ron was still completely dumbfounded. "I was going to say 'hello' to him. Honest, Hermione. I was going to say 'hello'. What is wrong with me?" he began choking back sobs again.
"Ron, I-- don't know what to say. Let's go home." They picked up their books and other packages and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace.
They stepped back into the Weasley's and went into the kitchen. Hermione poured Ron a glass of milk to calm him down. He was still sniffling when Molly walked in.
"Ron, what's the matter?" she did a quick scan of the room. "And where's Harry?"
"He's staying in Diagon Alley tonight," Hermione said.
"He's what? Why ever for?"
"He um…he's staying-" Hermione started but was interrupted by Ron.
"He's (sniff) staying there because he hates me now (sniff). I was trying to say hello to (hitch) Colin, but what came out was something totally awful. So, (sniff) he walked off with him and his brother."
"This is what happened the other day as well," Hermione said.
"I swear, I didn't mean to say any of it. I was about to say 'hello' when the other stuff fell out." Ron now had regained control of himself.
"Ron, are you okay?" his mum asked him very seriously.
"NO, I'm not. My best friend will now most likely never speak to me again. I don't seem to have control of my own mouth. Who knows what I might do next. So, no, I'm not doing so hot right now. I'm going to go sit outside," he said rather absently.
As the door closed behind him his mother sat down. "Oh Ron, what happened? Hermione, did anything happen to him recently?"
"Not a thing that I know of. I've wracked my brain trying to figure it out. He was fine until we got back from Newhaven. That's when this all started. I don't know."
"Maybe he just needs a spot of rest. Maybe he isn't handling the last week or so as well as you. You're still okay, right?" Molly asked Hermione.
"Yeah, I'm holding it together." Barely, she thought.
"I'm sure Dumbledore will have some information for you when you arrive. Oh, and we might want to go and pick up the rest of your belongings from your house, if you're up to it."
"Sure. We can do that. We might want to wait for someone else to get home for Ron first, though."
"Well thought, my dear. Arthur will be home soon," she said, looking at the clock whose Arthur hand was 'traveling'. Ginny's hand was also 'traveling' and she walked into the kitchen right about then.
"What's the matter with Ron? Why's he sitting outside by himself?" Ginny asked.
"He and Harry had another blow-out a while ago."
"Gosh, you'd think they were married the way they've been fighting recently," she said.
"Will you keep an eye on your brother while we go and pick up Hermione's school things? You father will be home shortly. Just make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
"Sure, I'll look after him." Molly and Hermione walked into the fireplace and disappeared.
*Back in Diagon Alley, Flourish and Blotts, to be Specific, At the Same Time*
"What was all that about, Harry?" Colin asked. "Why'd Ron say that?"
"Colin, I have no idea. None at all."
"But, he's your friend. Everyone knows that. Why-" Dennis started.
"*Was* my friend. Friends don't talk about other friends like that."
"Ah, here we go, Dennis, book of spells, grade 2, and Colin, 4 for you. Is that everything?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Yep, that will do it," Dennis chirped.
"Good, let's get out of here and get me a room and then my stuff and then dinner. How's that sound guys?"
"Sounds good" was the reply from the Creevey brothers. Then Colin added, "But you could just stay with us, the room is huge."
"Plus Colin is afraid of the dark."
"I am not," he said, trying to sound convincing. Seeing that it wasn't working, he added, "okay, maybe a bit."
"Fine. That's settled, let's go drop off this stuff and get mine."
The three of them traveled back to the Cauldron and went up to the Creevey's room. They weren't kidding, it was huge. The bed could likely sleep four with ease. They dropped off their books and quills and all on a corner of the 100 acre bed. The Creevey's things were piled in a corner, with Thierry asleep in his cage.
"All right, now a quick trip to the Burrow and we'll eat. Colin, do you mind helping me?"
"Are you sure that is a good idea? I don't think that Ron likes me much."
"This way it will only take one trip. If he wants to do anything, he'll have to go through me first."
"What if Dennis went instead?"
"Sure. Dennis? Wanna go?"
"Fine with me."
"We'll be back soon, Colin, figure out what we'll have for dinner," Harry said.
"Okay, will do."
They walked out of the room and down the stair and to the fireplace. A puff of floo powder later, they were in the Burrow. Seeing no one, Harry and Dennis walked up the stairs and began gathering Harry's things. Five minutes later they finished and were at the base of the steps, heading for the fireplace.
" Harry, what happened today?" It was Ginny, from the kitchen doorway.
"What happened? Well, ask Ron. If he can remember."
"Harry, please, talk to him."
"No, Ginny, I think that I've heard enough from him for a while. See you tomorrow. Let's go Dennis, dinner's waiting."
"Harry, come on, please." Ginny said achingly.
"The Leaky Cauldron!" Harry shouted and tossed the powder. He vanished.
"Dennis, please. Try to-" Ginny saw his gaze drift over her shoulder and looked back and saw Ron. Dennis gave a small smile and a wave to the two of them and squeaked "The Leaky Cauldron!" and followed Harry. Ron turned and walked away, his face blank, his spirit ebbing away.