Chapter Nine
Quidditch and Girls
Author's Note: Remember this is PG-13, mainly for offensive language.
The next morning, Ron was gone before Harry was awake. Harry assumed that Ron had another detention, but was corrected, when he saw Hermione cursing under her breath as she wrote an essay. Harry walked over to her cautiously. Harry knew better to disrupt Hermione if she was studying, but thought there was something on her mind, and he hoped he was right, because if her Arithmancy homework was really hard, and he disrupted her, there'd be hell to pay. He took a seat carefully, and subtly across from Hermione.
"Hermione? Is now a bad time?" Harry asked daringly.
Hermione put down her quill and rubbed her temple. She looked up at him and was about to say something for disrupting her, but she saw the anxiety in his eyes. Hermione thought maybe he had had another nightmare, so she looked expectantly at him for him to go on.
"I was wondering why you were cursing under your breath… I wasn't sure if something was on your mind, or if your homework was really difficult." Harry says.
Hermione let out an irritated sigh before answering him. "Guess where Ron is right now."
"Serving a detention?" Harry asks.
"No, Madam Pomfrey excused him from detentions. So rather than doing something more constructive like his potions essay, he went down to the library." Hermione says.
"You go there all the time." Harry says.
"Yes, but Ron didn't go to study. He went to meet Padma Patil there. Honestly, he thinks the library is a good place to make out. Madam Pince should know better than to trust Ron, a boy who never reads in the library with Padma. I hope they get caught." Hermione says.
"They were making out in the library?" Harry asks in disbelief.
"Harry, they were at the far back table. Out of Madam Pince's ear and eyeshot, Ron's not in the library to read or do anything that's good. Where would you go to snog?" Hermione asks.
Harry was taken back. "I wouldn't snog with anybody, especially not in the library. I'm sure the last thing Ron is doing is snogging. I think Padma's better than that, and I'm sure Ron's learned his lesson. Besides, wouldn't he bring her here first?" Harry asks.
"Go get your invisibility cloak, and we'll find out who's right and who's wrong." Hermione says slamming her Arithmancy book shut.
Harry was surprised at Hermione, but as he was also curious, he did get the Invisibility cloak. They entered the library and found their way to the back, invisibly. To their surprise, Ron and Padma were indeed working. Although, Padma had found his lap more comfortable then the seat, they were not kissing. Ron was looking from his astronomy chart to a piece of parchment looking frustrated, but concentrating. Ron turned a page in his Astronomy book and read softly, but aloud for Padma to hear it.
"The prominent asterism called the "Water Jar" (or "Urn") of Aquarius, the Water Bearer, is in the middle of the picture and is made of a triangle of stars with another star in the center." Ron says.
Ron looks back at his parchment. He read his questions he had to answer. "Name the three stars that make up the triangle. Name whether they're the alpha, beta, or gamma Aquarii, and name the center star." Ron says.
"Okay let's start with the center star, what is that?" Padma asks.
"The water jar." Ron answers, writing it down. Padma does the same.
"Now which is the brightest star, or the alpha." Padma asks.
"I don't know. That one looks like the brightest, but this one does too." Ron says frustratingly.
"It's not your eyes, they're tied for the brightest stars in the picture, but Professor Sinistra says this is the alpha one." Padma says pointing to a star.
"Which one is it?" Ron asks.
"We just read the chapter. It's immediately to the right of the water jar, just to the right of the center. It's Aquarius' Alpha star." Padma says.
"Sadalmelik?" Ron asks.
"Right." Padma says. They both write it down. They label their constellations.
"Now this one, which is tied as the brightest star, that's labeled the Beta star, is?" Padma asks pointing to the star on the constellation map.
"I don't know." Ron says.
"Yes you do. Remember? The other bright star is just below center near the right-hand edge of the picture. What is it?" Padma asks.
"Sadalsuud?" Ron asks.
"See, you do know it." Padma says rubbing his knee before they both write it down and label their constellation maps.
"Finally, what's the lower right star of the water jar? Gamma Aquarii?" Padma asks.
"Sadachbia?" Ron asks.
"Exactly." Padma says. They both finish writing and labeling their constellations.
"You said you weren't any good at this." Padma says rolling her eyes.
"They were good guesses. I only knew that all of them started with Sada something. I won't remember them, besides Professor Sinistra won't repeat the book like you do, and she won't point to where the stars are. I'm pretty much hopeless in this area." Ron says.
"I'll help you. It's hard, but you knew the names, without second guessing yourself, which is a lot more than some people can do. I'm sure if you ask Professor Sinistra, she might give you some help. Her job after all, is to teach. You have learned the material, but you learn it differently. As long as you know it, I'm sure she won't have a problem with it. Stay after tonight. We'll be there until two in the morning anyway. I'm sure if you ask, she'll be glad to give you hints. I'll even tell her for you." Padma says.
"Thanks, but no thanks. She'll say no. Everybody will think it's an unfair advantage." Ron says.
"Yes, but it would be their fault for not asking. It won't hurt you to ask Ron. Look, I have to go get my books for this morning's lessons. I'll meet you here at lunch, all right? We'll concentrate on Aries, then." Padma says.
"Well as long as you explain it, I won't complain." Ron says packing up his stuff.
"By the way, what sign are you?" Padma asks.
"Pisces, March 1st." Ron explains. "How about you?"
"I'm a Gemini, May twenty-fifth." Padma says.
"Ah, twins." Ron says.
"Yea. Well, I'd better be going, I'll meet you here at lunch break." Padma says.
Ron kisses her before she leaves. He follows her out and goes upstairs to the Gryffindor Common Room. He went up the stairs into the boys' dormitory. Dean, Seamus, and Neville were still at breakfast. Ron assumed Harry went down too, but was corrected when he entered the dormitory with something behind his back.
"Hey Harry, where were you? What are you hiding?" Ron asks.
"Oh, good. I was afraid the others would be here." Harry says shoving the invisibility cloak back into his trunk.
"Were you spying on me in the library?" Ron asks.
"No, I lent it to Hermione, she just gave it back to me." Harry lies.
"You're lying, but what did Hermione use it for?" Ron asks.
"Fine, we snuck down to the library. Hermione said you were snogging with Padma, and I said you weren't. She said there was only one way of finding out, so we got my invisibility cloak and went down to the library." Harry explains.
"So you were right. I wasn't snogging with her in the library." Ron says.
"I know. You were getting help on Astrology." Harry says.
"Was Hermione shocked?" Ron asks.
"She was mostly complaining about how Padma couldn't sit on a chair." Harry says in a low voice.
Ron grinned and rolled his eyes.
Classes sailed along calmly; Padma continued to help Ron with Astrology in the library. On Friday night, Padma even brought Ron into the Ravenclaw common room, and they made out while everybody was having dinner. When everybody came back, they continued labeling the constellation maps.
"What's the Alpha star of Capricornus?" Padma asks Ron pointing to the brightest star still waiting to be labeled on the map.
"Algedi?" Ron answers unsurely.
"Right." Padma says.
"Working hard?" A voice from behind them asks. It wasn't the voice of Toby or Tabitha, who had disrupted them when they saw Ron in their common room. It wasn't even the voice of Sabrina, but it was the voice of a professor. The head of Ravenclaw house, Professor Sinistra was behind them.
Padma looked up at her head of house, not frightened or surprised. She smiled at Professor Sinistra. "Yes professor, I'm helping Ron with his homework. The prefects are going to change the password when he leaves." Padma assures her.
"Mr. Weasley, may I see what you've done?" Professor Sinistra asks.
Ron hands her his homework.
"Now I'm impressed. All these answers are right." Professor Sinistra says.
"Padma's been helping me, Professor. She's really smart." Ron explains.
Padma blushed, while Professor Sinistra nodded as she looked over an essay.
"Yes, Ms. Patil is indeed very bright. However, I am very curious as to how you can answer these questions with Ms. Patil with your textbook closed, but how you can't answer them without referring to your textbook in my lesson." Professor Sinistra says.
"Professor, he can locate the constellation, but he has trouble identifying the stars, as in their names and whether they're alpha, beta, gamma, or delta. However, if he knows which star you want him to identify, he'll remember the name." Padma explains.
"Demonstrate with the delta star of Capricornus." Professor Sinistra says.
"The star at the upper left corner is the Water Goat's Tail. What is the star called at the left end?" Padma asks.
Ron finds the star on the constellation and thinks for a second, before he answers, "Deneb Algedi."
Professor Sinistra was taken back. "All you had to do was refresh his memory with a sentence out of the book?" Professor Sinistra asks.
"I was just giving him a hint Professor." Padma explains.
"Mr. Weasley, I want Ms. Patil to keep tutoring you for my lessons. I'll revise some of the questions I ask to help you out. As long as you learn." Professor Sinistra says.
"Thanks." Ron says.
"Would you mind tutoring him?" Professor Sinistra asks.
"Not at all." Padma says.
"Keep up the great work." Professor Sinistra says before leaving.
"Good, now I have another reason to see you." Ron says smiling. He kisses her.
The next morning, Harry shook Ron awake. "Ron, wake up!" Harry whispers.
Ron got up and saw it was eight o'clock. "Harry its Saturday, go away, won't you?" Ron asks.
Harry pulled Ron out of bed, and he fell onto the floor.
"I'm up." Ron says irritated.
After he dressed in his robes he went downstairs to find Harry talking to the twins.
"What is it?" Ron asks.
"We want you to be our keeper. Professor McGonagall said you could play. She thinks you could use your energy for that. Tryouts are this morning. There are a couple of sixth years, a few fourth years, a couple of third years, and pretty much every second year trying out. Dean, Seamus, and Neville aren't awake, and none of the fifth year girls are trying out. Ron, you could make it as a keeper, we know you could. Madam Hooch is selecting though. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia are all out there now putting the Quaffle past the people who are trying out. We're going out there now to show them that they might not want to risk getting hit with a bludger. So are you going to tryout or what?" Fred asks.
"Yes, do I use a school broom?" Ron asks.
"Yes. They're probably better than the one you got at home." George says.
"All right." Ron says.
They walked out to the Quidditch field to find a line of Gryffindors with school brooms in their hands waiting to try out. A second year was trying out now, but he had yet to stop one of the girls' techniques in getting the Quaffle past him. Madam Hooch told him to come down, not even having the twins go up with the bludgers.
Ron was last to tryout, and Harry and him talked and watched everybody tryout. The second years weren't good at all. Fred and George didn't have to go up in the air and scare them with bludgers; they couldn't stop the Quaffle even without a distraction. It was good for the team to have experienced players. The girls as well as the twins were in their seventh year, and they were very smart about the game. The sixth years were pretty good, but they still dropped half of them, because of bludgers. The third and fourth years weren't good at all the most one of them caught was two out of ten. One of the sixth years had stopped them from scoring six times, and he would probably make the keeper, if Ron didn't catch more than six, and he was sure he wouldn't.
He flew up into the air on the school broom. He flew in front of the hoops warming up before he started. The girls tossed the Quaffle back and forth as they flew towards him. Angelina flew high above him, Alicia flew below him, and Katie flew between them, but behind them. Angelina flew left with the Quaffle, while Alicia flew right. Angelina went to pass the Quaffle to Alicia, but instead through it toward the post, but Ron had flown there and caught the Quaffle first, seeing the strategy done from the ground. He knew what they were doing. Everybody below, including Harry, and the people flying were shocked that he blocked it. Not only was it the first Quaffle, and none of the people who tried out caught the first one thrown at them, but also he had blocked one of their most confusing strategies, when most keepers couldn't. Not even Oliver Wood had been able to block that strategy.
Angelina took the Quaffle from Ron. They flew halfway down to the other side of the pitch and whispered their next strategy.
Angelina passed the Quaffle to Katie. Katie threw it to Alicia. They made a V in the shape of how they were flying. Katie was in front, while Alicia and Angelina were in back avoiding a bludger the twins were now pelting.
The girls kept passing the Quaffle back and forth to each other, and Ron had no clue as to which one was going to throw the Quaffle and where. Ron watched them carefully, and ducked to avoid a bludger. George flew in front of him blocking his view when one of the girls threw the Quaffle. He saw the Quaffle flying toward the right hoop and quickly dove in front of it, smacking it back in the air, away from the post and to Alicia with his broom. Those were the two hardest strategies the girls had.
They did the first strategy again, but they had Katie throw it, and Ron stopped it. They did it again with Angelina throwing it again (they assumed Ron would figure to block Alicia). They had Katie throw it in again, but still he blocked it. When Alicia went to throw it, a bludger came right at Ron's head, but he laid himself flat against the broomstick and caught the Quaffle.
They did four easier plays, one where Angelina passed the Quaffle to Katie behind her and she tried to throw it in, but to no success as Ron had stopped her.
Finally, the tenth Quaffle, and Ron had not let them put one past him. Madam Hooch was very impressed, and nobody could argue with Ron being keeper. The problem was that Ron wasn't sure he wanted to be.
"I don't know Harry, Fred and George will probably let the bludgers get me." Ron says.
"No, because then the other team's chasers would be able to put Quaffles past you, causing them to score points. Fred and George wouldn't risk losing." Harry says.
"The snitch would make up for it, you've only missed one, and that wasn't even your fault!" Ron says.
The twins and the girls all walked over to Harry and Ron, all of whom except Harry were sweating.
"Ron, you were better than Oliver, he could never stop that move." Katie says.
"How did you know that Angelina was going to throw it through the hoop and not to me?" Alicia asks.
"I was the last person to tryout. You used that strategy on everybody, but nobody noticed and so they thought Angelina would throw it to you, causing them to miss it." Ron says.
"He's brilliant at strategies." George says.
"The only thing he's brilliant at." Fred teases.
"Fred, tell him he has to play keeper." Harry says.
"He doesn't have a choice. Why wouldn't you want to play anyway?" Fred asks Ron.
"He thinks you'll let a bludger knock him out, or you'll hit one his way." Harry says.
"And let the other team win the game?" George asks.
"I think you hit him in the head with a bludger, but I don't recall seeing it." Fred says.
"Harry could catch the snitch and make up for any points they did score." Ron says.
"Good point." Fred says grinning.
Angelina smacks him. "Stop! We need him to be on the team and unhurt! He's the best keeper we could hope for." Angelina says.
"I know, I was just teasing. Besides, if me or George did let anything happen to Ron, my mum would come to Hogwarts and make sure we didn't." Fred says.
"Oh, never mind, I want to see that!" Angelina says grinning.
"Whoever's captain, needs to make sure you keep that sixth year as a reserve. I'm threatened with suspension, and McGonagall would kick me off the team, not to mention the twins accidentally missing a bludger or hitting it the wrong way." Ron says.
"We'll keep him, but you're our keeper, and Fred and George will not hurt you." Alicia assures him.
"And if McGonagall sees you play, there's no way she'll suspend you." Harry adds.
"And you'll be sure to stay out of trouble because we'll be practicing three days a week." Angelina says.
"You're the captain?" Fred asks.
"No, but still we ought to have a practice three days a week. I'm not sure whether it's Alicia, Katie, and I who have lost touch since we had that year off or whether Ron's just a really good keeper, and either way we need to challenge ourselves and Ron. This is our last year, so we ought to win the Quidditch Cup!" Angelina says.
"Who's the captain?" George asks.
"Well, it's our last year, and as we won't be here next year, they'd have to have a new keeper then, so we should have Harry or Ron be the captain. That's just my opinion." Angelina says.
"That makes sense. I mean, we won't fight over it, we'd joke around too much, and one of us couldn't be it without the other." Fred says.
"I agree." George says.
"So one of you." Alicia says.
"Just let us know." Katie says.
"Harry. He's been on the team five years, well four due to last year, but still. Harry." Ron says.
"No, I don't want to be captain!" Harry says.
"Well you are." Ron says.
"No, you should be captain, your good with strategies. You can relate more to the game than I can; I just look for the snitch the whole time. I say we should keep the keeper as the captain." Harry says.
"Harry doesn't want to be captain, so you girls fight it out." Ron says.
"No, actually, I agree with Harry. Your brothers said your brilliant with strategies." Angelina says.
"It's your last year." Ron says.
"Yes, which means the five of us won't have the time or patience to be captain because of the N.E.W.T.S and loads of homework. It's your first year now." Angelina says.
"Exactly why I shouldn't be captain, I haven't even played one game yet!" Ron says. "Harry, be captain, you've been on this team since your first year!"
"No, I want you to be captain, because you're good at strategies, you could help the girls. I don't need anymore responsibility right now." Harry says.
"Congratulations, captain." Fred says.
"Yea, congratulations, Ron. So when's practice?" George asks.
"See I don't know this stuff, Harry, when's next practice?" Ron asks.
"Whenever you call it. Reserve the field." Harry says.
"How about in a week? The other houses got this afternoon and tomorrow for tryouts. I really don't have time during the week with lessons and loads of homework." Alicia says.
"So we only practice on weekends?" Ron asks.
"Make it Saturdays, all day. We're going to need at least twelve hours a week. Sundays are when I do Friday's homework, so I need all day for that." Katie says.
"Right, and I reserve the field with who?" Ron asks.
"Madam Hooch. Ask her on Monday." Katie says.
"All right, Ron's going to lead us to victory! WOO HOO!" Alicia screams excitedly.
George laughs, while the others stare at her.
"Alicia, you had a bit too much sugar this morning." Katie says.
"How else do you expect anybody to be up this early on a Saturday? Them damn Slytherins always get to tryout during the afternoon." George says.
"Okay, then practice is next Saturday, I'll let you know what time, once I find out." Ron says. He starts to leave.
"Whoa, what's the rush?" Fred asks.
"I've got loads of homework, and I can't afford not to do it." Ron says. With that said he left the locker rooms.
Harry ran after him. "Hey, you did most of your homework already." Harry says.
"I have to study. Professor Sinistra is having somebody tutor me." Ron says.
"I wonder who that somebody could be… Padma?" Harry asks sarcastically.
"Yes, she's brilliant at Astrology." Ron says.
"Hermione's brilliant at every subject, why not have her tutor you? She's in the same house." Harry says.
"Professor Sinistra asked Padma to tutor me, not Hermione." Ron says.
"Congratulations on captain." Harry says.
"Why'd you make me captain? I could lead this team to lose, because I might not know what I'm doing. Then everybody would hate me." Ron says.
"Do you remember in our first year when I found that mirror?" Harry asks.
"Yes, what about it?" Ron asks.
"It's called the mirror of Erised, which spelled backwards is desire. Professor Dumbledore said that it shows our deepest desire, and I remember you said you saw yourself as Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. You deserve to be Quidditch Captain." Harry says.
"Harry, that was years ago. I appreciate you thinking of what I would want, but honestly I don't know how to be a captain. After everything that's passed I know I don't deserve anything." Ron says.
"You do. You'll be a great captain, and you're a damn good keeper! Besides, the girls couldn't score against you, and you saw how they scored past all those other people. Help them out." Harry says.
Ron sighs, "I'll try."
Later that afternoon, Harry found Hermione in the library. She was at a table that had a bookcase separating her and the table where Padma and Ron were at studying.
She looked up every once in a while to see if they were doing anything, but then returned to cursing Ron's name under her breath as she studied.
Harry sat down next to her with his books of homework. "What's wrong now?" Harry asks.
"Professor Sinistra has Padma tutoring Ron in Astrology. They're not even in the same houses. I could've helped him just fine. I always get top marks. I can't believe she didn't see what they're really up to!" Hermione whispers as she writes an essay for Professor Binns' class.
"Oh, and what, may I ask are they really up to?"
"Look what Padma's sitting on." Hermione whispers.
Harry didn't even need to look, to know she was sitting on Ron's lap.
"So? She was there yesterday." Harry says.
"Uh huh, now look where Ron's left hand is." Hermione whispers.
Harry squinted through the space between the books and the top of a shelf, and looked away finding Ron's hand, up Padma's skirt.
"That's what I thought." Hermione whispers in an 'I told you so,' way.
"Did Ron tell you he made the team?" Harry asks.
"No, he walked past me with Padma. Besides, it's not my business anyway." Hermione says.
Harry could see tears in her eyes as she pulled her hair out of her face. "Hermione, come back to the common room with me, please?" Harry asks.
Hermione packed up her books and followed Harry out of the common room.
Once in the common room, they found it deserted as everybody was roaming the castle, or studying in their dorms, or outside watching tryouts for other houses. "Hermione, what are you really upset about?" Harry asks.
"Ron wants me to stay out of his business, but I'm his friend, I used to think I was one of his best friends, but he's pushing me away! I'm just starting to wonder whether he was really my friend at all. I mean think about it, he hated me from day one, and he said it's not a wonder I don't have any friends. In third year we stopped talking because all we did was fight, and last year, when you weren't talking to him, he wouldn't talk to me." Hermione says wiping away her tears.
"Hermione, in second year, he coughed up slugs trying to get revenge on Malfoy for calling you a mudblood." Harry says.
"He coughed up slugs trying to get revenge on Malfoy. That's all it was." Hermione cries.
"Hermione, when you were petrified, do you know how miserable he was? As soon as Dumbledore said the Mandrake Potion was being given out, he was so happy to find you were all right. He cares about you Hermione, but third year was so confusing because of 'snuffles,' and he thought you didn't care about him. Do you know how embarrassed he was to bring that rat to school, and then he thinks the only pet he has is dead. He feels low enough not having the best of things, but not having anything is even worse, and that's why he flipped out at you, well that and he was frustrated when you wouldn't explain your schedule. Last year, he did talk to you. He just thought you were better friends with me than with him, and he didn't want to be rejected Hermione, so he stayed with his brothers. Besides, when we weren't speaking and Malfoy's curse bounced off on you, did you hear him curse at Snape when he said that there wasn't a difference?" Harry asks.
"Well, what's wrong with him lately? He won't even talk to me!" Hermione says.
"I don't know Hermione, I'll find out for you though." Harry says.
"Find out why his hand was where it was as well." Hermione says.
"No!" Harry says quickly.
"So who's captain?" Hermione asks changing the subject.
"Ron is." Harry says.
"How did that happen?" Hermione asks.
"The seventh years don't want it, I don't want to be captain, and Ron's really good at strategies. The girls didn't put the Quaffle past him once!" Harry says.
"Impressive." Hermione says.
"It is for him." Harry says.
Lessons began again on Monday. Harry talked to Professor McGonagall before class started.
"Professor, what did Professor Trelawney say to Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asks.
"She says she never lies." Professor McGonagall says rolling her eyes. "He's not in any danger."
Meanwhile, Ron was spending his lunch and dinner breaks with Padma in her common room. On Wednesday night, Toby entered the common room, not surprised to see Ron there.
"Studying hard?" Toby asks.
"Yes." Ron says not even looking up.
"Well, that's a shame, because I have to tell you something." Toby says.
Ron looks up. "What's that?" Ron asks.
"I made the Quidditch Team. I'm Chaser, and not only that, they elected me keeper, because I'm the wisest of the lot." Toby says.
"Really? Congratulations!" Ron says.
"Thanks. Did you try out for Gryffindor?" Toby asks.
"Yea, I'm their keeper and I've been elected captain, because nobody wants anymore pressure than they already have." Ron says.
"Not even Harry Potter?" Toby asks.
"No, he says this way McGonagall can't suspend me. Besides, he says all he was supposed to worry about was catching the snitch. It makes no sense to me, he's been on the team since his first year." Ron says shaking his head.
"Yea, Cho didn't want to be captain either. So it seems like all the captains are fifth years." Toby says.
"Why? Who are the captains for Hufflepuff and Slytherin?" Ron asks.
"The captain for Hufflepuff is Justin Finch-Fletchley. He's a seeker. As for Slytherin, Malfoy's captain, although we all know he bought that title. Crabbe and Goyle are chasers on the team now." Toby says.
"How'd you find this out?" Ron asks.
"Justin and I have Charms together, he told me. As for Slytherin, we had tryouts after them, and I saw the results." Toby says.
"As long as Slytherin doesn't win the house cup, I wouldn't mind if you or Justin took the cup, but it would be nice if Gryffindor won." Ron says.
"Yea, I agree, as long as Malfoy's name is not on that cup, I don't care either, but of course we're going to work for it." Toby says.
Padma cleared her throat impatiently.
"Oh, well I have to study." Ron says.
"Of course you do. Padma, are you going to give him a detention if he doesn't?" Toby teases.
Ron throws a pillow at Toby, and Toby runs up the stairs to his dorm.
Ron turns to Padma. "I'm sorry for getting distracted." Ron says. He kisses her neck, and she can't help but smile.
"You're forgiven." Padma says.
An hour later, Ron left for bed. He found Harry in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Harry! Guess what!" Ron says.
"Not now, I have to finish my paper for Astrology." Harry says.
"You can copy mine," Ron says digging it out of his bag. He throws it on the table for Harry to look at. "But I have to tell you what I found out!"
"What did you find, besides the right answers?" Harry asks. Then he quickly corrects himself, "If it has anything to do with Padma, please don't tell me." Harry says.
"No, it's not about her! It's about Quidditch." Ron says.
Harry put his quill down and looked up. This was something that could distract any teenage wizard.
"Malfoy's captain." Ron says.
Harry looked shock, but then understood, as Malfoy bought his way on the team. He wondered if he bought better broomsticks to become captain.
"I can understand that. Did he buy the team better brooms then?" Harry jokes.
"I don't know, maybe, but Crabbe and Goyle are on the team as chasers." Ron says.
"I'd hate to be keeper." Harry says.
"Oh, and Justin Finch-Fletchley is Hufflepuff's seeker and captain." Ron says. "So I don't think you'll have any problems catching the snitch, unless Fudge brings Dementors back, or unless you get distracted with Cho." Ron adds in a softer voice, with a mischievous grin on his face.
Harry punches Ron in the arm and rolls his eyes. "Who is Ravenclaw's captain then?" Harry asks, realizing he never mentioned it.
"Toby, but he's a chaser." Ron assures Harry.
"So basically, I'm going to have fun this year, while you're dealing with all the hard work." Harry says.
"No, see as captain, I'm going to make sure that Fred and George distract Crabbe and Goyle, so they don't kill the girls or me. As for the other chasers, none of them compare to the girls, with the exception of Toby, but as long as you get the snitch, that's all that matters." Ron says.
The portrait swung open letting Hermione in. She walked over to the two boys and dropped her bag.
"Hello." Hermione says to the two of them.
"Hey, where have you been?" Ron asks.
"The library. What about you?" Hermione says.
"Ravenclaw Tower." Ron answers.
"What?" Hermione asks.
"I was studying with Padma, calm down Hermione." Ron says rolling his eyes.
"You are going way too far!" Hermione yells.
"I'm sorry? Professor Sinistra wants Padma to tutor me Hermione. It's a bit distracting in the library with you cursing my name, which by the way we could hear!" Ron says angrily.
"Stop! Ron, Hermione, knock it off! You're going to end up not talking to each other, over nothing." Harry says.
They didn't seem to hear him.
"Yes, and it's very distracting when you to are talking about stars, with you complaining, and even more distracting, when I go to tell you to shut up, I find your hand somewhere it shouldn't be!" Hermione yells.
Ron was now extremely angry. He couldn't believe her. "One, she was helping me with my studies. There are other tables in the library that were far from us that you could've sat in rather than listen and watch us. Two, I told you to stay out of my business, why can't you listen? You're just jealous, because Professor Sinistra thinks there's somebody better than you in Astrology and asked them to help me!"
Hermione slapped Ron very hard across the face. He stumbled backwards in shock.
"Just leave me alone!" Ron yells. He ran up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.
"I think you've done more than enough, Hermione." Harry says.
She shook her head. "No, I have barely begun." Hermione says.
With that she started up the staircase, for the boys dormitory. She knocked on the door.
"Ron, come out here right now!" Hermione yells.
"You must have a hearing problem, I said leave me alone!" Ron yelled from the other side of the door.
Hermione rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. She went to open the door, but it was locked. "Alohomora!" Hermione yells and the door unlocks. She opens it and walks in the boys dorm.
Seamus and Dean had been laughing at the two fighting as they played Exploding Snap, but now they were shocked. Neville had looked up from his Herbology book, surprised as well. Harry walked in, not wanting to miss anything. He knew his friends were deaf to him, but Hermione in their dormitory was something else. Ron sat up and looked with disbelief before laughing.
"Well, well, well, aren't you the little hypocrite? A prefect breaking rules, how ironic? Professor McGonagall would love to hear about this." Ron says grinning.
"She'd love to hear about what you did in the library as well." Hermione says.
"Fine, go bloody tell her, I don't care. As long as you leave." Ron says.
"No! I'm not leaving until we talk." Hermione says.
"Well, I'm not talking or listening." Ron says.
"Your right, you're not going to be talking, but you will listen to me, because until you do, I'm not leaving." Hermione says.
"Damn, looks like I'm not getting any sleep tonight." Ron says miserably.
"What is your problem? You're almost as bad as Malfoy the way you're acting!" Hermione says.
"My problem is you! You're always in my business all the time! You're acting as bossy as Percy, but no wait, you're not acting!" Ron says.
"Oh so this is about me being a prefect, is it?" Hermione yells.
"No, it's about you being in my damn business." Ron yells.
"Ron, I'm your friend, and as your friend I like to know what's going on, because friends tell each other everything, and when they don't they have to find out!" Hermione says.
"Yes, well friends also give each other space and privacy, something you're completely not doing. So maybe we've made it clear that we're not friends." Ron says.
"What? Ron, I never said I didn't want to be friends with you. There is obviously some problem, and that's what I'm trying to solve, but you're not helping." Hermione says. She was still yelling and tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
"It's obvious what the problem is Hermione! You don't like the fact that I'm seeing Padma, and you're acting like a real bitch, because you're jealous!" Ron says.
"I can't believe how stupid you are, I don't know why I chose to be friends with somebody as dumb as you! You know what, I don't want to be friends with you anymore! In fact, I don't want to talk to you again! I'm sure you'll benefit from this, because you won't have to get me a birthday present, not that you could afford to buy anything anyway!" Hermione yells.
Ron's face turned from scarlet with fury to pink with humiliation. In a much calmer tone, he said, "The door is that way, don't let it hit your ass on the way out."
Hermione marched out of the dorm, not feeling guilty about what she said until she got outside the dorm. She walked down the stairs into the common room and sat down at the table. She had just killed their friendship. She insulted him by calling him poor and stupid.
On the other hand, he had called her a bitch, bossy, and jealous. How cruel and ludicrous of him! She wasn't jealous of Padma. No, that was absurd!
Ron cried himself to sleep that night silently. None of the boys dared talk to him. They knew Hermione had gone way too far. They'd be there for him, if he wanted to talk, but he didn't, and everybody knew that. Harry who had heard everything knew Ron was upset and didn't bother him. Harry was furious with Hermione, but knew that deep down her guilt was getting to her. Harry wondered how he could be a friend with both Ron and Hermione, when they hated each other. It wasn't possible in third year. Hermione claimed Harry was siding with Ron, and when Ron wasn't talking to Harry, it was true Hermione and Ron weren't the best of friends.
Harry got up, deciding he needed to talk to someone. He wanted to talk to Hagrid; he was always there for them, except now he was somewhere else, in the mountains, Harry guessed, but he wasn't sure. He decided he needed to talk to Sirius, so he went to the Owlery and sent Hedwig with a letter.
Hedwig returned early the next morning. Harry took Sirius' letter and read it. It told Harry to come downstairs to the common room and to bring his Invisibility Cloak with him. Harry dressed in his pajamas and went downstairs. He found Sirius in Padfoot's form. Harry covered the dog with his cloak, and felt Sirius hug him tightly. Harry knew he had transformed.
"How have you been?" Sirius asks in a whisper.
"I've been better to be honest with you. I didn't mean for you to drop whatever you were doing to come here. I swore I wrote when you get a chance and feel like it try and talk to me. I meant mostly through the fire, or you could've just said owl me, but I didn't mean for…" Sirius cut off Harry.
"I'm here because you need to talk. What's going on?" Sirius asks.
"The truth is I'm fine, but Ron and Hermione hate each other, and I'm afraid I'm going to lose both my friends, by just being friends with them. If I'm friends with Hermione, Ron will say I'm siding with her, and if I'm friends with Ron, she'll say I'm siding with him. It's been done before, only Hermione said that though, and I don't want to lose my friendship with her. I thought maybe I could be nicer to her, but what about my friendship with Ron? He'll think I'm taking sides. We're on the Quidditch team, and I'm afraid one of them will hate me. It's one thing for them to hate each other, but another for them to hate me! I mean Ron stopped talking to me for a month, and it was one of the most miserable of my life, but Hermione's always been there for me, I can't not be there for her." Harry says.
Harry realized he was probably boring Sirius. "Are you still here, or did I bore you to leave?" Harry asks.
There was no answer.
Harry sighed sadly, before he heard a snigger.
"Harry, of course I'm still here. When they wake up, tell them you're friends with both of them, and just because they can't act their age around each other, doesn't mean they should ruin friendships with you." Sirius says.
"Yea, but I know Ron, he'll say do whatever you want. He's so careless anymore." Harry says.
"Then maybe you shouldn't be friends with him. If he's so uncaring that he doesn't even care about you, then he obviously isn't a friend, is he? Something's up with Ron, and whether it be hormones, girls, or just an attitude it has to be changed. Until it is, I can't say I want you hanging around with him." Sirius says.
"You can't be serious!" Harry says.
"That's my name, don't wear it out." Sirius says with a laugh.
"You spent one too many years in Azkaban, because you've gone mad. End my friendship with Ron? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! I appreciate you coming here to talk to me, but you can't tell me who I can and can't be friends with." Harry says.
"He's going to get you into trouble Harry, and you don't need anymore. Watch yourself." Sirius says. He changes back into a dog and escapes Harry's invisibility cloak. Harry picks it up.
Sirius left the common room in his Animagus form.
Sirius didn't leave the castle, however. Ron found that out on his way to the Ravenclaw tower. He saw Sirius in his Animagus form in a classroom and entered wondering what he was doing there. Sirius locked the door behind Ron after he changed into his human form.
"Hey Sirius, what are you doing here?" Ron asks.
"I want you to stay away from Harry." Sirius says.
"You can't be serious… I mean you're joking, right?" Ron asks.
"No, I don't want you around him. I mean it. I don't know what you're going through, but you're getting yourself into trouble, and Harry will end up following you there, only trouble for him could mean death!" Sirius says.
"You know you should talk to Harry about this. I'd thought you'd know your Godson better than to doubt his judgment. He's not like me, all right? Harry's my best friend, I'm not going to kill the only friendship I have." Ron says.
Sirius grabbed Ron's wrist tightly. "Ron, you got in a fight in Diagon Alley, he got in trouble for just being there. Harry's really upset about you and Hermione having another conflict. He's not sure if he can still be a friend to both of you. You two are adding too much weight on his shoulders. He's already got the Wizarding World's fate, Cedric's death, and his own parents' death on his shoulders. The last thing he needs is having to choose sides. Do him a favor. Tell him to side with Hermione. She doesn't have any other friends. You have that girl in Ravenclaw. Don't be even more selfish. Think about Harry and Hermione. Please, for Harry's safety, stay away from him." Sirius says.
Ron pushed Sirius' hand away and left angrily.