Harry tried to think of a time when he had seen his two friends as angry with each other, but no occasion sprang immediately to mind. That incident in third year came close, though- when Ron believed that Hermione's cat Crookshanks had eaten his pet rat, but that had turned out all right in the end.

It didn't look as though everything would turn out all right this time.

Hermione had tearfully explained the situation to him, and, although it was both ludicrous and farcical, he couldn't find a reason why Hermione would make up a story like that. Unless Ron was right and she really was trying to break him and Parvati up. But if that was the case, what possible motive could she have? Hermione didn't fancy Ron or anything. Did she?

Harry sighed as he walked through the doors of the library, where Hermione had just told him all about Parvati's "plan". He knew in his heart of hearts that Hermione would never lie to him and Ron- but the story was so far fetched. Like something out of that stupid show Aunt Petunia liked to watch- Passions, or whatever it was called. But she wouldn't make it up. She wouldn't lie just for her own selfish reasons.

But then again, Hermione hadn't acted particularly confident of her innocence either. It had been three days since Ron had gone off at Hermione in the dorm- Seamus was still mad at them- and Harry had never seen either of his friends act quite like this.

Ron was angry. Not just angry but really astoundingly angry. This time, he was angry with her to the point that it almost consumed him. It seemed like all he felt was anger and all he could think about was how much he hated Hermione.

And Hermione was hiding. She looked almost frightened of Ron. And if, Harry reasoned, she was telling the truth, wouldn't she go and stand up to him? He asked as much of her in their conversation in the library.

"He never believes me, Harry," she'd whispered, bending her head and letting a curtain of curls fall across her face. "I can't try and convince him any more. That night in the dorm…I've never seen him so angry."

"Me neither," Harry had agreed, "But he's not going to kill you or anything. Why're you hiding if your story is true?"

She'd looked at him. "You don't believe me."

"Well…you've got to admit, it's like something from a soap opera."

"I knew you'd side with him."

"Don't be like that!" Harry had said defensively, as she'd gotten to her feet and prepared to move away from him, "I'm just trying to figure out all the facts."

"Why would I make it up?" she'd demanded. "What kind of low-life person do you think I am?"

"You're not a low-life."

"Then stop treating me like one!" she'd snapped. She'd immediately been shushed by Madame Pince. "Look, leave me alone, Harry- I've got work to do." And their conversation had ended.

As Harry wandered through a tapestry he happened to glance out the window. The sky was dark and grey and stormy, appropriately enough- it seemed like everyone was in a dark mood these days. Even Sirius had gotten grumpy when Harry had morosely recounted Ron and Hermione's argument. "Why are you worrying about it?" he'd said with a deep frown. "This is no time to be getting distracted. I want you focusing on your schoolwork, Harry. Your O.W.L.s are at the end of the year, and-"

"All right, all right!" Harry had snapped. "Sorry for being concerned about my best friends!"

"Well sorry for being concerned about you!" Sirius had shot back. "I should think by now you'd be bloody well used to them arguing!"

"And how would you know what it's like, seeing as you've only known them for what, all of one year?!"

Harry wished he hadn't said that now. Sirius had retreated from the argument, and assumed that expression, the I'm-so-tired-of-living-and-you're-making-it-harder expression. Sirius was right, there were bigger things to focus on right now- but Ron and Hermione were still his best friends. When they were sad, so was he. He couldn't just retreat from their problems just because Voldemort was after him. It was just not what good friends did.

It was a cold day, so the common room was fairly crowded with Gryffindor students seeking refuge from the drafty castle in the cosy tower. Ron and Parvati were sitting near the fire. Ron looked sullen but Parvati was chattering away in his ear anyhow. Harry was tempted to turn around and wait until Parvati had left. Sure, it was good that she still didn't hate him after the Yule Ball incident last year, but he found her friendliness much worse than her silence. At least with her ignoring him he didn't have to listen to her chattering on, "oh Harry you did so well in Quidditch today," "Oh Harry, you're so smart, I just don't get this essay question," "Oh Harry, do you think maybe you could carry my books for me? They're ever so heavy." Harry longed to turn around and say, "Oh Parvati- sod off!"

Fighting a groan, Harry walked over to them and stood by Ron's chair. Ron looked up at him. "Oh, hi. Where've you been?"

"In the library." Harry said. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Go right ahead."

"No I mean…alone," Harry said pointedly, looking at Parvati. Her beaming smile was replaced with a frown.

"Fine," she said haughtily, and stalked off to join Lavender by the window.

"So?" Ron said, 'What's the matter? You look upset…"

"I am, a bit." Harry admitted. "I've been talking to Hermione."

"Oh," said Ron, and his already grumpy expression darkened. "I don't care."

Harry shook his head. "Well maybe you should start. I don't know Ron," he sighed. "I don't think she's telling the truth, but I don't think she's lying, either."

"Well it can only be one or the other," growled Ron, his eyes blazing. "You believe that Parvati's trying to use me to get to you? Thanks a lot! I didn't think you could be so up yourself!"

"Would you shut up!" Harry snapped back, "I just don't think you should condemn her so easily, that's all! But clearly you don't want to listen to me or her!"

"You're right, I don't," Ron said. "And clearly you know even less about me than Hermione does. So much for being my friend."

For a moment Harry felt like reaching out and slapping Ron on the side of the head. But he was glaring into the fire, not even looking at Harry while he spoke.

"I can't be bothered fighting with you," Harry muttered, standing up. "I've got enough to worry about, all right? I'll come and talk to you when you're not being so pig-headed."

"Suits me," Ron called after Harry as he stormed up the stairs to the boys' dorm.

"Ridiculous," Harry muttered to himself, slamming the door behind him, "They're both ridiculous. This whole situation is just so bloody ridiculous!" He threw himself down onto his bed.

As much as he didn't want to admit to Ron, he did believe some parts of Hermione's story. The part about Parvati not liking Ron at all was actually very feasible. When he was with the two of them, Parvati tended to ignore Ron completely and focus all her attention on…

"Me." Harry said into his pillow. Why did he have to be brought into this? What was Hermione trying to do, making that up? Why would any girl go to so much trouble just for him? It didn't make sense.

He pummelled his fists into his pillow, wishing that Parvati had never asked Ron out in the first place. All she'd done was make trouble between him and his friends. Why couldn't anyone ever just leave him and Ron and Hermione alone?

"RRRRGH!" he yelled into his pillow in frustration. And that was when he felt someone put their hand on his back. He sat up at once to come face to face with Parvati Patil.

"What are you doing in here?" he yelped.

"Are you all right?" Parvati said, ignoring his question. "You look upset, you poor thing."

"What are you doing in here?' Harry repeated.

She smiled at him winningly. "I saw you come up here looking upset, I just wanted to make it better. That's what friends are for, right?" She moved a few inches closer so that her leg was touching his. Harry stood up immediately.

"Yes, well- we're not friends," he said coldly. Anything to get her out of the dorm. Far from being deterred by this, Parvati beamed.

"Oh, I'm so glad you feel the same way I do!" she cried, standing up beside him and slipping her arms around his waist.

"What are you talking about?" Harry said, removing her hands and stepping backward.

"You feel it too," she said rapturously, not to be put off, and coming closer to him. "The attraction. We're more than just friends, aren't we?"

Harry backed away until his back was to the wall, feeling quite alarmed. "S-stop it," he said, his voice breaking, "What are you talking about?"

"I tried to hide it too!" she cried, 'I didn't want to hurt poor Ron's feelings- but it's too big to be silenced Harry. Just let your feelings out."

"Go away," Harry said loudly.

"Can't you see you can't fight destiny?" Parvati said, slipping her arms around his neck. Harry slid along the wall, eyes wide.

"This isn't destiny, it's just very disturbing!" he snapped. "Stop it! Get out of here!"

"Oh, Harry-" she cried, moving her face close to his.

"Parvati!" Harry cried. "Get away from me!"

But there was no putting her off. To his absolute disgust, she grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him- right on the mouth. He struggled but to no avail- she wasn't letting go.

"Get the hell off me!" he tried to yell- but it came out more like, "Meh fee pherr moff mee!"

And that was when the dorm door burst open. With a last desperate shove, Harry managed to push her away. "What the hell do you think you're doing?' he gasped, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. And then he spotted exactly who had opened the dorm door- Ron. He stood framed in the doorway for a second, his eyes wide pools of shock- then he turned on his heel and ran.

"Ron!" Harry gasped, sprinting after him. Down the stairs, through the common room- "Ron, wait!" He never realised how fast Ron could sprint with those long legs. Ron vaulted through the portrait hole, and Harry stumbled after him, chasing him down the corridor, gasping for breath. Ron skidded around a corner, running straight into Hermione.

"Ron!" she gasped, as he sent her pile of books crashing to the floor. 'What are you-?"

Ron didn't stop to apologise or explain, just kept on running.

"Harry?" Hermione gasped as Harry whizzed past behind him. Harry didn't have the time or breath to explain what was going on- he just wanted to catch up to Ron, to tell him what happened, to fix everything- (behind him he could hear Hermione start to run after him with a cry of "Wait!"). And Ron continued running all the way downstairs, and through the great hall, leaping down the steps of the entrance hall and outside into the grey cloudy day.

"Ron," Harry choked, finally catching up to him as Ron slowed down, "It wasn't what you think- I swear it wasn't-"

And without warning, Ron spun around, fists tightly clenched, and hit Harry on the side of the face.

Harry was quite used to being hit- but not by his best friend. Caught by surprise, he stumbled backward- right onto Hermione, who had just caught up with them, gasping. With a cry of surprise, she grabbed Harry as he tumbled into her, and just managed to stay upright, holding Harry under the arms. "What on earth-!" she managed to gasp.

A good fifteen-second silence passed between the three of them, as all three stared at each other, panting. Harry was holding the side of his face. It had only been a light punch, but he felt it imprinted on his cheek like ice. Ron finally broke the terrible silence. "You were right," he said breathlessly, looking at Hermione. "You were right all along. I should have known. You're always right."

And then he ran again, away from them, towards the far side of the lake. This time, Harry didn't run after him.

*

Hermione woke up the next morning with weak sunlight pouring through her bedroom window and a terrible sinking feeling in her heart. It took a moment for her brain to clear and pinpoint the problem, but as soon as she remembered, she wished she hadn't. The previous days events swam back to her- Ron and Harry chasing each other through the corridors, she running after them down to the lake, and then seeing Ron spin around and hit Harry. Right in the face.

Squinting, she sat up and looked out her window. The grounds were covered in the first snow of the season. Everything was sparkling and crisply white and wintry. Down below, Hagrid was striding through the snow, pushing a path up to the Great Hall. Hermione decided to skip breakfast and take a long brisk walk in the grounds. It would do her good, she decided, to air out her brain and have a really long think.

She got dressed slowly, remembering her conversation with Harry yesterday as he explained to her what happened between him and Parvati.

"I tried to get her to go away," he'd said simply, again and again, and Hermione believed him. Parvati's plan had backfired, was all- Harry despised her. She felt a rush of anger. Parvati had caused all this trouble- she'd hurt Ron's feelings, and Harry's feelings, and wrecked everything.

And yet, somehow, she still heard a satisfied little voice at the back of her brain. "Of course you were right all along. Ron should have listened to you. I told you you're jealous."

Jealous? Hah! Did it even matter how she felt any more? What was important was the utter chaos that their friendships had been thrown into.

But it was all right. All she had to do was think laterally.
So what's the problem?
Ron hit Harry because Parvati threw herself at Harry.
And how does that affect you?
They're my friends and I can't stand seeing them unhappy.
So what can you do about it?
Talk to Ron. But I don't want to.
And why is that?
I don't know what to say to him.
And why is that?
Because there is only one thing to talk about and that's what happened yesterday, but I don't know what to say to make it all better.
And why do you have to make it all better?
Because that's what friends are for.
And why else?
Because…I don't want to see him get hurt.
And why is that?
Because I care so much about him.
And why should that create any problems at all? You care about him. That should be all you need to know. You've got to let him know how you feel, so he'll know that you'll be there.

With an impatient sigh, Hermione banged a brush through the ends of her hair. She was sick of thinking laterally- sick of thinking period. All it did for her was come up with answers she really didn't like. Maybe she shouldn't go for a walk, if thinking was only going to confuse her further. Maybe, she should just find Ginny and let her talk- which she could do without abandon. And it had been quite a while since she and Ginny had had a natter. Maybe she could just wander down to the Great Hall and sit herself down at the Gryffindor table and laugh herself stupid at whatever Fred and George were doing, or watch Seamus and Dean get into a debate about football, or maybe even have it out with Parvati Patil once and for all, for ruining everything and breaking Ron's heart. Yes, that's what she should do, bypass her walk and…

But then, she caught a gimpse of a tall, red-haired figure trudging through the snow outside through the window, and changed her mind.