CHAPTER THREE- MEDDLE

After Snape's class, it was time to go to History of Magic, with the incredibly boring Professor Binns. But at least Binns paid no one any attention, so he would not be adding onto the chaos of the Diary Incident.

But as the Gryffindors walked through the hall to class, the diary was the gossip of the morning.

"So, Neville," Lavender Brown began, trying to fall into step with him. "You like Hermione? That is SO cute!"

"You should ask her out," Pavarti Patil added, walking on Neville's other side.

He appeared to be claustrophobic.

Further down the hallway, Millicent Bulstrode scoffed," Wow, Hermione! You're so lucky someone likes you, even if it's Nerdville Geekbottom!" She and a group of Slytherin girls tittered.

"Oh, shut your face, Bulk-strode," Harry retorted. "As if anyone's crushing on you!"

"You know, Potter," Pansy started, making sure that her cleavage was showing, because everyone had turned to hear her comment. "It's funny that you're trying to defend Granger, when in reality, we all know that you have a thing for Neville."

Though stupid and uncalled for, this statement struck most of the teenage bystanders as comedy at its best.

Ron was silent.

"Would you do something, PLEASE?" Harry asked Ron angrily. "Punch someone in the nose if you have to, but act NORMAL!"

Ron paid him no attention and continued walking toward Binns' classroom.

It was all too much for Hermione when Seamus Finnigan began to sing in his crazy, Irish- way ," Oh, 'Ermione and Neville sitting in a tree! K-I- S-S-I-N-"

"STOP IT," she screamed at the top of her lungs.

The nutty grin fell off of Seamus' face. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

Hermione grabbed Neville by the arm. "Let's go, Neville. We're going to see Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Why?" asked Neville.

"Because Professor Snape should get into trouble! It's his fault that we're both getting such awful attention, and I hate to say it, but I think he wants it that way! Dumbledore will stop this before it gets any worse!"

Neville shook his head rapidly. "No. I won't go. Professor Dumbledore will want to read what I wrote to see why it caused such a stir, and I never should have written that stuff because now everyone knows and they all think it's funny, and I just don't feel comfortable- that's all."

Hermione sighed. "Neville, Dumbledore, will NOT want to read your diary."

Neville looked very put out as he said," Well, I don't want to go to the Headmaster's office. I want to go to bed."

"I'd go to bed if I were you," snapped Ron with a look of hatred.

"I'm going to Dumbledore's now," Hermione announced, "if anyone would like to come."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Bloody Hell, Hermione! You don't have to get so worked up over a stupid, little journal! That is so dumb! It isn't like he really likes you. He's just writing about you. Big freaking deal," Ron finished meanly.

"Uh- now YOU'RE taking the piss, Ron. Of course Neville likes her," Harry exclaimed, nudging Ron in the shoulder.

"What's wrong with you?" Hermione asked, looking concerned.

"Nothing's wrong with me. I'm just becoming sick of this whole, bloody thing."

"But why?"

Ron clenched his teeth. "It's disgusting! Just because Neville wrote a few words down that happened to go together, everyone's turning into BLOODY NUTTERS! Is there ANY excitement around here? Are you all so BORING that you think it's a wonder to say 'Oh, yes! I get excited around my study buddy!' Whoo, big deal," he repeated, now shouting. "That's really something."

The entire group was shocked. For once, Hermione had nothing to say. Harry was alarmed, and Neville kept blinking like he might cry again. This was really not his day.

Ron looked down at the floor and up again. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm a bit.. Angry... At Snape. And Malfoy. Yes. Angry. Sorry, all."

With that, he turned and walked into Binns' class.