Chapter eighteen- Sod SHASH

Ron's PoV

I ladled chicken casserole onto Harry's plate, knowing he wouldn't eat it. Although he didn't look it, I knew Harry was too nervous to eat much. Same as me. Besides, Harry was also really annoyed.

Bloody *Vicky*. 'I look forward to showing how a proper team wins a match you two. And I'm sure Hermione does as well. Two bad that Quidditch isn't for losers.'

I don't blame Harry for trying to curse him, but I also knew that he couldn't do it with everyone watching, including the teachers. Bit stupid, really, telling him what *Vicky* had said in the first place. I was pretty proud of my wand-snatch technique. I knew what he was going to do straight away, though, so maybe it wasn't so impressive.

I gave Harry his wand back at the table and began to pick at my chicken. I was too angry, as well as nervous about the match. We were *so* going to trounce Boltaveria. We *had* to. They couldn't win- it just was not acceptable. I just hope that Harry doesn't catch the Snitch before I *accidentally* knock *Vicky* off his broom.

"Hey Cap'n" Fred said cheerfully as he and George sat down opposite us. "How are we today?" Asked George.

Harry shrugged. I could tell he was still too angry to talk, and I knew just how he felt. He was probably thinking long the same lines as me actually.

"Cheer up mate." George said, noticing Harry's forlorn attitude. He looked at me, and I must have been sending the same vibes, because he rolled his eyes and said, "And you bro. Geez, it's just a match. Not important."

"Yeah, he's right. I say we just lose and have some fun." Fred said, before he glanced at George and they both burst out laughing. Me and Harry looked at each other and rolled our eyes before looking back at our food. The twins had finally calmed down a bit.

"Anyway, we've got a plan." Fred said secretly, leaning in closer towards us. George grinned and leaned in as well. "Yeah," He agreed. "And it's great."

They looked at each other, back to us, and spoke at the same time. "Exploding robes."

Harry and I had to laugh. *Exploding robes*? What is up with them?

Fred grinned wider. "Yeah, our latest invention. We swap their Quidditch gear just before the match, and halfway through- BOOM! They don't get hurt or anything- just a bit shocked when they realise they're on show."

At this, he and George started to laugh again, while I sat back and picked up my fork. As I did so, I noticed *Vicky* and the rest of the Boltaveria team get up from the Durmstrang table. My eyes narrowed and visions of suspending *Vicky* from one of the goalposts filled my mind. It was then I noticed Hermione. I looked closer.

It wasn't unusual to see her sitting with them- she had been for the last week. But that look on her face- she looked really upset. No, angry. No- *livid*. And it was *Vicky* she was looking at. Trouble in paradise?

Even though it seemed all wasn't well with the dream couple, I didn't feel the triumph I thought I would have. Instead, I felt kind of worried. What was wrong? I might be wrong after all- there might be something else that's got her so wound up. And Hermione upset was something I was sure that *Vicky* couldn't help with, the silly twit. She needed her friends.

Except I wasn't talking to her.

"Should we go down now?" I asked Harry and the twins, standing up. The three of them looked up at me and then at their watches. To my relief they all agreed and we made our way through the halls and outside, only pausing briefly as Ginny, who was writing in her diary and walking at the same time, stopped to wish us luck.

I scanned the grounds quickly, but there was no sign of Hermione and *Vicky*. I knew that, with it being so close to the match and all, there was little chance of them being *inside* so they must be out there somewhere. Harry and the twins were discussing the new seeker tactics as they headed down to the Quidditch pitch, and luckily none of them seemed to realise how agitated I was.

After one more glance down towards the pitch to see if they were there, (which they weren't) I stopped and cleared my throat. "I've forgotten something." I said, starting to walk back up to the school before they could say anything or ask questions.

I didn't go back up to the school all the way though. I stood on the slope in front of the front steps, looking over the silent grounds. There was no one in sight. I was just about to go back into the school to have a quick look around when a memory suddenly flashed back to me- the First Task.

I had been acting like a total twat that afternoon after McGonagall had taken off Harry and Hermione had dragged me over to the greenhouses to tell me about the dragons. It had shut me up, I can tell you that.

The *greenhouses*. They were in sight of where I was standing, and after looking for a couple of seconds I noticed the hem of a black robe- Hermione.

I made my way down the slope slowly and quietly. I didn't want to get too close after all- it wasn't like I wanted to talk to them or anything and I *definitely* didn't want them to see me. I just wanted to make sure that Hermione was OK.

SHASH, an annoying part of my traitorous brain said quietly. I took another step down the slope, slightly to the right where I could clearly see Hermione, down the slope, about fifteen feet away from me. She had been hidden by a clump of rose bushes by the door of greenhouse two, but now I could see her, and a tiny part of *Vicky* with his back to the greenhouse. She still looked really angry- more so now than earlier, but I couldn't hear what she was saying.

I hadn't wanted Hermione to get hurt- and she was looking hurt. I had a new policy now- sod SHASH.

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The deep, dark, sometimes-sarcastic thoughts of Harry Potter-

Home, home on the range, where the dum dee dee tied up in chains, where the dum dee dee dah, dah dah dah dee dee dah, dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah dah, everybody! Home, home on the range...

Dear Diary, Ooh! Chicken casserole- my fave! Gotta go, see ya! Love Ginny xxx