Chapter 21 - Quarrels & Quidditch

Barney hadn't seen Tabitha for the rest of the weekend and he hadn't much wanted to. When he first saw her returning to Hogwarts hand in hand with Hamish he was about to go and storm over to her and ask her what exactly was going on but Thomas had stopped him. The rest of the weekend he had spent fuming in the Slytherin common room and only left briefly for meals or when Silvanna made the team practice Quidditch.

Unfortunately on Monday morning he couldn't avoid her as they had Defence Against the Dark Arts class together first thing. As he was approaching the classroom Thomas grabbed him and pulled him to one side.

"Hey, didn't see you much over the weekend," Thomas said, trying to sound casual.

"Yeah I had a lot of work to catch up on," Barney lied. Well it was a partial lie. He did have a lot of work to catch up on but he didn't spend the weekend doing it, he was in too much of a bad mood.

"So I've spoken to Tabs. She said Hamish had apologised about what had happened at her house with her father and said it was just a misunderstanding. That it never even crossed his mind who her father was when they started dating. So can you please be civil to her. I don't want to be stuck in the middle of you two not getting along again," Thomas pleaded.

"And what happens when Hamish does something to hurt her again? We're the ones who have to look after her," Barney fumed.

"Look right now she's happy and surely that's what's important? You may not like Hamish but she does so just be a good friend and support her decision."

Barney was prepared to be a friend to Tabitha but he wondered how long she would be a friend to them before she started ditching them again to spend all her time with Hamish.

Barney and Thomas walked into the classroom and took their seats at the desk with Tabitha but Thomas was back to his usual place of sitting between her and Barney. Tabitha looked up and said 'hello' to Barney and he gave a fake smile but didn't say anything as he sat down.

For once Barney was glad to have a lesson with Professor Grim as it meant they had to work in silence so he didn't have to try and avoid talking to Tabitha which he really wasn't in the mood for. And as soon as the lesson was over he made up an excuse and said he had to see Professor Dufour about a Runes assignment, which Thomas knew was a lie as they hadn't been set one.

For the rest of day Barney managed to avoid seeing Tabitha. She wasn't at Elio's sign language class much to Barney's relief and he wasn't shocked at all that she was already abandoning her friends though Thomas tried to defend her to the group.

The next day Barney couldn't avoid Tabitha completely as they had Potions together but he jumped at the chance to go and work with Velyan when Professor Slughorn announced they had to work in pairs, which meant he could sit on the other side of the classroom to her.

"Your meant to be stirring it anti-clockwise not clockwise," Velyan noted as he watched Barney.

"What? Oh sorry," Barney replied and started stirring it in the correct direction.

"Are you OK? You seem to have been making mistakes all lesson. Is it the Quidditch match with Ravenclaw on your mind?" Velyan asked.

"What? No it's nothing. I'm fine," he said though he seemed distant.

"You don't look fine. If you want maybe I can talk to Silvanna and see about you playing this game instead of me?"

"Don't be stupid. We need a good result against Ravenclaw if we're to keep up our challenge on the cup. The last thing I need right now is Silvanna on my back if I lost us the match."

Barney continued to stir the potion as he looked across the classroom to Tabitha. How could she get back with Hamish after how upset she was? Was Hamish genuinely interested in her or was he lying and he was just in fact using her to help him secure a job at the Ministry after graduating? Barney decided it wasn't his problem any more. Tabitha had made her choice and she would have to live with the consequences. He wasn't going to be there for her if Hamish hurt her again. He had more important things to do. He was determined more than ever to find the Endeavour Stone and work out how to use it.

After a Tabitha free Runes lesson and lunch Barney headed to his Care of Magical Creatures lesson which he unfortunately had with Tabitha. But at least the lesson was outside, which meant no desks so he didn't have to worry about making it obvious if he choose not to sit next to her. When he arrived by Hagrid's hut Tabitha smiled at him and once again he gave a fake smile back and then headed over to Silvanna and started a conversation about when the next Quidditch practice was even though he knew full well it was tonight.

"Honestly where's your head at these days West," Silvanna replied and Barney thought he genuinely didn't know.

Hagrid came out of his hut carrying a large box and strode over to a table he had placed besides his vegetable patch.

"Righ' gather round you lot," he said as he placed the box on the table and the students could hear an assortment of squeaks coming from it as they closed in.

Hagrid seemed excitable, more so than usual. Of all the Hogwarts' professors he seemed to be the one who loved his job the most. He not only had a genuine love and concern for all the creatures he taught about in class, but also for all the students he taught. He watched as the class approached, his eyes alight and his smile beaming. "I've got somethin' very special for yeh today," Hagrid said before his attention was turned when something jumped out of the box. "Oi you where'd yeh think yer goin'?," he bellowed as his huge hands grabbed the creature. "Yeh little rascal you."

As Hagrid cupped the creature in his hands the students could just about see what it was. It was about the size of a large orange and was green in colour. It seemed to wobble in Hagrid's hands like it was made out of jelly and it was shaped like a starfish with two bulbous black eyes and a mouth.

"This 'ere is a Pugwamp," Hagrid announced as he held the creature up in one hand and tickled it's belly with his other hand and the creature gave out a little squeal of delight. "An' they're very friendly creatures. 'Ere yeh go," he said as he handed the Pugwamp to Gwen to hold.

Hagrid reached into the box and took out more Pugwamps and started to hand them round the class before telling them about how to correctly look after them, what kind of habitat they liked to live in and and what they liked and didn't like to eat. The class had so much fun playing with the Pugwamps, tickling them to make them laugh and watching them interact with each other. So when the class neared the end they were all feeling a little down as Hagrid collected the Pugwamps up and put them back in the box.

"Now yer homework..." Hagrid started to announce and a few people groaned. "... is ter look after one of these 'ere Pugwamps."

"Really?" Daisy asked sounding excited and the mood of the class picked up again.

"Is that a good idea Hagrid?" Ralph Trint from Ravenclaw asked. "That's a lot of responsibility."

"Nonsense," Hagrid replied. "Most of yeh already have pets an' owls yeh look after? Besides..." he said picking up one of the Pugwamps from the box and then proceeded to launch it through the air straight at a tree and a lot of the students let out a gasp of shock.

The Pugwamp hit the tree and momentarily hung on to the side of it like it was stuck before it began to roll down the side of the tree all the way to the ground and it started to giggle. Hagrid walked over to it and bent down and picked it up.

"Pugwamps are resilient little beggars. So as long as yeh feed 'em an' give 'em enough attention they'll do jus' fine. Righ' now teh make things easier you'll be lookin' after one in pairs. I've already put yeh into pairs so when I call yeh names come up and collect yeh Pugwamp."

Barney waited for his name to be called hoping that Hagrid hadn't put him with Tabitha. But as everyone else was called up he could see Hagrid had been thoughtful enough to put people in a pair with someone they were friends with so he knew exactly who Hagrid would have put him with. As the number of students left dwindled Barney looked across to see Tabitha still standing there waiting to be called too.

It got down to the last four students and Barney was stood there with Tabitha, Gwen and Elio and he didn't need any Forefuturum potion to know what was coming next.

"Elio 'an Gwen," Hagrid called out and they went up to collect their Pugwamp as Tabitha looked over to Barney and smiled.

This time Barney didn't even bother to fake smile back.

" 'An finally Barney 'an Tabitha."

Tabitha went straight up to Hagrid to collect their Pugwamp and Barney lagged behind.

"Isn't he cute?" Tabitha said as she turned to Barney holding the Pugwamp in her hands. "What shall we call it?"

"I don't mind," Barney replied unenthusiastically as Tabitha carried their new Pugwamp and they went over and stood with the others.

"Now you'll be lookin' after 'em fer two weeks but if yeh get in teh any trouble jus' come an' find me," Hagrid said though most of the class weren't even listening, they were too busy playing with their new pets.

As they left the lesson and started heading back up to the castle, Tabitha tried to make conversation with Barney.

"So who wants to take him first? Can you have him tonight?"

"I can't. I've got Quidditch practice," Barney replied sternly.

"Oh right. Well I guess I could take him with me tonight."

Barney didn't need to ask Tabitha where she was off to tonight. No doubt she was going to be busy with Hamish. Barney hoped that having the Pugwamp with them would ruin their evening.

"Is everything OK?" Tabitha asked as she placed the Pugwamp in the pocket of her robes. "You've seemed a little off the last couple of days."

"I'm fine. I need to go get some dinner before practice," Barney said as he started to walk off in a different direction.

"Wait," she called out after him and jogged to catch up. "Look I know you're probably not happy about me and Hamish getting back together..."

"Why would I have a problem with that?" Barney replied defensively.

"It's just that we talked and what happened at Christmas was all a misunderstanding," Tabitha started to explain but Barney looked like he'd already lost interest in what she had to say. "I just don't want it to come between our friendship. I know you're only looking out for me."

"It will only come between our friendship if you stop making time for me like you did before."

"That's not going to happen again. I promise," Tabitha replied.

"Oh really? So why weren't you at Elio's sign class on Monday?"

"So I missed one class? What's the problem?" she fumed, going on the defensive.

"Because it's already started. Your prioritising Hamish over your friends."

"That's what people do when they're in relationships. One day you'll be the same if you ever start seeing someone."

"I would never ditch my friends like you did," Barney retorted.

"That's not fair. I never ditched you."

"Yeah well where were you when Viola was helping me decipher another page? Or when me and Thomas solved the riddle and I was nearly attacked by the beast?"

"That's all you care about is that stupid journal. And you wonder why I'd rather spend my time with Hamish?"

"Fine. Don't spend any time with me. For the next two weeks I'll be civil with you while we look after this Pugwamp but after that I'd done with you," Barney said before storming off.

"Barney wait!" Tabitha shouted after him but he kept going.

As Barney stomped to the Great Hall he was still seething about Tabitha. How could she make out like he was the one with the problem? When only days earlier she had literally been crying on his shoulder over Hamish. He hadn't wanted to lose her as a friend but he wasn't prepared to be treated as an afterthought when Hamish wasn't around and Tabitha needed someone to hang out with. He tried telling himself he had done the right thing but deep down he was sad to be losing her because he really liked her, more than he'd ever like to admit.

The rest of the week Barney managed to avoid Tabitha as much as he could when they were looking after a Pugwamp together. They only briefly saw each other to hand over the Pugwamp when it was the other person's turn to look after it. And when they did they barely said two words to each other.

"Can't you two just make up already?" Thomas asked Barney once Tabitha had left after dropping off the Pugwamp as they sat in the Great Hall.

"If anyone should be apologising and trying to make things up it should be her because she's the one in the wrong!" Barney fumed at Thomas. "And even if she did I wouldn't accept. She's made her choice."

"OK OK. I was just trying to play peacekeeper."

"I know and I'm sorry I didn't mean it to have a go at you. I know the situation isn't great being friends with both of us," Barney said feeling bad. "I've got a History of Magic essay to finish. Think I'm just gonna go and finish it in my dorm."

"Good luck with the game tomorrow," Thomas said as Barney started to pack up his things.

"Thanks. Though it's not like I'm going to get to play. Can you remind Tabitha that she needs to collect the Pugwamp at breakfast?"

"Sure thing."

As Barney left Thomas could see how down his friend was looking and wished he could do something to make him feel better. But he knew there wasn't much he could do. Both Barney and Tabitha were just as stubborn as each other.

When Barney got back to his dorm he sat on his bed, laid out his history texts books in front of him and placed the Pugwamp on his pillow with a bowl of fruit beside it. He managed to write two lines of his essay before he couldn't be bothered anymore and gave up, unable to focus.

He lay on his bed with his head on his pillow next to the Pugwamp and watched the little creature and envied him. A Pugwamp had a sweet life he thought. Getting food brought to it, sleeping when it wanted and it always seemed to be in a happy and playful mood. Barney was certainly finding his sixth year at Hogwarts hard and he couldn't wait for the summer for it to be over.

The next morning, having not got much sleep Barney got out of bed at the crack of dawn and took a cold shower to help energise him for the day ahead. When he got back to his room all his dorm mates were awake, excited for the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw.

After breakfast where he had briefly seen Tabitha to hand over their Pugwamp he headed down to the changing rooms with the rest of the Slytherin team and got changed even though Velyan was fit and ready to go. After a motivational speech from Silvanna which seemed more like a telling off than actually inspiring them, Barney took his usual place in the stands while the rest of the team headed out onto the pitch.

"What's the mood like with the team?" Everard asked as Barney sat next to him.

"Silvanna's acting like she's heading into the third wizarding war and the rest of the team are so scared of her they dare not lose."

"Ravenclaw's Seeker Callum Pabel looks pretty fast and Tilly Greensmith, for a girl with one arm is a pretty nifty Beater," Everard noted as Madame Hooch got ready to blow her whistle to start the match.

Within sixty seconds of the match starting Marek had scored for Slytherin, earning them ten points and the Slytherin stands erupted in joy. But the joy was short lived as soon Ralph Trint had equalised for Ravenclaw.

The match was very evenly balanced with the lead changing several times and neither of the Seekers seemed to be having any luck finding the Golden Snitch.

The score was seventy all when Barney spotted Tabitha out the corner of his eye, heading along the Slytherin stand.

"Great what does she want?" he muttered to himself.

"Barney we need to talk," she said, having to shout a little as the Slytherin supporters started to boo after a very dirty tackle made against Silvanna by one of the Ravenclaw players.

"Can't it wait? Now is not really a good time."

"But it's important."

Barney was about to say what could be more important than Quidditch when Tabitha pulled out their Pugwamp from her jacket pocket.

"I think there's something wrong with him."

Barney looked at the creature and he looked a lot paler than normal and he was not full of his usual energy.

"What did you do to him?"

"Me? I didn't do anything!" Tabitha protested.

"Well he was fine when I gave him back to you this morning."

"I couldn't get him to eat anything this morning. Did he eat much last night?" she asked.

"Now you come to mention it he didn't eat much of his dinner," Barney replied, feeling a little bad for having blamed Tabitha when he himself had failed to notice anything wrong last night.

"I think we should take him to Hagrid right now," Tabitha suggested, looking extremely worried.

"Right now? But what about the game?"

"Fine stay here. I'll go on my own!"

"No wait," Barney said jumping up from his seat and following her. "I'll come. It's not like they'll miss me."

They found Hagrid in his hut. He was sat at his table bandaging up his hand.

"What happened to you?" Barney asked.

"Got a bit too careless with a Murtlap but it's nothin' serious. Now what can I do fer you two?"

"It's our Pugwamp," Tabitha said holding it out in front of her. "It's not well."

Hagrid looked at the little creature curled up in Tabitha's hand and gently picked it up in his good hand.

"Has he been eatin'?" he asked as he placed the Pugwamp on his table and started to carefully stroke it with his finger.

"He hasn't eaten anything today," Tabitha replied.

"And he didn't eat much last night," Barney added and the pair of them stood in Hagrid's hut not even looking at each other.

Hagrid looked at them both suspiciously. "An' what's goin' on with the two of yeh?" he asked, noticing something was up.

"Nothing," Tabitha replied instantly in a defensive manner, while Barney just stared at the floor and remained quiet.

"I think I know what's wrong with yeh Pugwamp," Hagrid replied and took a seat at his table and no longer looked at all concerned for the creature.

"What's wrong with him then?" Tabitha asked desperately.

"You," Hagrid replied. "The pair of yeh."

"What do you mean?" Tabitha asked confused.

"You've been arguin' haven' yeh?"

"Well I mean we've had some disagreements," Tabitha replied defensively.

"I would say it's a bit more than that," Barney said, finally speaking.

"I probably should have warned the class about this, but I didn' think it would be a problem. That's why I paired everyone up with a friend. See Pugwamps have a knack of sensin' tension an' hostility an' see it upsets 'em. So you two not gettin' along has been upsettin' the little fella."

"So it's our fault?" Tabitha asked looking very shameful.

"Afraid so. But the good news is that if yeh make up, the Pugwamp will be back teh his old self in no time at all."

Barney and Tabitha both looked at each other and then towards their Pugwamp who was still on the table curled up.

"Look I'm sorry Barney," Tabitha said speaking first. "I'm sorry that I neglected you before. I shouldn't have prioritised Hamish over our friendship."

Hagrid looked at Tabitha and gave her a pleased smile before turning to Barney who wasn't saying anything and was now back to looking at the floor.

"Ahem," Hagrid said, verbally nudging him to speak.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have been mad at you..." Barney said and looked towards Hagrid who was giving him a stern stare. "... and I should have been more supportive of your relationship."

Hagrid smiled and put his hands in his lap in a contented manner. Even the Pugwamp was beginning to look happier, no longer curled up and starting to move around the table.

After Hagrid had made them both a cup of tea and they had talked some more they both left with a now happy Pugwamp.

As they walked back to the castle Barney was glad that they had cleared the air and he really hoped that she stuck to her word as she had said she would make sure she always made time for him. He didn't want to lose her as a friend again, she meant too much to him. And as he thought about her he started to think about how he felt about her and how much he actually liked her.

"Sorry you missed most of the match," Tabitha said.

"It's OK. Like you said, this was more important and I'm glad we've sorted things out, I missed not having you as a friend. Plus Thomas will be happy now." he said as he turned to look at her but she suddenly looked worried. "What's up?"

"Don't you see?" she replied but Barney had no idea what she was talking about. "It's Hagrid."

"What about him?"

"His hand. It was bandaged just like I saw when I drank the Forefuturum potion. It's all coming true!"