N. E. W. T. S. were rapidly approaching but for once studying wasn't Hermione Granger's top priority. The realization worried her. To her studying was not just about getting good grades and proving herself – it was a passion. Knowledge, seeking and acquiring it, was one of her greatest joys. Not her only one though, she reminded herself, thinking of Ron. A goofy look crossed over her face as she did.
However, Ron wasn't the only thing that kept her from studying over the past three weeks, Hermione thought, her grin fading. Two of her oldest and dearest friends were hurt and confused. Blasted advice! Half the time Hermione felt like she never should have advised Ginny. Of course the situation would still be there. Ginny would still have feelings for Harry and he wouldn't know. Now at least they were suffering together, not the most comforting of thoughts admittedly.
Now Hermione feared Neville's heart was on the line as well. Ginny didn't see it, perhaps she couldn't, but it was plain to Hermione. Every time the two were together and Harry attempted to talk to Ginny, which never went well – why did boys turn into bumbling fools around girls? The light tended to fade from Neville's eyes. He seemed to be expecting Harry and Ginny to work things out, which Hermione expected as will if Harry would speak and Ginny would listen. So far that was not working.
Hermione didn't know what to do. Neville was a good friend. Harry was one of her best friends. Ginny was a dear friend and her boyfriend's beloved sister. As love triangles went it was a mess. A bloody mess.
Someone was going to get hurt. She really couldn't see away for the situation to play out without that happening.
~*~
It was happening again. Dobby watched from inside his mind, as He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named poured something in the sauces of all the dishes, and the stews, and the puddings for dessert. The liquid was clear, but Dobby knew it was no good.
What was he doing to Hogwarts? The pot and ladle he'd been using disappeared.
Dobby heard himself laugh. It was unlike any sound he'd ever heard himself make before. I'll remember, he promised himself. He had to.
"You won't," Dobby heard his voice. "Won't what?" he said a moment later slightly confused as stood before the pudding. Something was nagging at him, but Dobby wasn't sure what … probably the fact that he wasn't on desserts. "Meat pies, I have meat pies to make."
~*~
The Next DayThe temperament at Hogwarts had steadily deteriorated throughout the day. Professors found themselves breaking up spats of all sorts; they also found themselves in them. The entire school was buzzing with recounts of Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall all but exchanging blows in the hallway.
"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes," Pansy squealed. Her voice has higher and harder then normal. She herself had already had numerous words with Draco that day.
"It was wicked," Draco concurred filling in the Slytherins who happened to miss the action. They were snickering loudly when Harry, Ron and Hermione passed by. "Snape should of hit the old bat," he said loudly enough for them to hear.
"Take that back!" Harry snapped. His emotions had been all over the place all morning, not mention that fact that his scar had been throbbing non-stop. He couldn't remember feeling like this since his fifth year. He had the worst urge to hit something, or someone, and Draco had just given him the perfect excuse.
Draco laughed mockingly. "No."
Harry sprung, fist connecting with Draco's jaw. Stumbling back, Draco acted quickly and hunched low to miss Harry's next swing. Charging forward, Draco pushed Harry into the Great Hall, the wooden doors groaned open under their combined weight.
"Harry stop it!" Hermione hollered as other students filed into the Hall for dinner, seeing the battle they stopped and formed a circle around them. Encouragements were shouted out as Draco and Harry wrestled on the floor. "We have to stop this," Hermione insisted tugging on Ron's robes.
His blue eyes were focused on the fight. He cheered when Harry landed another blow on Draco. "No we don't. Malfoy has it coming."
"Ron," Hermione struggled to stay cool. "He could be expelled."
"Get off it Hermione," he said pulling away from her. "Did you ever think that things would be better if you left them alone."
"Really Ron!" she exclaimed rolling her eyes. As more students poured in they were being tousled around. "This is different."
"Just lay off Hermione," he ordered. "Hey," he cried when a small form pushed past him. "Ginny!" She didn't stop. "Ginny," he called again into the crowd and started to follow her.
"Ron …"
"NOT NOW," he yelled jerking away from Hermione to follow his sister.
"You're a tramp Pansy," Cho taunted. "And everyone knows it!"
"Why you," Pansy seethed. Moving quickly she grabbed a hold of Cho's long dark hair and started to pull.
"Ouch!" Cho cried, tears stinging her eyes.
"We have to stop this," McGonagall said as she, Dumbledore and Snape came upon the scene.
"State the obvious some more why don't you," Severus grumbled.
"Ahhhh!" Pansy screamed. She hadn't expected the willowy Cho to toss her so effectively. She rammed into Harry knocking him off Draco and proceeded to landed on Draco herself with a thump.
"Get off me you cow!" Draco wheezed out.
Pansy's eyes bulged. "Beast! Jerk!" she shrieked flailing him with her fists.
Harry spun out and crashed into Neville. "Hello," he said with a slight grin. Blood trickled from his cut lip.
Temper flashed in Neville's eyes. "Hello," he answered before pushing Harry to the ground.
"Harry!" Ginny cried out seeing Neville standing over him.
"Stop it!" Ron ordered, finally catching up to her. Forcing her to turn around was a struggle; she was clawing at him so she could get to Harry, who Neville was currently sitting on.
"Let me go Ronald!"
"Not until you get your senses back," he said shaking her. "I thought your foolish crush was over years ago."
"It's not foolish. And it's not a crush," Ginny declared tears shimmering in her eyes. "I love him."
"BLOODY HELL!"
The sounds of bedlam echoed off the walls as the professors did their best to break up the fights. But whenever they stopped one fight another popped up, and soon they were fighting amongst themselves.
"Get off!" Harry hollered pushing Neville of him. Neville tumbled to the floor and there was a crack when his head hit wood. The sound made Harry feel sick. "Neville?" he asked gently shaking his friend. Neville was his friend, Harry reminded himself. Neville didn't answer but he continued to breath steadily.
Looking around the room it dawned on Harry that something was very wrong. He sought out Ron and Hermione – Ron and Ginny were yelling at each other, engaged in a battle of tug-of-war with her robes and Hermione was rolling on the floor with a Slytherin girl doing her best to pull the blonde's hair out. It was madness.
"No chaos," said the voice that filled his head. Pain, hot and searing, tore though his mind as Voldemort and his Death Eaters filled the Great Hall.