Chapter 24:

Hermione, on Rules

After dinner, Hermione decide to go to the library to study, since Ron still wouldn't say much to her. She was so sick of this. Neither of them had been talking to Harry since the day that Percy died. She wasn't even sure why she wasn't talking to Harry. It just seemed as if Ron needed her more and that he wouldn't have anything to do with her if she spoke to Harry. He wouldn't talk to Ginny or Neville or Luna either. This entire year seemed to be going wrong. It seemed that Ron and she had spent most of the year being mad at Harry. She just didn't know what to do. She wanted to be a good girlfriend to Ron, but she wanted to be a good friend to Harry, as well. It just wasn't fair, why couldn't everything just be normal? Why couldn't Ron stop being jealous? Why couldn't Harry be a normal teenager? She sighed. This wasn't accomplishing anything.

As she was walking through the corridors on her way to the library she noticed Harry and Ginny floating Ron's body down a cross corridor. She ran up to them, "What happened?"

Harry answered cryptically, "He's got some broken ribs, I think. We're taking him to the hospital wing."

Hermione followed them and continued to ask how Ron had ended up with broken ribs, but neither of the other two students would answer her. They arrived at the hospital wing, and Harry set Ron gently on one of the beds. Madam Pomfrey bustled over, "What has happened?"

Harry replied evenly, "He slammed into a wall, and I think that he has a couple of broken ribs. I need to go speak with the Headmaster. I believe that he should be down here to check on Mr. Weasley's condition after we finish speaking." Harry spoke with such authority that it never occurred to Madam Pomfrey to question him. Harry patted Ginny on the back and walked out of the room.

Once he left, Hermione pestered Ginny to tell her what had happened. Ginny stoically refused to even speak to Hermione until Madam Pomfrey announced that Ron would be fine. "He needs to rest for awhile. I will allow the two of you to wait with him while he sleeps."

Ginny finally spoke to Hermione, "Since he's alright, I'm going to leave. You can wait with him."

Hermione grabbed Ginny by the arm, "Please, Ginny, tell me what happened?"

Ginny shook her head, "Ask the prat over there when he wakes up. I'm sure that he can give you an earful." Ginny stalked out of the room.

While this was going on, Harry had walked out of the hospital wing and headed for the Headmaster's office. He gave the password to the gargoyle, "Cauldron Cakes." Then, he walked up the revolving staircase into Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore looked at him expectantly. Harry sighed, "I suppose you already know what happened?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "Not entirely. I know that there was some kind of altercation between you and Mr. Weasley. I just don't know why."

Harry took a deep breath, "Well, here goes. Ron hasn't spoken to me since the day that Percy and I dueled. Hermione hasn't either for that matter. You know what happened with Ginny. Ron, however, has made it clear that he has no intention of forgiving me, and has even went to the point of refusing to speak to anyone that associates with me. I think that is why Hermione isn't talking to me either. Tonight, I planned a special dinner for Ginny and me since it was her birthday. I had Dobby set us up a table with food in the Room of Requirement. We had dinner and then I gave her the broom that I got her for her birthday. Ron walked in on us shortly after that and caught us kissing. I guess the shock of seeing me kissing his baby sister was too much after everything else that has happened. He attacked me. I tried to talk him into calming down, but it didn't do any good. I had to curse him to get him to stop. I took him to the hospital wing. I told Madam Pomfrey that you would be down to check on him later. Ginny and Hermione are with him at the moment."

Dumbledore nodded, "I'm afraid that I'm going to have to give you detention for having a private liaison with another student."

Harry shrugged, "So, what's my detention?"

Dumbledore smiled, "I'm sentencing you to capture the Death Eaters that attempt to infiltrate the school."

Harry looked bewildered, "I was going to do that anyway."

Dumbledore shrugged, "I know."

Harry sighed, "Let me know as soon as the attack against the ministry occurs. If there is nothing else, I suggest you go see Madam Pomfrey about Ron."

Dumbledore rose from his seat, "Yes, I suppose that I should. I think that it would be prudent for you to find young Miss Weasley."

Harry was already heading for the door, "No kidding. She's probably ready to skin me alive for leaving her with Hermione. Ginny's been ready to strangle her and Ron for not talking to me. I've stopped her thus far."

Dumbledore smiled as Harry left the office, "I'm glad that you can still deal with all of this, well. Good luck, Harry." Harry never heard a word as Dumbledore intended and intently set out on his search to find his girlfriend.

Harry found Ginny just outside the hospital wing. "I take it he's okay."

Ginny nodded, "Yes, he's sleeping right now. I had to come outside, because Hermione wouldn't stop asking me questions. She's waiting with him right now."

"Did you tell her what happened?" asked Harry.

Ginny shook her head, "No, I figured that I would wait and let Ron tell her. That way she can fly off the handle at you."

Harry replied snidely, "Gee, thanks."

Ginny shrugged, "At least she'll have to talk to you. Maybe that way you can convince her that what you did was necessary. I don't blame you for what happened with Percy, and neither should they. I wish that it hadn't happened, but it was Percy that chose to follow the path that led to his death. You did nothing wrong, Harry, and they should see that."

Harry sighed, "I guess, but I don't relish the thought of the conversation that I am going to have to have with those two. It's not going to be a pretty confrontation. I would imagine that there will be a tremendous amount of shouting."

Ginny laughed, "I think that you are right. It will be better to get it out in the open, though. I'll just be glad when things get back to normal around here."

Harry snorted, "When have things ever been remotely close to normal around here?"

Ginny laughed even harder, "Good point. I hadn't thought of it that way."

Meanwhile, Ron had finally woken up in the hospital wing. Hermione rushed over to him and asked immediately, "What happened? Harry and Ginny refused to tell me anything."

Ron grumbled, "Harry banished me into a wall."

Hermione appeared to be stunned. Finally she managed to ask, "Why?"

"I caught him and Ginny snogging in the Room of Requirement. So, I attacked him. He fought back."

Hermione turned red with anger, "I can't believe him. He tells us that we aren't grown up enough to be in the Order, and know what's going on, but its alright for him to break rules and act like a child. I'm going to put a stop to this immediately." She turned and stormed out of the hospital wing, leaving Ron staring after her with his mouth hanging open in shock.

Harry and Ginny watched in amusement as Hermione burst out of the hospital wing and started yelling at Harry, "Harry, I have had it. You keep preaching to us about how we're not ready to handle the adult fighting and the adult situations, but you get to act like a child all you want."

Harry shook his head, "Hermione, you don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about."

Hermione's temper swelled, "I know exactly what I'm talking about. You were out of bounds with a girl and you attacked one of your housemates. I'm giving you detention for the whole of next week."

Harry's expression grew hard, "Shut up, Hermione. First of all, Ron attacked me. I was merely defending myself. Second, the Headmaster has already administered my punishment for being in the Room of Requirement with Ginny, so you don't have the authority to give me detention for anything. As for your inability to cope with the problems, I'm right. You still aren't ready. The fact that you are blowing up at me for this only proves my point. Until you are ready to kill to defend the people you care about, then this is a pointless conversation, because I still intend to tell you nothing."

"WHY NOT?!!" screamed Hermione.

Harry snorted, "I've told you many times. You are not ready. If I told you the things that I know, you would break down and beg me to perform a Memory Charm on you to erase the information that you had. If I told you what I know, the nightmares that would plague you would be more horrific than you can imagine."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" asked Hermione coldly with steel in her eyes.

Harry shook his head, "You still don't get it. Hermione, you understand things with your head, but sometimes you have to follow your heart, and that something that you don't know how to do. When you learn, you can come talk to me about the business of fighting Voldemort."

Hermione sat and stared at Harry with anger and tears brimming in her eyes.

While Hermione and Harry stood with their eyes locked, Dumbledore came running up the corridor. Dumbledore called out, "Harry, it has begun."

Harry jerked his head around to stare at Dumbledore. "How large of an attack is it?"

Dumbledore said, "Voldemort has sent close to a hundred Dementors."

"Upgraded ones?" queried Harry quickly.

Dumbledore nodded, "Unfortunately. I've already dispatched the Order. I'm about to leave myself."

Harry responded as he threw off his cloak, "Good. I'll catch up after I deal with the Death Eaters. Who are you leaving in charge of the school?"

Dumbledore replied, "Minerva is remaining here. Professors Flitwick, Sinistra and Trelawney are staying with her. The rest of the Professors have already left."

Harry looked pointedly at Dumbledore, "Then, I suggest you hurry. They will need your help. I'm going into the forest. That's where the Death Eaters will be."

"Be careful, Harry."

Harry grinned, "Don't worry. I'll see you at the Ministry, later."

Harry turned to Hermione and Ginny. "Both of you, go into the hospital wing and stay there until I get back. If I come back, ask me a question that only I would know the answer to. If I can't answer it immediately. Throw curses as fast as you can throw them." Dumbledore had disappeared up the hall while Harry spoke.

Harry headed off down the hall himself. Ginny called after him, "Harry, where are you going?"

Harry replied over his shoulder, "Hunting." Then, he transformed into a phoenix and took flight.

A/N: I'm sure most of you will be glad to know that this is the end of the fighting between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. After this, six more chapters to go, and then the sequel.

Athena kitty: No, Harry is not going to get a taste of Harry's memories. No, Fudge is not going to die. Lucius and Draco are another story. You will just have to wait and see. Thanks for the review.

Stellaluna Mellonballer: Exactly who do you want to poke in the eye? Thanks for the review.

Plasterwork: No, the trio is going to come back together. Now, they are a sextet, I suppose. Thanks for the review.

Lourdes: Sometimes, people hear and see what they want to instead of what is actually there. I figured putting in Percy's funeral was a bit of overkill. It would have been a private family affair since none of them wanted anyone to know about the Dark Mark. Thanks for the review.

DMP: I won't go that far. Thanks for the review.

James Potter's Lily Flower: Ron's jealousy makes for some interesting plot twists. This should be the end of it. Thanks for the review.

Mel B: I have always disliked Percy's character even in Rowling's work. IT made it pretty easy to kill him off. Thanks for the review.

Gilly Loves Smut: I update like clockwork. Thanks for the review.

John: I thought that was a nice touch myself. Thanks for the review.

Lord Tartutus: Don't worry. They are coming around. Thanks for the review.

Jeangab057: You can never tell what will happen. Thanks for the review.

h-ruff: I hope that I don't have to have Ginny slap them anymore. Thanks for the review.

Fancyeyes: Thanks for the review.

Dustin-Coons: I'm glad somebody agrees with me about Percy. Thanks for the review.

Cur03: You caught me. There was supposed to be a scene just before Christmas, where Harry fixes the mirror. In Order of the Phoenix, even though Harry smashes the mirror, Rowling is careful to point out that all of the pieces are in the bottom of his trunk. That makes me think that even she is planning something for the mirror in Book Six. My apologies on missing the scene. I have it in my notes, but somehow lost it between there and the final product. Thanks for the review.

Hpz26: I think that Harry being able to do anything is one of the most important underlying themes of the series. I just brough it a little more to the forefront. Thanks for the review.