What happened?
Ron was defiantly the most stubborn person Harry knew. He absolutely refused to allow one of his best friends, Icicle in this case, to associate with a Malfoy. He simply didn't want anything to do with that family unless it included causing pain or humiliation to one of them. Why did I even get worked up over this, thought Harry, is it really my place to decide who Icicle can be friends with?
Dealing with Ron was the least of Harry's problems. Never in his life had Harry met someone as vindictive and cruel as Icicle. When you were on her bad side it would probably be a smart idea to go crawl into a corner and die. She was cruel whenever she spoke to them, whenever she caught their eye she was always glare at them in an unnerving manner and to top it off, they ended up the butt of several pranks. One of them involved permanent dye and the mysterious disappearance of ALL of their clothes, including the ones that they were wearing. The week hadn't been pleasant.
The sun was high in the sky as Harry and Ron walked across the grounds to Hagrid's hut. Harry and Ron had finally realized that they hadn't made a single visit to see Hagrid all winter and since Sirius was helping Icicle with her song charms they decided that it was the best time to make a visit to see Hagrid. "Good to see ya! boomed the familiar voice of Hagrid, "Come in and have a seat."
"So Hagrid how was your trip to see to the giants?" asked Harry.
Hagrid beamed, "They are on our side this time unless that stupid git, Fudge screws things up. It took a long time to convince them. Giants are't that trusting of wizards a witches anymore."
The conversation continued as they all talked about their summers and how the school year was going. Finally, Hagrid changed the topic to the fight going on between Icicle and Harry and Ron, "That's a bit of a nasty situation that you have worked yourselves in to with Icicle, now isn't it?"
"How did you know about that?" asked Ron
"Well when there are only 4 students left in the school it is kind of hard to miss something this obvious," chuckled Hagrid.
Harry gnawed on a cake that Hagrid had offered him, "What is she doing Hagrid? She is going to end up being used and then killed when Malfoy is done with want ever he wants her for."
Hagrid picked up his tankard and took a swig, "Draco may actually enjoy Icicle's company. You two know her, she is fun to be around. The problem is that you two met Malfoy when he was young, ignorant and basically stupid. From that day on you hated him and nothing has been able to change that. Even hate the kid but don't you think that it is possible that he has changed?"
"But Hagrid he is a death eater!" protested Ron.
"No, he is NOT a death eater. His dad is. Don't confuse the two. Just because his dad is rotten to the core doesn't mean that Draco is. Even if Draco was a death eater Icicle would know that he is and if she still wants to associate with him that is her choice and her choice alone. Besides, someone has to convince the death eaters that fighting on our side is a worthy cause. Someone had to convince Snape to risk everything and switch sides. Thankfully he did because he is one of the most important people on our sides."
"Who convinced Snape to turn?" asked Harry.
"Your mum."
"My mum?"
"Yep, she was the only one that saw that Snape had a good heart. She was also the only one that ever showed him kindness. It is amazing how far nice words can travel when that person has never been treated with kindness before. Your dad practically had a heart attack and was really mad at your mom at first but he eventually calmed down and learned how to deal with it."
Hint, hint Harry….."Well Hagrid, Ron and I promised Sirius that we would help him set up Fireworks in the food this evening so we have to get going."
"Good thing I am eating out here with my Blast-Ended Skrewts."
"Didn't they die?" asked Ron
"Yes but I ordered some more for this years 4th years."
May God help Ginny and the rest of them…
* * * *
Harry and Ron ran up the portrait of the pink lady laughing; the look on McGonagall's face when the chicken blew up in her face was priceless. Ron said the password and walked through into the common room, "Oh we are so lucky that Dumbledore was there to hold McGonagall back or we all would have been strangled to death right there and then."
Harry nodded in agreement, "Hey it looks like Hedwig has a letter."
It was from Hermione.
Dear Harry and Ron,
Thank you so much for the Christmas presents. Ron I love the earrings and Harry I love the outfit too. I'm so sorry to hear about your fight with Icicle. I told her to tell you guys about Draco but she refused saying that you would blow everything out of proportion. And guess what you did! I was in shock at first but at least I didn't shun her. Out of all of us I was the one called muddle blood and made fun of for the past 4 years; I have the right to be the bitter one in the group, but I am not because you have to admit that Draco has changed. Haven't you noticed that he hasn't said anything really mean to any of us this year? Maybe Icicle is having a positive affect on him. What I am trying to say is, don't be asses and push her away. You can be friends with her and not Draco. So go apologize to her now because if I get back and you both are being stupid I am going to be very upset with both of you. My Grandma is calling me so have a good break and make sure you work on your homework, procrastinating isn't good for you.
Hermione
"I am not apologizing," stated Ron, "Icicle is the one that is turning her back on her house and befriending Slytherins.
Harry rolled his eyes, Yes Ron she is doing this to turn her back on Gryffindor. God we both can be asses at times, "Sleep on it Ron, maybe you will feel differently tomorrow."
"Fine."
Harry walked up to his dorm and got ready for bed. Papa was laying on top of his covers as he crawled into bed. As Harry was lying in bed he heard the sound of a violin coming from the common room. Icicle must be out there playing… The music was soft and peaceful as Harry drifted off into a restless sleep.
* * * *
There were clear screams coming from a room at the end of the dark hall that Harry was standing in. His scar was burning telling him that Voldemort was most likely off torturing someone. Who is it this time thought Harry. Harry walked down that hall and slipped into the open door. There on the ground laid a crumpled figure. "Did you think that you would go unpunished for betraying your master?" sneered Voldemort at the figure on the floor. The figure moved and looked up, it was Karkaroff. His eyes were hollow and he didn't say anything thing, for there was nothing to say. "Don't you have anything to say to your master?"
"Joining you was the greatest of all the mistakes I have made in my life. I watched Potter work through the task this year and you can mark my words, he will bring around your downfall. I have never seen anyone with as much potential as……"
Karkaroff's speech was cut short by his screams when Voldemort cursed him in anger. "Unfortunately for Mr. Potter, I have something in store for him. As for you Karkaroff, fair well. Avada Kedavra!"
The green light flew towards Karkaroff and his dead body hit the ground.
* * * *
Harry bolted up in his bed clutching his scar. Looking around the room he felt that something was not right. Suddenly there was a scream and their dorm started to shake. Rolling out of bed Harry saw that Ron was doing the same. The two of them pushed open the door and there in the middle of the common room stood Icicle as she poured what seemed like electricity into the air causing all of Hogwarts to shake.
