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This was undoubtedly the worst fight Hermione and Ron had ever had. Worse than third year, when Crookshanks had supposedly eaten Scabbers the rat. Certainly worse than fourth year, when Ron and Hermione fought about Viktor Krum. And Harry, of course, found himself in the middle once again. When Ron and Hermione had battled their way through the portrait hole, Harry and Ginny knew something terrible had happened between the pair. When at last the screaming voices had silenced and Ron and Hermione had stormed up their respective staircases, Ginny turned to Harry.
"Well, you go and get Ron's side of this and I'll see what Hermione has to say." She took a deep breath and marched up to the girl's dormitory as if prepared for battle.
Harry found Ron fuming, sitting on his bed. "Well, I suppose you're here to badger me about what happened?"
Harry didn't say anything, but took a seat on his own bed.
"That girl is completely...she's such a...ah!" Ron stood up and paced the room, running his hands through his hair. "There isn't even a word for what she is! Probably because she's the first of her kind in the world!" He kicked Dean's bed. "I can't believe that she is going to blame me for that! As if I cared she was snogging that...that..." Ron gave a frustrated groan and shook his head violently.
"Ron, what exactly happened in the village?" Harry was trying to ease around Ron's anger.
Ron kicked Dean's bed one more time and then sat on his own bed. "Well, it started when Padma and I went into Honeydukes. We were just looking around and then here comes Hermione and that idiot in. I tried to ignore them, but Padma spotted them and wanted to say hello. So, I sort of followed her over to where they were and then Hermione starts glaring at me! I didn't really say anything, and I'm guessing Padma got the idea and so she suggested we leave. We walked around a bit and then it started to rain. We ran into the Three Broomsticks to take cover, and who should be there but Hermione and the idiot. Padma and I sat down at a table on the other side of the room and those two were at the table by the window." Harry noticed Ron was getting louder as the story progressed. "So, here I was, just talking to Padma. Then I look up and those two were all over each other! In public!"
Ron had jumped off the bed and was shouting at the walls. "I don't even know how it happened, but all of a sudden the butterbeer bottle that the idiot had set down just exploded! It went everywhere! Hermione jumped up and started yelling at me about it! She was screaming that I had just wanted to ruin her date, and that I had been the one to break the bottle! Harry, my wand was in my bag and my bag was on the floor next to my chair the whole time! Of course, little miss perfect didn't want to hear that!" Ron was in a towering rage.
Harry sat, uncomfortable with the situation. He wasn't an idiot; he knew exactly what was going on with Ron. How could anyone not notice it after five years? He would never breathe a word of what he knew; he didn't want to be the one to finally bring it all out in the open.
"Ron, how do you think it happened?"
Ron turned around and narrowed his eyes at Harry. "So, you think I had something to do with it, too? Wonderful! The one person who I thought would believe me..."
Harry sprang up and stood toe to toe with Ron. "I'm not saying you had anything to do with what happened! I just asked how you thought it happened! You said you didn't do it and I believe you!"
Ron paled. "I'm sorry Harry. She's just made me so mad!" He fell back onto his bed and put his head in his hands. "I don't know what's going on with her anymore. She isn't the same girl we saved from the troll. She isn't even the same girl who was making out study schedules for our O.W.L.'s last term. Something happened to her on holiday. She and Ginny..." Ron stopped and eyed Harry suspiciously. "By the way, what were you doing with my sister in the village?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Before Hermione's little scene, Seamus told me that you and Ginny had just left. Well, he said that Ginny left in some kind of temper and you went chasing after her. What's going on with you two?"
Harry laughed, but stopped quickly at the look on Ron's face. "Ron, there's nothing going on. Ginny asked if I wanted to go down to the Three Broomsticks with her and help her with Divination. I didn't feel much like sitting around alone, so I agreed. We went down, but then Michael Corner showed up and started bothering her." Harry stopped. He didn't really want to tell Ron the whole story. So, he decided to leave a bit of it out. "She left and I went after her to make sure she was alright."
"I thought Ginny was dating Dean. Why wasn't she with him?"
"Ron, she was never dating him. She just told you that to see what you would say."
Ron brightened up at that last statement. "Well, I suppose I can start speaking to him now."
"You mean you've been ignoring him because of that?"
"Well, of course. I can't let just anyone date my baby sister."
Harry just shook his head, hoping that Ron would never say that to Ginny's face.
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The next day, Ginny caught Harry heading down to breakfast.
"Where's Ron?"
"He's coming down behind me, why?"
Ginny grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him through the portrait hole. "Hermione's on her way down, too. Trust me; we don't want to be caught in the middle of this." And, just as the portrait swung closed, a shouting match had begun.
Ginny settled into a seat across form Harry. "Well, I got Hermione's side. What did Ron have to say?"
Harry told her Ron's version of the events.
"Well, it's pretty close to Hermione's side. She swears that he blew up that bottle, though. According to Hermione, they weren't doing anything but sitting and talking. Then, Ernie sort of leaned into her..." Ginny giggled. "Sorry, I just can't imagine proper Hermione doing anything of the sort."
Harry raised his eyes to the ceiling and groaned. "Get on with it, Ginny."
"Sorry. Well, Hermione swears nothing happened. Then all of a sudden Ernie's bottle exploded and butterbeer went all over the both of them." She frowned and bit her lip. "I really don't think Ron did it though. He always keeps his wand in his bag. He says it bothers him to have it in his pocket."
Harry thought for a moment, and then a thought occurred to him. "Maybe he didn't make it explode on purpose."
"What are you talking about?"
"You've heard of people doing accidental magic, right?" Ginny nodded. "Well, the summer before third year, my horrible aunt came to stay with us. Her entire visit she kept pushing me. One night, she insulted my mum. I completely snapped! I didn't even mean to, but I made the glass she was holding explode. I was so angry that I couldn't control what I was doing. Maybe Ron did the same thing. He was already mad at Hermione for going into the village with Ernie, and I'll bet seeing them...well seeing them like that only made it worse!"
Ginny snapped her fingers and said, "I'll bet that's what happened! He's done uncontrolled magic before. Once, Mum told him that he had to clean up the dishes after dinner. He was so mad at her; he wanted to go and play Quidditch with the other boys. The next thing I see, dishes are all smashed on the floor and Mum was having a tantrum! Ron had to be about 8, then. It's the only thing that makes sense." She sighed. "I wish those two would just realize what's really going on. I'm tired of them fighting all of the time."
"Imagine how I feel. I have to put up with it day in and day out." Harry stopped. Hermione had just walked into the Great Hall, grinning from ear to ear.
"Oh, no. That doesn't look good. She is much too happy and Ron is no where in sight." Ginny said quietly.
Hermione strode over to the table. "Good morning, Ginny. Good morning, Harry." She sat down and began to put jam on several pieces of toast.
Ginny kicked Harry under the table. He looked up, about to yell at her, but noticed she was pointing, discreetly, towards the doors. He turned around and saw Neville, Seamus, and Dean waving frantically to get his attention.
"Well, I think I'm going to head back to the dormitory. See you later." Harry stood up and went over to his roommates.
"Harry, we've got a problem. A very big problem." Neville looked close to tears.
"What's happened? Where's Ron?"
"That's the problem. He's in the hospital wing." Dean said.
"What did she do to him?" Harry could only imagine the kind of damage an enraged Hermione could inflict.
Seamus nearly sounded amused about the situation. "Well, we were heading down right behind Ron. Then we heard Hermione. There was no way we were about to get into the middle of them after what happened yesterday. After all the screaming stopped we went down. Ron was a mess."
"By the time we got him to Madame Pomfrey, his front teeth were nearly down to his knees. He's covered in some sort of green fur, and there's some vegetable sprouting out of his ears!"
"I can't believe that Hermione did all of that though. Of course, Ron refuses to tell Madame Pomfrey who did it. He doesn't want to be humiliated."
They had reached the hospital wing at last. Harry bade his fellow Gryffindors goodbye and pushed open the doors. Ron was the only person in the entire wing. Madame Pomfrey was nowhere to be seen, so Harry hurried to Ron's bed.
"What on earth happened to you?"
"I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count." Ron said. He didn't face Harry, and his voice sounded slightly muffled.
Harry didn't see any sort of vegetation sprouting from Ron's ears. It looked as though the fur had been removed also.
"Ron, this has got to stop! The two of you can't keep fighting like this. Why can't you just..." Harry stopped. He had nearly said the very thing he swore he wouldn't say.
"I'll tell you why! She thinks she is so perfect and can't make a mistake. Hermione just won't let this go, so neither will I!" Ron had turned sharply to face Harry. Harry had to bite his tongue to keep from bursting into laughter. Ron's teeth were still protruding a little ways past his bottom lip.
Ron looked away as he realized that Harry had seen him. "Madame Pomfrey says whoever did it really knew what they were doing. She's having trouble getting them back to normal. Look Harry, I don't want anyone else knowing about this. It's embarrassing enough with Neville and everyone knowing. If it got out that Hermione had gotten the better of me..."
Harry held up a hand. "I swear I won't say a word."
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The rest of the day passed and Harry didn't see Hermione at all. He had sworn to Ron he wouldn't tell anyone else why he was in the hospital wing, but he had to try and talk to Hermione. If this feud didn't stop, something bad was going to happen.
Ron was released just before dinner. He came in to the hall looking completely normal, but apprehensive. He took a seat next to Harry, watching every person who walked past.
"She's already had dinner. She left before I even got here." Harry said to comfort Ron.
It wasn't until the next morning in Care of Magical Creatures that Harry saw Hermione again. She didn't speak to him, but kept to herself.
"Wha's goin' on with you three? It's not like you all to not work together." Hagrid had pulled Harry to the side halfway through class.
"Well, Ron and Hermione are at it again. It looks bad this time."
"Well, don't ya worry, Harry. One day they'll realize..." He stopped as Neville called to him to help with his Bundimun.
After class, Harry hung back to have a word with Hermione. He had told Ron that he wanted to talk to Hagrid.
Hermione was packing away her books when Harry approached her. "Er, Hermione, can I have a word with you?"
She snapped up to look at him. "Can't this wait, Harry? I've got to get to Arithmancy early. Professor Vector is expecting me." She slung her bag over her shoulder and started to march away.
Harry wasn't giving up that easily. "No Hermione, this can't wait! Whatever is going on between you and Ron has got to stop! You could have really hurt him yesterday! Don't you even care? He's been your best friend for nearly five years now..."
Hermione hadn't stopped walking. "Well, things change Harry."
Harry became enraged. "What is going on with you this year? You're not the Hermione I know. The Hermione I know wouldn't let something this stupid come between a friendship!"
Hermione rounded on Harry. "The Hermione you know would just let Ron walk all over her and not say anything! I'm tired of him ridiculing me! I'm tired of him always calling me 'Miss Know-It-All'! I'm....I'm just tired of it Harry. I can't do this anymore!" She set off at a march again.
"You can't do what, anymore?"
Hermione seemed to stammer for an answer, before turning on Harry. "What do you care, Harry? The only reason you're angry with me is because I might have hurt your Keeper! The only reason you care is because I might have hurt your chances at that precious Quidditch Cup!"
"Hermione, you know that isn't true! You and Ron are my two best friends. We've seen each other through everything!"
"No, Harry! We've seen you through everything! When have you ever sat up all night helping me research ways to get past dragons and breath underwater? When have you ever sat worrying for me when I was in danger of being thrown off a broom? When have you ever charged off, no thought for your own life, when someone I loved was supposedly trapped by Voldemort? Never, Harry! It's always me having to help you through everything! And Ron, the only reason he's friends with me is so he can pass his exams! Neither of you give a damn about me!" Hermione's face had gone red.
Harry stood, dumbfounded. He had never heard Hermione talk like this. "Hermione...?"
"Shut up, Harry! You think that you can fix everything, don't you? Harry the Great Hero, that's what you are isn't it?" Hermione was smiling, but it wasn't in a good way. "You think you are the only one in this world who has suffered. Well, you aren't."
"Hermione, I never said any of that. You know you are my best friend. And it isn't because you're clever and have saved my neck hundreds of times." Harry was trying to keep his temper from boiling up. "I know how you feel. I know you're angry, but you can't take this all out on Ron and me..."
"What's going on here?"
Harry turned to see Ron standing behind him.
"Well, Harry here was just trying to fix our problems. Harry the Great thinks he can solve everything."
"Hermione, don't talk to him like that."
"Shut it Ron! This is your entire fault, anyway. If you had just learned to keep your nose out of my business and let me be, none of this would be happening. I wish you hadn't bothered to come and find me in first year. At least then I could have had five years of peace!"
Ron stood dumfounded and then Hermione turned on Harry.
SMACK!
"And you Harry Potter! Where do you get off acting saintly? I'm through with the both of you!" She turned and ran back inside the castle.
Harry stood rubbing his cheek. "I guess this really is the end..."
Ron turned to Harry. "Why did you have to go and say anything to her? I told you to just let it be! She's right about you, you don't know when to leave things alone do you?"
Ron stormed up to the castle.
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The friendship was over. The dream team had broken up at last.
Harry heard these things whispered as he passed. The news of the fight had circulated throughout the school at an alarming rate. Gryffindor Tower buzzed with the news. No one dared to bring up the subject in front of Harry, Ron, or Hermione.
At the first Quidditch match of the season, the mood was unlike it had ever been before. Gryffindor played Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff should have been an easy team to beat, but no one really had their heart into the game.
Harry tried so hard to get Hermione's accusing voice out of his head, that he didn't even see the Snitch until the Hufflepuff seeker went streaking after it. Ron seemed to be having a hard time as well. He hadn't seen several shots coming until it was too late. Three times the Quaffle got past him, and once it hit him squarely in the stomach. When Harry yelled at him to pay attention, Ron just gave him a very undignified response with his finger and told him to worry about the Snitch instead. Gryffindor managed to win, but barely. Thankfully, the chasers and beaters had been better tuned in. Ginny, Katie, and Natalie had managed to score enough goals, so that by the time Harry caught the Snitch, Gryffindor won by 30 points.
Harry pulled his jumper over his head savagely. How could he have been so stupid? He'd nearly let the Snitch get away. Gryffindor had only won by 30 points. This year was turning out to be nearly as bad as the last one. A soft knock on the office door made him look up. He silently prayed that it wasn't Cho Chang and opened it.
Ginny stood looking at him. She held up a small basket. "I figured you weren't really in the mood to celebrate in the common room, so I brought you some food down."
Harry didn't speak but smiled a little and sighed. He had expected Ginny to have been angry with him too. Surprisingly, she wasn't.
They walked down to sit by the lake. Neither of them spoke for awhile.
"I feel so stupid, you know? Hermione was right; I always try to fix things. I don't know when to give up."
"Why should you give up on your friendship?" Ginny turned to look at him. "Harry, if there's one thing I've learned in my life; it's that fate controls everything. Do you think it was an accident that every other compartment was full on the train that first day, and Ron had to sit with you? Do you think it was a coincidence that Ron insulted Hermione and she went crying into that particular bathroom? The very bathroom that you two decided to lock a troll in?"
Harry laughed at the memory. "No, it's not. Fate put the three of you together for a reason. Whether it's to completely turn this castle upside down with your antics or for some bigger purpose, no one knows yet. I can tell you that there is a reason for everything. Fate is strange that way. I don't know why I was the one who had to come across Riddle's diary, but I was. I may never understand it, but I accept it as my fate. Just as you have to accept all of this..." She waved her hand around, "...is yours, whether you want it or not." She smiled at him sadly.
"You're right, Ginny. I just wish things could go back to the way they were before."
"Harry, this will all blow over, just wait. Before you know it, the three of you will be planning some sort of mischief to get into."
Despite what Ginny said, the fight seemed to be lasting. None of the three were speaking to each other. Even the teachers seemed down-hearted at the trio's apparent break up. McGonagall had even kept Harry after class to ask him what had happened. He had told her that the three of them had just had some problems to sort out and were taking time apart.
With homework, practice, and his weekly Legilimency sessions, Harry barely realized how fast Christmas was approaching. When the list came around for students who would remain at Hogwarts, Harry didn't know whether to sign or not. He scanned the list, but didn't see Hermione's, Ron's, or Ginny's name. He immediately sought out Ginny.
"Oh, Harry we're going to visit Charlie for Christmas. Hermione is going home to spend time with her parents. I thought Ron...never mind, I'll bet you could come with us."
"No, Dumbledore probably wouldn't let me. I'll just stay around here this year." Harry was miserable. This was the first Christmas since he'd started at Hogwarts that he wouldn't have his friends with him. He'd be all alone again.
Just as he had thought, Dumbledore thought it best for Harry to stay on at Hogwarts for the holidays. On the morning everyone left Ginny was the only one to say goodbye to him.
"I'm really sorry you can't come with us. Harry, things will be better next year. See you in a few weeks!" And with that, Harry was left to spend his Christmas holidays alone in Gryffindor Tower.
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Christmas morning, usually Harry's favorite day of the year, turned out to be dismal. The usual pile of presents at the foot of his bed was diminished quite a bit. The usual packages from Ron, Hermione, and even Sirius were missing. Harry tried to swallow back the fit of rage fighting to escape. He busied himself with opening his other presents. He came across Ginny's and smiled. Pulling out the letter she had included, he laughed.
Dear Harry,
Happy Christmas! It's been very interesting around here. Mum convinced the twins to close up shop for a few days and join us. Bill and Fleur have even come for the holidays. Percy, of course, is still being a prat. I think he feels really stupid about last year, just as he should. He's embarrassed to face the rest of the family. He did turn up last night with Penelope; remember her? Well, they came last night to announce that they're getting married. Mum went completely nuts. She's so excited. She's been really upset at Ron. I accidentally let slip about what happened with Hermione. He's on strict orders to apologize to her the second we get back to school. I hope you aren't thinking about sitting in the common room all day, Harry! You'd best get up and get dressed and enjoy Christmas. As I told you before I left, things will be better. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!
With Love,
Ginny
Harry smiled. He unwrapped the present, Ginny had given him a book. "200 Ways to Payback Your Enemies" Harry flipped through the book, and marked several interesting pages to use on Malfoy.
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The rest of Christmas Day passed uneventfully. Christmas dinner was wonderful as usual, but it didn't taste quite as good as it had in years past. Harry sat alone at the end of the table, remembering the Christmases he had spent here before.
He was sitting in the common room by the fire late that night, when Professor McGonagall came tearing through the portrait hole. "Potter, come with me quickly!"
Her face was tear-streaked and she looked purely terrified. Harry's stomach dropped, but he threw down his book and ran after McGonagall. She didn't speak, and Harry couldn't bring himself to ask the question he wondered. The both ran all the way to Dumbledore's office. McGonagall shouted the password and barely gave the gargoyle time to move before she pushed Harry up the stairs.
Harry burst through the office door and met his very grim looking Headmaster.
"Harry, I'm afraid something has happened. You should come with me."
