A/N: Ok. Here goes with the first real chappie. Hope you like! Please do read and review or I'll be sad. And a sad Fool means no silly Hogwarts: The Musical. We wouldn't want that, now would we? This idea was inspired by a friend of mine at a Building Bridges session. I think you had to have been there to really understand, but I hope it's represented well here.

Disclaimers: Yadda yadda, I know I don't really need to tell you all this but all statements made in the prologue apply, as well as 1) I do not own the song performed by todays star character. It belongs to Walt Disney, from the animated motion picture Aladdin.

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Chapter One

I Don't Buy That…Even if I Could

"Weasel should really join the beggars outside St. Mungo's. I'm sure he'd be welcome there!" Malfoy's words, though rather lame, still rang through Ron's ears. He supposed he should be used to it by now. Through the years, there had never been a shortage of scathing comments flying from the Slytherin's mouth. Likewise, there had never been a shortage of inappropriate words and gestures thrown back by the Gryffindor. Only this time…this time, Ron Weasley had given Draco Malfoy a great disappointment: he'd simply walked away. It wasn't like Ron to accept Malfoy's words without retaliation, but he was just tired of it all.

Harry and Hermione were saying something, but Ron couldn't hear them. He couldn't shake the feeling those harsh words had given him. So, rather than draw his wand threateningly as he usually did, an angst-ridden, woeful Ron Weasley dragged his thin frame and unruly orange mop down the corridor. Eyes downcast, he dismissed all greetings or consolations without a second glance.

The rest of the world began to move in slow motion, as sorrow flew through the boy's mind at top speed. Standing in the middle of the half-empty entrance hall, Ron parted his lips and let his grief spill out into a surprisingly sweet voice.

Riffraff, street rat

I don't buy that

If only they'd look closer

Ron moved toward the great oak front doors, a pained expression on his face.

Would they see a poor boy?

No siree…

They'd find out

There's so much more

Here he flung open the doors and with a dramatic toss of his head, he gave a rather ungainly leap to stand in a soulful pose on the top step.

To me…

The lanky Gryffindor stared off into the distance, but saw nothing. He was completely oblivious to the many flabbergasted eyes locked on him, the unasked questions flying through his classmates' minds. Instead, he turned back toward the castle, hanging his head. "Come on Scabbers," he sighed softly. The arthritic rat squeaked and followed his gloomy owner back into the entrance hall.