CHAPTER THREE

In Which Malfoy Is Stupid

Ron was in a rather organized mood (which didn't happen too often) so he decided to focus this organized energy into creating a vague schedule for the day, with his own commentary.

RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY'S SCHEDULE

1. Breakfast. After all, a Keeper like me can't work on an empty stomach!

2. Quidditch game. Gryffindor will kick some Slytherin butt!

3. Hogsmeade trip. Harry and Hermione, watch out!

4. Lunch. Ah, more food….Yum…

5. Fooling around in the library. I should really rephrase that…

6. Make a plan with what I bought from Hogsmeade.

7. Dinner. Make reference to commentary on number four.

8. Challenge Harry to a game of Wizards Chess. I will kick his pathetic unfreckled rear.

9. Lights out. Ooh la la…

Ron pulled away from the piece of parchment a few minutes later, satisfied with what he had written, a big inkblot on his nose. Fortunately for him his mirror told him of this and Ron wiped it off before anyone saw.

First on my schedule, breakfast, Ron thought. Harry was still asleep, and Ron didn't want to wake him, so he went down to breakfast alone. He took a seat next to Hermione. She had her Arithmancy book propped up against her goblet of orange juice. She looked at Ron, a concerned and serious, expression on her face.

"Why didn't you bring your class books? You're supposed to be studying for N.E.W.T's." Ron looked at Hermione like she'd gone insane or had hit her head hard.

"Hermione, we've been here less than a week."

"But N.E.W.Ts are so important for your future wizarding career -" Hermione was cut off by the sudden appearance of Draco Malfoy.

"I have a bad feeling about this," thought Ron sullenly.

"Mudblood, where's Potter?" chimed Draco, coming up behind her, trying to sound concerned, eyes wide. "Is he hiding under his bed, shaking, afraid to face a real Quidditch team like the one the Slytherin's have?"

"Malfoy, if anyone should be under their bed shaking in fear, it should be you. How many times have you beaten us at quidditch?" Hermione pretended to count on her fingers, then pretended to look confused. "Oh, that's right, none."

Malfoy's face turned a brilliant shade of purple that would make Ron's ears appreciative of the display. "You know, there are other reasons why he could be terrified to come down to come down," he said in a deadly dark voice. "Maybe he was horrified at the prospect of seeing your repulsive, mangled, distorted face!"

Suddenly there was a loud crack out of no where. A few yells could be heard, and whispers of, 'What was that?'

Malfoy lay unconscious on the floor. Many boils were springing up on his skin, and his hair was now striped in red and gold, Gryffindor's colors. Ron and Hermione looked up in surprise to see Harry neatly tuck his wand back into his pocket. Evidently he had woken.

Harry trotted over to Ron and Hermione, being careful to step all over Malfoy's face along the way. A few people were turning around to see what had caused the noise (if they hadn't all ready) , but since they didn't see anything (Harry had kicked Malfoy under the table) they just went back to eating their meals.

"I'm not going to take any dung from Malfoy today," Harry muttered to Ron and Hermione, taking a seat next to them.

"What did you do to him?" Ron inquired in awe.

"But Harry, Malfoy's the Slytherin Seeker, the game will be called off since he can't play!" Hermione said worried.

Harry stared blankly into his bowl of porridge. "Oh, Malfoy'll come around soon enough - not that I care," Harry said calmly.

"That was really sweet of you Harry," said Hermione quietly. "You didn't have to do that to Malfoy."

Harry smiled. "It was nothing."

Yes! Ron thought. Ask her out! Ask her out you moron!!

"Hermione," Harry said, fidgeting slightly, "Um, I know that there's only a couple minutes left until Ron and I have to head out onto the pitch, but…could I ask you something first?"

"Uh, sure, Harry," said Hermione, not quite meeting his eyes.

"Would you like to go out -"

Hermione's eyes widened slightly - but right then Professor Dumbeldore walked over to Harry.

NOOOO! Thought Ron, slamming his fist on the table. Harry, Hermione, and Dumbledore shot him questioning looks.

"Nothing," he muttered.

Dumbledore turned to Harry and said, "I think your watch must be slow, because all the other team members are all on the fields."

As Ron predicted, Harry stood up quickly, apologized to Hermione, and ran out of the room, not forgetting to tug Ron behind him.