Chapter 15
Best Friends
Harry managed to slip off in the mayhem that followed the trials mainly by walking Hagrid back to his hut and staying in the half giant's shadow. He then stayed to have some tea and pretended to eat some of Hagrid's cooking while Hagrid asked about the trials and Harry had told him everything he had been feeling including about Ginny. He found talking to Hagrid easy as he was not overly critical and his advise was extremely insightful but Harry's mind was still in turmoil. He had know what he had been doing at the practice match, he had been proving a point, but, as Hagrid advised him, he might have gone a bit too far and, deep down, Harry agreed; scoring a few points was one thing but actually helping a group of novices beat the house team could have repercussions. Then again, he was being a bit unfair; Martin and Simon McBride, the twins who had asked to be Beaters had obviously played before and reminded Harry of Fred and George, they had always seemed inseparable in the common room and played Quidditch as one, never in each others way and complimenting the other perfectly. Dean, despite his motives, was a good Keeper, not as good as Ron but definitely a perfect reserve and while one of the Chasers on his side was poor, Claire had all the makings of a good player; she marked the opposite number consistently and was quick to break when in possession.
When Hagrid asked Harry if he wanted walking back to the castle, the young student asked if he could spend the night with Godric again, saying he hadn't seen him since he saved his life. The half giant was reluctant, telling Harry the big lion had been rather moody recently but Harry convinced him he would be ok. Hagrid watched out of the window, after he agreed to Harry's request; the black haired wizard had gone straight outside and hopped over the fencing striding towards the centre of the Paddock. Godric had noticed the intruder and initially crouched low, ready to attack, but he quickly realised it was his friend and started bounding around like a playful kitten, causing Hagrid to startle Fang, his bloodhound, with booming laughter.
The night sky was completely cloudless and Harry lay on the soft ground staring up at the stars. He talked softly to Godric, who was lying next to Harry purring, happy that his fellow lion was better and was there again. Harry had just pointed out the stars that made up the constellation Leo when the lion, obviously spotting something else, rose quickly and bolted for the edge of the paddock. Harry still didn't have his wand, as Professor McGonagall had said, it might be too much of a temptation but he felt naked now with virtually no way to defend himself. Feeling it might be better to have some cover and then maybe try and escape unnoticed if it was trouble, he jumped over the fallen tree trunk in the centre of the paddock and ducked low so he could just see over the top of it. He waited a couple of minutes then relaxed when he saw the massive lion padding calmly back to his favourite spot next to the log, followed by a tall figure in heavy robes with a flash of bright red hair: Ronald Weasley.
Harry jumped back over the tree trunk and greeted his friend, "Hia Ron, what're you doing here?"
"My turn to feed Godric." he replied lifting a whole leg of a cow from his shoulder and laying it next to the lion, never really making eye contact with Harry.
Then both boys spoke at exactly the same time.
"Look Harry, I'm sorry about today."
"Look Ron, I'm sorry about today."
They both looked a bit bemused; Ron gained his composure first, saying. "What have you got to be sorry for? It was me that was being a prat and you were just proving your point."
"Well I won't argue you were being a right royal prat, but I think I went a bit far. It didn't really do the team much good to actually get beaten."
"I don't know, it showed us all how much work we have to do if we want the Cup and showed me I should listen to you more."
"Sit down, it's not comfortable staring up at you and I want to talk about the team."
"Great, we still friends then?" asked Ron sheepishly.
"It will take more than a misunderstanding over Quidditch to stop me being your friend, mate." They both smiled and sat with their backs to the tree trunk and talked about how everyone played, deciding on the first team and the reserve team. The two friends argued a little about the Beaters, but in the end decided that they would continue with Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper for the first game, which was Ravenclaw in a couple of weeks, and then, if they continue playing well in training, give the McBride twins a run out against Hufflepuff, which should be an easier game. Whichever pair played the better game would get the start against Slytherin in the last game of the season. They finally got to the position of Seeker and Harry blurted "it has to be Ginny", just a little too quickly and Ron looked funnily at him questioning:
"What's with you two? She never shuts up about you and you're embarrassed every time we talk about her?" commented Ron, paying close attention to his best friend's reaction, clearly suspicious.
"Nothing.", replied Harry, who was, unbeknownst to himself, fidgeting a little.
"Do you like her or something?" asked Ron, as usual, subtle as a brick.
"She's seeing Neville." replied Harry shortly, hoping his friend would take the hint and not ask anything else. He was, however, sadly disappointed.
"I didn't ask that. I asked if you liked her." demanded Ron, folding his arms over his chest. He was already coming to his own conclusions, but he wanted Harry to confirm them.
"Of course I like her, I like all the Weasleys. Well, except maybe Percy." Harry was praying that Ron's line of questioning would end. It was one thing telling Hagrid; it was entirely another thing telling his best friend, who also happened to the over-protective older brother of the girl in question.
If Harry raised his head he would have seen Ron was enjoying himself. The malicious grin, clearly visible on his face as he went for the throat: "You are avoiding the question. Do you fancy my sister? Yes or No?"
"Do you fancy Hermione?" asked Harry, hoping his friend's embarrassment might lead to a stalemate.
"Yes." Ron replied without a hint of embarrassment. "Now, your answer?" The calm response completely threw Harry; since the Yule Ball in the fourth year, Harry had known Ron liked Hermione in a more than friendly way. Having grown up at the Dursley's, spending ten years in a cupboard under the stairs and being bullied by both Dudley and his father, Harry had always been a loner. Ron had been his best friend from almost the instant they met; Hermione was his friend too, but somehow he always felt she was more like a sister. The thought of his emotionally reserved best friend admitting feelings for his sort-of-sister was somewhat disturbing.
"Look Ron, it doesn't matter anyway, she's seeing Neville and she's mad at me, she's been mad ever since memorial service attack. She'll hate me after today, when I shouted at her in the Hall." Harry proceeded to bury his head in his hands, feeling deeply embarrassed and somewhat worried about the tentative nature of the boys' recent friendship.
"You really do have no idea about her, do you?" said Ron, smiling in what could only be described as a condescending manner. "Ginny says she's mad at you, because she's mad at herself."
"What are you on about?" Harry removed his head from his hands and looked at Ron like he had suddenly grown two heads and scaly skin.
"After the attack, well, she was mad because she was scared during the attack and you weren't there. She's pretty used to getting in trouble, but when it's really bad she expected you to be there. Ginny was mad at herself for wanting you there and equally mad because she was scared. Ginny grew up with six older brothers, two of whom are the twins, and she's pretty tough and doesn't like showing too many emotions. That's something you learn with siblings, they don't tease you as much if nothing bothers you. Of course, when the dust finally settled, she was mad because you got hurt. To what extent I don't know, but Ginny cares about you, you saved her life in her first year and apart from Hermione you have always treated her like an equal. Ginny was mad because she was so worried about you."
"You definitely need to look the word 'mad' up in a thesaurus, but aside from that, when did you get insightful?" asked Harry.
"Ha Ha, come on Harry, I lived in the same house as her for ten years, seeing her everyday. She's mental but she's the only girl I really do understand."
"But she's mad at me now for shouting at her right?" Harry was really confused and was really just thinking out loud.
"Nahhh, she's a bit angry cause of the shouting, mainly she's fuming because you were right. I know, I don't know much about girls, but I have noticed they have a tendency to think they are always right. With Ginny, it means she'll have to do something she absolutely hates, apologise. I think I've heard Ginny apologise four times ever, and every time she looked like she was donating a kidney. Don't worry though mate, Ginny won't stay mad at you, that wouldn't be fair, it wasn't really your fault you were right."
"But anyway, like I said, she's seeing Neville, and Neville's my friend." Harry was still confused and feeling more and more dejected.
Ron, sensing his friend's emotional turmoil, tried to fulfil his role as best mate. "Now on that, even I'm confused, mate. I don't think she fancies him and she definitely doesn't treat him like a boyfriend, just a really good friend." Then, adopting his big brother role, he added "Not that you or Neville should be seeing Ginny, she's my little sister."
Harry laughed. Ron had spent ten minutes getting Harry to admit he like Ginny, then another ten making him feel better that he did, but in the end he had to revert to his normal persona. Yet Ron had still had managed to make him feel better, and without knowing it had given him even more to think about.
"Sooooo, when did you start admitting to yourself you fancied Hermione?" asked Harry. This time Ron did blush, making his face approximately the same colour as his hair.
"Oh that, I just said that to get you to own up about Ginny." Harry was not buying it, and after the torture of the last twenty minutes he had no intention of cutting his friend any slack.
"Yeah right, and oh look Godric is flying over the paddock" Harry said smiling, his words actually dripping with sarcasm. Then Harry had a thought, he knew a good way to get the truth from his friend. "Not that I'd blame you if you did, I mean she's smart, funny, loyal, understandable for a girl and when she wants to be, really pretty too. Hey, do you think she would go out with me ?" It was so hard to keep a straight face as he uttered the last ten words, for Ron's face looked pitiful and Harry almost couldn't believe Ron would fall for it, but he did.
"No ... you wouldn't ... I mean you know I like her." Ron stuttered then froze.
"Got ya!" said Harry, bursting into laughter. Ron flushed but this time with anger but he quickly saw the funny side and laughed along with his friend.
"How long have you known?" Ron asked after they both finally regained their composure.
"Oh since the Yule Ball in the fourth year, but I'm always pretty slow. I dare say most Gryffindors probably realised before me."
Ron laughed "Even longer before me then?"
"Well we both know you're pretty thick" said Harry, trying to move out of range of Ron's long arms, but not moving far enough, as it happened.
"Oi, less of that" said Ron as he punched his best friend playfully in the arm.
The conversation remained focused on for a little while longer, but, to the relief of both of them, not the girls they liked. In particular they laughed about the pending Dean/ Lavender situation and they were rolling in laughter when Harry asked Ron how long it would be before Dean had to ask her for permission to speak. They both had no doubt who would be wearing the trousers in that relationship, even if they would be very tight and no doubt highly fashionable. Which, knowing Lavender, would also be the latest fashion and perfectly co-ordinated with the rest of her outfit.
As the night wore on and the moon travelled lazily across the sky, the boys started yawning. Harry had asked when Ron was going back to the dorms and Ron had told him he had asked Hagrid if it was okay to stay out with Godric. Harry had smiled, pleased Ron would be staying but couldn't help teasing him, "Well I think you better ask Godric if that's okay". Ron was feeling much more confident with the massive lion though and he instantly got up and walked over to large cat who was dozing after finishing his massive meal; he scratched the lion behind the ears and asked Godric if it was okay if he stayed. The lion, not understanding the question, but enjoying his ears being scratched, started purring. "Well doesn't look like he minds too much." said Ron with a grin on his face, as he walked back and sat down with Harry. "Just a big pussy cat really" said Ron.
"Who bit the head off someone who didn't give him enough respect." retorted Harry, smiling.
"Okay a very clever, very big pussy cat then." Ron corrected, causing them both to start laughing again. Shortly after that the two friends curled up in their cloaks and fell asleep next to the huge lion both feeling a great deal happier; that they were still, and confident they would always be, best friends. The pair slept soundly though the night, dreaming of Quidditch, but from two different sides, one scoring goals, the other saving them, but both leading the team to glorious victories. Each boy also dreamt of some post match celebrations, both with different girls.
Harry awoke early the following morning, the snoring form of his best friend next to him and his lion friend Godric stretching and going for a morning stroll. Harry was never going to get back to sleep with Ron snoring, which sounded oddly like the noise grizzly bears make, so decided he might as well go and have breakfast. Harry nudged Ron in the ribs, making his friend mumble something like 'In a minute mum just a little longer' and roll over, so Harry decided to take more drastic action and he picked up a leafy twig from the floor and started gently tickling Ron's nose with the leaf. Ron started to flail his arms for a second then sat bolt upright, "What ya do that for ?" asked the red headed boy rubbing sleep from his eyes, glaring at a blurry boy holding a twig.
"Come on lazy bones it's time for breakfast. I'm starving." said Harry happily.
"Okay, okay I'm coming" and Ron stretched yawned and untangled himself from his cloak before rising and walking with Harry towards the castle.
"So, what you doing today?" asked Harry.
"I gotta finish a load of Herbology homework and Neville said he'd give me a hand. What about you?"
"Well I'm just about on top of my homework so I guess I'll do some reading, maybe prepare some stuff for the next DA meeting." he stated and then thinking out loud, "Oh and apologise to the team about yesterday."
They continued chatting happily about their lessons and DA as they entered the castle and sat at the Gryffindor table, piling their plates with the delicious food and tucking in. Harry noticed the McBride twins arrive with a group of their friends and sat further down the table. Harry told Ron he was going to explain what they'd discussed yesterday and Ron nodded, not really paying much attention to anything apart from his second helping of everything.
When Harry walked up and said hello, the boys responded in perfect stereo. Harry told them they did great in the match and they were definitely reserves for the team but them explained about them getting a run out in the second match and they beamed, getting slaps on the arms and congratulations from their friends. Harry warned them that would have to work hard in training though and they both nodded gleefully and thanked Harry who told them to keep an eye on the notice board for the time of the first practice.
When Harry got up he noticed Neville and Ginny had joined Ron at the table. Ron and Neville were talking animatedly about the Herbology homework, so Harry decided to get back to the library and read ahead on potions; there was a particularly nasty looking volume on poisons without antidotes he had wanted to study. 'I might find something to slip in Malfoy's tea' he thought, amusing himself. He had discovered recently that the definition of a poison in the wizarding world and muggle world was different: muggles thought all poisons were potentially fatal, while wizards thought that they were substances which had detrimental and usually painful effects. So a potion that shrunk someone's head to the size of a pea was in fact a poison, and one he wouldn't mind trying on the majority of the Slytherin house. As he was leaving the Great Hall he heard someone calling behind him and he saw Ginny trotting to meet him.
*****
Many thanks as always to Dice for being a brilliant beta reader.
Till next time...Toodles
~~Jonny
Best Friends
Harry managed to slip off in the mayhem that followed the trials mainly by walking Hagrid back to his hut and staying in the half giant's shadow. He then stayed to have some tea and pretended to eat some of Hagrid's cooking while Hagrid asked about the trials and Harry had told him everything he had been feeling including about Ginny. He found talking to Hagrid easy as he was not overly critical and his advise was extremely insightful but Harry's mind was still in turmoil. He had know what he had been doing at the practice match, he had been proving a point, but, as Hagrid advised him, he might have gone a bit too far and, deep down, Harry agreed; scoring a few points was one thing but actually helping a group of novices beat the house team could have repercussions. Then again, he was being a bit unfair; Martin and Simon McBride, the twins who had asked to be Beaters had obviously played before and reminded Harry of Fred and George, they had always seemed inseparable in the common room and played Quidditch as one, never in each others way and complimenting the other perfectly. Dean, despite his motives, was a good Keeper, not as good as Ron but definitely a perfect reserve and while one of the Chasers on his side was poor, Claire had all the makings of a good player; she marked the opposite number consistently and was quick to break when in possession.
When Hagrid asked Harry if he wanted walking back to the castle, the young student asked if he could spend the night with Godric again, saying he hadn't seen him since he saved his life. The half giant was reluctant, telling Harry the big lion had been rather moody recently but Harry convinced him he would be ok. Hagrid watched out of the window, after he agreed to Harry's request; the black haired wizard had gone straight outside and hopped over the fencing striding towards the centre of the Paddock. Godric had noticed the intruder and initially crouched low, ready to attack, but he quickly realised it was his friend and started bounding around like a playful kitten, causing Hagrid to startle Fang, his bloodhound, with booming laughter.
The night sky was completely cloudless and Harry lay on the soft ground staring up at the stars. He talked softly to Godric, who was lying next to Harry purring, happy that his fellow lion was better and was there again. Harry had just pointed out the stars that made up the constellation Leo when the lion, obviously spotting something else, rose quickly and bolted for the edge of the paddock. Harry still didn't have his wand, as Professor McGonagall had said, it might be too much of a temptation but he felt naked now with virtually no way to defend himself. Feeling it might be better to have some cover and then maybe try and escape unnoticed if it was trouble, he jumped over the fallen tree trunk in the centre of the paddock and ducked low so he could just see over the top of it. He waited a couple of minutes then relaxed when he saw the massive lion padding calmly back to his favourite spot next to the log, followed by a tall figure in heavy robes with a flash of bright red hair: Ronald Weasley.
Harry jumped back over the tree trunk and greeted his friend, "Hia Ron, what're you doing here?"
"My turn to feed Godric." he replied lifting a whole leg of a cow from his shoulder and laying it next to the lion, never really making eye contact with Harry.
Then both boys spoke at exactly the same time.
"Look Harry, I'm sorry about today."
"Look Ron, I'm sorry about today."
They both looked a bit bemused; Ron gained his composure first, saying. "What have you got to be sorry for? It was me that was being a prat and you were just proving your point."
"Well I won't argue you were being a right royal prat, but I think I went a bit far. It didn't really do the team much good to actually get beaten."
"I don't know, it showed us all how much work we have to do if we want the Cup and showed me I should listen to you more."
"Sit down, it's not comfortable staring up at you and I want to talk about the team."
"Great, we still friends then?" asked Ron sheepishly.
"It will take more than a misunderstanding over Quidditch to stop me being your friend, mate." They both smiled and sat with their backs to the tree trunk and talked about how everyone played, deciding on the first team and the reserve team. The two friends argued a little about the Beaters, but in the end decided that they would continue with Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper for the first game, which was Ravenclaw in a couple of weeks, and then, if they continue playing well in training, give the McBride twins a run out against Hufflepuff, which should be an easier game. Whichever pair played the better game would get the start against Slytherin in the last game of the season. They finally got to the position of Seeker and Harry blurted "it has to be Ginny", just a little too quickly and Ron looked funnily at him questioning:
"What's with you two? She never shuts up about you and you're embarrassed every time we talk about her?" commented Ron, paying close attention to his best friend's reaction, clearly suspicious.
"Nothing.", replied Harry, who was, unbeknownst to himself, fidgeting a little.
"Do you like her or something?" asked Ron, as usual, subtle as a brick.
"She's seeing Neville." replied Harry shortly, hoping his friend would take the hint and not ask anything else. He was, however, sadly disappointed.
"I didn't ask that. I asked if you liked her." demanded Ron, folding his arms over his chest. He was already coming to his own conclusions, but he wanted Harry to confirm them.
"Of course I like her, I like all the Weasleys. Well, except maybe Percy." Harry was praying that Ron's line of questioning would end. It was one thing telling Hagrid; it was entirely another thing telling his best friend, who also happened to the over-protective older brother of the girl in question.
If Harry raised his head he would have seen Ron was enjoying himself. The malicious grin, clearly visible on his face as he went for the throat: "You are avoiding the question. Do you fancy my sister? Yes or No?"
"Do you fancy Hermione?" asked Harry, hoping his friend's embarrassment might lead to a stalemate.
"Yes." Ron replied without a hint of embarrassment. "Now, your answer?" The calm response completely threw Harry; since the Yule Ball in the fourth year, Harry had known Ron liked Hermione in a more than friendly way. Having grown up at the Dursley's, spending ten years in a cupboard under the stairs and being bullied by both Dudley and his father, Harry had always been a loner. Ron had been his best friend from almost the instant they met; Hermione was his friend too, but somehow he always felt she was more like a sister. The thought of his emotionally reserved best friend admitting feelings for his sort-of-sister was somewhat disturbing.
"Look Ron, it doesn't matter anyway, she's seeing Neville and she's mad at me, she's been mad ever since memorial service attack. She'll hate me after today, when I shouted at her in the Hall." Harry proceeded to bury his head in his hands, feeling deeply embarrassed and somewhat worried about the tentative nature of the boys' recent friendship.
"You really do have no idea about her, do you?" said Ron, smiling in what could only be described as a condescending manner. "Ginny says she's mad at you, because she's mad at herself."
"What are you on about?" Harry removed his head from his hands and looked at Ron like he had suddenly grown two heads and scaly skin.
"After the attack, well, she was mad because she was scared during the attack and you weren't there. She's pretty used to getting in trouble, but when it's really bad she expected you to be there. Ginny was mad at herself for wanting you there and equally mad because she was scared. Ginny grew up with six older brothers, two of whom are the twins, and she's pretty tough and doesn't like showing too many emotions. That's something you learn with siblings, they don't tease you as much if nothing bothers you. Of course, when the dust finally settled, she was mad because you got hurt. To what extent I don't know, but Ginny cares about you, you saved her life in her first year and apart from Hermione you have always treated her like an equal. Ginny was mad because she was so worried about you."
"You definitely need to look the word 'mad' up in a thesaurus, but aside from that, when did you get insightful?" asked Harry.
"Ha Ha, come on Harry, I lived in the same house as her for ten years, seeing her everyday. She's mental but she's the only girl I really do understand."
"But she's mad at me now for shouting at her right?" Harry was really confused and was really just thinking out loud.
"Nahhh, she's a bit angry cause of the shouting, mainly she's fuming because you were right. I know, I don't know much about girls, but I have noticed they have a tendency to think they are always right. With Ginny, it means she'll have to do something she absolutely hates, apologise. I think I've heard Ginny apologise four times ever, and every time she looked like she was donating a kidney. Don't worry though mate, Ginny won't stay mad at you, that wouldn't be fair, it wasn't really your fault you were right."
"But anyway, like I said, she's seeing Neville, and Neville's my friend." Harry was still confused and feeling more and more dejected.
Ron, sensing his friend's emotional turmoil, tried to fulfil his role as best mate. "Now on that, even I'm confused, mate. I don't think she fancies him and she definitely doesn't treat him like a boyfriend, just a really good friend." Then, adopting his big brother role, he added "Not that you or Neville should be seeing Ginny, she's my little sister."
Harry laughed. Ron had spent ten minutes getting Harry to admit he like Ginny, then another ten making him feel better that he did, but in the end he had to revert to his normal persona. Yet Ron had still had managed to make him feel better, and without knowing it had given him even more to think about.
"Sooooo, when did you start admitting to yourself you fancied Hermione?" asked Harry. This time Ron did blush, making his face approximately the same colour as his hair.
"Oh that, I just said that to get you to own up about Ginny." Harry was not buying it, and after the torture of the last twenty minutes he had no intention of cutting his friend any slack.
"Yeah right, and oh look Godric is flying over the paddock" Harry said smiling, his words actually dripping with sarcasm. Then Harry had a thought, he knew a good way to get the truth from his friend. "Not that I'd blame you if you did, I mean she's smart, funny, loyal, understandable for a girl and when she wants to be, really pretty too. Hey, do you think she would go out with me ?" It was so hard to keep a straight face as he uttered the last ten words, for Ron's face looked pitiful and Harry almost couldn't believe Ron would fall for it, but he did.
"No ... you wouldn't ... I mean you know I like her." Ron stuttered then froze.
"Got ya!" said Harry, bursting into laughter. Ron flushed but this time with anger but he quickly saw the funny side and laughed along with his friend.
"How long have you known?" Ron asked after they both finally regained their composure.
"Oh since the Yule Ball in the fourth year, but I'm always pretty slow. I dare say most Gryffindors probably realised before me."
Ron laughed "Even longer before me then?"
"Well we both know you're pretty thick" said Harry, trying to move out of range of Ron's long arms, but not moving far enough, as it happened.
"Oi, less of that" said Ron as he punched his best friend playfully in the arm.
The conversation remained focused on for a little while longer, but, to the relief of both of them, not the girls they liked. In particular they laughed about the pending Dean/ Lavender situation and they were rolling in laughter when Harry asked Ron how long it would be before Dean had to ask her for permission to speak. They both had no doubt who would be wearing the trousers in that relationship, even if they would be very tight and no doubt highly fashionable. Which, knowing Lavender, would also be the latest fashion and perfectly co-ordinated with the rest of her outfit.
As the night wore on and the moon travelled lazily across the sky, the boys started yawning. Harry had asked when Ron was going back to the dorms and Ron had told him he had asked Hagrid if it was okay to stay out with Godric. Harry had smiled, pleased Ron would be staying but couldn't help teasing him, "Well I think you better ask Godric if that's okay". Ron was feeling much more confident with the massive lion though and he instantly got up and walked over to large cat who was dozing after finishing his massive meal; he scratched the lion behind the ears and asked Godric if it was okay if he stayed. The lion, not understanding the question, but enjoying his ears being scratched, started purring. "Well doesn't look like he minds too much." said Ron with a grin on his face, as he walked back and sat down with Harry. "Just a big pussy cat really" said Ron.
"Who bit the head off someone who didn't give him enough respect." retorted Harry, smiling.
"Okay a very clever, very big pussy cat then." Ron corrected, causing them both to start laughing again. Shortly after that the two friends curled up in their cloaks and fell asleep next to the huge lion both feeling a great deal happier; that they were still, and confident they would always be, best friends. The pair slept soundly though the night, dreaming of Quidditch, but from two different sides, one scoring goals, the other saving them, but both leading the team to glorious victories. Each boy also dreamt of some post match celebrations, both with different girls.
Harry awoke early the following morning, the snoring form of his best friend next to him and his lion friend Godric stretching and going for a morning stroll. Harry was never going to get back to sleep with Ron snoring, which sounded oddly like the noise grizzly bears make, so decided he might as well go and have breakfast. Harry nudged Ron in the ribs, making his friend mumble something like 'In a minute mum just a little longer' and roll over, so Harry decided to take more drastic action and he picked up a leafy twig from the floor and started gently tickling Ron's nose with the leaf. Ron started to flail his arms for a second then sat bolt upright, "What ya do that for ?" asked the red headed boy rubbing sleep from his eyes, glaring at a blurry boy holding a twig.
"Come on lazy bones it's time for breakfast. I'm starving." said Harry happily.
"Okay, okay I'm coming" and Ron stretched yawned and untangled himself from his cloak before rising and walking with Harry towards the castle.
"So, what you doing today?" asked Harry.
"I gotta finish a load of Herbology homework and Neville said he'd give me a hand. What about you?"
"Well I'm just about on top of my homework so I guess I'll do some reading, maybe prepare some stuff for the next DA meeting." he stated and then thinking out loud, "Oh and apologise to the team about yesterday."
They continued chatting happily about their lessons and DA as they entered the castle and sat at the Gryffindor table, piling their plates with the delicious food and tucking in. Harry noticed the McBride twins arrive with a group of their friends and sat further down the table. Harry told Ron he was going to explain what they'd discussed yesterday and Ron nodded, not really paying much attention to anything apart from his second helping of everything.
When Harry walked up and said hello, the boys responded in perfect stereo. Harry told them they did great in the match and they were definitely reserves for the team but them explained about them getting a run out in the second match and they beamed, getting slaps on the arms and congratulations from their friends. Harry warned them that would have to work hard in training though and they both nodded gleefully and thanked Harry who told them to keep an eye on the notice board for the time of the first practice.
When Harry got up he noticed Neville and Ginny had joined Ron at the table. Ron and Neville were talking animatedly about the Herbology homework, so Harry decided to get back to the library and read ahead on potions; there was a particularly nasty looking volume on poisons without antidotes he had wanted to study. 'I might find something to slip in Malfoy's tea' he thought, amusing himself. He had discovered recently that the definition of a poison in the wizarding world and muggle world was different: muggles thought all poisons were potentially fatal, while wizards thought that they were substances which had detrimental and usually painful effects. So a potion that shrunk someone's head to the size of a pea was in fact a poison, and one he wouldn't mind trying on the majority of the Slytherin house. As he was leaving the Great Hall he heard someone calling behind him and he saw Ginny trotting to meet him.
*****
Many thanks as always to Dice for being a brilliant beta reader.
Till next time...Toodles
~~Jonny