The next day, Ron and Hermione entered the Transfiguration classroom, hand in hand. They did not expect to see Harry saving spots. They were right. Harry sat with Seamus and Lavender. All the students were mad at Hermione and Ron, except for the Slytherins. They were always looking for ways to make Harry's blood boil, and now, they didn't have to do it. Hermione could. Ron led Hermione down the aisles to the front of the classroom. She looked over at Draco. He was seated smug in his seat, clearly pleased about the fight that had broken out last night. Hermione took one long look at the blond Slytherin, and sat herself in between Ron and Ginny, who had saved them seats. Hermione looked back at Harry. His eyes, normally kind and caring, had turned icy and hateful. But Hermione saw something else in them-sorrow and pain.
Finally, their classes had ended, and it was time for the Gryffindor versus Slytherin match. Hermione raced to the locker rooms, looking for Ron, only to find that he wasn't there. "Where is he?" she whispered, looking at the other players. "I found a better keeper, Hermione," Harry said from behind her, in an icy voice. "Harry, please! I'm sorry! Please, you were his friend, he was yours! And I'M SORRY!" Hermione screamed. As she spoke, she pulled from her pocket a picture of the three back in their first year and thrust it into his hand. Just then, Ginny entered from the pitch in tears. "Harry! Seamus hurt himself while warming up. We can't go on without a keeper!" Harry sighed and looked at Ginny. His eyes moved to the picture and up to Hermione. "Fine. Ron will play," he said rather reluctantly. Then, he left without a single look back.
Slytherin was in the lead 60 to 2. Harry searched desperately for the snitch and caught himself looking at Ron. He shook his head and zoomed to the other end of the field. The other seeker had found the snitch and was zooming towards it as well. And then, the crowd gasped and a girl screamed. Harry, of course, thought they were cheering him on, but then, Justin Finch-Fletchey, the announcer, said, "Oh my! Look's like the Gryffindor Keeper is in a tight spot. Someone better help him!!!" Harry looked up and saw that with one free hand, Ron was struggling to hold on to his broom. Harry now looked at Hermione. Her hands were clasped and tears were streaming down her cheeks. He thought back to the day they had all met. He had to make a decision now. Would he win and let his friend suffer? Or would he save him? Without hesitating, he made his choice.