Chapter Eight: About Quidditch, Dances and Love…

"So try-outs will be held tomorrow starting at 6:00 pm," Harry announced loudly to the students reunited in the Gryffindor Common Room. "But be there before that time because you have to sign a parchment with your name and the position you're trying out for. Hermione…" said Harry pointing at her.

She was sitting in an armchair writing down notes and looked up at the mention of her name and smiled.

"Will be there, watching over the process. Ok…" he said looking at Ron who nodded at him confidently. "That's it. Uh, thanks."

"Well, that went well," said Hermione.

Harry smiled at her and shoved her gently aside. He sat down and draped Hermione's legs over his lap. He said: "Thanks," and kissed her.

"Good job, Harry," said Ron who was sitting alone in an armchair.

"You think so? I was really nervous."

Ron nudged Catherina who was sitting on the large sofa next to him alone with her knees up to her chest and her arms around them. She looked up at him and glanced quickly at Harry. She muttered something unintelligible. Ron frowned at her and nudged her again.

"We didn't hear you," he said frowning.

"Very good, very good," she muttered looking everywhere but at Harry.

"So how many do you think will show up?" Harry asked looking at the excited group of Gryffindors that were talking about the soon-to-be-held tryouts.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other. Ron shook his head and Hermione sighed.

"I guess it's not about how many show up but the talent that they'll bring, right?" Harry inquired again.

Catherina rolled her eyes and stood up from the sofa.

"Told you it was pointless," she said to Ron before marching up the stairs leading to the girl's dormitory.

"I'm quite excited, are you excited Ron?" Harry asked.

Hermione and Ron gaped at him astounded.

"You're not giving in at all, are you?" Hermione said.

Harry scratched his head casually and looked at her blankly.

"What?"

Hermione scoffed.

"When are you making up with Cat? You guys can't be angry at each other forever! It was just a misunderstanding, right?" Hermione said.

Harry sniffed and ran his hand through his ruffled hair.

"Harry! That's what you said. What is it that you're not telling me? But that's not the point. We're friends and friends are supposed to stick together especially now with…V…V-V-Voldemort back…" ranted Hermione.

Ron flinched.

Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron. Ron shook his head and shrugged.

"Hermione," interrupted Harry. "You're doing it again."

Hermione looked at both boys perplexed.

"What?"

Ron rolled his eyes.

"You're nagging."

Hermione glared at Ron and turned scarlet.

"No one is talking to you, Ronald! Stay out of this!"

Ron laughed.

"Whatever," he said looking at Harry. "I'm just glad Harry is getting a taste of what I have to deal with all the time."

Ron got up and walked towards the bottom of the stairs leading to the girl's dormitory. He stood there thinking for a while.

Hermione glared at Harry and whacked him in the arm.

"Ow," said Harry angrily. "What is wrong with you?"

"What is wrong with me? Me?" Roared Hermione.

"CAAAAAT!" Shouted Ron from the bottom of the stairs.

"Yes, you! I'm not angry at you why should you care?" Harry yelled.

"I care because she happens to be my friend!"

"Still not clear why you should care!"

"CAATHERIIINAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Harry glared at Ron for a while and turned to Hermione.

"Ron also happens to like Cat if you haven't noticed. It's not fair for you to ruin it for him," she said loudly over Ron's shouts. "RONALD!"

"WHAT?" He shouted without looking at her he then proceeded to cup his hands around his mouth. "BLAAAAAAACK!"

"So, I'm being unfair? Selfish am I?" Yelled Harry and glaring at Hermione.

"I didn't say selfish!" Shouted Hermione getting up from the armchair.

"No but you implied it! But if you want to talk about unfair I'll give you unfair!" Roared Harry.

"CAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!" Ron continued to call.

"Unfair is finally having someone remotely close to family and have them taken away! Unfair is having to die because you were decent enough to share the winning prize with someone who doesn't deserve it! Unfair is having the destiny of the world in your hands! Unfair is having to kill or be killed! Unfair…RON SHUT UP!"

"What?" Hermione asked softly.

"NO! Mind your own girlfriend thank you very much," said Ron walking up to Harry and Hermione.

Harry stood up from the armchair.

"Don't talk to me like that!" He shouted.

"Harry! What did you mean by "to kill or be killed?" Yelled Hermione.

"Not now Hermione. Why do you always have to know everything?"

The trio continued to yell at each other. Their faces got redder and their fists clenched tighter with every word shouted, yelled, roared and exclaimed. Catherina had made her way down the stairs and was observing the commotion with a frown on her face. She glared at the trio and got up on the armchair that was before the arguing friends.

"Guys!" She shouted but the yells didn't allow her to be heard. "GUYS!"

The trio went on arguing and insulting each other. Catherina sighed and wiped her hands on her jeans. She put two fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly. Hermione and Ron looked up at her silently and shocked.

"And Ron! You are one… stupid… git!" Harry shouted.

Cat glared at him and climbed down from the armchair.

"What is wrong with you people?" She asked frowning at them. "Is this how friends behave?"

Ron and Hermione looked at the ground ashamed.

"And you Harry, I'll have you know that Ron is a sensitive and smart boy. Sure, he doesn't always know the correct answers in class and he doesn't do so well in tests. Even sometimes he's as clueless to what is going on as Lovegood is…" Cat said.

"Um," Ron interrupted her tapping her on the shoulder. "You're not helping."

Catherina sucked her teeth.

"The point is that Ron is a very nice boy. He isn't afraid to tell me what he feels and he actually listens. We have very…nice conversations. He cares about me and here you are accusing him of being a stupid git and I won't have it!"

"Fine, you proved he's not stupid," said Harry. "Does that mean he is still a git?"

Ron stepped forward but Cat flung her arm out.

"Nobody likes a jerk, Potter," she muttered looking up at his face.

"I thought it was 'nobody likes a liar'," Harry pointed out.

"Fine," said Black walking towards the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Nobody likes a lying jerk."

Hermione snorted and Harry glared at her.

"Where are you going?" Ron asked.

"Out for a walk," she said putting on the purple hood of her cloak. "You three better make up," she said pointing at them.

The portrait swung open to let her out. Catherina turned around once more.

"And I mean it! I won't have you all hating each other," Black finished and walked out of the portrait.

The trio looked at each other sheepishly. They were all quite embarrassed of what they said. The crowd of Gryffindor students that had stood back astounded at the row the friends were having were now whispering loudly to each other and pointing at them.

"Ron…I didn't mean a word of what I said. I mean I was just…I'm sorry," muttered Harry.

"Oi!" Shouted Ron to the crowd. "I'll have you know I'm a Prefect," he said and tapped at the badge on his chest. "So unless you want me to have you scrapping the dungeons from here to eternity I suggest you mind your own business and get back to whatever you people ordinarily do!"

"Ron!" Hermione squealed.

"What?" Ron asked. "I forgive you, Harry."

The friends shook on it. Hermione frowned. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Hermione," he said placing his arm around her shoulders. "I forgive you too."

"Huh?" Hermione replied.

Harry chuckled.

Catherina walked back in.

"I forgot to ask you guys something and by the way I have been sent to tell you something," she said.

Her purple hood was still up. Harry noticed that her eyes looked especially brighter because of it. He looked away and sighed. Cat smiled at them.

"Good. This is much better. But around what time are you guys heading down for dinner?" She asked. "So I can be here in time."

"Why do you ask?" Ron inquired suspiciously. "It's not like you're going to get lost in the grounds or anything. You're not allowed to go outside of the grounds so there's no reason why you should be late for dinner."

Cat looked up at Ron blankly.

"Right," she said. "So what time?"

"I don't know," said Harry. "Around five?"

"Harry," said Hermione impatiently.

She had been tugging at his arm for a while now.

"What is it Hermione?" He asked her irritated.

"What did you mean by 'to kill or be killed' and 'the destiny of the world in your hands'?" Hermione inquired.

"It doesn't mean anything Hermione," he said panicky. "I was angry I don't even know why I said that."

Ron frowned at him and looked at Hermione questioningly.

"You began shouting about the unfairness of it all and you said that!" Hermione shouted. "You did!"

"It doesn't mean anything, Hermione!"

No one spoke for a while. Catherina kept looking from face to face.

"Harry, what did you mean?" Ron asked worried.

"It doesn't mean anything, right?" Harry asked Cat pleadingly. "When you're angry you don't know what you say and why you say it, right?"

Catherina looked at Harry's eyes and nodded ever so slightly.

"True, besides McGonagall wants to see you, prefects," said Catherina softly. "Something about 'Head Boy' and 'Head Girl'"

Hermione squealed and pulled Ron by the arm.

"Come on, Ron!" She exclaimed excitedly and the both students headed out of the common room.

Harry stared at Catherina silently. Cat tilted her head. She waited for three more seconds before scoffing loudly.

"You're welcome," she said sarcastically.

"You mean you lied?" Harry asked pushing her hood back.

Catherina glared at him and put the hood back over her head.

"No, not really. I was only supposed to send Hermione but I figured you didn't want to talk to Ron either so I sent him on a wild goose chase…" she paused. "Ok, maybe not so wild."

"So who is the Head Boy then?"

"Do you really want know?"

Harry didn't answer. The friends stood silent for one whole minute.

"You haven't told them."

"Told them what?"

"You know what I'm talking about."

"Well, it isn't exactly something that is easy to talk about. It's not like the topic pops up or anything. 'So Ron that was an awesome save! You really impressed me with that one. The Dance is coming up. I can't wait and by the way remember that prophecy that had my name on it? Yeah well turns out it's real and I have to either kill Voldemort or be killed! Isn't that just corking!"

"Fine, don't tell them," she said.

"I won't."

Catherina pulled the hood over her eyes and ran her thumb across her throat.

"Your funeral."

"Wait!" Yelled Harry. "How did you find out? And what do you mean my funeral?"

Catherina walked out of the common room.

Catherina skipped towards the trio and sat down. Hermione, Harry and Ron had been eating for a while. They stared at her.

"Where have you been?" Ron asked Catherina.

"Out," she said.

Harry and Hermione continued to eat. Ron chewed on a chicken drumstick.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"Not hungry."

"Seriously," said Harry. "Where did you go."

"Come and take my hand," crooned Catherina. "I wanna contact the living."

Hermione stared at her and snorted.

"I'm talking to you," informed Harry.

"Not sure I understand," she sang grabbing a drumstick and putting it on her plate.

"This role I've been given."

"Cat!"

Hermione shook her head.

"Let her be," whispered Hermione. "She's not there."

"What?" Harry asked incredulously. "Of course she is don't be silly."

"I sit and talk to God and he just laughs at my plans," sang Cat as she piled the mashed potatoes on the drumstick. "My head speaks a language I don't understand."

Catherina chewed on her drumstick and stared at Harry. She swallowed and popped a spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth.

"I'm going to skip the chorus. I think you'll relate to this verse Harry."

He scowled at her.

"I don't wanna die but I ain't keen on living either," crooned Black.

Harry glared at her.

"Before I fall in love I'm preparing to leave her…"

"Shut up Cat," snarled Harry.

"I scare myself to death," sang Cat smoothly. "Or rather you do," she said.

"Shut…up," spat Harry through clenched teeth.

"That's why I keep on running," continued to sing Cat with a smile. "You seem to do that a lot, don't you?"

"Black I'm warning you."

"What are you going to do about it, Potter? Besides, I've come to my favorite part…"

"Don't…"

"I just wanna feel real love, feel the home that I live in. 'Cause I got too much life running through my veins going to waste," sang loudly Catherina.

Harry growled and grabbed a spoon of mashed potatoes.

"And I need to feel real love and a life e…" Catherina was cut short by Harry's spoonful of mashed potatoes that he had flung at her.

Catherina grabbed the bowl of mashed potatoes turned it over on Harry's head. Harry grabbed a drumstick and threw it but since the mashed potatoes were covering his face he couldn't see well. The drumstick hit a Hufflepuff third year.

"Hey! What's your problem!" The brown haired boy shouted.

He grabbed a handful of chocolate pudding and slung it the Gryffindor table. Hermione's hair was covered with Chocolate pudding now.

"Hey!" Ron shouted. "I'm a Prefect and if you don't…"

Someone had thrown a bowl of Jell-O at him.

"Food Fiiiiiiiight!" Roared a boy from the Ravenclaw table.

Soon enough food was flying everywhere. Éclairs were being shoved inside people's shirts. Spaghetti was being smudged into heads. Warm, mushy mashed potatoes were being shoved into people's underwear. Chicken parts were zooming to and fro. Catherina took refuge under the Gryffindor table and pulled Hermione along with her.

"Well this is fun," Black remarked smiling at Hermione.

"STOP!" Professor McGonagall ordered. "Black, you get out from under that table immediately!"

Black sighed and rolled her eyes at Hermione. She followed the professor's command.

"You and Mr. Potter will follow me," she said through clenched teeth.

Catherina walked side by side behind Professor McGonagall.

"This is all your fault!" Harry accused softly.

"That's because you have no sense of humor," she retorted.

"I resent that!" Harry declared as they entered McGonagall's office.

"Silence," she shouted. "Both of you sit down."

The children sat in front of her desk. They kept muttering obscenities to each other.

"Are you done?" McGonagall interrupted. "I'm about to give my sentence."

"You make it sound so ghastly," commented Black.

"Did I ask to you speak? No, I didn't so keep your mouth shut."

Harry laughed.

"It goes the same for you, Potter."

Catherina snorted.

"You will serve another month of detention…"

"Another month, Professor?" Harry inquired.

"That goes for Black but yes a month…"

Harry and Catherina whined loudly.

"Oh, come on! I just finished the last sentence and the try-outs are tomorrow."

"You will serve detention for a month…starting the day after tomorrow," said McGonagall.

"But Professor McGonagall tomorrow are the try-outs…" Harry continued to protest.

McGonagall raised her eyebrows at Black.

"Give him three seconds," she said.

Three seconds passed.

"Oh, yes Professor we will serve detention the day after tomorrow," said Harry trying to feign misery.

"Oh, the horror," said Black with a yawn.

"I don't want to buuuut…" continued Harry as they walked out of the office.

McGonagall stood at the door.

"You're lucky I want to win," she said looking at Harry. "Next time I'm sending you home Black," she finished and slammed the door.

Harry and Catherina walked towards the Gryffindor Tower all the while arguing about miniscule things.

"Don't look at me," said Catherina.

"Then put on a bag or something," retorted Harry.

"Stupid scar head," muttered Cat as they walked into the common room.

"Don't call me that!"

"BLAH!"

Catherina ran up the stairs to her dormitory. Harry did the same. They both met in the common room and ran towards the Quidditch Pitch.

"Sorry I'm late," said Harry to everyone who was waiting for him.

Hermione was already there. He handed her the list. Harry called the first name on the list: "Catherina Black you're…what the hell?"

Cat laughed.

"I asked Hermione to sign for me," she straddled her broom and flew into the sky.

"Chaser, right?"

"Of course," she replied.

By the end of the try-outs Harry reunited with the current Gryffindor Quidditch team to choose who will be part of the team. Harry decided to keep the same beaters. None of the ones that had showed up had been any better than the ones they had. Harry doubted that there ever would be any beaters better than Fred and George. He sighed.

"Okay for Chaser we have," began Harry looking down at his list.

He had to be honest. The best one they had was Catherina Black. Harry didn't want her in the team but he had to stop being selfish and act as a Team Captain.

"Well, what do you guys think of Black?"

"I think she's brilliant," said Katie Bell. "Did you see that move before she scored her seventh goal? What's it called again, Ginny?"

"Porskoff Ploy," answered Ginny proudly. "She promised to teach me."

Harry thought about it and sighed.

"All in favor for Black being the new Chaser say I."

"I!" Chorused the team.

It was unanimous. Harry walked out to the pitch and announced the news. The students left disappointed all except Catherina. She kept jumping up and down and squealing. Ginny ran out to congratulate her. The new Gryffindor Quidditch team walked back to the castle and up the stairs leading to seventh floor where the Gryffindor Tower was located. There they walked into the common room and into their corresponding dormitories. They prepared for another day of school and went to sleep.

Harry walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast accompanied by Hermione, Cat and Ron. They sat down on the Gryffindor table quietly eating their breakfast and waiting for the mail. Soon enough owls were flying over the four House tables dropping letters, packages and newspapers on their owner's plates. Hermione picked up the Daily Prophet. She brought the newspaper to her nose and let out a gasp. Hermione spread the newspaper on the table and showed the friends.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked as Catherina looked over his shoulder.

Hermione cleared her throat and read:

Death of A Death Eater Ministry of Magic

This morning the body of Antonin Dolohov, an escaped convict from Azkaban and loyal follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was found in an undisclosed location. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, refused to give any information about the mysterious death. When asked about how the convict died he responded: "We don't know but we will get to the bottom of this."

For more information and a list of the escaped convicts see page 7…

There was a picture of a man. His legs were twisted in angles that were not possible but the most disturbing thing was that he has semi naked and burned on his back was a symbol Harry had never seen in his life. It was an eye. He pointed at it.

"What's that?" He asked Hermione.

"It's the Eye of Ra," she answered but said no more.

Catherina sniffed.

"Who cares? He was scum," she muttered and winced when she got up.

Catherina no sooner had stood up straight that the doors of the Great Hall were opened and in came strutting none other than the Minister of Magic. He spotted Black and marched towards her.

"Good morning, Black," said Fudge curtly.

Catherina stared at him and spat at his feet.

"I bet you think you're hilarious."

"Some people may say so," she replied with a smile.

"I must have a word with you, Black…now."

"Whatever," she retorted and followed him out of the Great Hall.

The murmuring began. The students were already nervous with the murder of the Death Eater now the Minister of Magic had come to Hogwarts. To speak to a student! The trio looked at each other. They all knew that Catherina Black worked for the Ministry. What they didn't know was what exactly did she do for them. Catherina didn't join them until Advanced Care of Magical Creatures.

"Hey, about time you got here Black!" Shouted Malfoy.

Catherina glared at him and went to join Hermione, Harry and Ron.

"Okay children," announced Hagrid. "I have an interesting creature for you today."

He pointed to a hole on the ground. The students scuttled towards the hole and peered inside it. There were about twenty thin, pale-gray serpents with glowing red eyes.

"Now, who can tell me what are these?"

Hermione and Cat's hands shot up immediately. Hermione looked sideways and was shocked to see that someone's hand besides hers was up. Catherina smiled at her. Harry laughed at Hermione. Hagrid pointed at Catherina.

"Those are Ashwinders," answered Cat.

"Good, good," complimented Hagrid. "Now who can tell me how these are created?"

Once again Hermione's and Catherina's hands went up. Hermione glared at her. Cat turned to Harry and winked. Hagrid pointed at Hermione.

"The Ashwinder is created when a magical fire is allowed to burn unchecked for too long. This serpent will rise from the embers of an unsupervised fire and slither away into the shadows of the dwelling in which it finds itself, leaving an ashy trail behind it," informed Hermione

"Very good! Ten points for Gryffindor!"

Draco Malfoy scoffed. Catherina smiled at him devilishly.

Hagrid showed them how to tend to them. They would be collecting their eggs today and they needed to use a Freezing Charm to do so. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil giggled and blushed. Catherina chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"The eggs are used for Love Potions," Cat whispered. "You know, maybe the twins will find these interesting."

Catherina climbed down the hole with the rest of the students. She looked into one of the smaller holes and muttered: Muto Ignis. She then reached inside of the hole and pulled out three eggs. She swiftly inserted one inside her robe and carried the other two towards Hagrid.

"Excellent! Catherina has already collected two. The house with the most eggs by the end of the class will have 20 points."

The competition began. Slytherin took the twenty points. Catherina scoffed.

"That's because they kept hexing everyone behind their backs," she muttered as she scratched her own.

Malfoy had performed an Itching Hex on her when she wasn't looking.

It was half a day because that Halloween Bash was that night. Catherina and Hermione ran to their dormitories to get ready. Harry and Ron were ready half an hour before the dance started. They waited for the girls in the common room. Ron kept pacing the room nervously all the while fixing his robes.

"Do I look okay?" He asked.

He was wearing a new dress robe the twins had sent him. It was midnight blue and it seemed to sparkle sometimes as if it was the night sky.

"You look great," answered Harry.

Hermione walked down the stairs. She was wearing periwinkle blue robe. She smiled at Harry. He walked towards and ran his hand through her hair.

"Nice," he muttered and kissed her.

"Yuck," said voice from the stairs. "How very disgusting," said Catherina as she passed them and stood in the middle of the common room.

She was wearing a lavender robe. It had a high neck and was tight on the top and when it reached her hips it flared out. She had her curly hair pinned up in a twist. Some lose curls framed her face.

"Are we ready?" She asked everyone.

Ron walked towards her speechless and ran a finger down her cheek.

"Pretty," he whispered.

Catherina laughed softly.

"You clean up nicely yourself," she whispered to him.

Catherina grabbed his hand.

"Well let's go. I am not missing the first song. I can't wait to dance!"

"Dance?" Ron asked.

"Don't tell me you can't dance."

Ron blushed.

"He can dance," said Hermione and pointing at Harry.

"Brilliant!" Exclaimed Catherina.

The trio walked towards the Great Hall where the Halloween Bash was going to be held. They walked in and everyone was already dancing. Catherina grunted and whacked Ron on the arm.

"Told you! Come on let's dance!"

Catherina dragged Ron towards the dance floor. Hermione and Harry stood back watching and laughing. Catherina danced gracefully and with rhythm but Ron seemed uncomfortable and stiff. He danced only to please Catherina. The song ended and the pair walked towards the other friends. Hermione handed Ron to Hermione.

"He's all yours," said Cat teasingly.

Ron flopped down on a chair.

"Boy can't dance," teased Catherina as she ruffled Ron's hair.

Ron looked up at her with a smile. Catherina looked at Harry up and down as if sizing up her enemy. She walked around Harry examining him.

"Can you dance?"

"I guess," answered Harry

"Can you do the fox trot? The twist? The mashed potato? Tango? The Macarena?" Questioned Catherina.

"I can try," was Harry's reply.

Cat nodded and dragged him towards the dance floor. They had begun to dance to a fast pace song: a mix between opera and pop. Rapidly the song changed to a slow one. Harry looked around for Hermione and saw her talking energetically to Ron who was staring off in space. Cat raise and eyebrow at him.

"What are you afraid of Potter?" She asked pushing her hips against his.

Harry frowned and placed his hands on her hips. He bent forward a little so that his face could be closer to hers. Catherina draped her arms around his neck.

"Not you, that's for sure," retorted Harry.

They danced looking at each other's eyes.

"You know, if you weren't such a jerk I probably could get to like you a whole lot," she whispered with sadness in her eyes.

Harry leaned his face closer to hers. He pressed his forehead against hers. She turned her face away. The song stopped. Catherina pressed her hand against his chest and walked away towards Ron. She said something to him and walked out of the Hall. Harry walked back towards Ron and Hermione.

"Where did she go?" Harry asked.

"She wasn't feeling well," answered Hermione and dragged Harry to the dance floor.

Harry and Hermione danced happily all night. Harry excused himself. He was going to find a bathroom.

Harry walked out of the hall. He heard voices down the hall and hid behind a pillar.

"He doesn't know. No one knows," said a smooth voice.

Harry recognized it as Cat's

"Really? I saw you too in there. Looked pretty close to me," said a sharp voice.

"Please, Minister, do you really think I would get caught up in insignificant things like love?"

"I sure hope not," snarled Fudge. "That wasn't why I brought you here."

They didn't speak.

"Know your place, Black. Your mother forgot hers and looked what happened."

"You mean I happened, Sir."

The Minister of Magic scoffed.

"Smart mouth."

Harry could hear footsteps fading. Catherina cursed colorfully and left also.

He made sure no one was around and ran to the common room in hopes of finding Cat. He found her all right but she was arguing with Ron.

"Ronald, admit it! You don't love me!" She shouted at him.

Ron simply shook his head.

"Cat, don't say that. You know it's not true."

"Ron, do you dream about me? Do you smile at the though of my face? Does your heart stop, race and does somersaults all at the same time every time you see me? Do you feel that we don't have to talk to be happy in each other's company?"

"Cat…"

"Ron," she said with a sad smile. "I know you feel all these things. Believe me, I do. But they're not for me, now are they?" Catherina finished and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

Ron didn't speak.

"Tell her," she whispered to him. "If you don't. You'll regret it. Good-bye Ron."

Cat kissed Ron softly on the lips and walked up the stairs. Harry stood next to the speechless Ron.

"I think you've just been dumped, mate," said Harry.

"Yeah," muttered Ron and walked slowly up the stairs.

Harry followed him.