Crabs and Toads

Sorry about the wait. You know how the end of the school year goes….lot's of testing and crunching in information. Anyway, here is the next chapter and I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews!

Harry, Ron and Hermione landed suddenly on the soft green earth. A cool breeze whipped across their faces and the sun shined brightly down on them. Hermione pushed her hair behind her ears and sighed; looking up at a long steep hill ahead of them.

"Looks like we've got a bit of a hike," She stated and Ron and Harry groaned. Stonehenge was just over the hill and the trio began their short hike up the grassy hill which was littered with large rocks.

"Do you think the death eaters will follow us here?" Ron asked, short of breath. Harry shrugged and squint his eyes up at the bright sunlight.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but, I hope so. I want to get them before they get me," He answered. "Who ever they are, they could have killed us already…they're playing with us."

"Or they're stupid," Ron laughed just before slipping on a rock; he let out a yelp and fell straight down on his bum. Hermione and Harry stopped short behind him and looked down upon Ron with pathetic expressions.

"Walk much, Ron?" Harry asked casually.

Ron's eyes scrunched up in pain and he rubbed the area of his arse where it had collided with a rock.

Harry laughed for a moment before helping Ron up to his feet. Hermione shook her head sadly.

"These rocks are loose," She stated. "Like Ron's mum."

Harry let go of Ron's hand in mid lift and he fell right back down on his bum.

"Merlin, Hermione!" Harry scolded. "That was low!"

Hermione offered a small smirk and shrugged. "Don't be upset because my jokes are better," She said. "Besides, it's an accurate simile. Mrs. Weasley has had seven children, hasn't she?"

"Well," Ron groaned with pain. "I really effing don't care what she says about my mum right now, I think I've broken my tail bone."

Harry shook his head in disbelief before assisting Ron to his feet once more. He dusted himself off and the three friends continued on their journey uphill. Within five minutes they reached the top of the hill and gazed upon a magnificent sight. In the near distance, just ahead of them, was the ancient wonder of Stonehenge.

Harry, Ron and Hermione ceased walking and stood on the gassy hill in awe. The monument was so mystical and grand, so old and strong!

"It's amazing," Harry stated, breathless. Hermione and Ron nodded in agreement.

"Poor muggles," Hermione said softly.

"Why's that?" Harry asked.

"They come to this site and stare and study, but they'll never know what it was really used for," She answered. Harry offered her a confused expression. Ron on the other hand appeared quite excited. He made a sudden movement and turned to Hermione.

"I know why!" He said loudly with a small smile. Harry and Hermione jumped a bit at Ron's statement. Not out of surprise from his knowledge, but that he was so enthusiastic about something not quite important.

"It used to be a sort of governmental gathering for witches and wizards, way back before any sort of ministry was founded," He explained smartly.

"So it's not anything religious, or made by extraterrestrials? Not a calendar?" Harry asked.

"It was built with certain time keeping qualities, but that was just to keep track of meetings and such," Hermione explained. "We can't let the muggles know that without exposing our world."

Harry turned away from his friends and stared in wonder at the ancient megaliths; feeling proud that he was one of the few who knew the truth about its mysteries.

"I reckon we get a closer look, aye?" Ron asked and the trio began trekking across the green terrain once more.

As they approached closer, they began to feel smaller. The site was so grand and even though they knew the truth, it still held many mysterious. The friends stood on the path beside several other tourists from all over the world; all wearing the same amazed expression.

"Hey, Harry!" Ron called quietly and nudged Harry in the side with his elbow.

Harry broke his gaze away from the giant stones and turned his attention to Ron.

His red-headed mate had his brows furrowed and his lips pursed together in thought.

"Does that bloke over there look familiar to you?" He asked suspiciously.

Harry looked across Ron and out into the distance, searching for a familiar face. He scanned the crowed and finally his search ended on the sight of a short plump bloke with horrible brown hair and a face like a daft mountain troll.

Harry turned his attention back to Ron and Hermione who were also starring at the man.

They all looked at each other and said dully… "Crab."

"What should we do?" Hermione asked. "Do you think it was him who's been following us?"

Harry frowned. "I have no doubt, but we should interrogate him a bit before we do anything drastic."

"Well, I doubt he is here for any educational or cultural reason," Hermione stated smugly. She'd be surprised if crab even had the slightest idea of what Stonehenge was, probably had never even heard of it!

"I'm sure it's safe to assume that Goyle is here as well," Ron said.

"Here's what we'll do," Harry began. "I'll go catch up with our old pal crab, while you two go see if you can find Goyle."

Hermione and Ron both nodded in agreement and set off together into the mass of sight seers.

Harry smiled slightly and let out a soft sigh. He was going to have fun playing with one of his old and not so brilliant enemies. Harry was always frustrated with the fact that Goyle and Crab pleaded innocent in court saying that Draco had put them both under the imperious curse. The trial had gone in their favor and the court apparently decided that both Crab and Goyle were clearly weak minded enough to be easily controlled and not smart enough to do anything on their own. Harry knew better though. Just because they were dense didn't mean they couldn't do evil things.

Harry made long casual strides across the field until he was a few feet away from crab, who had his back turned to Harry. Harry took in a deep breath.

"Crab? Vincent Crab, Is that you?" Harry shouted cheerfully with a wide, shocked smile.

Crab turned around quickly; eyes wide and double chin bouncing.

"Harry!" He stated with a mix of fear and surprise.

Harry smiled at him as if he were an old friend and approached him; slapping him playfully on the back.

"What are you doing here? How have you been!" Harry asked.

Crab looked utterly confused and his eyes darted around nervously.

"Er, good. I'm on vacation," He answered shortly.

"That's fantastic! Me too!" Harry said.

Harry knew he was confusing the hell out of the stupid prat and it was the perfect time to drop the incriminating question.

"So!" Harry said and wrapped his arm around Crabs shoulder. "Tell me; what were Ron and Hermione doing in the stream after I left?" Harry asked with a roughish tone.

A slight smirk broke across Crab's stupid, chubby face and he let out short snorts of laughter.

"They were!" He laughed. "They were snogging like mad!" He said and turned red.

Harry smiled widely and patted Crab on the back. He was such a genius. He killed two birds with one stone! Crab had no idea he had pretty much confessed to being the one who had heated the stream and Harry discovered a hidden relationship between his friends!

"Wow!" Harry stated with mock amazement. "Thank you…so much," Harry patted him on the back once more before abruptly leaving Crab and walking back down the path to find Ron and Hermione.

He moved through the crowed until he spotted his two friends out away from the crowed by a small bench.

Harry smiled and made his way over to them. Ron and Hermione noticed him and walked up to meet him.

"So?" Ron asked.

Harry smiled. "It was him," he stated simply.

"How did you find out?" Ron asked curiously.

Harry shrugged with pride. "I just asked him what you pair were doing in the water after I left."

Ron and Hermione both suddenly turned pink and didn't speak a word-their eyes wide.

Harry looked over their body language and sensed guilt and embarrassment.

"How come you didn't tell me?" Harry asked with offense.

"Sorry mate," Ron apologized. "But, I don't think we were ready to confess it to ourselves even!"

Harry raised an eyebrow at them. "And now?" He asked.

Harry saw Ron shoot a quick glance at Hermione before answering.

"It's a work in progress," He admitted shyly and Harry beamed.

"That's bloody fantastic!" He shouted and gathered Ron and Hermione both into a giant hug.

The hug lastly for only about a few moments before Harry drew back quickly when he felt something slimy touch his arm.

"What is that?" Harry asked with disgust as he looked down at Hermione's hands where she held on tightly to a large, ugly, green, toad.

Hermione simply smiled and looked up at Harry.

"Goyle," She responded.

Harry's eyes widened and he stared down at the ugly amphibian.

"You turned him into a toad?" Harry asked with shock.

Ron shrugged. "I suggested a cockroach so we could squash him, but Hermione insisted that her toad transfigurations were much better," he explained.

Harry smiled and shook his head. He sure loved his friends.

"Well," Harry stated. "I reckon we should have his best mate join him."

Hermione and Ron nodded fervently and an hour later they were ready to leave the beautiful sight of Stonehenge.

They traveled to a secluded hill away from the muggles with two cages in their hands. One containing a toad and the other an ugly red crab.

They stood together and smiled before apparating back home.

A/N: Thought I should mention that I have NEVER been to Stonehenge so please don't have a cow if my description is not accurate.

Thank you for reading! I knew this chapter was short and probably not the best, but I promise you'll like the conclusion! I hope! I know I can't wait to write it. But, leave a review and let me know what you think! See you next chapter!