It was Tuesday evening and Harry, Hermione and Ron were seated in the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron were discussing the results of the most recent Quidditch match between Puddlemere United and the Chudley Cannons.
"Listen, Harry, whichever way you look at it, Bartley's quaffle handling in that match was amazing!"
"Yes, but what about Puddlemere's beaters? The chasers barely got a look in, from all the bludgers they were getting!"
"Oh come on, Harry, I've seen better beating from Ginny!"
This prompted a cry of protest from Ginny across the room, which succeeded in resurrecting Hermione from the depths of "Which wand- the definitive guide."
"Oh god, look at the time, Harry we haven't even been to the library yet!" cried Hermione. "We really need to start work on" she continued, and then paused, casting a furtive look at Ron. "That…thing, we were doing, the other day, you know?" she said, giving Harry a sharp dig in the ribs. "Ow! Yeah, right that thing…" agreed Harry, nursing what he presumed was now a broken rib. He and Hermione had arranged to go the library that evening to work on their Defence Against the Dark Arts projects. Talking about it in front of Ron was like walking on eggshells.
"It's alright," sighed Ron. "Just because I have a giant wanker to do my project with doesn't mean you should neglect yours." Harry and Hermione both looked at each other with surprise. Every time they had mentioned it since that lesson he had flown into a rage. But now Ron was just slumped in his chair, a look of deepest despair painted on his face. "OK then." Said Harry, getting up slowly as Hermione stood, gathering various quills and parchment from the table.
"We'll just be going then." Harry said tentatively. Ron nodded sullenly, his expression blank. "See you later" ventured Hermione, but received no reply. They both would have preferred to be shouted at.
After a brisk walk through the largely uninhabited corridors Harry and Hermione arrived at the Library. As soon as they entered the ferocious Madame Pince was upon them, notifying them that they only had half an hour before the library closed for the night, so they had better get a move on.
Once they had walked past a few rows of book shelves, the pair found their own secluded corner and sat on a couple of chairs, putting their bags down on a nearby table. Hermione proceeded to get out a plethora of quills, parchment, books and notes from her bag. Harry felt distinctly under prepared when he pulled out his tatty old notebook. Hermione eyed it critically, raising one eyebrow, and Harry promptly put it away.
"Right." Began Hermione. "I think the best way to do this would be to cross reference this stuff I found on Boggarts with your work on goblins from last year." Harry nodded his approval. "While you're doing that, I'll find some stuff on Dementor curses, and then hopefully we can put it all together!"
Hermione then went off to search for the appropriate books, while Harry laboriously began to compile Hermione's incredibly detailed work with his own. Hermione came back about five minutes later, clutching a medium sized pile of books, which she then dumped on the table, causing a mini avalanche of papers. "Sorry about that! I think I've found some great titles though." For the next ten minutes they continued to work, quietly marking pages and taking notes, but after a while, Harry realised that he had been reading the same line for five minutes and Hermione saw that she had been copying out the same paragraph over and over again. They both looked up.
"I hope Ron's alright." Said Hermione.
"Me too." Nodded Harry. "I hate to see him so…" Harry searched for the word. "Depressed."
"Yeah," agreed Hermione "It's just not normal for him." In her agitation she picked up a random book from the shelf behind her, absently flicking through pages. "I mean, there's no way he and Draco can work together without beating each other up, and" Hermione stopped, suddenly transfixed by something in the book she picked up. Harry was slightly puzzled "And…?" but Hermione was still silent, furiously reading the page in front of her. Just as Harry decided to poke her with his quill, she came back to life. "Harry, this is brilliant, look at this!" she cried, handing him the book.
Fisticuffs Prevention Potion
Can't control your murderous anger? Then this potion can give you the patience of a Saint! Lasts up to 24 hours- guaranteed to make that person so much less annoying. Read instructions and ingredients carefully.
Add ingredients in this order and brew for 5 hours:
1g wortroot
1 powdered root of Asphodel
3 Alihotsy leaves
1 tsp of diluted bundimun secretion
1 Runespoor Egg
10 leeches
"Interesting" said Harry, "But he would never agree to it, and if he ever found out…" Harry drew a line across his neck with his finger to illustrate the point. Hermione shuddered at the thought. "Yes," she agreed "but I really don't see how Ron is going to cope otherwise! I mean, you saw him earlier- he's a mess! If this can make it easier for him, then…"
Harry sat in silence for a minute, thinking it through. If Ron were allowed to go to the meeting with Draco in his current frame of mind, it would probably result in one or the other getting beaten to a pulp. And the effects would only last for 24 hours. Ron would never find out, and he would at least get a halfway decent mark on his project. "OK" said Harry, conspiratorially. "When can we start brewing the potion?"