The next few weeks went by almost the same as always. Snape made Gryffindor lose points for anything Harry did. McGonagal was still as strict and Hermione always had her hand up. The only thing that was different was that Ron wasn't hanging out with Harry and Hermione much any more. He was off with the new kid a lot more and excluded Harry and Hermione. He did talk to them sometimes at meals to tell them how he was doing, but he never seemed interested in what Harry and Hermione were up to.
Most of Harry's classes were bearable without Ron, except for Divination. He sat alone at a table near the window, half asleep and half listening to Professor Trewlaney predict his death for the millionth time. It would have been okay, but he could always hear Ron and the new boy making comments and laughing during class, which sometimes got him steamed up. He would think of all the times he and Ron had laughed at Professor Trewlaney's predictions. Ron now shared those laughs not with him, but with the new boy.
On Halloween Harry went down to breakfast with Hermione. He was hoping to spot Ron to see how things were going, because they hadn't spoken to each other in a while. He saw Hermione turn her head every time she saw something red go by. He could tell she wanted to see Ron too. They only time they ever really saw him was the back of his head during class, they didn't even see him the common room any more. They sat down at the Gryffindor table next to Ginny.
"Hi, Ginny." Hermione said.
"Hullo!" Ginny replied pleasantly.
"Have you seen your brother?" Harry asked without saying hi.
"Which one?" She asked.
"You know which one." Harry told her.
He knew she was only joking, but he didn't feel like playing games.
"Nope, I haven't seen him for weeks and the last time I saw him he was with Barry." She said while eating a piece of Bacon.
"Who?" Harry and Hermione asked in unison.
"The new kid, the stable boy's great-grandson or something." Ginny said taking a bite of her toast.
Harry didn't touch his plate. He couldn't eat, not with Ron on his mind. Hermione didn't touch her food either.
"Ginny, aren't you the least bit worried about your brother?" Hermione asked her quietly.
Ginny stopped shoving food in her mouth. She reminded Harry a lot of Ron, who would always shove food into his mouth even if he couldn't fit any more in. Ginny thought for a moment then answered.
"I am, but he's acted like this before."
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Over the summer, he wouldn't leave his room. If you ask me he was acting a lot like Percy over the summer. Not coming out of his room, except for meals and all." Ginny informed them.
Harry knew something was definitely wrong. Ron would never act like Percy even if he were paid to, well maybe if he was paid to, but that was a different story. Harry stood up and grabbed his bag.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"I'm going to find Ron." Harry answered.
Hermione got her stuff and followed him out of the Great Hall. They walked down the corridor passing students heading to the Great Hall for breakfast. They said hi to a few, but kept and walking. Harry didn't know why, but he went to the library to look for him. They went in and they looked down the different rows of books. When they walked down one aisle, a smile crept across Hermione's face.
"What?" Harry asked bewildered why she would be smiling.
"This was where I picked up the book that transported us to Arcadia. I will never forget how stupid I acted, picking up a book I've never seen in the library before." She giggled and shook her head.
Harry rolled his eyes and continued on. Finally they came to the last row of shelves and in the corner stood Ron and Barry laughing at something. Harry and Hermione walked up to them. It took the two a while to notice that Harry and Hermione were standing there.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked when Ron finally acknowledged that they were there.
"What do you mean, what am I doing here, it's a library. What do you think?" Ron retorted.
Hermione gave him a menacing glare. Barry looked at Hermione and said, "Surprised I haven't seen you here. By what Ron says I thought you would be in here every free minute you have."
Harry turned and looked at Barry in disgust.
"You have a problem if she prefers to be on top of things?" Harry asked angrily.
Barry only chuckled.
Harry looked at Ron for help in defending Hermione. Ron sat there looking smug. Hermione's mouth was slightly agape, because Ron wasn't doing anything.
"Famous Harry Potter can't think of anything to say? That's a first after all those interviews and news articles on you." Barry said making Ron laugh.
Harry was amazed. He and Ron had been best friends since the first year they met at Hogwarts and now he left him for a boy who acted like Draco Malfoy. Hermione turned to Ron.
"How much of a fool can you become? Soon you'll be joining Malfoy and becoming one of his cronies." Hermione said raising her voice above normal library level.
"Really now," was all Ron said.
Harry spun on his heels and walked out with Hermione close by. When they were long gone from the library, they started talking.
"What has gotten in to him?" Harry asked.
"I have a theory, Barry the new kid. He's made Ron feel like he's finally more important. He use to be with you all the time and was overshadowed. Now he's got a friend who makes him feel important." Hermione said.
Harry was angry, angry with himself and angry with Ron. Why did he have to be so famous that he pushed his best friend away? Why did Ron have to think Harry was better than him, because he wasn't? These thoughts raced through his mind.
"Harry, we have to get to class." She said trying to guide him towards the dungeons.
He was lucky he had Hermione with him otherwise; he would have been late for Potions. They walked in and sat down in the back as far from Barry and Ron as possible. Malfoy walked in and was laughing madly. He took the seat next to Harry and Crabbe and Goyle sat down with him.
"So, Potter, did Weasley leave you because of your girlfriend? Or is that mudblood just there until he comes back?"
Harry who was already filled to the brim with anger was in rage. He stood up not caring what Snape would do to him.
"How dare you! How dare you call Hermione that," He said pulling out his wand.
"What makes you above the rest, Malfoy, that git you call your father?"
Malfoy's laughter turned into a harsh glare. "I don't like you insulting my family, Potter." Malfoy said while standing up. "What about that mum of yours though…?"
Malfoy started, but didn't finish because Harry shouted his curse just as Snape walked in. There was a flash of light and Draco was on the ground.
"Potter!" Snape yelled. "A hundred points from Gryffindor for attacking another student." He barked. "Mr. Goyle, please take him up to the hospital wing, as for you two come with me."
Harry, who didn't care what else Snape was going to do to him, shot back, "She didn't do anything. It was me. Punish me all you want, but don't punish Hermione for something she didn't do."
Harry glared at Snape, who had become furious.
"I am the teacher, Potter, I will decide who deserves the punishing." Snape said.
Harry took a glance at Ron. He was laughing. HarrHaHaHarHarry could only hope he was laughing at Malfoy who could barely walk and not him and Hermione. Barry pointed at Harry and whispered something in Ron's ear and he started cracking up. Snape however was oblivious to his laughing. He walked straight out of the room and beckoned Harry and Hermione to follow him. They walked down the halls in complete silence. He had a feeling Snape would do everything in his power to get them expelled. Harry had his head down and Hermione looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"In here." Snape said pointing to his office.
They walked in and he followed. They did not sit down, feeling as if they weren't welcome to. Snape stood behind his desk. He gave them a defiant stare then he spoke.
"You come into my class, thinking you can do whatever you want. Then you go and curse a fellow student!"
Harry tried to argue, but Snape wouldn't let him.
"I have reason to expel you both for such behavior." He bellowed.
"Sir," Hermione said timidly, but Snape cut her off.
"I don't want to hear your side of the story, Miss Granger."
There was stillness for minutes.
"I will go and fetch the Headmaster and if you try to do anything while you are here, I will be doubly sure that you are expelled. Don't give me tears, Granger."
He walked out of the room with his robes billowing out behind him. Harry looked at Hermione. She was crying. Harry put his hand on her shoulder.
"Dumbledore will see reason, Hermione." He said softly. "He will." He added with a nod.
Hermione wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and leaned over and hugged Harry.
"Harry Potter, no matter what anyone says you are the greatest person I know." Hermione said and Harry smiled.
"Thanks, Hermione." He said.
They waited there knowing they would be all right. Snape opened the door with a bang and Dumbledore followed him. Snape glanced at them then looked back up at Dumbledore.
"I expect that you two know what you have done is wrong," Dumbledore started, ", and under the circumstances we cannot expel you, but you will be punished." He finished sternly.
Snape looked as if his birthday had been cancelled. Harry cleared his throat to signal he wanted to speak.
"Yes, Harry?" Dumbledore said.
"Sir, Hermione shouldn't be punished. I was the one breaking the rules…" but he couldn't finish because Hermione cut him off.
"Headmaster, I will take full responsibility for what happened."
Dumbledore shook his head. "Miss Granger, I ask that you both don't try to save the other, otherwise you can be accused of something worse." Dumbledore said quietly to Hermione.
After he finished, he glanced at Snape and Harry and Hermione understood that he didn't want them trying to save each other because Snape would become suspicious.
"Now, I believe it would be smart for you all to return to class, including you Severus don't you have a class to teach?"
Snape was fuming. "Yes, Headmaster." He said trying to remain calm.
Dumbledore shooed them off and Harry and Hermione returned to class with Snape at their heels. They sat back down at their seats to see that Malfoy and Goyle had not returned, yet. The rest of the class had been talking. They guessed it was about the recent events and what their punishment would be and if they were to be expelled. They were all amazed to see them come back to class alive.
They started class and it went on as usual. Snape hating Harry and taking points from Gryffindor, although there was no Malfoy to snigger at them when this happened. Afterward, Harry and Hermione hurried off to lunch. They sat down with Neville, Dean, and Seamus. The conversation started off with what happened in Snape's office and they told the entire story. Then it turned over to Quidditch and the season. Then, finally, it came down to Ron.
"Where's Ron?" Neville asked.
"Not here." Seamus replied.
Dean laughed at Seamus's joke.
"No, really?" Neville asked again.
Harry shrugged. Hermione shook her head.
"Come on you know where he is. He's your best friend." Dean said to Harry and Hermione.
Before either of them could reply Seamus started. "He's been hanging out with that stable boy kid, Barry is it?"
Harry nodded. They went back to their food realizing Harry and Hermione didn't want to talk about it.
When they finished they headed off towards Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures.
"'Lo there." Hagrid said happily. "Where's Ron? 'e still off with that Barry kid?" Harry nodded. "I don' like that boy. There's jus' something about 'im." Hagrid shook his head. "Well, I got a good lesson planned fer today. 'ope everyone likes it."
Harry and Hermione waited for the rest of the Gryffindors and Slytherins to show up. Then Hagrid began his class.
"Today, we're gonna learn 'bout Griffins. Now, who knows what a Griffin looks like?"
Despite the days events Hermione's hand went straight in the air like usual.
"Yes, 'ermione." Hagrid said calling on her.
"The Griffin has front legs and a head of a giant eagle, but the body and hind legs of a lion."
Hagrid smiled. "Very good. Now, let's go take a gander at one."
He led them around the Forbidden Forest to the paddock where they had the Hippogriff lesson. Hagrid whistled and three large animals came running up. They looked exactly as Hermione said they did. The class took a few steps back. When they reached the fence they stopped and Hagrid went up and petted one.
"Griffins are hard to 'come friends with so ya gots to be careful 'round them. They are mostly used in the wizarding world for guarding things an' otherwise they run free."
Harry thought they were very similar to Hippogriffs and he was glad Malfoy wasn't here to ruin the lesson. Hagrid beckoned Harry and Hermione up to where he was standing.
"Now, all yer gots to do is the same with o' Hippogriff. Everyone 'member what to do?"
The class nodded their heads. The Slytherins looked like they were ready to plot a plan to ruin Hagrid's class, but Harry knew because they didn't have their master planner they wouldn't try anything. Harry was the first to try. He kept eye contact and bowed. Then he came back up and waited. The Griffin didn't bow. Harry was ready to run.
"Good job, 'Arry!" Hagrid said. "See the look in 'is eye? That means 'e'll let you pet 'im. Go on then."
He could hear Ron and Barry laughing. Harry put his hand up to the neck of the Griffin and ran it down to where the feathers stopped. It shook its head a little as if it were enjoying it. Two other students came up and tried the same with the other Griffins.
When the Slytherins got up, it actually looked like they liked it. The Griffins seemed to be much nicer than the Hippogriffs if they didn't like you. They gave you a chance to run. Neville ended up running from every Griffin and then hiding in Hagrid's hut. Hermione and Harry shared the same Griffin the entire class. They talked about different things. Things other than how Ron had ditched them. They thought of happy thoughts. They shared many laughs during that class on Halloween and Harry enjoyed spending time with Hermione much more than he thought he would. They walked back up to the castle with the rest of the Gryffindors. Barry and Ron hadn't said a word about the class until they were inside.
"I'm amazed he could actually tame those creatures." Barry said and he and Ron scurried off to the North Tower.
"Well, I'll see you at the feast, Harry." Hermione said as she went off to Arithmacy.
Harry trudge up to the North Tower not wanting to go to class. He walked into the room and sat down at his usual table. He opened his book and rested his chin on his hands.
"Afternoon." Came Trewlaney's misty voice. Lavender and Parvati were sitting up at attention and listening to every word she said. "Now let us work with our crystal balls and prepare you Inner Eye."
At these words Harry drifted off into a deep sleep.
"Harry! Harry! Get up." Someone was yelling in his ear.
He opened his eyes to see the room empty except for himself and Dean, who was trying to wake him up. Harry shook his head to wake himself up and put his book in his bag. He climbed down to the main floor with Dean talking about Quidditch.
When they got to the Great Hall, they saw all the pumpkins in the air and smelled the good food. Harry sat next to Hermione and Dean sat on his other side.
"Where have you two been?" Hermione asked while chewing on her dinner.
"Harry fell asleep during class again." Dean answered.
"It's a way to pass the time." Harry mumbled, but no one heard him.
He began to eat and the feast went on. He didn't see any sight of Ron or Barry. He thought about the night he met Barry. Barry had said he went to Stonewall before he got the letter. Then, he talked to Ron about Quidditch. Then it hit him. If he went to Stonewall and was part of a Muggle family, how would he know about the Chudley Cannons?
"Hermione." Harry said. She turned and faced him. "The stable boy's grandchild or whatever he was a Muggle before right?" He asked.
She nodded her head. He jumped up out of his seat.
"Where you going?" Hermione shouted after him. She ran out and followed.
"How come we didn't see this before?" Harry started.
"See what?" Hermione asked bewildered.
"Don't you think it's a bit odd that the new boy was in deep conversation with Ron about Quidditch when he was a Muggle born and just learned about the school?"
Then Hermione got it. Her face lit up like a light bulb. They walked towards the library to where they saw the two last. When they got there Ron and Barry weren't there. They wandered around the school aimlessly. Hermione stopped Harry after they looked in the Charm's room.
"Harry, what if … you know…Barry… is here for…Voldemort and he's trying to…to…lure you by…by… capturing Ron?" Hermione said hinting she was worried for both Ron and Harry.
The thought had crossed Harry's mind before, but he pushed it away not wanting to worry about it.
"I dunno. I dunno." Harry said quietly.
Hermione quivered. They worked their way down to the dungeons without saying another word. They headed towards one room and heard talking.
"He should be here anytime now." It sounded like Barry.
"What are you talking about?" It was Ron. Ron was in there with Barry.
"Well all during that time you were under my power, Harry's been getting worried and so if you weren't at the feast, I knew he would come looking for you. Or at least from the way you talked about him, being valiant and a great friend, I thought he would."
Harry could here Ron grunt as if he were trying to break loose from ropes around him.
"What do you want with him?" Ron asked furiously.
"Oh, I have my reasons." Barry replied.
Harry and Hermione could hear him chuckle. Harry saw Hermione take her wand out and Harry did the same. Harry held up three fingers signaling on three they would go in. He put one down, then another. The door opened in front of them. Barry came into view and said "One" like he knew they were counting down to when they were going to enter. Barry laughed an eerie laugh.
"Come in." He said to them.
Harry glared at him. He slowly stepped into the dungeon. Hermione came in behind him.
"Harry! No!" shouted Ron from across the room where he was bound to the wall.
Barry closed the door and asked, "Famous Harry Potter come to save his friend?" Hermione stepped forward her wand facing Barry.
"Do you dare?" She asked him.
Barry simply nodded and a wide evil grin came to his face.
"Oh, do I."
Harry noticed that Barry's wand was pointing at Hermione's heart.
"One move and all I do is mutter a simple spell to make you spill all. You should know why you wouldn't want me to do that. You have a little secret hidden inside you and I know."
Hermione put her arm down and said, "You wouldn't?"
"I would." Barry replied. Hermione backed away from him and stood near Ron. She had gone white with fear.
"Now, I would like to tell a little tale if you don't mind."
Harry didn't move; he kept his eyes glued to Barry.
"I'll take that for a yes." He hissed. "When I first came to Hogwarts, I was sent by my master. He bewitched the sorting hat to put me in Gryffindor. Once I was in Gryffindor my master told me to get close to Harry Potter so he would trust me, but I thought of a better plan. That plan was to get close to Potter's best friend." Barry twirled his wand and took a glance at Ron who was still trying to break free from the ropes. "I started off talking to Ron about Quidditch, because I knew he loved it. So I lured him to become my friend by making up stories of how I was overshadowed by my brothers who were geniuses and I made him feel like I understood him. Then when the time was right I put the Imperius Curse on him so he would act like I wanted him to. While he was under the curse he told me all about you two, how Harry was brave and would always stand by Ron and how Hermione was a clever bookworm and always spent a lot of time in the library." He took a pause and looked at Hermione. She had a look on her face of pure hatred.
"Once I learned everything about you two I planned a way to pull you to me. I knew if Ron wasn't at meals and wasn't around a lot you would get suspicious. Finally, I got you to come here tonight so I can finish my business."
Barry walked over to the corner of the dungeon and pulled out a large trunk. It had seven locks on it and was much like the one Professor Moody had last year. Barry pulled out a set of keys and jingled them a little.
"These are your fate." He told them.
Ron stopped pulling at the ropes and looked at Barry. Barry put a key into the first lock. When he opened the trunk it looked like a television screen.
"Ah, good got it on my first try." Said Barry.
He pointed his wand at Ron and muttered a spell. The ropes untied themselves and Ron was free. He massaged his wrists where the ropes had been the tightest. Barry snapped his fingers and pointed at Hermione.
"Come here, Granger." He said wickedly.
Hermione walked at a snail's pace to where Barry stood. He pointed to the trunk and she peered down into it. As she looked in, she was pulled into the trunk.
"Hermione!" Ron and Harry shouted.
Harry and Ron lunged at Barry, but he shouted a spell that repelled them.
"She's in no immediate danger." Barry reassured, but Harry didn't feel reassured at all. He didn't trust Barry the least and wouldn't be surprised if he were lying.
"Now your turn, Weasley." Ron picked himself up off the ground and walked towards Barry. "Just look down." Barry whispered. Ron reluctantly looked down and he too was sucked into the trunk.
"Ron!" Harry shouted. He tried to get at Barry again, but he was stopped by the same spell.
"Potter, Potter." He said shaking his head. "Don't be so silly. Come here and have a gander." Barry beckoned him to come over. Harry stood glaring at the boy. "It's not going to kill you, honestly." He assured. Harry took one step, then another.
It took him a while, but he was finally standing next to Barry. Barry raised an eyebrow at him.
"Could it take you any longer? Now pear down."
Harry wouldn't look down so Barry pushed his head down to look. Harry felt a rush of could air and he felt like he was flying on a snowy day. He sensed like he were becoming a liquid then becoming a solid again. He hit the earth with a loud thud. He saw below him grass that felt moist under his dry fingers. He looked up to see that it was dark out. On his right, he saw Ron and Hermione.