Disclaimer: We do not take credit in any part for the genius of J. K. Rowling, just the piles of wadded papers behind us.

Chapter Five

Fight, Forgiveness, and a Train

When Hermione and Harry got back out of the room, and into the lobby they were definitely unprepared for what they saw. Ron was fighting three other boys, all of them with a pool cue stick, and he wasn't doing too bad.

"Ron," Hermione exclaimed.

"Oh, the little terd has a terdette. Does it kiss as well as talk?" taunted a boy. And that was the last move he made in that fight. Ron completely trashed them after that. He took one of the cue sticks, and began wielding it like a medieval spear. He spun this way, attacked that, and to Harry it looked like a style of martial arts. Soon all of them looked more blue than white, and were strewn all over the lobby room floor.

"What possessed you to get into a fight?" Hermione asked.

"I was mad, so I sat down in that chair over there," Ron pointed. "They came in and said that it was their corner, and that if I didn't want to end up being small enough to fit in a slot machine that I'd better move. I didn't, and they attacked me." Ron was very much unchanged from the fight.

"Where did you learn all that Ron?" Harry asked.

"I took a self defense class over the summer to tone myself up, and so I could also cream Malfoy if he gave me any crap this year."

"Speakin' er which," came a voice behind them.

They all turned around to see Hagrid standing behind them, clearly having just Apparated in. Since the three of them had been able to prove that Hagrid hadn't been the one to kill the girl in the bathroom during his third year, the Ministry of Magic had repealed their punishment, and he was now taking individual studies at the school.

"Hagrid," they said in unison.

"I got yer letters here, and I also got a message for ye. Hogwarts term is startin' early this year, and ye need to be on the train a month early this year. So, ye need to get back to England quick, and down to Diagon Alley for yer books and stuff."

"How are the lessons Hagrid?" Harry asked. He had been the second most excited when he found out about Hagrid being allowed to do magic.

"They're hard, but I'm learnin' somat new everyday. I bes' be gettin' back," he said. With a small pop he was gone.

"Well, I guess I'll go wake up my parents," Hermione said. She gave Harry a look that meant "talk to Ron", and Harry knew she meant it.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Harry turned to talk to Ron, but Ron stopped him before he could say anything. "You don't need to apologize for anything Harry. It's stupid of me to be jealous and suspicious of you. You're my friend, and I know you wouldn't intentionally hurt me. I'm sorry mate." Harry was so flabbergasted that he didn't know what to say. He just embraced Ron in a very brotherly hug, and they went up to their room to pack for their departure in the morning.

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Three days later . . . Harry, Ron, and Hermione all piled their trunks into a single car. No sooner had they settled themselves in than Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle stuck their faces in to pester them.

"Did you enjoy your lover's vacation together?" Malfoy asked. Crabbe and Goyle snickered.

"Actually yes," Harry said cheerfully.

Malfoy's mouth dropped. Whatever reaction he was expecting this wasn't it. Not being able to think of another snide remark to make, he quickly left to find and torture Neville. Ron was cracking his knuckles.

"Ron," Hermione cautioned.

"I'm not going to hurt him that much. Just break his jaw so he can't make any more stupid remarks," Ron said very calmly.

"Like you told me my third year, 'He's not worth it,'" Hermione said.

"I know what I bloody well said. I just want to hurt him so much," Ron said.

"You're not the only one," Harry muttered, turning to look out the window. The rest of the ride to Hogwarts passed in silence between the three of them.

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