The Calm before the Storm part two

Neville and a couple of other brave souls laughed as the cat kept running in and out of the lion's legs as the lion tried to follow it's movements. Finally the lion swiped at the cat slowly with its paw missing it. The tabby cat reared up on its back legs and waved it's paws in the air like it was going to fight the lion then jumped down to the floor. The lion followed it and slowly swiped at it again. The tabby stood on its back legs again and pawed the air but this time the lion rolled over on its back and pawed the air around the cat. Then it slowly put it's paw on top of the cat for a second and then pulled it back. Now Neville was sure they were playing.

At that point the cat started to grow larger until Professor McGonagall was standing in its place.

"Well now Mr. Weasley lets see if you are calm enough to transform back to your normal self."

The Lion just stood up and looked at her then it seemed to stretch until Ron was standing there, still just wearing a pair of gym shorts.

Lavender was the first person to speak "Well that may be Ron but it's not normal."

At that everybody started laughing. Then Professor McGonagall spoke up "Mr. Weasley can I assume that you won't maul Mr. Malfoy for the rest of the evening?"

"Yes Professor McGonagall you can." he replied. "I think"

"Very well carry on, I will see you in detention and we can work on your controlling your transformations."

"Yes Professor." Then Ron went over to the table and sat down feeling his stomach rumble. As he started to load his plate Seamus looked at him.

"Umm you might want to go put some clothes on mate, before the Hufflepuffs decided to hang you from their wall instead of your picture."

Ron looked down and then back at Seamus, then he shrugged his shoulders and got up to leave right as Harry and Hermione arrived from the Hospital wing. Ron reached out and touched her shoulder and she stopped and looked at him questioningly. He made sure she wasn't hurt with out saying a word and then headed to get dressed.

When Harry and Hermione sat down Lavender looked over at Hermione and said "You remember all of us saying we wouldn't go out with Ron until he came to his senses?"

"Yeah Lavender I do why do you ask?"

"Well I was just going to say you owe us big for that."

Hermione's eye got softer "Yes I do, now can I ask a question?"

"Sure Herminone"

"Why was Ron almost naked at dinner and why do I get the faint odor of urine from the Slytherin table?"

At that the Gryffindor's started to howl with laughter and regaled her and Harry with the details.

"Harry we are going to have to hurry if we are going to Hogsmeade. I have to be back at noon to take over patrols." Hermione said impatiently.

As she finished Harry came down the stairs "Ok Ok I'm here. Ginny said she would meet us out front."

They quickly walked out front to where the students were assembling for the trip and started looking for Ginny. It was pretty easy to spot Ginny due to the distinctive Weasley locks and they called her over to them.

"Hey guys I'm ready when you are." she said sounding winded.

""There's Professor McGonagall, I need to ask her something and then we can go."

"Ok Hermione we'll wait here but hurry up its Saturday." Harry laughed.

"Professor McGonagall?"

"Yes Miss Granger?"

"I was just wondering if there was anything else you could tell me about....."

"About Mr. Weasley?"

"Well yes I have been worried about him and now with his transformations starting I have been even more worried."

"Well it takes some getting used to I would imagine but he seems to be handing it quiet well. He has taken a rather lot of responsibilities on himself though and he does always look tired."

"I have noticed that as well Professor though I'm not in any position to say anything about it."

"You can always tell your friends what you feel Miss Granger."

"Well I don't think he believes I am his friend Professor."

"Oh don't you? Do you know that he makes sure both you and Mr. Potter are in your dorms every night before he goes to sleep in case You-Know-Who is up to something? Did you know that he has taken all of the prefect patrols today so you can spend the day with Mr. Potter in Hogsmeade?"

"He doesn't need to be doing that stuff Professor."

"Ah but he thinks he does Miss Granger. He has been hurt deeply and then with all that he still thinks of the two of you as his responsibility."

'I don't want him to think of me as his responsibility, I want him to think of me as...." Hermione's voice trailed off as she remembered she was talking to her Head of House."

"I understand that Miss Granger, perhaps it would be wise if you came by my quarters for tea tomorrow. I believe I have a story that might prove instructional for you to hear."

"I would be glad to Professor."

"Well then Miss Granger I will speak to you then. Enjoy your time in Hogsmeade and don't worry to much about Mr. Weasley. Perhaps a visit to your cottage would help you focus on the things you need to do."