Harry Potter and the Betrayer's Hat

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is all due to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter One

Harry studied Hermione closely.

"I told you, it's not true!" she said.

"Why can't you believe me?"

Harry was silent. From his years at the Dursleys' he had discovered that silence was often the best weapon.

"Say something!" Hermione was beginning to cry.

Harry said nothing, but turned and walked away.

"Harry! Please!" Hermione completely broke down into tears.

Back in the Gryffindor common room, Harry waged a war in his heart.

"Harry, you just got to let these things go," Ron said.

"She's doing what she thinks is right."

"It won't do any good to sit up here brooding all day."

"Besides, it's lunch-time. I'm starving!"

Harry said nothing.

"Look, I'm going to go eat. I think you should come with me."

Harry looked away.

"I understand what you're feeling. You just can't let this get to you."

"I'll be down in the Great Hall. Join me if you want."

Ron left Harry alone to stare outside the window at the pale gray clouds and thick fog that permeated the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was a cold, windy day. The morning rain had left large puddles on the ground and the water was still running off the tops of the buildings. Harry was angry and alone.

Eventually, Harry made his way down past all the sullen Slytherins to the Great Hall for a late lunch. He could see Hermione and Ron sitting together. They appeared to be gazing at each other. Ron obviously wasn't waiting for Harry anymore.

Harry ate alone at the Hufflepuff table. He listened to them chatting about Cho like they knew her. Harry knew better though.

"Hi, Harry" said Maryann Gilbert, a Hufflepuff first year, "I bet you feel pretty bad, huh?"

Harry did his best to act as if he didn't hear her. She just stared at him waiting for an answer. Eventually she got up and left, leaving him to his own sinking despair.

Harry chewed his food slowly and methodically and tried to focus on eating. Nothing tasted good to him. He glanced back over at Ron and Hermione who were still talking and then over to the empty Ravenclaw table. He could still feel his broomstick in his hands, racing towards the Golden Snitch. He could feel himself losing control of his broom. He tried frantically to dispel the image from his mind but failed.

He got up from the table, pushed his chair in and slowly walked back up to the Common Room. On the way back, he was met with looks of pity and sorrow and then disdain and mistrust. Harry didn't care.

Hermione stopped him on the stairs.

"Harry, I need to talk to you. We have got to work this out."

Harry stared at her with total contempt.

"Harry, I have to do this."

Harry answered her in silent disgust.

"Look, you can take this however you want, but tomorrow I'm getting on the Hogwarts Express with or without your consent!"

Hermione stormed off towards the Girls Dormitory.

Harry thought about what she just told him. Tomorrow could be the very last day that they could see each other. He met Ron back in his dorm room.

"Harry, I'm going to brush my teeth," said Ron.

Harry was too busy thinking about Hermione to hear him. They'd both come so far. They'd fought the Death Eaters together. He saved her life and she had saved his. Had their friendship come down to this moment? There was no way he was going to let her leave. He didn't care about her reasons. He had to tell her how he felt.

Harry slipped on his invisibility cloak and quietly left the dormitory. He quickly made his way up to Hermione's room. He was about to go in when he heard her talking to Ron.

"But Hermione, I'll always love you," Ron said.

"Can we ever be together?" Hermione asked.

"Yes we can, but you have to go with the Malfoys and repay your debt."

When Harry heard those words, he burst through the door.

"Expelia—"

"Harry, don't!" Hermione shouted.

"How dare you send her away!" Harry yelled. "Ron, get away from her."

"Harry, you don't know what you're doing" Ron pleaded.

Harry had his want pointed squarely at Ron's chest.