5. Transfer From Beauxbatons

Many people were quietly discussing Offense Against the Dark Arts, and Harry got the impression that many students were afraid of Professor Wilhelm.

"I thought she would be German, but she didn't seem to have an accent," Hermione said thoughtfully.

"I bet there's a lot about her we don't know," Ron said. "Other than that, she's not that bad." Hermione scowled.

"Come on Hermione, she's a little creepy, but at least she's fair," he replied. Harry could tell an argument was coming. I don't want to be here when they're fighting. He slowly started distancing himself from them.

"You don't like her either, do you?" Hermione said, looking hopeful that Harry would back her up. Harry wanted to help her, but knew Ron would never speak to him, if he did.

"Look, I'm sick and tired of you two arguing. I think I'll go to the library. If you decide to make up, that's where you'll find me." They both looked upset that Harry wasn't going to help them prove their point.

Why am I going to the library? Oh well, there's probably something good to read. Harry walked up the stairs and found himself in front of the library before he knew what he was doing. It was actually rather nice in there. It was quiet, and hardly anyone else was there.

He pulled out his books, a quill, and some parchment to do his homework. Just as he was starting his list of offending spells, he felt a small hand tap him on the shoulder. He whirled around and found that he was looking into the face of the seventeen year old transfer from Beauxbatons.

He had seen her in the halls a few times; enough to recognize her. She had pretty, dark brown eyes, a new Slytherin uniform, a pale complexion, her facial features seemed to be perfectly aligned, and when she spoke, she had a beautiful voice, that didn't sound French in the slightest.

"Hello, my name is Priscilla Abendroth. You're Harry Potter."

"Ah... yeah. That's me. Nice to meet you." Priscilla sat down across from Harry at the table.

"So, are you French?" Harry asked, not knowing what else he should say.

"No, I'm not. You're in Gryffindor, right? I'm in Slytherin. They didn't really sort me though. I was just kind of put there. Is Slytherin a good house?"

"Er... it's alright, I guess." Priscilla seemed to just need someone to talk to, for she talked very fast. Harry listened to her for a while, until he saw Hermione enter the room.

"Hermione! I have someone for you to meet. This is Priscilla. She's the transfer from Beauxbatons." Hermione walked over curiously, and the two girls were soon engaged in a conversation. Harry quickly left the library, and went back to Gryffindor Tower. He found Ron in the Common Room, sitting by himself, doing homework.

"Hi Ron. Sorry about earlier. I would have come back sooner, but the Beauxbatons girl was talking to me."

"It's alright. But I'm glad you came back. Homework is so boring when you don't have someone to share it with." Harry was glad Ron wasn't mad. He pulled out his own homework and started working on it.

The air was getting chillier than before, as November approached. Students were often reminded not to walk to classes alone. Harry was shocked to learn from Professor McGonagall that there would be no Quidditch this year. "It's too dangerous to go outside," she would say.

"What do they think they're doing, canceling Quidditch?"Ron asked furiously.

"If you're so upset, why don't you go see Professor McGonagall?" Hermione suggested. Harry and Ron walked downstairs, and found McGonagall heading towards the Staff Room.

"Professor McGonagall?" Harry called. She turned around.

"Yes Mr. Potter?"

"We were wondering, why Quidditch was canceled. And why there's no House Cup."

"I'm afraid I can't help you there. It was Professor Wilhelm's doing. You may talk to her if you have any questions. Would you like me to get her for you?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"Very well. Ciara?" she called, as she opened the Staff Room door. Professor Wilhelm swept towards the door, and her eyes fell upon Harry and Ron.

"Ciara, I believe these boys have some questions for you," McGonagall said, as she left them to go join other teachers.

"Come to my office," she hissed, leading the way. They followed her, and found themselves in the same office that they had been in on numerous occasions, with other teachers. They all sat down, and Wilhelm waited for them to begin.

"I want to know why there's no Quidditch, and no House Cup," Ron stated defiantly. "It's all I have."

"What do you mean by that, Mr. Weasley?"

"Well, I have to live up to all my brothers-"

"I understand. I have a simple explanation. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Do I make myself clear?"

After thinking about what this meant, Harry tended to agree with Wilhelm, but of course, didn't share this information with Ron.

"But, I would've been great-"

"Mr. Weasley, would you rather have your name known to all, or be a hero to just one?"

Ron was didn't have a ready answer.

"Do you know who won the House Cup ten years ago?" Wilhelm leaned back in her chair, a strange smile spread over her face. It looked as though she didn't know how to smile properly.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry were sitting by the warm fireplace, doing their homework. Offense Against the Dark Arts was getting much harder. They were just starting practice on the Cruciatus Curse.

Halloween was completely uneventful, and Christmas was getting ever nearer. Transfiguration was getting very difficult, as they were starting human transfiguring.

"No Ron, you don't need frog spawn in the Polyjuice Potion. You must be thinking of a different one,"Hermione pointed out. Ron scowled.

"Why don't you do my homework, if you're always trying to correct it anyway."

"I'm just trying to help Ron," Hermione replied angrily.

"Will both of you just shut up? It doesn't matter," Harry said. Hermione and Ron both looked at Harry, surprised, and resumed with their homework. All of a sudden, Harry felt what seemed to be an invisible hand, yank him off his seat. He looked at Hermione who had her wand held high. She was not looking at him, but out the window.

"What d'you do that for?" Harry demanded, failing at an attempt to stay calm. She turned her head quickly. Her eyes widened with horror.

"I – well, I can't believe... I just thought," she stuttered. Harry glowered at her.

"I still can't believe Wilhelm, that old witch, canceled Quidditch. Oh, I left one of my books upstairs. I'll be right back," Ron said sprinting towards the dormitories, oblivious to the current argument.

"Harry, I think you'll agree with me that Ron's behavior is getting a bit out of hand," Hermione said, pretending to ignore what just happened.

"Yeah... well what do you intend to do about it?" Harry inquired suspiciously. Hermione turned pink.

"Well, now don't say no right away, but I was thinking of... ah... slipping him a love potion. Not so he would fall in love, but just so he would be nice for a change." She was waiting anxiously for Harry's reply. He was rather shocked that Hermione would even consider something like this.

"Well... I suppose I could give him one at breakfast tomorrow. But I don't have a love potion." Yet again, Hermione turned pink.

"Well, I've already made one." She slipped it into Harry's school bag just as Ron was coming back down the stairs. She quickly went off to her Head Girl room without saying anything.

"Harry, I've got to be honest with you. I think I'm in love with Hermione." Ron looked purple rather than pink. Harry's jaw dropped.

"Think about it Harry; she's perfect!" Harry still couldn't believe what he was hearing. Perhaps Hermione feels the same way about Ron, but didn't want to tell me.

"Ron, why are you always arguing with her?"

"Well, I can't help it. When I'm around her, I do stupid things!" he said exasperatedly. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor," he twisted his hands, "I was, er, wondering if you er, would, uh, slip her um, a love potion for me?"