Harry and Ron spent ages on Friday evening finishing all their homework so they wouldn't have to worry about it at the weekend. Hermione was pleasantly surprised to find that the boys left the Great hall first and were still busy after everyone else had gone up to bed.
"Have you still not finished?" She asked at midnight, exactly four hours after she herself had completed her homework.
"I've got another six inches on this stupid Potions essay for Snape." Ron moaned. He'd already had to endure a History of Magic essay, three charms to practise and a describing all the stages of transfiguring a cat into a poufee.
"I've only got four." Harry smiled slightly as Ron groaned louder. Hermione sighed. Digging around in her bag she took out her own essay and pulled both the boys essays towards her. Using a spare bit of parchment she wrote a conclusion for each of the boys long enough to complete the remaining inches.
"There you go." She handed them to Harry and Ron.
"Thanks Hermione." Harry smiled.
"Yeah. Don't know what we'd do without you." Ron said scribbling furiously, attempting to finish as quickly as possible.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Night." Hermione yawned, packing up her things and heading for the girl's dormitory.
"Night." Harry and Ron mumbled vaguely. It took them ten minutes to finish their essays and when they had, they rolled them up neatly and stuffed them in their schoolbags. They quickly gathered up all their books in their arms and headed for the dormitory.
But they didn't make t to the stairs. Harry tripped over something on the floor and dropped all his books.
"Are you ok Harry?" Asked Ron concerned, placing his own books down to check his best friend was ok.
"Yeah. Tripped." Ron helped Harry gather up the books in silence. There was one books left right in the middle of the common room. Both Harry and Ron went to pick it up, hands brushing slightly. Both boys turned pink and Ron handed the book back to Harry.
"Thanks." The pair scurried up the stairs and dumped all their books in their trunks before either had time to feel embarrassed.
The events of the previous evening were forgotten by the time Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking into Hogsmeade on Saturday morning. Students were laughing, throwing snowballs, generally getting into the Christmas spirit. With only a few days of term left everyone was looking forward to Christmas.
A rather large, very cold snowball made contact with the back of Harry's head and as he turned around he caught sight of Malfoy holding his wand out and bewitching several snowballs so they flew through the air. He was hitting several students with these snowballs, none of whom appeared to have the guts to say anything.
Ron had seen what Malfoy had done and was preparing to march up to him, but Harry caught his arm.
"Leave it." He muttered.
"Going to listen to Potty are you Weasel? Didn't realise he was your mother." Malfoy drawled. Harry didn't like the way he'd stressed the word mother. "I mean Potty is no where near fat enough."
Harry had slackened his grip and Ron pulled himself free, stomping up the drive towards Malfoy. He pulled out his wand and aimed at Malfoy's head. Malfoy was too quick for him though.
"Tarantallegra!" Malfoy watched as Ron fell over, unable to control his legs.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed like idiots and the three Slytherin's left. Harry and Hermione ran forward to help Ron.
"Finite!" Hermione pointed her wand at Ron's legs.
"Are you ok?" Asked Harry as he and Hermione pulled Ron to his feet.
"Where is that git?" Ron asked his ears glowing bright red.
"Ron. He's gone ok?" Harry tried to steady his shaking friend but Ron swatted his hands at Harry.
"I'll see you guy's later." He muttered stalking off.
"Ron!" Harry and Hermione called after him, but Ron just shoved his hands in his pockets.
"C'mon. He'll probably end up in a fight with Malfoy if we leave him." Harry said following the blob of red through the crowd.
The pair caught up with Ron outside the owl post office. He was still bright red, but some of it was from the cold. All three were starting to feel the effects despite wearing several jumpers, hats, scarves and gloves.
"Ron? Me and Hermione were thinking we should go for a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks to warm up. You coming?" Harry asked watching Ron. He had his forehead against the glass of the post office, not really focusing on anything.
"Ok." He sighed. The three made their way inside and found a table right at the back.
"Are you ok, Ron? It's not like you to storm off." Hermione said once they were sat down and Harry had gone up to the bar.
"I'm fine." Ron said unconvincingly.
"Have you and Harry had a fight?" Hermione asked suddenly. Ron looked up sharply, his heart thudding. He could feel all his insides squirm.
"No, why?" Ron said as calmly as possible.
"You two just seem… weird is all," Hermione replied as Harry bought over the Butterbeers.
The rest of the Hogsmeade trip was spent collecting all the things they'd need for over Christmas and it was in doing so that Hermione remembered something.
"I forgot to say, I'm going home for Christmas." She piped up suddenly when they'd bought their fresh parchment and quills.
"Are you?" Harry was taken aback. Usually they either spent Christmas at the Burrow or Hogwarts.
"I guess it'll just be me and Harry then." Ron said. It was true. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley were visiting Charlie in Romania again.
Later that evening when they were sat in the great hall Harry noticed how distracted Ron was. He kept glancing over his shoulder and when Harry looked to see what had caught Ron's attention he could see Malfoy making miming actions that looked awfully like someone falling over.
"Ron ignore him," Harry said rubbing Ron's knee under the table. Both boys froze at the gesture and Harry quickly removed his hand. Both turned red and didn't speak again throughout dinner.
Oh yes, this Christmas is going to be fun. Harry thought dismally.