Chapter 5
The Terrible Truth, On Both Sides
Hermione!" Ginny called after her. Wait up!" When Ginny climbed the last step and worriedly peered into the dorm, she found Hermione sobbing hysterically into her pillow. It was Harry," Hermione said hoarsely. It was Harry," she whispered again, confirming it into reality. I can't believe it," Hermione said, shaking her head. I know, Hermione. It's just so shocking that Harry would do something like that. I mean, I can understand if Harry was violent to Malfoy, but being hurtful to his own girlfriend…"
Many thoughts swam through Harry's head as he sat next to Ron in the hospital wing, who was still knocked out from the misleading potion. His thoughts took him back to the scene where Ron fell.
We were walking back to the Gryffindor Common Room after we had caught up with each other talking and laughing, when our smiles were immediately replaced with frowns as we approached the two identical smirks on two Slytherin boys. Crabbe and Goyle. What's that you've got on your face, Potter? It looks kind of pink and it's near your mouth too. Ooohhh, Potty was furiously snogging with his precious girlfriend." We broke up Crabbe," I replied, clenching my fists together. Oh really…" Crabbe was about to make another remark. I wasn't paying attention however, because I had just figured out that Crabbe was just there to be a distraction so I wouldn't be able to see what Goyle was about to do. NO! RON! I yelled a moment to late. Ron had already drunk the liquid that Goyle had given him. How stupid, I thought to myself. Why in the world would Ron be such an idiot to accept a drink from a Slytherin and expect it to be pumpkin juice. Suddenly, as if in slow motion, I saw Ron fall backward and hit the ground, hard. I ran and slid down next to him. Ron! I said with tears running down my face. I looked up with fury and asked, Goyle, what did Ron just drink?" Goyle replied with a sly grin, your friend just drank a love potion. I convinced him that if he drank it he would become attractive to anyone he really liked. And he believed it! Can you even imagine?" NO, I can't," I muttered under my breath. They took off before I could grab hold of them with my quidditch trained hands. I ran off in the other direction, yelling for Madam Pince to come quickly. Wow, I wonder who Ron wanted to look good to," Harry accidentally said out loud.
His mind drifted over to Cho. I can't believe I did something like that to Cho. She deserved what she got, though; she was taking Malfoy's side. Suddenly, his thoughts shifted to the detention. Hermione and Malfoy. I wonder how that went and I wonder how the whole love potion situation came about." Harry thought. Slowly, Harry got up out of the hard hospital chair walking towards the Gryffindor common room. Wouldn't you like to know," Ron said weakly after Harry left, smiling to himself.
Harry ran into the common room, almost knocking Ginny off her feet. Ginny," Harry said breathlessly. Have you seen Hermione?" Um, yeah Harry, I have but I don't think she wants to see you." What? Why?" Harry said with confusion. Harry, just trust me on this one, okay? She really doesn't need you to talk to her right now." Ginny said pleadingly, her eyes brimming with tears. She turned away quickly and ran out of the common room, almost tripping over Dean Thomas. Ginny!" Harry called out after her. Dean gave him a mean look and ran out after the crying girl.
Harry combed his fingers through his hair. Why was everyone treating him like dirt? Suddenly, brown hair caught the corner of his eye and he turned quickly to find himself looking at a distraught girl. Hermione," Harry whispered. He walked slowly to her with his hands in his pockets. What's wrong?" he said as he looked into her eyes. She gave him a heartbreaking look, turned around and ran back up the stairs. Great, she's not talking to me."
Harry thought.
After a couple of days in the hospital wing, Cho and Ron finally felt up to the challenge of returning to their common rooms. Ron entered and everyone suddenly crowded around him like a swarm of bees. Oh my gosh, Ron! Are you okay?" That type of thing. Yeah, everyone, I'm fine. Just a little bit tired, that's all."
Hey Ron," Ginny said as she pushed herself through the crowd. Hey, Gin." Ron said as he smiled at his little sister. Can I talk to you alone?" Ginny asked with a worried look in her face. Sure, Ginny," Ron replied. What's going on?" Harry's what's going on," Ginny said through clenched teeth. Harry? What's wrong with Harry?" Ron said. We aren't talking to him right now," Ginny said. Why? Harry's cool. He would never do any…" Ron faltered when he saw how serious his little sister's face was. Alright, Gin," he sighed. What did Harry do?" I'll tell you what he did, he hurt Cho, Ron," Ginny said angrily. Harry, hurt Cho? Yeah right," Ron said in disbelief. I'm telling the truth, and he hurt her really bad, she just got out of the hospital wing." You mean physically? I thought you meant emotionally." After a few moments of silence, Ron whispered, Oh my gosh Ginny, this is bad." You think?" she said her arms crossed. No, Ginny. I mean REALLY bad." Why?" Ginny asked. Because I know why Harry hurt her," Ron replied, looking as if he had seen a ghost.