Here is the next chapter. I hope you like it. Please read and review love Hermione xxx
Ron and Neville were released from hospital after being informed that they now had full cores. Both students were given an exam before they could go on the train and asked two questions of importance from the various classes they had taken. The results were then graded on the spot for them confusing them greatly. Ron's grade increased by one point and much to everyone's surprise Neville's increased by three points. He now had O's on all of his subject bar potions for which he had an exceeds expectations however that didn't surprise anyone given how Snape taught his classes. His grandmother would be proud indeed and was sent a note about his remarkable progress including his core. She was at work when she received the note and smiled. This certainly explained why Neville had always been so jumpy and quite frankly crap at magic. She knew to expect a completely different boy when she collected him later today at the station. Molly had also gotten the notification at home about Ron and was delighted for him. His good grades would stand him in good stead throughout his life. Things were looking up for him at last.
Harry walked beside a more confident Neville to the train delighted for his friend as he practically beamed with new confidence. They boarded the train and got a compartment with Hermione and sat down. Hermione took out a journal and began writing in it while the boys played exploding snap. Harry scarcely pretended to play properly as he had other things on his mind. The trolley arrived and as the witch asked if people wanted anything he ordered some chocolate frogs and every flavour beans whilst declaring that Ron was paying for it. "Harry don't be so mean. You know Ron hasn't got two pennies to rub together. For goodness sakes if you're that hard up for money right now I'll pay myself but don't ask Ron to pay for it when you know he can't. You shouldn't be so selfish!" Hermione scolded reaching into her purse before an irate Harry stopped her.
"What if I told you I knew he had the money huh! Would your opinion be different then? Stop jumping to all kinds of conclusions before you actually know the facts. That's the first stupid mistake you've done today!" he snapped as she looked thunderously at him.
"How about I know he doesn't have it because I saw in his trunk when he was packing that there was no money in it!" she snapped as he once again looked thunderous.
"Yes he does! He stole it form me! It's my bloody money and yet he took it from me!" he exploded blowing up in her face about it as she watched him in horror.
"Harry I don't know what happened in the Chamber of Secrets and I don't want to know either but it changed you and not for the better either. I will not stay here in this compartment with you while you slander Ron for doing something he did not do. You don't frighten me and I would rather see you burn in hell before I'll ever believe that about Ronald Weasley. To hell with all of you!" she snapped and got up to move but couldn't do so. She glanced around panicked when a note arrived in Harry's hand only he could read.
Miss Grangy has been charmed by old bad wizard whiskers. He makes her hate you and say anything in the defence of Ronny Weasley. I will remove it now please prepare for fireworks! As Harry read the note he noticed some colour returning to her face which had not been there before. He raised his eyebrows as she looked at him and fumed.
"What the fuck happened to me? Look I'm going to have a chocolate wand and I'll pay for everything. I don't know who cursed me but when I catch them they're in for a world of trouble. As for you Ronald Weasley I note you didn't deny stealing his money despite whatever was wrong with me. Did you steal his money? DON'T LOOK AT HIM LOOK AT ME!" she blew up as he cowered slightly he'd never heard her so annoyed in all of his life. He seriously didn't understand it. Yes he'd taken the money but he never had any and it was all of ten galleons maximum. He didn't really see the need to get pissed off about it as Harry had thousands of galleons in the bank. What were ten lousy galleons to the likes of him.
"As I told Harry yesterday I did take the money but as it was all of ten galleons I didn't think he'd mind. He overreacted as usual putting two and two together and coming up with five. What's ten galleons to someone with thousands or what have you in the bank. As I say I don't ever have any money and thought he might want to support his best friend in his hour of need!" he said seriously as she slapped his face and grabbed him but the scruff of his collar.
"Ronald Billius Weasley you idiot! Even I don't have that much money however I know never to steal from anyone especially not my best friend. Did it never occur to you that if you asked him he'd probably have given you the money anyway. My goodness you can't half be thick sometimes. I'll be telling your mother when we arrive too!" she said and sat down looking disgusted but not before paying the trolley lady who had been waiting patiently and saying nothing for the last few minutes. As the train moved on Harry seethed internally not only had Hermione been very obviously charmed against him Ron didn't really seem to understand why it was wrong or indeed so serious that he'd stolen money from him. He seemed to have no problem admitting why he'd done it but still couldn't see why it was wrong. Harry steeled himself as they arrived at the station and Hermione was first to get out finding Mrs Weasley.
"Hello Mrs Weasley. Ronald stole money from Harry and I feel you should know about it as he doesn't care that he's done it and doesn't deny it either. Please speak to him as he shouldn't have done it and I shouldn't have to tell him that! Have a lovely summer!" she said smiling and heading to her parents as Molly scowled at her behind.
"Ronald you should apologise to Harry for taking his money. That was not ok. Say you're sorry and we'll forget this ever happened!" she scolded lightly as Harry got very angry from Ron's side. How dare she brush it under the carpet as though it was not wrong when it was indeed.
"You had better keep your son in check because I will not be lenient again. Do not ever forget that I said this. I didn't have a loving family like he did far from it actually and I don't steal from people. There's no point looking at me like that he admitted he did it!" he said seriously as she came back up to her full height to glower at him with a highly bitter expression on her face.
"You have changed Harry and not for the better either. He will apologise to you and you are lucky I am getting him to do that at all because you are lucky to have him and he you. Why can't you see that he doesn't have money because we don't have it to give to him! Are you happy now? We are poor there I said it! You should have given him some money without him needing to ask for it. Some friend you are! Come on Ron there's no point wasting our time with him for now he needs to cool off and remember that being generous is always good when you have so much and others have so little" she snapped as she lead him away reeling from the tone she had used to speak to him. Part of him wanted to chase after them and apologise but he thought twice as those thoughts disgusted him as soon as they entered his head. He exited the platform to find the Dursley's waiting for him looking highly pissed off.
"GET A MOVE ON BOY! We don't have all day to wait here for you, you know. We do have lives!" snapped Vernon as he stared at him for a moment daring him to do something.
"I will see you all at home later on. For now I have somewhere to be. Please give me a copy of your house key. Do not make a scene here because if people see you they will not hesitate to curse you and I don't want them to do that. I want you to be as safe as you can so please give me the key now" he said as Vernon looked ready to punch him in the gut but then thought the better of it and threw the key at him.
"Take it and I want it back again at the end of the day. Make your own way home and don't expect a damn meal because I will have eaten it all and even if I haven't for some bizarre reason I will still keep it from you!" he thundered as he left with his family in tow. Harry cursed him under his breath and took the night bus to Diagon Alley where he got out. He entered the Leaky Cauldron with his hood up and sailed out to the alley without being hassled by anyone. He approached the bank with his trunk and empty cage in tow and entered the bank. He walked up to a teller who looked up to ask him for his key if he wished to make a withdrawal and then gasped upon seeing him. "Mr Potter please come into this office here and bring your stuff with you. We have been trying to reach you all year and judging by your expression you were not aware of this which means something is seriously wrong. Please stay here because we have a major problem!" he snapped as a chair appeared for Harry to sit in. They had been trying to reach him? This was sure news to him. Things were indeed about to get interesting.