Ch. 3 – Common Room Chaos
In the Gryffindor common room a week later, summer seemed not as if it had just ended, but as if the long, winding road to next break had just begun. Fifth and sixth years especially had too many assignments to count on their fingers.
Potions was as dreadful as ever, as was Charms and Transfiguration. Defense Against the Dark Arts, on the other hand, had been anything but. Dumbledore's lessons seemed to intrigue everyone, as no teacher had ever given them so much free time. Dumbledore said it was only important that students pay attention during class, rather than waste time later.
Harry took a glance at Ginny, who seemed to be pulling her hair out, poring over her Charms homework.
"Ugh" she moaned,"the Protean charm. "Why did they have to bump it down to the OWL curriculum from NEWT level?"
"Here, let me help." Hermione had circulated over to Ginny after she had confiscated a Nosebleed Nougat.
"Excellent," Ron was ecstatic, "I'll use it for Charms tomorrow!"
"No you won't," Hermione retorted, pulling it from his grasp, "We're prefects Ron, honestly! Besides, Flitwick's on to them. Zacharias Smith was sent to Madam Pomfrey for continuous regurgitation and she told Flitwick about Puking Pastilles and the rest of the lot. He'll know it's on of them because your Fred and George's brother."
Ron mumbled, "It's not like they give me free stuff anyway."
Harry grinned and turned to survey the common room, only to find Ginny taking sure steps toward him. He barely had time to sit up and fix his glasses before she was directly in front of him, considerably taller as she was standing and he sitting.
Sensing the awkwardness, she sat down and began, "Well, Harry, you know, um, Hogsmeade is coming up soon, and, well…"
"No." Ron interrupted
"What!" Ginny flung her head in his direction, her long hair whipping behind her.
"You were going to ask him to come with you to Hogsmeade and I'm saying no." Ron replied briskly.
"Ron," Ginny replied casually. She closed her eyes, praying for patience, as if she was talking to a two year old, "How many times do I have to tell you? I may date whomever I choose. Not that this is necessarily a date," she blushed and looked to Harry, "yet." She added.
"Ginny!" Ron was ready for a row but Hermione was too quick. She grabbed his arm and wrenched him toward the portrait hole. It was amazing how Hermione tended to drift towards people when conflicts arose. She might make a good Professor one day.
Ginny was now standing, flushed and what looked like extremely annoyed. She turned to Harry.
"Doesn't it bug you sometimes that he's so bloody arrogant! You could have had any best friend and you chose the stubborn prat?"
"He makes up for it in different ways," Harry replied. He was finding it easier to talk now that Ron was gone.
"So," Ginny began again, "maybe we could go to Hogsmeade together in a couple of weekends?"
"Sure." Harry replied, too happy to say anything else. "Until then, need any more help with the Protean charm? Hermione is my best friend, you know."
"Don't mind if I take you up on that offer." Ginny smiled playfully.
Harry just hoped with all his might that Hermione had calmed Ron down, slapped him or something. Otherwise, he hoped Ron's beating later on wouldn't be too horrible to endure.