Chapter 13, Interlude of Friendship

"speech" – speech
^speech^ - parseltongue

speech – non-verbal speech

'words' - written

The conflict lasted all the way through Transfiguration, though was briefly forgotten in the embarrassment of finding out the origins of the tabby. Ron had tried wandless transfiguration but quickly grew frustrated with it and so pulled out his wand, hidden in a homemade holster, and zapped the match. As a result Ron received ten points for being the first student to transfigure a match into a needle while Harry and Hermione's silent war ended up losing them those points as Hermione lost concentration and lit Harry's match on fire.

Needless to say the incident had only made Astronomy class worse. They were first informed that the subject required a lesson held at midnight on Wednesdays, which was something Ron hadn't noticed on the timetable, and found out that only Hermione had studied the required textbook. That led to Hermione showing off her knowledge and angering Harry to the point of almost cursing her.

Defence Against the Dark Arts, with the Gryffindors, turned out to be a joke as the teacher stuttered out to them that there would be no practical for first years and they were simply studying from the text book, something Ron had done years ago and that the other too had at least gotten half way through.

Luckily the tables in this classroom were two-seaters and Ron, rather than favour between his new friends, chose to sit down next to a shy boy called Neville. Looking back over his shoulder Ron saw that Harry was taking animatedly with Lisa Turpin while Hermione was sitting alone looking ready to hit someone. Resolutely he faced the front again knowing that no matter how lonely the girl looked he would only make things worse if he sat next to her.

All and all by the time classes were over Ron was fairly fed up with Harry and Hermione and no doubt they were with each other. He avoided both other Ravenclaws and left in search of someone sane and calm to talk to; and he knew just the person.

Minerva hadn't realised that she was being followed until a small hand shot out and started to scratch behind her ear. She almost let out a purr before controlling herself and looking up at her attacker. She was shocked to see Harry Potter and his friends appear so early to class.

"Hey there girl. Did you ditch your owner?" the boy said not letting up his scratching.

Affronted she released her claws and swiped at his hand. Too quickly he pulled back and her paw collided with air. The muggle-born, Granger, had the nerve to laugh and pet her in response. Yet again she swiped and missed causing both students to grin at each other.

"Very well miss independent cat, we shan't bother thee further."

And the boy bowed. Minerva gave a glare for being so patronizing but it had no effectiveness as Potter was too busy laughing with his friends. Deciding to leave now rather than put up with them any further she slipped away.

Once in the safety of her classroom she curled up on her desk and waited for the students to realize that the door was unlocked. During this time she reflected that Potter's interaction with her and his friends had been nothing short of normal for any eleven year old. Perhaps they were wrong and there was nothing different about any of the trio other than them rebelling against preconceived notions.

It was just after the bell had rung that some students hesitantly started to fill her class. Instantly she noticed a sudden rift between Potter and Granger that had most definitely not been there minutes ago. She pondered that for another five before the remaining students filed in, looking relieved that their teacher hadn't arrived. It took no further prompting to transform back into a human and scold the lot of them, whilst inwardly laughing at the white look on Granger's face. Minerva never did truly outgrow her prankster heart.

Ron was looking for the school library. After a following a few helpful Hufflepuff third years he managed to find his way there. It was easy to spot his brother as he was sitting at the biggest table with the most books surrounding him. Sitting with him was the Head Boy Adam Abbott.

Percy and Abbott were silently working their way through thick tomes. Peering between them he noticed that there notes were on an advanced Transfiguration thesis. Ron had to wonder why the boys were working together on the same topic; Percy was two years younger than Abbott so they couldn't be in the same class.

"Hello Percy," Ron said, grinning when both students jolted in surprise.

"Well, 'lo Ron. I didn't expect to see you so soon. Where are Harry and Hermione?" his brother asked.

With a sigh Ron sat down opposite his brother as Abbott, after briefly looking between the two Weasleys awkwardly, returned to his book without comment or introduction.

"Harry and Hermione are fighting and I really don't want to be involved," Ron confessed warily eyeing Abbott. Harry was after all a celebrity and a student could make a quick buck by selling information about his privet life to newspapers.

Percy put down 'The Path to Becoming a Legitimate Animagus' and calmly addressed him, "If Harry and Hermione are truly you friends then you are already involved. If you have to pick sides or choose between them then that is your decision but you cannot ignore the problem and hope it goes away."

"But I can't just pick a side. They both have good points and they are both equally right. How am supposed to be involved if I don't have an opinion?"

"Ron it's your life but if you want to stay friends with both of them then you have to talk to them. You cannot overlook their conflicts. Why don't you set them down and get them to talk about whatever it is that they are arguing about?"

Ron reflected over that for some time, weighing all the potentials of the situation. Realising that the conversation was finished Percy too returned to his book. The three students sat silently save for the turning of pages and the scratching of quills.

Hermione was distraught. She had been trying to find the library when she happened upon a strange ghost who misdirected her until she was lost before calling her some really foul names and leaving her stranded.

She tried to reach Ron through the bond but he was blocking her. She had even tried to contact Harry but he was doing the same. Cursing herself for being so helpless she tried to find somewhere she recognised.

It was only when she realised that she was going around in circles that she gave up and fell against the wall. It was sometime before she was able to regain her composure and wipe her face dry.

With rising panic she tried the mind link again, still neither boy answered her. In frustration she pulled her hair and screamed. For a few seconds she vented all the anger and distress that had been building since her tiff with Harry.

"You might want to try that again, I think there are people in Hogsmeade who didn't hear you," a soft voice drawled from behind her.

Sorry about the wait on this chapter. To be honest I'm still not happy with it. Not only it is fairly short but it's BORING! But I need this for my plans for the story overall.

PLEASE KEEP READING AND REVIEWING!