A/N: I haven't made a disclaimer in a while, so I figured I'd remind you that I don't own Harry Potter, just in case you'd forgotten. I don't own Harry Potter.

When Harry Potter was younger, he had been abused; verbally and physically. Harry never had friends before coming to Hogwarts, and that's what made Ron and Hermione so special to him.

But lately, Hermione had been inseparable from Ginny and Luna, and Ron was always in the company of Colin Creevey. Anytime he tried to get them to study with him, or play Wizard's Chess, he was always greeted with the same response.

"Not now, Harry! I'm busy!"

So Harry sought friendship from elsewhere. He began a better friendship with Neville Longbottom and Susan Abbot. The pair could always be found in the greenhouses, but they always ready to lend Harry a listening ear when he needed one.

"Han, can you pass me the gurdyroot?" Neville asked. Hannah handed him the plant, and continued potting her mandrake (the three of them all wore earmuffs).

Harry sat awkwardly, chin in his hands, watching his new friends. They never talked much, but there was no need for words. Hannah and Neville had a special bond, one fueled by their mutual love of plants.

When they finished the plant they were working on, Hannah and Neville would stare at each other, having a silent conversation. Then they would both look away, picking up more plants to attend to.

Harry always wished he had someone like that, someone who knew what he was saying without words.

The raven-haired boy was so lost in thought, he didn't notice Neville and Hannah having another silent exchange.

Eventually Neville spoke. "Harry? Han wants to know what happened between you, Ron and Hermione."

"I don't know," Harry sighed. "Last year we were so close when we were running the DA, and something changed this year. They found other friends, and so did I!" He beamed at Hannah and Neville.

This made the blonde girl smile as well. "Thanks, Harry. You know what? You can come to my house on Christmas for a holiday party, if you'd like."

Neville nodded his approval. "It's so much fun. Her older brother always takes us out Christmas caroling after."

Harry's grin widened. He didn't care that he always spent the holidays at he Burrow. He had other friends now.

If Ron and Hermione wanted to ignore him, three could play that game.

"Imperio!"

Parvati instantly relaxed, the expression of fear leaving her face. Ron smirked at Colin, who had his arms crossed, unimpressed. Ever since joining the 'A-team,' Ron's friends and family had noticed a change in his behavior. He had become more reserved, even rude. It was clear power had gone to Ron's head.

The redhead turned back to the Indian girl, who looked confused at her whereabouts. "Tell me, Parvati, did Lavender have a diary?" Ron asked sweetly.

Parvati nodded blankly. "Yes. She kept all the school gossip inside."

Colin tapped his foot, becoming impatient at this point. "Where is the diary?" continued Ron anxiously.

"In the dorm. Her stuff is being shipped to her home in the States tomorrow," the girl droned, expressionless.

Ron jabbed his wand, strengthening the imperious curse. "Parvati, I want you to go get the diary and bring it down to me. Afterwards, you will lie down in you room and forget we ever talked."

Parvati turned and stumbled up the stair's towards the girls' dorm. Once she was gone, Colin turned to Ron.

"Why are you trying to get Lavender's diary?" Colin asked. He seemed very upset that Ron was doing something to get on Astoria's good side.

Ron laughed. "Lavender was the school's biggest gossip. Any secrets she knew, more than likely, are in that book."

At those words, Parvati returned, silently thrusting the diary out to Ron. Once he took it, she made her way up the stairs once more. A final smirk was sent in Colin's direction as the two boys began to walk to the library to find Astoria.

Luna sat, arms wrapped around her knees, in the Room of Requirement. The door opened silently.

Astoria pranced in, her thick dark hair in a plait down her back.

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret," Astoria whispered. She gave Luna a sly smile that made the blonde uncomfortable.

Luna moved away from Astoria, who continued, "My sources tell me that you've been putting the Draught of Living Death in Pansy's food, so you can have more Draco time."

The last sentence made Astoria grimace, as if 'Draco Time' was the most repulsive thing in the world.

Luna frowned, insulted. She flicked a glance over to Astoria, who was clutching a small slip of paper from the apothecary.

It was the receipt for the vial of Draught of Living Death.

"How do you think Pansy will react to you drugging her? How will Mr and Mrs Parkinson react?"

This made Luna angry. She stormed out of the Room of Requirement without even stopping to laugh at the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls ballet.

Astoria sat in the Room, lost in thought. She liked it when they ran. It made Astoria feel authoritative, like a huge game of... cat-and-mouse.

Sitting up straighter, Astoria began to flip through Lavender's diary, reading all the juicy secrets the girl knew.

Ginny did what? Hermione used to what? There was so much more ammunition in the book, and Astoria felt a buzzing feeling, like she felt on Christmas.

Soon, their reputations would be reduced to shreds, an it would be all Astoria's fault. A tiny tear trickled down her cheek.

"It makes you feel like you've done something with your life," Astoria sobbed, clutching her heart.

Then she stood, preparing to leave. She had much work to do.

But the first thing Astoria would need was Potter's invisibility cloak, and she knew just how to get it.

"Oh Ron!"

A/N: Was Ron joining the 'A-team' too OOC? Should he come back to the light? Thoughts please, and flames will be used in a bonfire for a proper funeral for Lavender.