Chapter 35: Visitation

Wednesday's History of Magic class was decidedly… odd. Everyone was whispering to one another excitedly, and I seemed to be one of the few who were out of the loop.

"What's going on?" I asked, surveying the commotion all around me.

"You mean you don't know?" Neville asked, incredulously.

"Know what?"

"Luna and Hermione got into a fight. It was wicked! There were hexes and fists flying every which-way… and Seamus said Luna tried to turn Hermione into a toad!"

I stared at Neville in disbelief. "When? Where was I at during all of this?"

"Arithmancy."

I threw up my hands in frustration. "Why do I always miss the good stuff? The one time I decided to be an over-achiever, something worth watching happens!"

Neville laughed. "Rotten for you mate."

"Yeah…" I sighed in mock-disappointment. "So… did anyone's shirt get ripped off?"

Xxx

I decided during History of Magic that I'd visit Luna in the infirmary just as soon as Binns stopped droning on about the goblin rebellion – again. Does the man know nothing else? I wondered, counting down the minutes until the end of class. The Rebellion is all he's talked about for the past six years! Finally, after nearly gouging my eyes out in boredom, the bell signaling the end of the period rang.

"Hey Ron," I said, catching him and Neville on the way out, "I'm going to visit Luna. Did you want to come?"

Ron stared at me like I was an idiot.

"What?" I asked, confused.

Neville laughed. "Of course he wants to go see Luna! They are dating aren't they?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's always polite to ask instead of just assuming."

"Sure Harry, sure."

xxx

After a brief talk with Luna (she asked about nargles – again) I decided to pay Hermione Granger a visit. After all, I argued, we were friends, once, and it's not like anyone else is going to stop in an wish her well. She hasn't got any friends to speak of.

"Hey." I said, approaching the bed-ridden figure cautiously. "I heard about what happened. Are you alright?"

The glare I received was enough to reduce a glacier into a glass of water. "What are you doing here, Potter?"

"I… have a free period after Binns. I heard you were in the Hospital wing, and decided to see if you were alright…"

"A likely story." She spat angrily. "After all, every Quidditch jock cares about third place know-it-alls like me!"

I sighed and stared guiltily at the floor. "I… Look Hermione, I know I haven't really been much of a friend to you lately. You… It was wrong of me to treat you like that, and I'm sorry. I don't… I'm sorry." I whispered sincerely. "It wasn't funny and it wasn't the kind of thing a friend would do, and I'm ashamed that I acted like I did, ok?"

She glared at me for a few seconds before turning her back to me.

"Hermione? Do you…" I sighed, feeling even guiltier. "I'll just go… feel better, ok?" I set a Chocolate Frog on the table beside her. "I am sorry, Hermione."

Xxx

"So, Potter," Malfoy jeered, "I heard you went to make up with your mudblood girlfriend today. Tell me, is snogging her as disgusting as it sounds?"

I stared at him. How did he…? I shook my head. "First: Although I do have a girlfriend, Hermione Granger isn't her. My girlfriend goes to Beauxbatons. Second: I would never snog Hermione – she's not my type. And third: If you're trying to make me angry, you'll have to do better than that. I'm a new man these days, and I'm determined not to let prats like you get to me."

Draco glared at me in what I'm sure he thought was an intimidating way. I turned to Ron. "Do you smell something?" I asked innocently.

"No…" he responded. "Why? Do you?"

"No, but Malfoy's got this look on his face like something absolutely reeks."

"Does he?" Ron said, looking over at him. "I just thought he was born that ugly."

"Oh," I murmured thoughtfully. "Is that it then? Poor bloke – no wonder he can't do better than Parkinson."

"You don't actually feel sorry for him, do you?" Ron inquired as we strode into the Great Hall.

"Of course I do! Have you seen Pansy? She looks like pug with hair!"