 |
| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban |
| "You bought that monster?" said Ron, his mouth hanging open. "He's gorgeous, isn't he?" said Hermione, glowing. "I wish I could have had a turn with the boggart--" "What would it have been for you?" said Ron, sniggering. "A piece of homework that only got nine out of ten?" "Don't mind Hermione, Lavender," said Ron loudly, "she doesn't think other people's pets matter very much." "Honestly, am I the only person who's ever bothered to read Hogwarts, A History?" said Hermione crossly to Harry and Ron. "Probably," said Ron. "Why?" Hermione went very red, put down her hand, and stared at the floor with her eyes full of tears . . . Ron, who told Hermione she was a know-it-all at least twice a week, said loudly, "You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?" The class knew instantly he'd gone too far. Snape advanced on Ron slowly, and the room held its breath. "Detention, Weasley," Snape said silkily. It looked like the end of Ron and Hermione's friendship. Each was so angry with the other that Harry couldn't see how they'd ever make up. "Harry, if you go into Hogsmeade again . . . I'll tell Professor McGonagall about that map!" said Hermione. "Can you hear someone talking, Harry?" growled Ron, not looking at Hermione. "Ron, how can you let him go with you? After what Sirius Black nearly did to you! I mean it, I'll tell --" "So now you're trying to get Harry expelled!" said Ron furiously. "Haven't you done enough damage this year?" Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but with a soft hiss, Crookshanks leapt onto her lap. Hermione took one frightened look at the expression on Ron's face, gathered up Crookshanks, and hurried away toward the girls' dormitories. "There'll be an appeal, though, there always is. Only I can't see any hope . . . Nothing will have changed." "Yeah, it will," said Ron fiercely. "You won't have to do all the work alone this time, Hermione. I'll help." "Oh, Ron!" Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and broke down completely. Ron, looking quite terrified, patted her very awkwardly on the top of the head. Finally, Hermione drew away. "Ron, I'm really, really sorry about Scabbers . . .," she sobbed. "Oh -- well -- he was old," said Ron, looking thoroughly relieved that she had let go of him. Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first -- SMACK! She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again. "Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic, you foul -- you evil --" "Hermione!" said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back. "Get off, Ron!" Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward . . . "Hermione!" Ron said again, sounding both stunned and impressed. "Harry, you'd better beat him in the Quidditch final!" Hermione said shrilly. "You just better had, because I can't stand it if Slytherin wins!" "We're due in Charms," said Ron, still goggling at Hermione. "Hermione?" Ron said cautiously, because she was liable to explode when interrupted these days. "Er -- are you sure you've copied down these times right?" "What?" snapped Hermione, picking up the exam schedule and examining it. "Yes, of course I have." "Hermione, I don't know what's gotten into you lately!" said Ron, astounded. "First you hit Malfoy, then you walk out on Professor Trelawney --" Hermione looked rather flattered. "What do'you reckon?" Ron asked the cat. "Definitely an owl?" Crookshanks purred. "That's good enough for me," said Ron happily. "He's mine." |