Umbras ? Harry Potter

January 22, 1994 • Hogwarts

It looked like the end of Ron and Hermione's friendship. Each were so angry with the other that Harry couldn't see how the'd ever make up.

Ron was enraged that Hermione had never taken Crookshanks's attempts to eat Scabbers seriously, hadn't bothered to keep a close enough watch on him, and was still trying to pretend that Crookshanks was innocent by suggesting that Ron look for Scabbers under all the boys' beds. Hermione, meanwhile, maintained fiercely that Ron had no proof that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers, that the ginger hairs might have been there since Christmas, and that Ron had been prejudiced against her cat ever since Crookshanks had landed on Ron's head in the Magical Menagerie.

Personally, Harry was sure that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers, and when he tried to point out to Hermione that the evidence all pointed that way, she lost her temper with Harry too.

"Okay, side with Ron, I knew you would!" she said shrilly. "First the Firebolt, now Scabbers, everything's my fault, isn't it! Just leave me alone, Harry, I've got a lot of work to do!"

Meanwhile, Ciara had enjoyed a peaceful morning, unaware of the attempted murder on Scabbers the night before. With just a couple of pieces of homework to finish, she had a relatively free day ahead.

She made her way to the Great Hall for breakfast, savoring the quiet start to her day. However, her calm was abruptly shattered when Hermione approached, looking distressed. "What happened?" Ciara asked, concerned.

Hermione wasted no time explaining everything that had occurred the night before, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"I was talking with Harry about all of my subjects when Ron came bustling in, yelling for us to look at his sheets." Ciara made a face at that, but Hermione continued, "There was blood on the sheets, and his rat Scabbers had gone missing. He put two and two together and inferred that Scabbers must be dead. Then he dropped some ginger cat hairs on my stuff, blaming my cat again!" Hermione finished with a sigh.

Ciara knew that there had been issues between these animals in the past, but she couldn't see why Crookshanks would go after one specific rat over and over again.

"I mean, it could be Crookshanks, but it could've been one of the other 70 cats roaming around Hogwarts," Ciara said, trying to comfort her friend while also bringing a little logic into the mix.

Hermione nodded, looking slightly reassured. "I just don't know how to convince Ron. He's so convinced it's all Crookshanks' fault, and won't listen to reason!"

They did some homework together at the long house tables in the Great Hall, while Harry was at the last Quidditch practice before the game. In a last-ditch attempt to cheer Ron up, Harry persuaded him to come along to the practice, so he could have a ride on the Firebolt after they'd finished. This did seem to take Ron's mind off Scabbers for a moment, so they set off for the Quidditch field together.

Ciara had just finished her 12" parchment on how and why Muggles use electricity and was moving on to an assignment for Transfiguration. Meanwhile, Harry mounted his Firebolt and kicked off from the ground. It was better than he'd ever dreamed. The Firebolt turned with the lightest touch; it seemed to obey his thoughts rather than his grip; it sped across the field at such speed that the stadium turned into a green-and-gray blur.

Back in the Great Hall, Ciara and Hermione chatted about anything and everything while they tried to catch up on their work. Once they had done enough work for the day, they decided to take a walk through the castle, enjoying each other's presence.

Out on the field, the Gryffindors' practice had just finished. "Good work, everyone. Let's get back to the tower... turn in early," Wood said.

"I'm staying out for a bit; Ron wants a go on the Firebolt," Harry told Wood. While the rest of the team headed off to the locker rooms, Harry strode over to Ron, who vaulted the barrier to the stands and came to meet him. Madam Hooch had fallen asleep in her seat. "Here you go," said Harry, handing Ron the Firebolt.