Taboo

Ron's mood did not improve over the following week. He did not speak to Harry at all and barely talked to Hermione. She felt trapped and helpless. She wanted to do something--she couldn't stand to see her two best friends acting as if the other didn't exist.

"Harry," she said, prodding him awake. She had crept into the boys' dormitory. "Harry, wake up."

"Huh? Whozair?" He said up and put his glasses on. "Hermione? What are you doing here?"

"We signed up to go to Hogsmeade, remember?" She turned to Ron's bed. "Ron! Ron!"

"Ugh, what do you want?" he said blearily.

"We're going to Hogsmeade," she said firmly. "Get dressed and meet me downstairs."

"'We'? Who's 'we'?"

"Me, you, and Harry. We all signed up to go."

"I'm not going anywhere with him," he said grumpily, falling back onto his pillow. "Besides, it's too early."

"Honestly, Hermione," said Harry, obediently pulling on a sweater. "Couldn't you at least have waited a couple hours?"

"Stop complaining," she said, tossing her hair behind her shoulder. "Just get dressed and come downstairs."

In ten minutes, the three of them were in the common room. Hermione held out a tall stack of toast.

"Here," she said, handing them each a napkin.

"Wh-where are we going?" said Ron, yawning as they tread the familiar path into Hogsmeade.

"The Three Broomsticks, for a drink."

Soon, they reached the bustling tavern where many people had gathered to escape the biting wind. They sat down at an empty table, and Hermione ordered three Butterbeers.

"My treat," she said, as Harry began to pull out his moneybag. "Now, talk. I'm sick of you two avoiding each other. I want you to work this out." They both groaned.

"Hermione, it's too early," moaned Ron. "I don't even think I'm awake yet. Can't we do this some other time?"

"We're not leaving until this has been sorted out," she said resolutely. Both Harry and Ron glared at her for a few seconds.

"Fine," said Ron sulkily. "Have it your way then." He turned to Harry. "Ginny's my sister. My sister."

"Does that make it illegal for me to go out with her?" he said hotly.

"Well, no, but--"

"Then I don't see what's the big deal," he shot back. "I don't hear you telling Dean off for kissing her."

"He was her boyfriend!"

"Was," he pointed out. "Not is."

"But this is different. You're my best mate...or at least you were."

"See? This is why I didn't tell you earlier. I knew you'd be like this."

"I--what?" sputtered Ron. "Earlier? You mean she was cheating on Dean?"

"I--no! That's not what I meant!" he said quickly. "I just meant...well, I've liked her for a long time. Staying at the Burrow over the summer only made me more attracted to her."

"Well..." said Ron, unsure of what to say.

"I'm at liberty to date whoever I want. And so is she," he said defiantly.

"Fair point," said Ron, shrugging and taking a gulp of Butterbeer. "Can't argue with that. But still..."

"What? Are you going to try and stop us?"

"Well, no," he said sheepishly. "I just--well...I dunno. Never mind. I suppose I'll have to give you my blessing then." Harry nodded, feeling the urge to tell Ron that he didn't need his blessing, but feeling that it would be wiser to keep his mouth shut.

"Oh, you two are so childish," said Hermione, smirking. "Let's go over to Honeydukes for a bit. I heard they're giving out free samples of this new fudge today." They finished the last of their butterbeers and stepped outside.

An hour later, their pockets bulging with sweets, they headed back to the caste. It was quite windy and cold, and Hermione wrapped her scarf around her neck tighter.

"I didn't like the fudge," Ron said to Harry. "Those Deluxe Sugar Quills are excellent though..."

Farther up the path, they saw two figures arguing.

As they got closer, they could see that it was Katie Bell and her friend.

"Give it back!" shouted Katie, tugging at the package in her friend's hand.

"No, I won't let you have it," said her friend stubbornly.

"I'm supposed to give it to somebody!" She wrenched it away and the package tore, revealing an ornate necklace. Suddenly, Katie screamed and rose up in the air.

"Katie! Katie!" screamed her friend, trying to pull her back down. Harry, Ron, and Hermione rushed over just as Katie fell back to the ground, unconscious. "What's wrong with her?" sobbed the girl.

"We've got to get help," said Harry, wrapping up the necklace, careful not to touch it. Hermione helped the girl back up to the castle while Ron carried Katie in his arms.

"Oh my goodness, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, spotting Katie's unconscious form. "What happened?"

"She touched this," said Harry, showing her the necklace. McGonagall gasped. "And then she was screaming and floating."

"Granger, Weasley, take these two up to the hospital wing," she said grimly. "Potter, come with me."

As soon as she closed the door to the office, Harry began talking quickly.

"Professor, I think Malfoy did this."

"And what makes you say that?"

"I--he's been plotting something! I know it!" He told Professor McGonagall what he had seen in Borgin and Burkes.

"Until we have proof, we cannot accuse anyone. Very well, thank you for telling me your suspicions, Mr. Potter. You may leave now." Her tone made it clear that there was to be no more discussion on the matter.

Furious at this quick dismissal, he stomped up to the common room. Ron and Hermione stood up when he came in.

"What did she say?" demanded Ron.

"I told her that I thought Malfoy did it, but she didn't believe me!" he said angrily. "I know he did it!"

"I've been telling you, Harry," said Hermione, her voice trembling slightly. "We don't know for certain if Malfoy's actually up to something."

"I know he is though!" shouted Harry. "He's got to be! Just you wait, Hermione, I'll prove it to you."