Chapter 9: O.W.Ls and Duels
The rest of the day past by quietly. Harry and Hermione still hadn't talked to Ron; he seemed to be deliberately avoiding them. They were inside the main common room awaiting the arrival of Professor McGonagall, who had earlier announced that they would be receiving last year's owl results. The results had been delayed due to the war, and Harry was a little nervous of how well he would do.
Once Professor McGonagall had handed out the results, Harry and Hermione dashed up to their common room to find out how they had done. Hermione opened hers first. She unfolded the envelope and pulled out a sheet of parchment.
Potions - A = Acceptable
Arithmancy - A = Acceptable
History Of Magic - O = Outstanding
Care Of Magical Creatures - A = Acceptable
Defence Against The Dark Arts - O = Outstanding
Charms - O = Outstanding
Herbology - E = Exceeds Expectations
Transfiguration - E = Exceeds Expectations
Muggle Studies - A = Acceptable
Harry looked over her shoulder, and noticed that she had passed all subjects, including Arithmancy, which was the one subject she struggled with. "Well, done Hermione, you deserve it."
She beamed up at him. "Thanks, now you open yours." She could see how nervous he looked. "Don't be nervous Harry, remember that if you don't do quite so well in these, there is still a chance of becoming an Auror. The N.E.W.Ts are the big exams that will mostly decide your future."
"I guess you're right," he answered to her confident tone. He flipped open the envelope and tore out the parchment.
Potions - E = Exceeds Expectations
Divination - A = Acceptable
History Of Magic - P = Poor
Care Of Magical Creatures - A = Acceptable
Defence Against The Dark Arts - O = Outstanding
Charms = O = Outstanding
Herbology = A = Acceptable
Transfiguration - E = Exceeds Expectations
He read the parchment over twice, and was delighted to see that he had received an E in Potions. He never expected to do well in History Of Magic or Divination, so he was pleased that he had only failed one. "I did it, I passed eight out of nine!" Hermione hugged him tightly. "You know, maybe something is going right for us at last."
*
Harry woke up the next morning, feeling a little better than normal. He rolled over in his bed in the boy's dormitory. He could see that Ron was still fast asleep. Harry knew that he needed to talk to Ron, especially as they were playing Quidditch together today against Ravenclaw. He rolled out of bed and tapped Ron on the shoulder. "Wake up Ron," he muttered. Ron twitched in his bed, and sat up to stare at Harry.
"Oh it's you," he said gloomily.
"Yes, it is me, your friend, Harry," he answered bluntly. "Ron, listen. I know you're mad at me, and Hermione told me why…" But Ron cut him off.
"What! she told you?" Ron snapped with a raised voice.
"Keep it down Ron, you'll wake up the others."
"I don't care if I wake up the others! I don't care about you, and I don't care about HERMIONE!" The rest of the dorm had woken up and were now on the edge of their seats as though they were watching a Pay Per View special. Ron stood on fuming, whilst staring at Harry.
"Ron, you're going to have to face the facts, me and Hermione are together, and we are happy. I don't even know how long this relationship will last, we're just trying it out for a while."
"Oh, so now you're just 'trying' Hermione?"
"IT'S MORE THAN THAT RON!" Harry bellowed. "I REALLY LIKE HERMIONE, AND… I MIGHT EVEN LOVE HER!" Harry was breathing fast and hard, he couldn't believe that he had just said that he might love Hermione.
WHACK! Ron's fist landed on Harry's jaw, sending him flying back on to the ground. Ron stepped back after doing this, only just realising what he had done. He then turned and ran quickly out of the room.
Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom were gathered around Harry to see if he was ok. Harry had to admit than Ron packed one hell of a punch, he even felt slightly concussed.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Neville croaked.
"Yeah, I'll be fine, I'm just a little concussed." Harry stumbled up to the ground before collapsing onto his bed.
*
Harry opened his eyes, his vision a little blurry. He could see Hermione watching over him with concern. "Where am I?" he mumbled.
"You are in the Hospital Wing, Mr Potter," butted in Madam Pomfrey.
"I can't be here, I have to play Quidditch today," he answered.
"Quidditch? You missed Quidditch yesterday," she answered.
"What?"
"Ginny filled in for you as Seeker, Neville played as chaser." Hermione added.
"Did we win?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Yes, Ginny caught the snitch, and Seamus and Bruce played a good game as chasers, and Neville was…ok. But anyway forget about Quidditch, what happened to you? Nobody knows."
"Oh…um…didn't the anybody tell you, even Seamus?"
"No." Hermione answered quickly.
"Oh…err…I fell…yeah that's it." Harry stuttered.
"Looks like more than a fall to me, Potter," questioned Pomfrey.
"Ok…ok…Hermione get ready to gloat because you were right. I talked to Ron and one punch was thrown…at my jaw." He smiled half-heartedly but quickly stopped as he noticed Hermione's frown.
"You promised me you wouldn't," she said, looking and probably feeling a little hurt.
"I was only trying to make things right, I'm sorry," he pleaded with his deep green eyes.
"Oh, how can I stay mad at you with those eyes," she said playfully. She moved her head down to kiss him, but Madam Pomfrey coughed.
"Sorry to break up this little re-union but this is a Hospital Wing. Now Mr Potter, you may leave, but I want you to stay away from anything that may make your injury worse, for the next week. And when I say things that will make your concussion worse, I mean Quidditch."
"Bu-" Harry started as he was cut off, by Madam Pomfrey.
"Now, go along Potter, and Miss Granger, you make sure that he doesn't do anything foolish."
They left the Hospital Wing, and made their way down to Breakfast. As they entered the Hall, Harry received numerous stares. He was quite thankful that Dean, Neville, Seamus and even Ron hadn't told everybody the story of how he sustained the injury. They sat down next to Neville and Seamus.
"Alright, Harry?" asked Seamus, with a grin on his face.
"Not bad," answered Harry, he turned to Neville. "Thanks for helping the Quidditch team, Neville."
"That's fine, I quite enjoyed it, once I had got my broom off the ground."
The whole table chuckled before making there way to Defence Against The Dark Arts, Harry's favourite lesson.
*
They arrived at the classroom, just in time to hear Professor Lupin's footsteps coming from the corridor. They were all wondering why there was a long blue carpet spread down the centre of the room. Lupin entered the room, and stood up at the front of the class.
"Hello, class. Today we will be learning some more spells to help you in battle. The spells that you learn will then be put into practice, which explains the blue mat. You see when you have learnt the spells, you are going to use them in a duel." Excitement and nerves ran throughout the class, after heading the Professor's words. "Now, I about to conjure an Unreal Enemy, usually known as a UE. A UE is basically a wizard, that isn't real, doesn't exist, fight back, or talk and walk. But spells and charms can be performed on it to full effect, without risking injuries. Now, watch carefully as I perform four simple spells." Lupin stepped back, and pointed his wand at the Unreal Enemy.
"Trihaza!" he yelled, as blue and white sparks zoomed out of his wand, as the enemy froze still, and dropped to the ground. "The Trihaza spell paralyses your opponents entire body. Next."
Lupin used the usual charm movement, flick and swish, as he muttered the spell 'Bula-Buyaha' the enemy just moved its head around as if looking for something. "Right, that spell might had looked useless, but in a battle it can be very effective. The Bula-Buyaha spell, causes your opponent to lose his memory for a brief moment, giving you chance to fight back."
Lupin stepped back again, and pointed his arm out straight at the enemy. "Prenon!" he yelled. The Unreal Enemy fell backwards, and landed flat on its backside. "Well, I think you can see what that basic, yet effective spell does. Onto the next and last spell."
"Blindovara," bellowed Lupin, the enemy clutched it's head in it's hands as Lupin held his wand in the same position, once he let go the spell was lifted, and the enemy was revived. "That spell blinds your opponent, until you change the position of your wand. Right, grab a partner and then I will pick a couple of you to duel."
After about twenty minutes of practice, Lupin announced that Draco would be Duelling Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy won.
"Right, I think we have time for one more duel. Potter, Weasley, your good friends, have a friendly duel." Harry gulped, he knew Lupin was unaware of his and Ron's argument, but he still felt a little annoyed. He wasn't about to back down though as he saw Ron at the far end of the carpet, his wand out ready. Harry stepped at the other end, with his wand out.
"Duel!" called Lupin.
"Fira!" yelled Ron, an array of red and orange sparks flew at Harry, sending him flying backwards. He knew he doing this activity would anger Madam Pomfrey, but he really had no choice. He stumbled up to his feet, but he was down again as Ron used the same spell.
"Come on Harry, can't you fight after I weakened you?" Ron called.
"I won't fight you Ron, this is wrong. We're friends and Hermione shouldn't come between us!" Harry shouted back.
"You're the one that loves her! And it's not fair that she doesn't like me, when she likes you. Why do you get everything Harry? Why?" Ron stormed out of the room, leaving the class and Lupin in shock.
"Well," said Lupin, breaking the awkward silence that had developed. "Maybe we should end this lesson now, off you go, all of you."
Harry and Hermione walked quickly outside. They went to the place that Harry had taken her at the start of the year. They sat down on the bench and there was a long silence. Hermione knew that Harry just liked to come here and think, so she didn't say anything for a while, bit when she did, she knew that she wanted to say.
"Hermione, I'm sorry about all of this, I never thought that us having a relationship would ruin our friendship like this. I understand if you want to leave me."
Hermione shook her head. "I don't want to leave you Harry. We'll get through this, and at some point we will have a chance to have a real relationship. But, Harry there is another thing on my mind…I listened to what Ron said…and he said something about you loving me…is that true?"