Uncomfortable Truths

Chapter Seventeen - Zabini

Harry and Ron find Hermoine on her way to the Great Hall. She can tell that her friends had a rough afternoon and not just by the red in their eyes. In fairness, the red in Harry's eyes could be caused by the amount of alcohol he consumed earlier but she doubts that.

"And where have you two been?" Hermoine hooks her arm into Ron's.

"Harry passed out in a passageway for hours, once he showed back up, we hung out in his room. Where have you been?"

Harry tries to kick Ron's foot but stumbles instead.

Ignoring the two boys, "I've been in the library, working on our History of Magic essay. There are some fascinating books on Veela's and how they've affected the institution of marriage in Spain and France. I'm considering using the established laws France has and comparing them to the outdated laws Britian has concerning werewolves. There are a lot of things that need to change within the Ministry and if I focus this year on studying the issues, then maybe, I'll be able to start changing things for the better earlier in my career."

"That's nice." Harry tuned her out right after the word library, but still wants to encourage whatever she's on about... be supportive and all.

"Will you actually be sitting with us today or will you ask to be sorted into Hufflepuff?" Hermoine teases, knowing full well they both stopped paying attention to what she had to say.

"If I must." Harry sniffs and smiles.

"Wow, mate, you've spent too much time with that prat." Ron gawks.

"It's a pretty good imitation though? Yeah?"

"It's very nice, Harry." Hermoine loves seeing the smile return to Harry's face, regardless of how it got there.

The three of them sit at the Gryffindor table and wait for the food to appear.

"Harry!" Neville slides in next to him. "Did you talk to Malfoy?"

"What?" Harry tries to think back to lunch, no, Neville wasn't there. "What are you talking about?"

"He spent all day talking to Malfoy... I guess you need to be more specific." Ron scowls.

Hermoine looks between Ron and Harry, obviously she's missed something important. "What's going on?"

"About this morning?" Neville prompts, "You know, Blaise said one of us had to talk Malfoy into it."

"I don't remember." Harry puts his head down on his arms, today hurts his brain.

"What are you trying to talk Malfoy into?" Ginny asks as she sits next to Ron. "He's a jerk... so is your Ravenclaw friend. They're both jerks."

"Go away Ginny." Harry mumbles.

"I need to ask you something first, then I'll go away."

"No."

"Harry, Neville, Ron, hi Hermoine." Ernie sits across from Harry. Justin joins them, sitting next to Ginny and scowling.

"Which one of you talked to Malfoy?" Justin asks, "I'm not doing it, I don't think he likes me much this year."

"Why, because he didn't want you to sit at our own table today?" Ernie laughs.

"I don't know what I did, we were fine before... ok, not sixth year and I wasn't here last year but those were bad times for all of us." Justin frowns, "Before that though we got on just fine... considering our Houses and all."

"I think Harry should ask him?" Neville thinks, "He actually talks to you."

"No. We should get Theo to ask him." Ron really doesn't want Harry to spend any extra time with that git if he can help it.