The Golden Wand [Harry Potter/Percy Jackson]

Chapter 2: The Argo

Hermione POV:

"No, Ronald, it was an Acromantula, the Furnunculus charm and then Celestine Warbeck!" Hermione argued. It was Tuesday evening; the three of us and Ginny were hanging out in the common room, talking about our applications for the Golden Tournament. With the other schools due to arrive tomorrow, practically the whole school was buzzing with excitement, us included. Amongst questions of whether the famous Victor Krum would give out autographs, or whether any of the Beauxbatons girls would be single, every student was wondering whether they did well in their interviews to get in to the tournament. Harry and Ginny had done theirs on Monday, both having done terrifically well. As for Ron... well, he hadn't even got through the question round without making a few mistakes.

"But the furnunculus charm heals fungus! I read that in my charms book just last week!" He argued.

"No, the furnunculus charm makes boils appear on your opponents skin - why would they ask for a charm about healing if this is a competition about strength and duelling?"

Ron huffed angrily, he wouldn't meet my eyes. I hated when he got like this; the boy was too stubborn and proud.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot I was just your stupid boyfriend," He mumbled.

"Don't be like that, I was only trying to help," I scowled back.

"Yeah, well I didn't need your help," He replied. "I don't need you being so condescending all the time."

"Condescending? I just wanted to tell you what charm it was. You literally asked me to tell you what charm it was!"

"Do you have to be so god damn smart all the time?"

"What's wrong with me being smart? Only last week you were bragging that I was the smartest wizard in Europe!"

"And there it is - that's the truth of it, isn't it? You just want to be known as the smart one, and I'll just be your happy, dumb boyfriend."

"I never said that! You're saying that yourself, Ronald."

"Stop calling me Ronald!"

"You're being pathetic, really!" I moaned. He had forced me to slam my book shut. The room had gone quiet now. People knew how angry I was when I was forced to close my book.

"Me, pathetic?"

"You're just angry that you didn't do well in the interview."

Shit. I shouldn't have said that.

"It went well!" He yelled angrily. Harry flinched away from him slightly, thinking no one else would notice. The whole room was staring at us now. Harry and Ginny sat in silence, trying to look at the floor, trying to edge away, failing. Trapped.

"I know, I'm sorry," I stuttered quickly. "It probably went really well, Ronald, I just meant that-"

"Oh fuck off, Hermione!" He scowled. I stared up at him, hurt. He was standing now, we were both standing. I hated him for being so tall. He hated me for hitting a nerve. We couldn't ever talk about feelings these days without one of us getting hurt. "You're so fucking condescending, all the time. Of course, you have nothing to worry about. Harry Potter and perfect Ms Granger will do just fine. Head Girl and Dumbledore's favourite, you two have nothing to worry about. The teachers were probably on their knees begging for you to enter the competition."

"Ron, will you stop yelling? You're not making sense! You're Head Boy, so don't use that insult on me. And will you stop getting so caught up on this competition - it's only a game!"

"Only a game? Hermione, this is the most prestigious Wizarding competitions in the world. The victor wins thousands of pounds and world-class fame!"