Lucy Jones 3: Blackbird

11 They don't talk

Harry gets his broom back and tries to put everything behind them. Until Ron comes to the other three and accuses Crookshanks of eating his rat: 'Your stupid cat.' Harry takes his side after Ron shows the girls the red hairs he found. When Hermione runs off, Lucy follows her, giving them an angry stare. Hermione is correct. It could have been someone else, and Scabbers could have run off.

Ron doesn't let anyone forget it. He brings it up in any way he can. In the beginning, Lucy tries talking with him and ignores some of it. Then it's the match against Ravenclaw. Gryffindor won.

'Harry, that was amazing.' Lucy says, taking a piece of cake.

She looks at Hermione and walks over to her: 'Hey, take a piece.'

'Thank you, Lucy, I have to read it... Otherwise... But enjoy the party.' Hermione almost laughs.

'If Scabbers wasn't eaten, I could have given him some of these.' Ron roars.

Hermione's face falls, and she closes the book and runs upstairs.

'Can you stop?' Harry asks him.

'NO!' Ron says fiercely: 'She isn't even sorry. She acts like Scabbers is on vacation or something.'

Lucy walks over to him and almost shouts: 'I'm done with it. Crookshanks is a cat, and the way cats act will never change. And if you think Hermione isn't sorry, you're an idiot.' She runs upstairs and sees Hermione lying in bed with Crookshanks and Mina at her side.

That night, Sirius Black gets inside the castle. He doesn't get far, only because Ron woke up and screamed.

After the attack by Sirius Black, Ron gets a lot of attention. They want to hear firsthand what happened that night.

Ron and Harry sit in Hagrid's cabin. He invited them for tea.

'Buckbeak's hearing is Friday.' Hagrid says: 'There is something I must say about Hermione and Lucy.'

'What about them?'

'They're having a real hard time. First, you're avoiding them because of the firebolt and now because...'

'Hermione's cat ate Scabbers.' Ron says.

'... Hermione's cat did what cats do. Hermione has all her lessons, and they both have been very helpful with Buckhead's trial. I may even stand a change now...' Hagrid finishes.

'We should have helped with that as well.' Harry says.

'I'm not saying you should have. But I thought your friends were more important to you than a broom or a rat.' Hagrid says.

Harry sits uncomfortably and looks at Ron: 'If she got rid of her cat, I wouldn't be angry anymore.' He states.

'People and their pets.' Hagrid says.

Harry and Ron decide that going to Hogsmeade is a good idea. Hermione tries to stop them. It isn't appreciated.

Lucy and Hermione stay at the castle. Lucy helps Hermione with homework, and Hagrid tells them about Buckbeak's hearing. It didn't go very well. They lost.

'We must tell them.' Hermione says, looking at Harry and Ron.

'They're not going to listen.' Lucy says, but she walks in their direction anyway. Lucy follows.

'You're here to laugh with us?' Ron says.

'I told you, Hermione. It's no use.' Lucy tells them. Harry has mixed emotions showing on his face. He is sad, but there is also some determination.

'Hagrid lost the case. Buckbeak is convicted.' Hermione tells them.

It takes a lost case for Harry and Ron to talk to the girls again. Hermione apologizes for Scabbers, and now they work together on Buckbeak's case. Lucy and Ron read all the books and consider how to use them. Hermione has so many lessons, and Harry has the pressure of Quidditch. Even if there is only one more match to go.