Me and You // Ronarry {Discontinued}

Part 10

Before I get into this chapter, I just have one small request: Please do not ask for updates, especially since classes have started a few weeks ago and I am busy with that. If you have done this before, it's not a big deal, just try to remember in the future.

Summary: The rest of the term could've gone better. But at least it didn't go worse.

The relief at having Hagrid back was unfortunately short-lived. Umbridge inspected his first Care of Magical Creatures lesson for the term, in which Hagrid had started on thestrals. It hadn't gone well. Ron remembered how pleased Umbridge had been with Professor Grubbly-Plank in comparison and had a feeling Hagrid wouldn't last long. He hoped he was wrong.

Still, Ron couldn't say he quite enjoyed being in the presence of creatures he couldn't even see. It did explain what Harry saw as they were getting into the carriage, though. Ron had wanted to believe him, but when you can't see something, you're bound to have some doubts of its existence.

With December came more homework and, for Ron and Hermione, more prefect duties. Ron began to envy Harry for not having to deal with Peeves, cheeky first and second years, and the cantankerous Argus Filch.

"You're doing great," said Harry when Ron had complained about a particular group of first years who had run him ragged. "You have way more patience than I do."

Ron grunted, but he found the next time he had to watch over the first years to be less stressful.

The only source of positivity now was the D.A. meetings, the only time anyone truly seemed alive. On the last meeting before the holidays, Harry had them going over spells they've already covered.

Ron and Hermione teamed up as usual. Hermione barely gave him a chance to get into position before crying, "Impedimenta!"

"I wasn't ready!" Ron protested when he finally unfroze.

"A good wizard is always ready," Hermione replied.

Ron considered this, then raised his wand and said, "Impedimenta!"

Surprise flashed onto Hermione's face just before the jinx hit.

"Like that?" Ron said once she unfroze about a minute later.

Hermione tried to look angry but a smile forced its way onto her face. "Yes."

Next up was the Stunning Charm. Because the of the room's space, only half of the group practiced at a time.

Ron saw Harry watching and, in his eagerness to show him how well he could Stun someone, ended up making Hermione fly into the cushions with a little more force than he anticipated.

Hermione scrambled to her feet, ruffled but obviously determined not to show it.

The lesson ended after an hour. As the students left in their usual small clusters, Harry collected the cushions with Ron and Hermione.

Ron caught sight of Cho hanging back, silent tears running down her face. "I'll be there in a moment," he said to Harry.

Harry nodded and left with Hermione.

Alone now with Cho, Ron approached her. "Hey, Cho, what's wrong?"

Cho jumped. "Oh, it's just... I was thinking... if he'd known it all... he'd still be alive."

Ah, Cedric. Ron should've known. "I'm sure he did. I mean, I wasn't there with him in the maze, but based on what Harry said, it was pretty gruesome. It's just... You-Know-Who was even more so."

"Harry survived when he was a baby," Cho said quietly.

"Yeah, but no one knows how, least of all him," Ron pointed out. "It's not something he likes to think about."