Chapter 10: Confrontation

Tony looked up at me in confusion as I stood up from my desk. Most of the kids were asleep, and those who weren't either didn't notice or care. They probably thought I was skipping the lecture. Binns didn't even notice and simply kept spouting verbatim at the non responsive class. 

As I slowly walked towards the red head, Ron quieted down. Once he noticed I was walking towards him specifically he shut up completely. Finally, I reached his seat.

"Uh… Can I help you mate?" Ron asked, nonplussed. 

"Yeah, you can help me by shutting up. I have had to listen to you making fun of your housemate for the past ten minutes. I'm sick of it, she's sick of it, everyone is sick and tired of you constantly berating her. So please, just be a little nicer." It came out far ruder than I initially wanted, but it got the point across. 

Ron's cheeks lit up to match his hair as he stuttered a response. 

"What's it to you? Everyone knows she's nothing but an annoying, bossy, know-it-all." Instead of backing down, Ron flared up in indignation. He truly believed it was okay for him to make fun of her just because she was taking notes and wasn't very friendly. A little teasing was fine, it built character, but if Ron was this mean on the first day, I couldn't imagine how Hermione felt all the way leading up to Halloween. No wonder she ran off to cry alone. It probably wasn't the first time that happened either. 

"At least she knows something, unlike you. You've lived in the magical world for all your life and know nothing. She's lived it for a few months and has already surpassed you. To me, it sounds like your jealousy was poking through." By now, Hermione's face was redder than the Gryffindor common room out of embarrassment from someone defending her so publicly. Ron's face quickly caught up in color to Hermione, out of rage instead of embarrassment. 

"Shut up, what do you know anyways? You're not a gryffindor, you don't have any say in this. I'll say what I want." 

By now, I could tell his emotions were getting the better of him and making him say things he wouldn't normally say, but I couldn't care less. Bullying was one thing I wouldn't tolerate. Especially someone as bright as Hermione. If he managed to break her spirit early on, the wizarding world would lose one of the most intelligent witches alive. Not to mention a future Minister of Magic. 

I knew Ron wouldn't relent anytime soon so I decided to drop it, but not before issuing some parting words towards Harry who had been listening in this whole time. 

"I've got to say I'm disappointed. I've heard great things about you, Harry Potter. I know they aren't true, but I thought you'd at least amount to more than a bully." I turned heel and walked back to my desk, not even understanding how much my words shook Harry. While he didn't actively bully Hermione like Ron, he allowed it to happen, which in my opinion makes you guilty by association. 

As I sat back down into my desk and continued reading, Harry was engrossed in thought. Once I had said he was a bully, his mind immediately jumped towards Dudley and all of the horrible things that happened to him. He reviewed the last day and noticed how Ron had made fun of Hermione for simply being different, just like Dudley. Harry suddenly found himself feeling sick to his stomach at the thought of being anything like his tormentor. 

While Ron ranted to him about how annoying that random Ravenclaw was, Harry subconsciously scooted away from him. He wouldn't give up on his first friend that easily, but the seeds of doubt were planted. If Ron continued his behavior, Harry would drift further and further away. 

Soon after my outburst, the bell rang announcing the end of the day. Unlike Flitwick, Binns assigned us five inches on the Goblin Revolution of 1262. On our way to the library, Tony grilled me on my outburst. 

"What was that all about? I know Ron was being a prick but I didn't think you were the type to make a scene like that." Tony inquired. To be fair, it wasn't normally something I'd do. I had only witnessed a little bit of Ron's bullying, both in History of Magic and Charms. The reason I stood up for Hermione so fast was my future knowledge. 

I knew how bad the bullying got at a certain point and how miserable Hermione was. Not to mention that if the troll attack changed in any way, such as Hermione picking a different bathroom to cry in or not leaving at all, they would never become friends and Hermione would continue to get bullied. 

No, I thought it was best to nip this problem in the bud. Hermione was brilliant and Harry needed all the help he could get in the future fight against Voldemort. Plus, she simply didn't deserve that. I already was resigned to changing the plot, so I may as well go all the way. In for a penny in for a pound. If I had the ability to make the world a better place, I would, as long as it doesn't directly mess with me or my plans. 

I'm still my own number one, but helping Hermione didn't affect me at all, except for turning Ron against me and Hermione towards me. A worthy trade in my opinion. 

"I just really don't like bullying." Is what I ended up saying to Tony. 

After that Tony dropped the subject. We continued to make our way to the library to get a jump on our first assignment of the year. Michael quickly joined us as we were making our way. Terry and Kevin were not far behind, but they were deep in conversation about which Quidditch team was better between their two favorites. 

Once we reached the library, we went searching for the correct book to complete our homework. Once we found it, we all sat down at a large table in a corner of the library. Soon Su and Lisa joined us and we began our work.