Chapter 19
The Black Lion
Chapter 19
Harry sat on the worn couch in the Weasleys' living room, the air heavy with tension. It had been months since he’d last spoken to Hermione outside of Neville’s party, where everything had gone wrong. She was now getting immersed in pureblood society, engaged to Draco Malfoy, of all people, and reconnecting with her birth father, Regulus Black. The knowledge that Sirius was her uncle only deepened the growing tension between them.
Shifting uncomfortably as he listened to Molly, Ginny, and Ron's conversation. He tuned them out slightly; it was like the same conversation all the time.
‘Do they ever get tired?’ he thinks to himself as he tunes back into the conversation.
Molly’s disapproval was as sharp as ever.
“Hermione’s too full of herself now, thinking she’s better than the rest of us because of that Black inheritance,” Molly huffed.
"She’s just gone pureblood mad! Thinks she’s better than us because she’s now Heir Black!" Ron had spat, his face red and blotchy. "I knew this would happen. I warned you, didn’t I?"
Molly had nodded in agreement. "I always told you, dear. That girl was trouble. Too much ambition, too much cleverness for her own good."
Even Ginny had chimed in. "She’s probably happy to be rid of us. Probably why she didn’t want to be with Ron.”
Molly's face begins to turn red and blotchy at that statement. “My son is too good for that trollop anyways. Remember, she’s a Black. They're all mad anyways; he could do better than her.”
Harry clenched his fists. Every time he heard this, guilt swelled in his chest. He hadn’t spoken to Hermione since the party, not because he wanted to, but because he’d been too stubborn and ashamed. Hermione had broken things off with Ron because she didn’t love him. That should have been enough, but Harry had let Molly and Ron’s words twist him into choosing sides.
‘You’ve always picked Ron's side over hers.’ a voice echoes in his ear. He feels even more guilty. He knew it was true in the end, it had costed him not only Hermione but Sirius who was the only last connection to his parents he had.
When Molly and Ron started badmouthing Sirius because he allowed Hermione to stay with him, Harry started pulling away from his Godfather. They would whisper things in his ear, such as that Hermione didn’t pick Ron because she was sleeping with his Godfather.
‘Lies’ a voice would whisper in his ear, but he didn’t stand up for them; he only sat silently, such as he is doing now.
‘Coward, Unloyal.’ the voice begins to whisper in his ear again. That voice had been so consistent in his head for the last couple of months that he just started to push it to the back.
“You’d do well to stay away from her, Harry. That girl’s bringing nothing but trouble now. And Sirius, well, we always knew he was a bad influence. No telling what influence Regulus Black will be” Molly states, giving him a stern face.
He rubbed his temples as a headache began to bloom behind his eyes. His magic felt sluggish, like something within him was fighting..Taking a deep breath, Harry pulled out his wand. Maybe reading a little would help clear his mind.
“Wingardium Leviosa.” He whispers.
Nothing happened. The book didn’t even twitch. A cold weight settled in Harry’s chest.
He tried again. “Wingardium Leviosa!”
Still nothing. A flicker of frustration surged through him. Why wasn’t this working?
“Something wrong, Harry?” Ron asked, his tone was playful, but he could hear the mockery as well.
Harry didn’t answer. Instead, he tried again, this time with another spell. “Accio book!”
The book on the nearby table didn’t even tremble.
“What’s the matter?” Ginny teased. “Forgot how to do basic magic?”
But Harry wasn’t listening anymore. He kept trying the spell with more force. Just as he was about to give up, something inside him snapped. His magic, bottled up and restless, lashed out like a beast breaking free from its cage.
A deafening crack split the air, and a shockwave burst from Harry like a pulse of raw energy. The walls trembled, and the picture frames clattered to the floor. The fireplace roared to life with green and gold flames before dying just as quickly. A gust of wind sent Ron and Ginny stumbling backward, Ron swearing as he shielded his face. Molly shrieked as a vase shattered near her feet.