Demigods at Hogwarts 2 (Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince)

Chapter 20

Harry POV

"The Hogsmeade trip is cancelled," complained Ron. "It was on my birthday."

"Did you expect them to allow it after what happened to Katie?" Annabeth asked.

"Not really," Ron said.

We nestled back in our chairs and did more of our homework.

One by one, we gave up and went to bed.

"Happy Birthday, Ron," I yawned, throwing my gift over to him.

There was a pile of gifts on the end of his bed, delivered during the night. Ron was tearing through them, wrapping paper covering the floor beside him.

"Thanks Harry, quiddich gloves!"

Ron opened all the presents, clearly having the time of his life. I checked the Marauders Map, to see if Malfoy was on it, and not missing again.

"Want one?" Ron held up Chocolate Cauldron.

"No," I said, still preoccupied with the map.

Ron continued to eat the chocolates.

I put the map away and started toward the door. I was halfway there when I realised that Ron wasn't following.

"Ron?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Did you just eat Chocolate Cauldrons for breakfast?"

What I didn't expect was for Ron to profess his love for someone.

Percy POV

I walked into the dorm. The others had gone down from breakfast, but I'd forgotten to give Ron my present and figured I should deliver it now.

"Harry I can't stand it, I'm in love."

"With Lavender? We know." I said, leaning against the bedpost and wishing I had some popcorn.

"No of course not, with Romilda."

"Who is Romilda?" I looked at Harry for help.

Harry looked like he was in shock. At least that meant he probably knew what was going on.

"Yeah I know where we can find Romilda, come with me."

Ron followed Harry down the stairs, and we walked through the corridors. I slowed to walk next to Harry so we were just out of earshot of Ron, who was running ahead of us.

"Who on earth is Romilda?"

"Some girl who gave me love potion spiked Chocolate Cauldrons, and Ron accidently ate them. We're going to Slughorn's for a cure."

"Harry are we almost there?" asked Ron impatiently.

"Yep, it's just around the corner."

We made it to the office, and Slughorn sat us down. He made an antidote and gave it to Ron.

"What the bloody hell is going on?" Ron said.

"You accidently ate some love potion."

"Great."

"Do you want something to drink? I have butterbeer, some oak matured mead."

There was something dodgy about the mead, but I could tell what it was. I probably should have concentrated on it harder, but I was distracted by the idea of the love potion, and why someone had used it.

Slughorn poured it out, and we raised our cups to Ron.

Ron and I took a sip, then Ron dropped the grass, and started to foam the mouth. I was feeling awful, but I knew I'd had less than Ron had.

"Ron!" exclaimed Harry.

"Do something," he instructed Slughorn, but Slughorn didn't move.

The world was a little blurry, and I fumbled in my pocked for some ambrosia. I found a slightly crumbled square and ate it. It wasn't the worst I'd ever felt, but it wasn't pleasant.

Harry ran into Slughorn's store cupboards and fumbled through the jars until he found a bezoar, which he shoved down Ron's throat.

"Are you alright Percy?" Slughorn asked.

"I've felt worse."

"You were just poisoned."

"Not the first time. Worry about Ron."

Ron had stopped shaking, and now lay still on the floor.

Annabeth POV

I had been studying with Hermione when we found out that Ron and Percy had been poisoned. It was typical of Percy to get poisoned, but Hermione was going crazy with worry about Ron.

"Hermione, relax, he'll be fine."

She didn't reply.

Fred, George, Ginny, and Harry were standing around. They discussed how they ended up being poisoned, but I only listened. Hermione contributed nothing.

"Er-my-nee," Ron muttered.