The unbreakable vow

           Snowwasswirlingagainsttheicywindowsoncemore;Christmaswasapproachingfast.HagridhadalreadysinglehandedlydeliveredtheusualtwelveChristmastreestotheGreatHall;garlandsofhollyandtinselhadbeentwistedaroundthebanistersofthestairs;everlastingcandlesglowedfrominsidethehelmetsofsuitsofarmorandgreatbunchesofmistletoehadbeenhungatintervalsalongthecorridors.LargegroupsofgirlstendedtoconvergeunderneaththemistletoebuncheseverytimeHarrywentpast,whichcausedblockagesinthecorridors;fortunately,however,Harry’sfrequentnighttimewanderingshadgivenhimanunusuallygoodknowledgeofthecastle’ssecretpassageways,sothathewasoften,withouttoomuchdifficulty,tonavigatemistletoe-freeroutesbetweenclasses.

           Ron,whomightoncehavefoundthenecessityofthesedetoursexcuseforjealousyratherthanhilarity,simplyroaredwithlaughteraboutitall.AlthoughHarrymuchpreferredthisnewlaughing,jokingRontothemoody,aggressivemodelhehadbeenenduringforthelastfewweeks,theimprovedRoncameataheavyprice.Firstly,HarryhadtoputupwiththefrequentpresenceofLavenderBrown,whoseemedtoregardanymomentthatshewasnotkissingRonasamomentwasted;andsecondly,Harryfoundhimselfoncemorethebestfriendoftwopeoplewhoseemedunlikelyevertospeaktoeachotheragain.

           Ron,whosehandsandforearmsstillborescratchesandcutsfromHermione’sbirdattack,wastakingadefensiveandresentfultone.

           "Shecan’tcomplain,"hetoldHarry."ShesnoggedKrum.