Chapter 691

Allen and Hermione strolled down the train corridor toward the engine, peering through the glass doors into compartment after compartment, until they were surprised to see Ron Weasley, the Gryffindor male prefect who should have been on patrol, leaning against the corridor window outside one compartment, his face ashen.

Ginny and Harry stood on either side of him, speaking to him in very low voices as if they were comforting him.

"Why is everyone... every media outlet... saying I like boys?" Ron drooped, his face carrying an expression of utter despair. "Do I... really like boys and just not know it myself?"

Ginny and Harry exchanged a glance. She seemed to be desperately holding back laughter, but still patted Ron's arm sympathetically.

"Of course you don't..." Harry, who had shot Ginny a glare, had not finished his comforting words before he was interrupted by Parvati Patil, one of the Indian twin sisters in Gryffindor.

"What's there to doubt? What other man besides you would be unfriendly to Madam Rosmerta's waitress right in front of Madam Rosmerta?" Having accidentally overheard their conversation, Parvati pulled her younger sister Padma Patil along and mocked him disdainfully. Romilda Vane, passing by with Lavender Brown, laughed along with her.

Allen looked at Ron's face. Unlike the usual angry flush that rose when he lost his temper, his face had turned pale and hopeless. Thinking of Mr. Arthur Weasley, who was now working for the Harris Family, of Mrs. Weasley, who had always been very warm toward him, and of the Weasley Twins, Allen sighed softly. He walked over and reached out to stop Ginny, who wanted to argue on her brother's behalf.

"I do have a way for you to prove what's in your heart." Under everyone's startled gazes, Allen moved closer.

"What way?" Ron