Ron and Hermione's Friendship Strained Over Scabbers

PAGES: 252-253

Tensions between Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger reach a breaking point as Ron accuses Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, of eating his missing pet rat, Scabbers. Despite Hermione's insistence that there is no proof, Ron's anger grows. Harry Potter tries to mediate, but Hermione lashes out at him as well, feeling blamed for everything. The strain between the trio becomes more evident.