And he regrets it. His second year is nothing but a horror. Now, even in the Wizarding World, he’s a freak, and he hates it. Talking to snakes? It’s harmless, isn’t it? But now they fear him, at least some of them. (Part of him thinks that’s better, better than the ones that are cruel, but he pushes that part down. He doesn’t want to be mean, even if it means being safe, doesn’t he?) As much as they try to hide it, Ron and Hermione get that look in their eyes too, that hint of worry. It gets worse when Hermione is petrified too. Ron may be able to keep it from his actions, but he’s terrified.