The Brown Letter Day

[ChianaWeasley]

You know the saying 'this is a red letter day'? Well, this is a "Brown letter day". Bit of a cheesy play on words, I admit it.

A battle is struck between Lavender and Hermione over...well you can probably guess by now. ;)

Based on the characters created by J. K. Rowling and owned by Warner Brothers Inc....

Let the mayhem begin!

[ChianaWeasley]

Chapter One
'Gut Sucker Punch'

Hermione felt the excitement and Quidditch spirit flowing through her as she headed back to the common room. The rest of Gryffindor's students pushing past her, proudly discussing Potter's game-ending catch. She smiled to herself when she thought back, watching them soar across the field, back and forth. Harry had flown superbly as always. Ron had improved greatly, though it could have had something to do with Harry slipping something into his drink that morning.

She and Harry would have to talk about that later.

For now she looked forward to the usual celebration in the common room, though she doubted how great since the twins were no longer at Hogwarts. Usually she didn't take advantage of the parties, but this time she hoped to spend some time with Ron and Harry.

The first and second students rushed past her in a flutter of robes. All of them flushed from the chilled breeze of the pitch stands, two boys stuck out in particular.

"Bloody brilliant!" the tawny haired boy bragged.

"Never thought he had a chance! Slytherin almost had it, but...wham!"

"Weasley did splendid, and I heard he was bollocks last year!"

Hermione grinned proudly at this. Ron had begun to live up to his family name on the Quidditch field. He just had a problem with nerves.

"That one block was just off the tip of his finger!" The black haired boy jumped into the air, waving his hand to imitate Ron's last block.

She felt herself blushing at the thought of his red hair blowing about in the wind, his laughter getting lost as he flew into the draft. The summer days where he'd taught her to stay seated on a broomstick, in the small field behind the Burrow.

The memory was still on her mind, the image of them both seated on his old Comet, when she walked into the blaring common room. The twin's old banner fluttered over the fireplace, piles of food sat upon the tables and chairs. Crowds of students strown about, making it hard to find her two best friends.

She pushed her windblown hair out of her eyes, and stood on her tiptoes trying to find them. She felt a flutter in her chest, when she thought of hugging Ron and kissing him on the cheek. The only time she could get away with such an act of adoration.

She felt her warmth of bodies about her banishing the chill from her fingers and toes. Quickly skirting around a group of third years, she caught sight of scarlet Quidditch robes.

"Ron?" she called, trying to see over the tall heads.

Red hair.

A sight that could send her stomach into flip flops over the past year. She pushed quickly past the crowd, heading toward the tuft of red hair she could barely see.

"Ron!" she cried happily, shoving Seamus out of the way.

She felt the air leave her stomach, as if she'd been hit with the 'Expelliarimus' charm.

Ron was....kissing Lavender.

[Chelsea]

Very good first chapter! Update soon!

[ChianaWeasley]

Ron wasn't kissing Lavender.

'He's not kissing Lavender.' Hermione attempted to tell herself, her jaw suddenly locked in an open mouthed gape.

Although she was trying to dispell the scene before her, the proof was all infront of her. Ron Weasley was standing near a corner, attempting to reach Lavender's tonsils. Meanwhile Lavender seemed to be exploring as much Weasley as possible while she still had air left.

'Oh god.'

Hermione couldn't seem to get words to come from her mouth. She couldn't yell. The name 'Ron' still hung from her lips, the '-on' lodged in her throat.

'Oh god.'

Though her half-spoken greeting hadn't seemed to of roused Ron's attention, Lavender had certainly noticed. She broke away from the red-faced Weasley and grinned broadly in Hermione's direction.

"Hello Hermione! Splendid game wasn't it?" She asked sweetly, a look of triumph glued to her face. Ron who had been slightly dazed before, quickly came to when he heard Hermione's name. Her hand stroked Ron's chest, the Gryffindor Quidditch emblem beneath her fingers. She waited for a reply, as if her position with Ron was completely natural.

For a split second the image of her and Ron on a broomstick by the Burrow flashed in Hermione's head, and then faded. Finally she managed to shut her mouth, and some how managed to nod.

Ron stood looking down at her. His eyes were rounded with surprise, and then receded back to their normal size. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but Lavender beat him to it.

"Just a bit of personal celebration!" she cooed.

Hermione's throat tightened, and she felt tears threaten. Her vision blurred slightly, making her grateful she could not clearly see the two of them still wrapt in each other's arms. She suddenly felt like throwing up as her stomach continued to contract.

"Right..."she murmured, doing the only thing that seemed logical at the moment. A turned quickly on her heel, pushing her way back through to the portrait hole. No longer able to see who was infront of her through the tears, she blindly pushed people out of her way.

"Hermio-" she heard Harry ask, as she knocked past him and out the door. Leaving the sound of celebration reverberating through the halls, her sniffing the only other noise.

The hot tears burned as she dripped down her cheeks, the image of Ron and Lavender fresh in her mind. She began running down the corridor to the only place she knew noone would bother her; the Prefect's bathroom.

"Password!" the young monk demanded as she stopped in front of the painting.

"Snitch." The word mumbled with a sharp sob. Covering her mouth, she stepped into the brightly lit, marbled room and shut the door behind her.

Knowing she was entirely alone, slidding down the door, no longer held in her tears.

************************************************** *********
Ginny had followed Harry into the Gryffindor common room, her hair still tumbled from the windy pitch. They had been the last to get off the feild and to the celebration. They'de only been inside a few short moments, when Hermione had rushed past them looking as if she were about to burst into tears.

"Hermio-" Harry began, being shoved aside as their bushy hair friend rushed past. Harry looked at Ginny confused, seeing if perhaps she knew what was going on. "What in the-"

Ginny stepped ahead of him, knocking students aside as she yelled over the noise, "I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Now." Harry quickly followed, listening to the complaints and congratulations as they shoved their way through.

Ginny suddenly stopped in her tracks, nearly sending Harry head first into her. In front of her stood Ron and Lavender, very busy in each other's arms.

"Ron?" Harry asked, a moment unsure if the red-head before him was Ron.

"Oh no!" Ginny moaned, turned about again, "I'll go talk to her." And was off back into the crowd, leaving Harry to stand watching the two. Ron looked over in Harry's direction, and quickly broke away from Lavender. He smiled guiltily, scratching the back of his neck.

"Oh hey Harry!" she sighed, "Thought maybe Granger was bothering us again." She rolled her eyes.

Harry looked to Ron, who was suddenly very interested in his shoes.

************************************************** *******

[Chelsea]

It keeps getting better and better!

[ChianaWeasley]

Ginny looked around the deserted corridor, trying to think of the places Hermione could have gone. There was always the library, but if Hermione were this upset she wouldn't want anyone to bother her. Especially not the head librarian. There was Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, but there again who wants a ghost in their face while they cry? Thats when it hit her.

The prefect bathroom.

Noone ever used the prefect bathroom, except for when Percy was still in school. It was the only place that gaurenteed privacy after a Quidditch victory. Hermione had to be there.

Ginny hurried down the corridor, trying to remember where exactly the Prefect bathroom was. She recalled something about a bowl of fruit or a mermaid. Busy deciding which guess was more likely she nearly walked past the merman portrait.

"Excuse me..." she asked, wondering exactly how she was going to get in. The merman looked her up an down suspiciously, waiting for her to speak. "By any chance, did a girl go through her about...five minutes ago?"

He nodded rigidly. "Yes, seemed rather distressed at the time. Knew the password so of course I let her in. Poor thing." Ginny's heart pulled at the thought of Hermione being so heart broken.

"Well, I was wondering if I could go in and retrieve her?" she wondered, pointing at the door sitting behind the portrait. The merman raised what would have been an eyebrow slowly in distrust. "See, otherwise I wouldn't ask to go in, but she's very upset."

The merman nodded, "She was quite upset."

"Well then, please, may I go talk with her?"

The merman considered for a moment, looking her Quidditch robes up and down.

"I hear it was quite a game," he diverted, nodding to her robes. She looked down at her chest, wondering what exactly he was staring at. She'd forgotten to put her normal robes back on in all the excitement.

"Yes, it was," she agreed impatiently. "Could I-"

"Heard that Potter boy made an excellent catch! I'm a bit of a fan myself, like to hear the sports report from the knight," he explained, cutting her off.

"Yes, very excellent."

"Nearly to lost it to Slytherin I hear, would have been a shame!"

"Yes, quite."

"But thankfully you caught it."

"I caught what?"

"The ehm...." he nodded as if expecting her to finish his sentence. Suddenly Ginny realized what he was getting at when he dramatically began waving his hands in forgetfulness, "You know...whatsitcalled...do help me out here?"

"You mean the snitch?" she asked carefully. The merman snapped his fingers, the portrait swinging open.

"Spot on!"

Ginny rushed to the door, but went back to the portrait for a moment, "thanks!" And then quickly went through, letting the door slam behind her.

"Knew she'd catch on eventually..."

Inside the bathroom Ginny looked about for her friend. Being the Prefect bathroom it was far more extravagent than the normal sized ones, making it a bit more difficult to find someone.

A faint sniffling could be heard across the large, swimming pool sized tub.

"Hermione?" she called out softly, walking around the edge of the tub. She turned the corner to find her friend sitting against a marble pilar, a large wad of tissue in her hand. Hermione looked up, her face giving away how hard she'd been crying. "Oh Hermione..." she sighed, kneeling down beside her.

Hermione pulled her knees against her chest, wiping her nose with the wilted tissue. Her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks streaked with tears and flaming red. Her nose was irritated and was beginning to run.

"You saw them then?" she guessed, motioning weakly toward the door. Ginny nodded sadly, running a hand through Hermione's curls to try and comfort her.

"Hermione, I-"

"Don't. Don't make excuses for him!" she snapped, wiping her nose again.

"Excuse?" she laughed, "Hermione I think he's the biggest git in the world at this very moment, and I dont intend to say anything on his behalf! Or hers!" She sneered as she mentioned Lavender.

"Not that I should be shocked or anything," Hermione reasoned, "Lavender has never bothered to hide her feelings. She never argues with him, or-or picked fights with him." New tears trickling down her cheeks.

"Don't for one second think she's more deserving of my brother than you!" Ginny scolded, standing up to get more tissues and then plopped back down on the floor. Hermione plucked two more, tossing the other one aside.

"I'd just-just thought that..." she began, twisting the tissues up in her hand. "Oh! I don't know what I thought! It was obviously wrong!" Hermione scoffed loudly at herself, tossing the tissues up in the air. They fluttered back into her lap forgotten.

Ginny tried to think of something to say to comfort one of her closest friends, though she herself did not understand what she'd just seen. 'This isn't right. It wasn't supposed to be Ron and Lavender. I was supposed to be them!' She didn't think Hermione's guess was wrong either.

"But why her?" Hermione wondered desperately. "I mean, she bloody well thinks Trelawny's the greatest teacher Hogwarts ever had! She didn't get that many owls! The only time I've ever seen her in the library was when Viktor was here for the Triwizard tournament!"

"If you're trying to get at the fact she's a complete nitwit, than yes you're absolutley right," Ginny agreed.

"So that's what he wants then? A stupid, bubbly, nitwit who couldn't properly transfigure a cup into a-a fork?!" Hermione asked angrily to herself.

'S'not what I thought he wanted at all. I thought he wanted you Hermione.'

Hermione took her friend's silence as agreement. "Well fine, if thats what he wants then he can have it! See if I give a care about it!" she declared, though Ginny could tell from her tone that she really did. "Not that I ever really cared in the first place..."

Ginny knew this of course was a flat out lie, yet she couldn't find the heart to point this out. She knew not to give false hope, or to try and come up with an explanation. But she did know one thing, and that was she would be giving her brother an knock upside his head.

Hermione sniffed once more, seeming to have managed to banish her tears. As if she would no longer let herself show emotion for Ron. She sighed, wiping at her face, "I do look pathetic don't I?" She pointed to her face.

"Give it a few moments, and you'll look fine." Ginny assured her, standing up again. "You all right then?"

"Yes," Hermione nodded, balling up her dirtied tissues, "I"ll be alright in a moment. You go back, I think I'll go to the library."

"You sure?"

Hermione nodded.

"Okay...I'll see you later then?" Ginny checked as she headed back across the room to the door. She looked over her shoulder at her friend, who now stood by the marble pilar. Hermione nodded. "Alright then, see you."

Ginny waved to Hermione, and let the door close behind her. The portrait swinging back into place as she walked back towards the fat lady's portrait at the end of the corridor. Who, by the time she got there, was dooning her party hat and a glass of champagne.

"Blubber puss."

"No thank you deary, I'll stick to this!" she chuckled tipsily, as the portrait swung open.

"Glad someone is enjoying herself," she sighed, heading back into the noisy common room. She trudged once more through the crowd, being patted on the back numerous times.

"I was just coming to find you," Harry yelled, as he broke through the bodies heading towards her. "How is Hermione?" he asked, taking her gently by the elbow to help lead her through the crowd. When they reached the stairs leading to the dormitories, Ginny stepped off to the side.

"She's really upset...she's headed for the library, where she'll probably stay hidden in all night. Did you talk to Ron?"

"Not really," he admitted, pushing his bangs out of his eyes, "Lavender didn't give me the chance."

"Well," Ginny determined, turning on her heel and back to where they'd earlier found the two entwined. "I need to speak with my dear brother for a moment." And headed back into the crowd on a mission even Lavender would not be able to deter.
***********************************************88

[Chelsea]

Ginny is so nice to Hermione. I liked the merman. He was funny.

[ChianaWeasley]

Ginny was on a mission when she shoved through the crowd towards her brother, easily brushing aside students that were twice her size. By the look Harry had seen on her face, the "You make us proud sister dear" look as the twins called it, Lavender wasn't going to know what hit her.

The youngest of the Weasleys burst through the last of crowd, and came to a stop infront of her brother. Who still looked dazed from his new exercise with Lavender. Without announcing herself she grasped him tightly about the wrist, pulling him out of Lavender's arms.

"I'd like a word with you, dear brother." She wasn't asking him, as she yanked him forward and towards the stairs, she was telling him.

"Ginny what are you-OUCH-hey that really hurts!"

Not bothering to answer her brother, she lead him through the slowly dispersing bodies and up the stairs to the boys sixth year dormitories. He looked to Harry for help. Harry simply shrugged his shoulder as he followed behind them up the winding stairs, letting his best friend know it was out of his hands.

"What the bloody hell?!" Ron shouted as Ginny opened the door and threw him in ahead of her, watching him trip over his own feet. He scrambled quickly to his feet and stood towering over his little sister, "What are you on about?"

Harry stood back for a moment, quietly shutting the door behind him. He watched as the two feiry redheads faced off, one glaring up at the other. This was going to be an out-right battle...

[Chelsea]

Ginny is gonna let loose on Ron...glad I'm not him...

[Fran The Redhead]

Very good Chiana, this is LuthienElentari from way back when, remember? The Ron/Hermione crazed chick? Anyway, I really love your new fanfic.

[Chelsea]

Holy cow, your signature is longer than your post.

[ChianaWeasley]

"You wouldn't know, would you?" she snapped crisply. Her nose scrunched up in annoyance, making her freckles come together. Harry found Ginny very pretty when she did this.

Ron stood looking at her for a moment, then straightened a bit putting his hands on his hips. "Is this about Lavender?"

"No, it's about the Quidditch game," she replied sarcastically, "of course its about Lavender! Have you been knocked upside the head one too many times with a bludger, or are you really just that stupid?!" Her arms flailed slightly as she yelled.

"Oh, so I'm stupid for having a girlfriend then?!"

"No, you're stupid for-Oh Bloody HELL!!!" she stormed, unable to think of the exact words to frame how she felt. "Didn't you see the look on her face?" she blurted, deciding that blunt was the only way to deal with Ron.

"She seemed quite pleased to me," he grinned proudly.

"I meant Hermione." She explained coldly.

Ron's face fell for a moment, almost as if the mention of her name reopened a deep longing, but then faded. He straightened once more, signifying he wasn't going to be made to look bad.

"She should mind her own business then," he declared, fumbling slightly. Ginny's shoulders shrank, her face wrinkled with anger and pity for him. "If she can't be happy for me then-"

"Of course she isn't happy for you, you stupid prat!"

"Oy! Don't call me a prat!"

"Alright, I'll just call you pitiful. Because that is exactly what you are!" Ginny pressed her finger into his chest as she spoke, making his face turn even redder.

"I'm not pitiful! Am I Harry?"

Harry started to hear himself being pulled into the argument, something he was quite comfortable listening to from where he stood. Out of arms reach and safe. He coughed uncomfortabley, scratching the back of his neck.

"Harry?"

"Snotmyplace...bye!" he mumbled, slipping quickly out the door, leaving the two siblings to battle it out alone. Ron stared at the door for a moment, his mouth slightly agape.

"Why did you do it?" Ginny asked miserably, bringing him out of his shock.

"Its not your business, and besides this is the boys dormitorty. Out!" He pointed to the door and then turned his back on her.

Suddenly feeling very tired, Ginny headed for the door, her hand wrapt around the handle. "You know," she said over her shoulder, pulling the door open. Shouting and laughter pouring into the room from below them. "I dont think you want Lavender at all...she's just convenient."

Ron spun about to shout at her to leave, but found she had already gone. His stomach sunk slightly and he hated Ginny, because he knew she was somehow right.

[Chelsea]

Convenient is one word for it...I liked this chapter best.

[ChianaWeasley]

Ron was in a foul mood the rest of the night, that followed into the next day. Neither Hermione nor Ron breathed a word during breakfast, except to ask Harry to pass them the pepper. Hermione had a battered volume of 'A Hundred and One Ways to Charm the Uncharmable' perched up with one hand, a fork in the other. Though Harry suspected she wasn't multi-tasking as she usually did, because she forgot to turn the page the whole meal.

Ron on the other hand was grumpily poking the jar of margarine with the tip of his wand between forkfuls of eggs, accidentally melting half of it. After being scolded by McGonagoll for successfully adhering the tub of butter to the table, he shoved his wand into his pocket and stomped off. It took only a few seconds to see Lavender scurry past after him, simpering "Ronnikins!"

Clap!

Hermione slapped her book shut and dropped it on the table with a huff. Ginny massaged her temples as if they were already giving her a headache. This made Harry realize he was on his way to having one as well.

"Hermione..." he began, trying for an attempt at peace.

"No." She replied flatly, looking up quickly from her plate. She gathered her books, shoving them into her satchel and stood. "I've got to get to class, she you at lunch. Bye ginny."

"Bye." Ginny sighed miserably, pushing her food around on her plate. She looked at Harry across the table and made a face. "Nice try, but I think they're both going to need some time."

"How about we lock them up together somewhere?" he asked sarcastically, chuckling.

"Without their wands," Ginny added with a giggle.

[ChianaWeasley]

Hermione went through her classes that day as usual, though a heavy fog lay over her. Her thoughts refused to remain on the topic, her pen still as her thoughts wandered leaving no usable notes, and her wand did not seem to respond as it always did. Professor McGonagoll had even noticed this, asking if she needed to go to visit madame Pomfrey.

She'd assured the transfiguration teacher she felt fine. But at the same time she wasn't thinking of what McGonagall had asked her. Her mind wandered back to him. The red head who sat a row down from her, poking at a tea kettle, as Lavender prattled on beside him. She realized she was staring and quickly looked away, studying her frying pan particluarly hard.
~
Ron poked at his rusted tea kettle as Lavender went on beside him. 'Something about fanghorn buzzards I think...or was it her divination assignment?' He nodded occassionally, pretending as if he were enraptured in her every word. Though he couldn't really remember what they were.

"Transifitus Gigantum." He mumbled under his breath, dully taping the spout of the kettle. He'd been doing this for the past half hour, and nothing had happened. He glanced down the row to Hermione, wondering if she'd succeeded like she always had.

'Ha! Mione' hasn't done it either!'

He glanced down at her again from the corner of his eye, and suddenly realized he could no longer ask her for help. He couldn't copy her notes anymore. And he certianly couldn't ask her to check over his essays. The information voice sprung from the back of his mind, 'You're not doing it properly, see look, like this...'

It was somehow no longer seemed right. She hadn't spoken to him all day. Either reading a book, or searching for something in her bag she refused to even make eye contact with him. If she talked to Harry during lunch, and Ron joined in to the conversation she suddenly grew quiet.

Everything had shifted, had somehow changed, all because of the day before.

'Snot' fair,'he reasoned silently, still prodding the kettle except he wasn't even saying the charm. 'Just some bloody snogging anyway,'he considered,'And just because he'd finally found someone, had actually done it, she hated him. Jealous she was!'

"Jealous.." he mumbled, unaware he'd actually spoken out loud to himself.

"What?" Lavender asked.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing...I said melous...you know like melous corpus" he lied, she nodded and went back to her story.

Ron had now given up all together, his wand tip on the table top, his chin perched in his hand. He didn't really care if he couldn't copy her notes anymore...
~

After transfiguration Hermione slowly headed up to the dormitory with Ginny, both dropping their books off before dinner. Ginny watched her friend walk silently beside her, absently chewing on her lower lip in deep thought. She hadn't seen her smile once all day, and Harry said she hadn't been able to do a spell properly all day. That worried Ginny.

"Cheer up eh?" she offered, smiling at her friend hopeful that it would become contagious. Hermione offered her a weak smile, adjusting the strap on her shoulder. "Look, do you want to take dinner later? We could just sit up in the dorm and talk if you like," she suggested as they climbed up the stairwell. Stepping over the trick stair that Neville had finally memorized at the start of the term.

"I'm alright, really." Hermione's poor attempt at convincing Ginny was futile. They reached the top of the stairs and turned down the old hallway, leading to the fat lady's portrait.

"Oh enough, come on then!" Ginny sighed, grabbing Hermione by the sleeve and yanking her toward the painting. "Lemon Whiz." The portrait swung open, letting them inside.

"Ginny please," Hermione detered half heartedly as they went up the stairs to the sixth year girls dormitory. Ginny finally releasing her once the door was shut behind them.

"We need to talk. Look I know how you feel about my brother, only a fool wouldn't be able to tell. Well...actually on my brother couldn't tell--but that's beside the point! You've been miserable all day, I hate seeing you like this. Will you just talk to me?"

Hermione dropped her bag alongside her bed, and sat down on the mattress. She invited Ginny to sit down beside her. "Even if I do have feelings for Ron..it's too late now!" she sighed, picking at the comforter.

"No, no it isn't!" Ginny quickly countered. This brought Hermione's head up sharply, confusion in her eyes. "You honestly think you've been defeated by Lavender?"

"Well not defeated-"

"Then fight for him."

"What?!" Hermione laughed, "You're madder than your brothers sometimes Ginny!" A smile of disbelief creasing her face.

"You're not one to sit around and just give up, I've never seen you do that. And I refuse to see you do it now with a dumb prat like my brother! You want him, I mean you really care for him, otherwise you wouldn't be in this ripe state."

Hermione nodded, she'd never willingly given up on anything her six years in Hogwarts. The thought seemed silly to her even now, a spark of hope kindling in her mind.

"How?"
~

Ron and Harry had already started eating when Ginny sat down for dinner. Taking a seat beside Harry she pulled up a plate and began to help herself, a grin on her face.

"What're you so happy 'bout? Been snogging that bloke again?" Ron asked, his irritability wearing off slightly once he'd started eating.He took a swig of pumpkin juice.

"I'll ask you mind you own business, since you've been doing plenty of your own snogging. Thank you very much," she replied sweetly. Ron meerly made a face at her and returned to his turkey leg, glancing once more at the doorway.

"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked so Ron didn't have to.

"Oh she stopped in the library to return some books, said she'd be down later."

"What could she possibly be researching now? During dinner!" Ron asked Ginny with exasperation.

"Thats also none of your business," she pointed out.

"Whanut'?" Ron mumbled through a mouthful of potatoes, his interest suddenly peaking. His brows knitted together in curiosity, as he looked to Harry. Harry shrugged.

"What Hermione does in her personal life doesn't really concern you anymore," Ginny explained as if it were all quite simple. Ron's eyebrow shot up, quickly he swallowed his food.

"Personal life?!"

Ginny nodded.

Ron tried laughing the idea off, "Hermione doesn't have a personal life!"

"Doesn't she?" Ginny countered, her look purely innocent. Acting as if she was surprised he didn't know. Ron made a strangled coughing sound, and pushed off from the table.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked. Ron swung his bag over his shoulder, leaving his half eaten dinner untouched.

"I've got lots of um...Transfiguration to catch up on, just remembered! I'll see ya later Harry!" he lied as he hurried out the great hall, and around the corner. Ron never was a very good liar.

"That was pretty good," Harry complimented. Impressed with how well Ginny could manipulate her brother, and surprised at how predictable Ron could be sometimes.

"Thanks Harry," she smiled, popping a pumpkin pastry into her mouth.
~

[Chelsea]

I wonder what will happen next...update soon!

[ChianaWeasley]

Hermione rummaged through her satchel, trying to find a fresh quill for her essay. The library was empty, having everything to do with the fact it was dinner and a Friday night. She sat alone at her usual table, the cherry oak facing the east window. Her bag was sitting on the table top, so crammed full of books she couldn't see past it.

She found this useful, a good way to have her privacy as she worked. And out of any time she didn't feel like being disturbed, it was now.

She fingered around the bottom of her bag, until she found what she was looking for. She smoothed out the rolled up parchment with the palm of her hand, dipping the quill in her ink well with the other.

Hermione could only hope throwing herself into her work would take her mind off of things. Off of Ron. She began to scratch at the parchment, her hand flying across the waxy surface. Her mind slowly beginning to develop towards her argument as to whether a Lumfus plant would be more effective during the half moon than full, when a crash came from the bookshelf behind her.

"Ouch! Bloody-" a familuar voice cursed from behind the bookshelf. Hermione turned around slightly in her seat, only to stop when she heard a shrill voice answer.

"Oh Ron, here you are!" Lavender Brown squealed.

"Shh!Shurd up!!"Ron whispered hastily, obviously trying to get her to shut up.

Furious with them both, she slammed her quill against the table top, and shoved her things into her bag. Jumping from her seat she raced for the corridor exit, pulling her heavy satchel onto her shoulder.

'How dare he bring her to the library! And when he knew she'd be there! Why did he have to snog that prat in the library of all places?!'

She breathed heavily through her nose, getting angrier as she climbed the stairs towards the Gryffindor common room. Nearly running into the backs of Ginny and Harry on her way.

"Hermione, what's your rush?" Harry asked her, rubbing his shoulder that she'd knocked into trying to stop herself. Ginny looked down at her friend's reddening face.

"What's wrong? I thought you were finishing your work in the library?"

"I was," Hermione snapped. Though not so much at her friend, but at the dumb red-head currently not present. "But I was interrupted," she spat.

Ginny looked at Harry from the corner of her eye, his face fell in misery. Rubbing his bangs out of his eyes and sighed, they both knew Ron had messed up now. Hermione pushed past them and once again up the stairs.

"You would think they'd have the decency to leave me alone at the library," she huffed. The other two trying to keep up with her.

"Whose 'they'?" Ginny asked.

"Who else?! Ron and Lavender!" she replied, her voice straining slightly. She didn't look back at them as she spoke, which Ginny knew meant she was about to cry. Her friends unruly curls bobbed as she determinedly stomped up the stairs, her head down.

'What's he gone and done now?!' Ginny wondered in exasperation. Harry shrugged his shoulders and quietly followed Hermione up the stairs and down the long corridor towards the Fat Lady's portrait.

Hermione was sick of crying. She realized this as she pushed her way into the Gryffindor common room, the room once again blurry with her tears. She wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve as she trod up the stairs to the sixth year girl's dormitory.

'To the bloody library?'

Ginny and Harry stood at the staircase that led to the dormitories, watching Hermione rush to her room. The chill of the halls melting away with the warmth of the fireplace at their backs.

"What's he gone and done now?" Harry asked out loud, more to himself than to Ginny.

"I knew I should have tripped Lavender when she followed him out of the hall," she decided, her wand twirling between her fingertips. If Harry knew her any better, he would have guessed she was contemplating a curse for Lavender. He grinned at her proudly, she was a Weasley through and through.

"Guess I should go find Ron," he sighed, turning about to head back out the door. But was stopped as Ron came walking towards them, out of breath and slightly confused. Lavender was nowhere in sight.

"Where did you go off to? Lavender was looking for you," Harry asked. Ron stopped infront of his friend, holding his side.

"I was in the library," he breathed.

"Did your girlfriend find you then?" Ginny wondered casually.

Ron rolled his eyes, "Yeah, she found me, wanted to know what color to tell her mum to make our matching Christmas sweaters." He made a face at this, which didn't suit the nearly purple color slowly fading from his neck and cheeks.

"Why were you in the library?" Ginny asked her brother with a snort. He straightened up quickly, giving her a nasty look.

"Why can't I be?" he returned sharply, as if he didn't like her asking questions. Harry looked at Ginny with a look to say, 'as if we dont already know.'

"Have you seen her then?" he asked again.

"Who?"

"Mione! Who else?!"

"Oh, yes, she's up in her room. Why?"

"No reason." He replied quickly, "No reason...just wondering is all." As he said this he looked around the room suspiciously, as if he expected to find something off.

"Where's Lavender?"

Ron shrugged, "Shook her off down at the quarter section, Nearly-headless Nick caught her," he laughed. Obviously not realizing that was something that should not be done to one's girlfriend, or laughed at.

"Old ball and chain at you again, eh?" Harry asked sarcastically.

"Oh shut up Harry!"

"Umm...Ron, where are your books?" Ginny wondered, a smile starting at the corner of her mouth. Ron looked about himself stupidly.

"What books?"

"You were in the library," she reminded him, "Where are the books you took out?" She grinned now, waiting for him to come up with an excuse, and tried to hold back her laughter. Harry tried to keep himself in check, finding it exceedingly hard as Ron 's brow wrinkled in deceptive thoughts. Suddenly he gave up and looked between the two of them.

"Oh be quiet..." he grumbled. Knowing for sure he'd been caught.

'Stupid Lavender,'he thought,'would have seen what Ginny was talking about if she hadn't shown up!'

"Game of chess then?" Harry offered, hoping it would take Ron's mind and temper away from Hermione.

"Yeah okay," he nodded, "I'll go get my board." He headed up the stairs, making it very obvious that he had once more grown out of his jeans. The hems reached nearly to his high-ankles as he climbed the steps.

[ChianaWeasley]

Hermione slammed her books down onto her bed, and dumped her bag on the floor with a sharp thunk. Her heart pounded in her chest, powered by emotions wheeling about in her head. If she’d had any tears left she would be crying, yet her eyes were dry. Lavender’s shrill tone bounced around inside her head, like nails on a chalkboard, feeling like it would explode at any moment.

She sat down on the bed, the comforter soft and warm beneath her. She closed her eyes and tried to will his face from her thoughts, only succeeding in making him more vivid. Laying down across her bed, she thought back to the library.

Her one place of solitude. He had brought Lavender there, of all places. They had taken her last hiding place from her.

‘Why Ron?’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

Harry moved his bishop to Ron’s knight, putting him into check mate. Normally this would have been cause for celebration, but Ron wasn’t concentrating. Harry caught him glancing up the stairs a number of times throughout the game, his defensive moves were callous and unplanned.

“Checkmate.” Harry declared.

“Hmm?” Ron mumbled, pulling out of his daze. He looked stupidly at the chess board, “Yes, yes, well done mate.” He glanced back up the stairs to the girl’s dormitory. Harry watched his best friend and suddenly began to feel bad for him. It was no secret how Ron felt for Hermione, everyone knew it.

Including Lavender.

“Look Ron, where’s your head mate?” he asked bluntly, “That was the worst game I’ve seen you play, just go talk to her.”

Ron’s head shot up, “I don’t want to talk to Lavender.” His tone ripe with annoyance at the very idea. He tapped the edge of the table thoughtlessly with his wand, occasionally pushing the chess pieces about.

“I didn’t mean Lavender.”

Ron’s wand stopped prodding the queen and looked up at Harry, his green eyes suddenly sharp. "Not much point now is there. I can't help that she's bitter now that I have a girlfriend."

Harry groaned inwardly, rolling his eyes. "Don't be a prat Ron."He knocked Ron’s queen over in frustration, she huffed at him indignantly. He ran his hand through his bangs, hoping he wouldn’t get a headache from all of this. Ron tossed a pawn back and forth between his palms, not meeting Harry’s eyes. “You can’t avoid Lavender forever mate,” he added.

“I know,” he grumbled, dropping the pawn onto the chess board. “She’s great, Lavender, but she isn’t...”

“Hermione?” Harry offered, hoping it wouldn’t get a chess piece thrown in his direction. Ron merely shot him a tired look, and slumped back into his chair. He rubbed his eyebrows up into his hairline, then sat frowning into the fire.
**********

Hermione’s stomach began to violently rumble as she crept down the stairs to the common room, the dizziness was beginning to get to her. For once she wished she’d sat through the torture of dinner in the main hall, even if she did have to face Ron. Her stomach gripped again as her bare feet touched the cold floor.

'My kingdom for a meal!' Ron would have joked, if he were there. She looked over to the crackling fireplace, and found the very red head slumped in a chair by the fire. His head tilted to the side, his mouth open slightly, as he murmured in his sleep. Hermione quickened her steps to the door, thankful she hadn't worn shoes.

Though he was asleep, she felt as if he was about to speak to her. Her muscles tensed for it.

As soon as she stepped out of the portrait hole, she let out a deep sigh of relief. That could have been a very unpleasant situation, inevitabley leading to more of her tears. She rushed of down the darkened hall towards the stairwell, she hoped the fruit still life was still as ticklish as before.

Moments later she found herself infront of the bowl of fruit, though she didn't remember walking there, tickling the pear. A low chuckle resonated from the painting, and it swung open with a dull creak. The music of bustling house elves hit her like a wall as she stepped inside the kitchen. A small house elf was immediately before her.

"Ma'am hungry, we feed you!" it squeaked inquisitively. It nudged aside the other eager elves with her elbow.

"Could I please have some left overs? I'll get it myself."

"No ma'am!" the elf piped, sounding a bit offended. "Will get food for you." With these words she turned and disapeared, only to return a few seconds later with a platter of roasted turkey, pumpkin pasties, and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. "Fresh! We no serve left overs." The pride was making the platter shake, Hermione grabbed it before the food tumbled to the floor.
"Thank you!" Hermione smiled, heading back through the doorway. Leaving the racket of the kitchen behind the bowl of fruit.

The sweet aroma of hot turkey and warm pumpkin pasties made her stomach rumble uncontrollably. She climbed the stairs quickly, nearly forgetting to skip the trick step. "Fortuna." She whispered to the fat lady, who seemed to be experiencing yet another hang over. The portrait swung open, Hermione climbed through nearly walking straight into Ron Weasley.

The plate of food smacked against his chest, the food nearly crashing to the floor. Hermione bit the inside of her lip, and looked up at him.

"Urm...sorry Mione" he mumbled, holding the pitcher steady.

"Its alright," she mumbled back, trying to step past him.

"Wait a minute!" Ron chuckled,"You've been to the house elf kitchens!" He looked at her with comical disbelief, his hair sticking up in the back from where he'd slept on it. "Thought you were against that! S.P.E.W. and all!"

"Yes, well I missed dinner," she explained quickly.

"Studying in the library?" he asked her, as if he didn't already know the answer. His tone almost accusing.

"You know I was," she responded tartly, her anger beginning to rise. 'How dare he act like he hadn't brought Lavender to the library!'

"I have every right to be there as well as you. It's not your library" he shot back, automatically regretting the words as they left his mouth.

"Odd, I didn't see you studying." Her voice rising slightly, she stopped, trying to bring herself into check.

Ron seemed without words for a moment, "Well Lavender and I-"

"Felt like bothering everyone in the library? Honestly couldn't you find somewhere more private?!"

Ron's cheeks turned red. "We'll snog where ever we bloody feel like it Mione!" He spat.

Hermione felt tears threaten, she gripped the platter tightly in her hands. "Stop calling me that Ron." She said quietly.

This took Ron aback. He felt the guilt overwhelm him as he looked down at her. Leave it to Hermione to get him into a rage, noone else could. But he knew he'd gone too far just then. She looked down at the floor for a moment, then back up at him.

"Lavender wouldn't like you calling me that. Good night." Her words short as her throat grew tighter, suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore.

With what little self control she had left, she walked away and sat down at the couch by the fire. Her back was to the door, and to Ron. She held in her tears as she listened to the portrait swing shut as he left. "Bloody hell!" she breathed, slamming the platter onto the tea table. The warm food toppled over and rolled across the tabletop.

*******************

Ron walked along the dark corridors feeling as if Hermione had slapped him across the face, her words still stung his skin. Though it was not wholly the painful tone of her voice that hit him in the stomach, but the realization that she could no longer be his ‘Mione’.

The hall was illuminated only by moonlight, reminding Ron that he had to soon return to the common rooms. Or else to face the wrath of Snape on top of everything else. He resigned and slowly turned back around, retracing his steps back the way he had come. He was grateful that the knight had stopped chasing him through all of the paintings, yelling that he was a “bloody coward”. If Filch caught him setting on of the portraits on fire, he’d be in deeper trouble than Snape catching him up past curfew.

Ron slowly made his way through the winding corridors, and back up the shifting flights of stairs. He thought he’d nearly made it, when a voice sounded from beside him. Baffled at first, he looked behind him expecting to see someone there.

Noone. Not even Mrs. Norris.

“Over here.” The voice slightly gurgled, as if someone was trying to speak to him from under water. Ron looked to the wall on his right, a painting of a merman sitting perched on a seahorse stared at him. “Fancy a bath then?”

“Um...no, no thanks.”

“Well, you are a prefect aren’t you?” the silver skin-toned Adonis asked, flipping his tail absently behind him.

“Yes, I am,” Ron mumbled, “But I don’t want a bath.”

“Quite a pity. Noone comes around here anymore.” He leaned forward a bit on his saddle, “A bit too refined for some people’s tastes I’d imagine.”

“Ah,” Ron echoed, scratching the back of his neck nervously. His eyes watching for any signs of Filch or Snape.
“But there is a young lady who comes quite often. Lovely girl. Good student.” He stopped for a moment and considered, “though she never takes a bath.”

Ron’s eyes stopped scanning the corridor, and shot back to the painting. “You mean Hermione?” he asked, “A girl with long, brown, curly hair?”

The merman nodded, “That’s the one, lovely. Though I must say she’s been unwell these past two days...”he sighed, making a face of regret. “She comes rushing up here, in a dreadful state, asking to be let in. She was so distraught she couldn’t remember the password, and I’d told her only a few days before.” He shook his head sadly.

“Oh.”

[ChianaWeasley]

**To my readers and fellow Informers, sorry its been soo long. I'm finally off for the summer, and I promise to be around more often than I have been. Its been a while since my last chapter, so here ya go!***

"Hermione never forgets anything," Ron murmured to himself, more than to the painting. "She's not sick either."

The merman's brow raised slightly, "Perhaps not ill, perhaps unhappy." The very word made Ron's stomach lurch, he hated the thought of Hermione being unhappy. The few times he'd seen her unhappy were when Voldemort was involved, or one of them was in danger. It wasnt so much unhappiness but fear, fear in Hermione he had seen many times. But to see Hermione unhappy was very different.

"Perhaps her school work..."the merman considered. Ron again shook his head.

"This whole business with...'you-know-who' has been quite unpleasant-"

"No." Ron's tone was flat.

"Then there's only one thing left...she fancies someone, finds herself unhappy in romance. you know its quite usual at your age...if I could recall all of the times young girls came into this bathroom..." the painting trailed off in thought, he shook his head with a sad grin on his face. "Come to think of it, theres been quite a few times when its not just the girl..."

Ron suddenly felt uncomfortable. "Has...has Hermione come here with someone?" He choked slightly on the last word, his chest suddenly felt tight.

To his relief the merman shook his head. "Although the chaps who have hair like yours-"

"Stop there! I don't want to know!"

"-oh, well, yes of course not. Why were you here again?"

Ron snapped his head up, looking down the dark corridor, he'd forgotten about Filch. Who obviously was no longer within a threatening distance, however he didn't want to take the chance of Mrs. Norris either.

"Nevermind, I should pop off..."

"Yes of course, its quite late young lad." He flicked his triton in the direction Ron had come, "Better be off."

Ron nodded and silently headed back down the dark corridor. He kept close to the wall the entire way to the portrait of the fat woman, trying to stay hidden in deep shadows.

"Blubber puss" he mumbled, as the fat woman reprimanded him for being up after hours. She clutched her nightrobe across her chest, as if he were really there to catch of glimpse of something. She was still going on as he walked through the hole and into the common room, the warmth hit him as it always did. Except now he felt too warm to enjoy the usually comforting feeling.

Not feeling up to climbing the stairs to the dormitory, he walked toward the couch by the fireplace. Stopping in his tracks when he saw a slim figure already there, books all about her.

Hermione had fallen asleep there, in the middle of her Potions essay. The parchment lay fallen on the floor, a quill lying next to it. Her head resting on a rather large book, pages open to a chapter on Muglabud Pod shavings.

'Leave it to Hermione to fall asleep on a book!'

He crept slowly to where she slept, hoping not to wake her with the sound of his rather large Weasley feet. He tried not to look at her face as he laid a blanket over her, and slowly slid the book out from underneath her.

He left her there to sleep, and headed up the stairs to bed.

"Night Mione"

**********************************

The week went on, Hermione and Ron estranged from each other. Harry with a headache, and Ginny with a new impression of Lavender's "Oh Ronniepoopkins!"

"Will you knock it off with that!"Ron grumbled, his mouth full of eggs. Ginny had just done another impression, making everyone at the table laugh but Ron. Harry tried to supress a laugh behind one hand.

"It is funny mate," he admitted.

"Nosnot'"he grumbled. It wasn't ginny's taunts that annoyed him, it was the fact she was dead on about Lavender.

"Well you're dating her...God only knows why..." Ginny reminded him pointedly, the last part under her breath.

"Hullo all!" Fred boomed, sitting down beside Ron. Smacking him merrily on the back, eggs scattered across the table. George followed suit, slumping down next to his sister.

"Lovely morning isn't it?"

"Very lovely," Fred agreed.

"We've got news!"

"Great news!"

"Thought you might like to hear it Ginny"

"What is so important this early?"Ginny asked carefully.

"Well it does involve a rather good friend of yours, you too Harry."

"Hermione," Fred clarified. Ron suddenly stopped choking on the eggs. Ginny's eyebrow shot up.

"What have you two done?"

"Us?"

"You seem so suspicious dear sister!"

"When infact we've done quite the opposite."

"Quite the opposite."

"Which would be..."Harry cued in, reminding them of their news.

"Right, right. Well we-ron eat your eggs this doesn't concern you."

Ron made a rather rude gesture at Fred's back, and went back to shovelling eggs into his mouth. George continued on, "you know that Krum bloke?"

"The really great seeker?"

"Of course,"Harry replied.

"Well we've asked him to come visit, we want him to give a few lessons to the team this weekend. He wants to surprise Hermione."

Again ron choked on his eggs. The whole table turned to him, his face red as he coughed into his hand. George clapped him on the back, "One bite at a time Ronniepoopkins!"

Ginny looked to Harry, a smile grin on her face. Fred and George seemed rather pleased with themselves, though Harry wasn't certain if it was because Krum was coming to coach.

"Hermione could use a date," Ginny sighed.

Ron began coughing even harder, bits of egg shooting across the table.

*********************************************

"Hey Harry!" Fred hissed. Harry had been walking toward the dormitory stairs when the twins caught up with him.

"Hey Fred."

"Just to catch you up, Krum's not coming to Hogwarts."

"What?But this morning-"

George interrupted, "We know what we said Harry."

"A full out lie of course."

Harry suddenly realized why the twins had looked so pleased with themselves at breakfast. The two really would be evil if their schemes were meant for mass destruction, world domination, or that sort. But it was simply to get under Ron, PErcy, or Filch's skin.

"What'd you think? We nearly had to give Ron the Heimlich this morning!"

"Does Ginny know?"

"Yeah we just told her, she's glad. She's as sick of Lavender as we are."

"Ron's been running around like Mad-eye Moody all day! Think we've jostled him a bit!"George laughed. As if on cue, Ron came slamming through the portrait hole. The fat lady could be heard booming in indignation behind him.

"What would that stupid git do without us around?"

Ron's mood was evident even from afar, the tips of his ears were bright red. His cowlick stood straight up, and his freckles were starker than ever.

"Hiding from Lavender again?"

"Shutup..."Ron grumbled. As soon as he closed his mouth, Lavender came running into the common room. Her cheeks flushed as if she'd been chasing after him. This only made Ron angrier, and his ears redder.

"Right then! Off we go to leave you two lovebirds alone," Fred trilled, George followed behind him up the stairs. Harry still stood with Ron at the foot of the stairs.

"Please dont leave me with her!"Ron begged under his breath. Harry shook his head.

"You're on your own." He held his hands up infront of him, as if to say 'Sorry mate'. Without another word he rushed up the stairs, trying desperately to keep from breaking down in laughter.

**********************************************

Hermione went to breakfast late that morning, as she had for the last week. She'd eaten quickly, trying to finish as the house elves dashed around her preparing for lunch. She knew it was time to go when she sat down her fork and her plate was whisked away.

She took her books and headed back to the common room, the fat lady still muttering under her breath about 'ungrateful, moody, teenagers abusing her position'.

"Blubber pus"

She stepped into the common room, only to regret it as Lavender's shrill voice rang out in the air. "Ronnie!" She thought of turning back around and heading for the library, but thought better of it. With her head held high she walked toward the stairs.

[ChianaWeasley]

It had been rained most of the morning Sunday, and the sky gave no hint of letting up. It pattered against the windows, leaving a blurry view of the grounds outside. 'It was the perfect day to practice', Wood would have insisted.

Harry and Ron headed out onto the pitch after lunch, the air cool as they walked out onto the rainy field. Brooms clutched in hand they stared up into the sky for a moment.

"Tennis balls then?" Ron figured, looking to Harry. Harry nodded, rain dripping off the tip of his nose and his glasses. Thankfully he'd found Hermione that morning, or they'd already be fogging up on him.

"Yeah, then the goal?"

"Yeah, why not?"

Harry took off into the rain first, the soaked ground making a sucking sound as his feet left the ground. Ron remained for a moment, a blur of crimson and gold caught his eye in the stands. Lavender stood watching them with an umbrella bright in Gryffindor's colors. She waved to him, her hair perfectly dry and kept. She blew him a kiss.

He kicked off without returning the gesture, letting the rain pound against his face as he accelerated. He thought of the time he taught Hermione how to fly in the field behind the Burrow over the summer.

"Ready Ron?!" Harry shouted, mostly over the wind than to jar his attention. Ron gave Harry a thumbs up from above, and chucked a tennis ball into the distance. He watched Harry swerve expertly to catch it before it hit the ground.

Harry hadn't needed any practice, especially not on a rainy day. Half the games Harry had played had been in the rain, he'd broken his arm in one. Harry had suggested the practice for his sake, Ron knew that. And he was grateful. Though Lavender didn't seem to realize that meant practice was something he did without her.

He chucked two more, sending them in different directions. They were lost in the rain, but Harry had somehow seen them and caught both.

"That all you got mate?!"Harry shouted from half way across the field, a large grin on his face. Harry came alive on the pitch, his face always flushed from the exhileration. Ron felt it too. It was something in the Weasley blood Charlie had once said.

Ron quickly chucked five balls, in different directions. The sound of rain smashing into Harry's back was loud, as he darted from one end of the field to the other. He'd only managed to catch three.

"you're slipping then?" Ron yelled back with a laugh. Harry chucked a ball in his direction, missing him completely. Harry was a great seeker, but Ron would always have a better arm. HE flew around in odd directions now, tossing the balls as he went, giving Harry a harder time. Less easy targets to catch with no certain pattern.

They went on, Harry chasing Ron's tennis balls as Ron shifted directions at the drop of a dime. Ron felt the wind sweep through his soaked clothes, his hair matted down to his head.

Ron swooped down closer to the ground, skimming for the missed tennis balls. Lavender shouted to him from the stand, waving her arms like a crazy Quidditch fan. He had to laugh to himself, she probably didn't even know what a Wronksy Feint was! He fly to the northern end of the pitch, another figure caught his eye. Hermione stood at the bottom of the stands, Lavender a level above her. She waved lightly. She didnt have an umbrella, her hair matted to the sides of her head.

"Ron!" Harry shouted from above, "You coming or are you going to stare at the ground down there?!"

"I'm coming!" He sat the bucket of tennis balls on the ground and kicked off into the air.

~
Hermione had followed them out to the pitch, keeping her distance from Lavender. She'd always watched them practice, especially in weather that worried her. Harry had broken his arm playing a match in the rain, a lot worse could happen. The worry always chewed at her stomach when it came to Harry and Ron playing Quidditch. Harry didn't have the best injury record, and Ron could just be careless when he played.

Hermione had forgotten her umbrella, and sorely regretted it. Lavender had brought hers, and as her teeth began to chatter she was tempted to share it. 'Perhaps it would be good to talk Lavender',she reasoned. She'd been rather anti-social with everyone lately, even Harry, and she was getting tired of it. Reluctantly she headed up the steps to the next level to Lavender.

When Hermione approached her Lavender smiled and waved her under the umbrella. "Hullo Hermione!" she greeted cheerfully, her grin from ear to ear. "Why on earth don't you have an umbrella?"

"I forgot it actually," Hermione replied, laughing at herself.

"Well you can share mine,"Lavender offered, "Do you always watch them practice?" Hermione didn't notice but Lavender watched her carefully.

"M-hmm. I just worry, especially when its raining. You know...Harry's lucky streak." Lavender laughed, her smile oddly crooked.

"You're right, madame Pomfrey must have a bed saved for him by now." She paused for a moment, looking up. "Isn't he a wonderful flyer?" she sighed, obviously referring to Ron.

Hermione nodded, "Yes, he is."

"Don't you think we make a good couple? I mean he's soo sweet, and really good at other things," she looked at Hermione waiting for a response.

"Oh yes, he seems very happy," Hermione agreed, she knew Lavender was taking a turn at her. Lavender leaned over a bit, as if she wanted to tell an upmost secret. "He's talking about having me over for the summer, did he tell you?"

Hermione felt her stomach sink slightly. "No, he hadn't told me that."

"Well I guess not, you two don't seem to be very friendly lately. Are you fighting? Again?"

"We've...been arguing a lot lately," Hermione explained, though vaguely. Lavender's eyebrow went up with keen interest.

"Oh, what about?" Lavender asked innocently. Hermione suddenly realized she must look a complete rat next to her. Lavender was perfectly dry, her hair in curls. Hermione's hair was sticking to the sides of her face, her robes were muddy around the hem from her walk.

"Stupid things," Hermione answered, not wanting the conversation to go much further. But Lavender was taking this as a chance to interrogate her.

"Well, I thought perhaps its because you like Ron," Lavender sighed, her tone matter-of-fact. Hermione's eyes widened.

"What?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter." Lavender explained, waving it aside with her hand. "Because now we're together, and you don't have a chance. Don't worry I told him why you were being so tense lately," Lavender had a smug satisfied smile on her face. Her tone was happy, yet it carried a message of warning and disdain. "He's not into the book worm type, no offense. Besides, you have that Krum bloke don’t you?"

"Why would you...I don't know what you're-"

"Of course you do Hermione, everyone knows it. It's kind of sad really..."she trailed off, giving Hermione a slightly disgusted up and down at her matted hair and muddied coat. "But don't worry, you'll get over it."

Hermione couldn't quite believe her ears, Lavender was being so vicious, yet her tone said otherwise. She felt the feminine challenge coming from Lavender, she was almost daring her.

"Lavender..."she stumbled, "Ron and I are just-"

"Friends, I know. And its going to stay that way of course. As much as I'm sure it breaks your heart." Lavender grinned at Hermione's gaping expression, pulling the umbrella away from Hermione. Leaving her out in the rain once again. "You should go take a shower, you look dreadful." She added.

Lavender had made it clear they were done speaking, and even clearer that Hermione looked like a drowned garden gnome. To shocked to speak, her walked away and down the stairs to the pitch. Slipping a few times on the way down.

'Ron knew?'

Without looking ahead Hermione nearly ran into Ron. Harry following behind him, wiping his glasses dry.Harry following behind him, wiping his glasses dry. A small gasp escaped her lips when they collided, mostly from dread at Harry and Ron seeing her so.

"Whoa! Sorry Hermione!" he quickly stammered, stepping back to give her space. Hermione refused to look at him, her gaze swept over the broomstick clutched in his hand. Harry stepped forward.

"Are you alright?" his voice worried, his hand protectively on her shoulder.

"yes Harry, I'm alright."

"No, you're not." Ron interjected, "You're soaked and you're shivering." She felt his gaze sweeping up and down her soaked clothes, the hair stuck to the sides of her face.

"I forgot my umbrella is all," she quickly explained. Harry's frown deepened.

"What? Sharing with Lavender then?" His tone hinted that he had an idea of what had just happened in the stands above them. The wind swept through the entrance of the stairs, chilling Hermione's skin under her soaked clothes. She began to shiver uncontrollably, the wind refusing to stop tunneling in the stairwell.

"Come on, lets take you to Hagrids'"Ron suggested, reaching for her arm. Hermione pulled away slightly, and shook her head.

"I'm alright..."she insisted, her arms wrapped around herself. She felt like running back to the dormitory and collapsing into her warm bed, and passing out until morning. She felt Harry staring at her intently, a grave look on his face.

"You'll catch bloody cold Mione!"

"Go to Hagrids, I'll catch up." Harry announced, turning and reluctantly heading back out into the rain.

"You always have to be soo stubborn," he pulled her close with one arm and followed Harry out the door. The rain had only begun to come down harder, Harry's figure already lost in the downpour. "Come on!" Ron shouted over the dull roar around them.

The wet rain only reminded Hermione of how cold she was, Ron's body gave off little heat between his cloak. Quickly he rushed her down to the cabin, slipping on the way down the hill as they went.