Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: I don't like this one so much.

Ginny Weasley was dating Draco Malfoy. Hermione didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She settled with listening to Ron yell at her, before interjecting at the appropriate time.

Please, Ron, stop. Please.

He froze with perplexity, surprised with her apparent lack of ire and pleading gaze. His eyes stared through her, and Hermione could see her shame reflected back at her in them.

He left her.

And so she was left with thoughts of white and red, bows of mouths shooting arrows at each other, striking at the heart. He misfired one, and it hit hers as well. She was jealous. Envious that Ginny could be with the one Hermione wanted so badly. Jealous that Ginny was brave enough. That she knew that her family and friends loved her enough that they'd get over her latest fling of the week.

Even worse, Hermione knew it would last only a week, because that's how Malfoy and Ginny both were. And yet, despite the fact that it was only a week, they were risking being outcasts just to experience each other.

Hermione was jealous that Ginny Weasley was enough of a woman to keep Malfoy long enough for the world to stop.

Hermione was jealous because Ginny made her feel less, because Ginny was so much more.

Draco watched the girl in his arms with affection and adoration. His arms tightened and he kissed her softly on the forehead.

But then the light shifted, and what once was brown turned to red.

With a start, he realized that this was not the girl he wished to hold for the rest of his life. This girl was a fling, an intermission, a pit stop. He loved her, sure, but not enough for the trouble he was going through for her.

The truth was that he was with her because he knew the girl he truly, wholly loved, would never spare him a second glance. And if she did, he would never pursue her because he would never break her away from her family and friends.

He was with the one he loved less, because he thought he didn't deserve the one he loved more.

He closed his eyes and dreamed of brown hair and books.

Fin.