The snow fell softly on the grounds of Hogwarts. Everyone was inside, except for Hermione. She had finished her classes and the rest of her work was done. She didn't feel much like talking with anybody today, after she read the letter from home, her day seemed to plunge downward.
Her father had written her saying her mother was sick, and they didn't know what was wrong. Hermione and her mother were very close even thought they were complete opposites.
"Hermione wait up!" A distant voice called.
She turned around to see one of the only girl friends she had, Ginny. Hermione came to a halt and waited for Ginny.
"What are you doing out here? It's freezing!" Ginny said with a hint of concern in her voice.
"I'm fine. I have a coat, a hat, gloves, and a good pair of pants to keep me warm." Hermione answered simply.
"Well that still doesn't answer my question. What are you doing here?" Ginny asked again.
"Just taking a walk and thinking about things." Hermione said.
"Penny for your thoughts." Ginny offered.
"It's nothing really. Just a letter from home." Hermione said keeping her gaze on the ground.
"Is everything alright?" Ginny asked.
"I suppose." Hermione said not really wanting to talk about it.
"Well come inside before you freeze." Ginny said with a smile.
Hermione nodded and followed Ginny into the main dining hall. The warmth hit Hermione's cheeks instantly and she took a deep breath. It did feel nice not to be freezing, but she didn't really mind the cold. Ginny led her to the table where Ron and Harry were sitting.
"Hey Hermione." Harry and Ron both said.
"Hey." She said almost in a whisper.
She didn't understand why she was still down in the dumps. She was sitting at a table with her friends and wonderful food, but she was still worried about her mother. What if she has something serious? Hermione was snapped out of her thoughts when someone was calling her name.
"Hello earth to Hermione!" Ron said waving his hand in front of her face.
"Sorry I spaced out." Hermione said meekly.
"Is everything alright?" Asked Harry.
"Yes. Everything is fine." Hermione said with a small smile.
Harry and Ron exchanged looks and then looked at Ginny who just shrugged. After the four had finished their food Hermione walked off as fast as she could while still trying to look calm.
"I hope she's alright." Harry said with a concerned voice.
"She got a letter from home. I think that's what's bothering her." Ginny said.
"I wonder what happened." Said Harry.
"I think I'll go find out." Ron said as he started walking faster to get to Hermione.
"Wait Ron, she might want to be left a lone." Harry suggested.
"Look, until we know what's wrong with her no one will be happy and we'll have to put up with her being moody! So I'm gonna go try and talk to her. Besides if Hermione is moody we'll all get moody and I for one don't put up with everyone's moods." Ron said.
Ron kept walking and Harry started follow. Ginny grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back.
"I think this is one talk Ron should have alone with Hermione." Ginny said with a smile.
"Oh, right." Harry said with a little bit of blush on his cheeks.
"Let's take a little bit of a walk before we go up to see how they're doing." Ginny suggested.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Harry said taking Ginny's hand.
Harry liked Ginny a lot and it was no surprise to their friends. But Ginny and Harry were still a tad oblivious. He knew he liked her but he wasn't sure if it would be such a great plan for them to date. Ginny liked Harry. It was that simple. But she wasn't sure how to tell him.
Hermione closed the door to the Gryffindor Common Room
and started up to her room when someone grabbed her wrist. Surprised, Hermione whipped out her wand and pointed it at who she thought was an attacker.
"Don't shoot!" Ron said putting his arms up in the air.
Hermione let out a frustrated sigh and put her wand away.
"What are you doing Ronald?" Hermione asked.
"Seeing what's bothering you." Ron said honestly.
"Nothing is bothering me. I was just going up to my room to go study." Hermione lied.
"Hermione, there can't possibly be anymore studying to do, I think you're covered till next year." Ron said joking a bit.
"Why do you care anyway?" Hermione asked.
"Because you're my friend and last time I checked friends help friends when they have a problem." Ron said as he looked into Hermione's eyes.
"I don't have a problem." Hermione said before walking up to her room and slamming the door behind her.
"Well, that went great." Ron said out loud to himself.