SINGLES' AWARENESS

"Urg! That crazy, red-headed, son of a bludger! Ginny, I hate your brother!" I screamed, stomping over towards her and Harry. He was sitting in a chair and Ginny was leaning against his legs.

"I do too. But probably not for the same reasons. I just hate him because he's my brother. We're talking about Ron aren't we?"

"Yes," I replied, trying to get my cool back.

"Because-" I began, but Harry interrupted me.

"Should I leave?"

"That would be very appreciated, yes," Ginny answered, twisting up to kiss him.

"Right…" I muttered, unnoticed by the other two.

I always hate getting caught in the middle of these little moments. Not that I'm not happy for them, because I am! I mean, I have no boyfriend, so why should I have to deal with this? And no, I'm not jealous, shut up!

When Ginny finally pulled away, said "March!", and pointed toward the Boys' dormitory staircase, she watched him leave with an almost hungry look in her eyes. See, why couldn't I have that? I'm a good person, right? That's not to much to ask, is it? Good. I didn't think so! So why in the name of Merlin can't I have it?!?

"So, why are you mad at 'that crazy, red-headed, son of a bludger' now?" she asked quoting me with a small giggle.

I pointed toward the other end of the Gryffindor common room and said "That's what! Why does he do that? I mean, he doesn't like her, does he?"

"So wh-?" I broke off because something strange had just happened: Ron and Lavender broke apart and she suddenly looked very upset. Ron looked angry and uncomfortable. He looked as if he were breaking up with her! No. No, I mustn't get my hopes up. If I do, I'll just get crushed again. I didn't want that again…

"Well, maybe this day won't be too bad," I said, but at Ginny's quizzical expression, I rushed on. "You see, today is 'Singles' Awareness Day.'" and when she continued to look perplexed, I continued, "Singles' Awareness Day is basically Valentine's day for single people. Because if couples have their own holiday, why can't we? Right? Right?"

She nodded and giggled at bit.

"What? What's funny?" I asked. Now it was my turn to be confused.

"What? Oh, nothing," she started, but seeing the look in my eyes, she hurried on. "It's just that… well, how many people haveactuallyheard of this… this 'holiday'?" She asked, making air quotes in the air with her hands.

"What d'you mean?"

"Did you make it up, Hermione?"

"No, of course not!" I defended myself

"Okay, okay. Just asking. Sheesh!" and with that, she hurried off, not looking for me to yell at her for thinking that crazy thought.

I turned back toward Ron and Lavender and was flabbergasted to find that Lavender wasn't there and Ron looked kind of pleased with himself.

Go see why he's so happy looking with himself!

No. I don't want to.

You can't lie to me. I'm inside your head. I hear all your thoughts!

Oh, shut up!

Fine. Just keep pretending you aren't curious.

Oh, I hate you!

Stop arguing with yourself and go see what his smug look is about!

Will you shut up if I do?

Only one way to find out, right?

Grrr…

I got up and walked over to sit across from Ron. He looked up and I saw his self-satisfied face had suddenly changed to a look of pure shock.

"Err. Hi," I stuttered a bit.

"Erm… H-hello," he said, also stumbling over his words slightly.

"I saw you and Lavender fighting and wanted to make sure everything was okay," I lied a tad at the end there because I really didn't care if everything was fine. No, I just wanted to find out why in the name of Merlin he looked so smug!

"Oh, yeah. Everything's fantastic!" he replied, but it was hard to tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

"Er-" I began

"I broke up with Lavender!" he explained seeing my bewildered expression.

"I'm sorry?" I said, not knowing whether or not that was a good thing. For him, obviously, I couldn't be more thrilled! That sounded a bit mean didn't it? Ah, well. What're you gonna do, eh?

"No, no! That's good. Um. I was actually wondering if maybe… ?" he said the last part all in one breath.

"Um. What?" I was kind of confused.

He took a deep breath and repeated: "Would you like to go to Hogmeade with me next weekend?"

"Yes. Of course!" I answered, stunned that he had recovered from his breakup with Lavender so soon.

I was right. This day wasn't so bad after all!