Disclaimer: "I don't own Remus, Sirius, Severus, or any of the other characters mentioned in this fanfic, because if I did, they'd all be shagging like crazy mongooses." (Disclaimer from Sleeping in an Unmade Bed) Ironically, this fic is not about them.

Author's Note: a quick story for all of you who have been waiting. I'm very apologetic, I really am. I promise you though that no matter how long it takes, it will eventually be finished. Better late than never, hey? On a side note, this fic is very personal to me, as some it is very closely related to my own experiences.


What am I supposed to do
Sit around and wait for you
Well I can't do that
And there's no turning back
I need time to move on
I need a love to feel strong
'Cause I've got time to think it through
And maybe I'm too good for you

-- Believe, by Cher

(magical beginning)

"Hi Harry, Hi Gin. Have a good time shopping?" Hermione asked politely.

"Uh-huh. But we still need to get to Honeydukes and we have to go back soon. Oh well, I've got the map and my cloak, we can sneak back in. You guys want to come?"

"Sure!" Ron replied eagerly.

"I am not sneaking back into Hogwarts just so you can go to Honeydukes again, Ronald. I'm a prefect now!" Hermione protested. "You go with Harry- I'll walk back. It's not like I can stop you."

"I'll go with Hermione, okay Harry? Pick me up some chocolate, alright?" asked Ginny.

"Okay, see you later, Gin!" Harry yelled as Ron pulled him towards the sweet shop.

(magical scene change here)

"I just don't know, Ginny." Hermione said quietly as they tramped back to Hogwarts through the snow.

"What? Hermione admitting she doesn't know?" the fun-loving redhead girl teased.

"Well, since you and Harry were always off somewhere, Ron and I just ended up hanging out together. Of course, then Draco and his cronies started harassing us about it… and we just ended up being a couple. We went to the Halloween ball together… I guess I saw something in him… but I can't see it anymore!"

"Yeah, but you and Rom make such a good couple!" Ginny replied in protest. "You've known one another for ages, and you just… mesh so well. It's almost like you're married or something!"

"That's exactly the problem, Gin! It is like we're married- we don't so anything! I mean, it is nice, having a guy who isn't constantly trying to feel up my knickers, but he doesn't even hold my hand. For Merlin's sake, he hasn't even tried to kiss me! It's practically insulting. I know I'm not the most gorgeous creature to grace the halls of Hogwarts, but it's not like I'm Millicent or anything either!"

Ginny pondered this for a moment. "Have you tried to kiss him?"

"No!" Hermione blushed. "I'm not going to… I mean I think this is… well. But I have given him plenty of opportunities."

"Well, knowing my dunderhead of a brother, he probably just hasn't picked up on them." She rolled her eyes.

"Maybe… it's just… oh, I don't know. Some days I look at him and he seems cute and caring, and you know. But other times he's just Ron. And sometimes Ron annoys the hell out of me! Besides, it would be nice to just flirt and things like that."

"So, you're like friends then?" Ginny asked, not waiting for an answer. "Just stick with it. You can't really break up with someone you're not truly dating anyways. Besides, things might change. Now come on, we have to hurry and get ready for the ball!" Ginny excitedly raced up the stairs, Hermione trudging along behind her.

(magical scene change here)

Hermione sighed as she put on her dress. It really was a lovely thing, and she felt it suited her perfectly. Not that anyone would realize it; very few saw all sides of her. The dress was a dark shade of green that shimmered slightly in the light, with black embroidery covering the entire thing, giving it a slightly aged and truly elegant feel, in Hermione's opinion. There was white piping on the bodice, helping to accent her curves without too deep a cut. The back, however, was very deep, showing off her pale fair skin. It was form fitting, but not tight, and the skirt brushed the floor and whispered as she walked. She brushed her hair quickly; using a handy little charm she'd found to get rid of most of the frizz, leaving soft auburn curls that fell just below her shoulders- she'd get Ginny to put some of it up later. Quickly she applied some blush, lip gloss, and a light touch of mascara to bring out her eyes, and was done.

(magical scene change here)

"We've been waiting for almost five minutes." Ginny sighed impatiently. "What is taking them so damn long?"

"You should be used to it by now, Gin," replied Hermione

"Yeah, but-" Ginny was stopped short by the boys' arrival. "Finally! What in Merlin's name was taking you so long? I mean, hello, it's not like you have to do your hair or anything!"

Before Harry or Ron could reply, Hermione offered her suggestion. "Exactly. Which is why they figured they'd get in a quick game of Quidditch before they got ready." She tapped her foot, annoyed.

The boys couldn't decide whether to look astonished or ashamed. "How did you know?" Harry finally asked.

Hermione sighed and pointed to Ron's shirt. "You have grass stains on the bottom of your shirt."

"I…um… wanted to match?" Ron attempted to come up with a feasible excuse.

"Let's just go, okay?" Hermione shook her head and started walking in front of Harry and Ron with Ginny.

"That was kind of rude, Herm. But honestly, Quidditch? Sometimes I can't figure out what he loves more, me or that blasted game. It's a good thing I'm a chaser or I'd never see him!" Ginny whispered, annoyed, to Hermione.

Harry caught up with the girls and took Ginny's arm. "I'm sorry, Gin. It won't happen again, okay? Besides, I know you love that 'blasted game' too. Anyways, you look gorgeous. I didn't bother with dressing up much because I simply couldn't compete." Ginny giggled, and abandoned Hermione's ear for Harry's.

"Hermione?" Ron asked tentatively.

She kept walking. "What?" she asked brusquely.

"I, er… I'm sorry, all right? And you look fantastic too."

Hermione stopped abruptly. "Fine, whatever."

"…"

She sighed. "I'm sorry, Ron… it's just… oh I don't know."

"Yes, you do know. What aren't you telling me?" he prodded gently.

"Well… we're just both so busy all the time… we never see one another." Hermione began. "Face it, sometimes it seems like the only time we see one another is in class or at a Quidditch match. And you're on the bloody team!"

Ron stared at her for a moment. "You don't normally lose your patience like that, Herms."

"Well, I don't normally run out of it."

"Hermione, I'm sorry, okay? It's not a big deal… didn't they teach us a cleaning spell in Charms the other day?"

"Yes. Here." She flicked her wand and muttered some words that Ron for the life of him couldn't seem to remember.

"Thanks. Now come on, I know you hate being late." He grinned awkwardly.

"I suppose you're right. Though really, it's more a side effect of having Snape as a teacher than actually caring. Especially now with Advanced Potions." She admitted.

"I still can't believe you decided to take that course. I mean, everyone in there is a Slytherin, with Malfoy included."

"What's so bad about Malfoy anyways?"

Ron gaped.

"Well, honestly, Ronald, it's not like he's a death eater or anything. His father might be, but that doesn't mean he is. Besides, he's not a complete git anymore. When was the last time he actually spoke to you or Harry?"

"Well, I, erm… that is…" Ron fumbled for a comeback. "He's a Slytherin? How can you be defending him?"

"Because I actually know him, that's why. We're partners in Advanced Potions. He's quite talented, really…"

Ron returned to gaping.

"Why is everyone in this school so prejudiced? Honestly, it's awful-" Hermione stopped as they arrived at the Great Hall.

"I'll, uh, go get us some punch…" Ron said, running away to find food and Harry. He needed some comfort- this whole Malfoy-really-isn't-such-a-twit thing was causing him a lot of anguish. He found it a bit unfathomable that Hermione could think good of a Slytherin.

"Has your date abandoned you already, Granger?" came an all-too familiar voice from behind her.

"Malfoy, don't you dare start right now. I just spent the last five minutes defending Slytherins, you in particular, to Ron."

"A Gryffindor would do that for me? How terribly touching."

Hermione turned around to scowl at him but ended up with a somewhat dumbfounded look on her face as she saw his expression.


A/N: It won't be too long this time- I actually know what's going to happen next. Ultimately, this will only be two or three parts long, and it should be done by the end of Christmas break. If not, feel free to send me as many annoying emails as you like- I know they mean you care. As always, reviews guilt me into finishing sooner.