Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize is mine, it's all Jo Rowling's.

Boys are stupid. No, scratch that - bloody Ron is stupid. Tonight was supposed to be fun and romantic and happy. But no, bloody stupid Ron had to go ruin it.

Hermione sat on her bed, tugging at her shoes and trying desperately not to cry. The red velvet drapes of the 4th year girls' dorm were pulled around her bed, hiding her from the view of her happy dorm mates who were walking up the stairs, their happy chatter preceding them, echoing up the long spiral staircase.

She had been so looking forward to this evening, so thrilled to be going with Viktor, sure she would have the time of her life.

But now she sat on her bed, bushy brown hair falling out of its elegant bun, missing an earring, tear marks on her face. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

Ron had been so angry to see her with Viktor. She didn't understand. Why was he so unforgiving? It was a friendly date, and the whole purpose of the Tournament itself was to promote international magical cooperation.

Of course, she thought bitterly, Ron doesn't even know what that means.

Hermione was instantly ashamed of herself. Ron may have been mean, but that didn't make it right for her to be mean too, even if he couldn't hear her.

She listened for a few minutes to her dorm mates as they got ready for bed, still talking excitedly about their magical evening.

Hermione could not connect with these girls. They simply did not understand each other beyond a friendly hello. They did not see eye to eye.

Hermione pulled half-heartedly at her other shoe. It was disturbingly reluctant to come off. As reluctant as she was to give up on Ron.

"Bloody shoe," she muttered under her breath. She sighed and leaned her head against the headboard, her eyes over bright.

She would never understand those bloody boys.