Splutters

Ron turned to look at Hermione who was beaming so much that her face was almost glowing. He just gapped at her, unable to say anything. After a few deep breathes he managed to speak but the words came out in splutters.

"I...them...but...what...I...?"

Hermione looked sympathetically at him before patting him on the arm and sitting down to start some homework.

"Hermione!" Ron demanded

"Yes Ron?" she asked innocently

Ron spluttered again, took another deep breath, "Explain!"

"They like each other." She said simply

"What do you mean?"

"You want me to explain what that means?" asked Hermione irritably

"I know what it means, thank you!" he spat back, "But when did this all happen?"

"End of last summer." She replied

"You knew?" he yelled, causing several people to look around in alarm

"Not for a long time, no. But it became increasingly obvious after Christmas."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ron continued to yell in anger at Hermione

"Because it wasn't my business to tell and stop yelling at me!" Hermione shouted

"Why didn't Harry tell me then?" Ron asked, his voice slightly softer but not altogether normal.

"Because he knew you'd do something drastic and uncalled for."

"Like what, what?" he snapped.

"This!" Hermione said through gritted teeth

"Why didn't I notice then?" he asked

"Because you're blind when it comes to that type of stuff!"

"No I'm not!"

"Ha!" Hermione scoffed at him, "You really are!"

"How do you mean?" he asked angrily

Hermione jumped to her feet, suddenly frustrated and mad at Ron, and picked up her books. "Because if you weren't you'd have forgotten about sticking your tongue down Lav-Lav's throat and notice what is right in front of you!"

With that Hermione turned on her heels and stormed up to her dormitory. Ron stood there utterly perplexed before Seamus shoved a Butterbeer into his hands and started talking about the Quidditch Game Gryffindor had just won.