No copyright infringement intended whatsoever. Harry Potter doesn't belong to me in any way, I write purely for fun :)

She was not a foolish girl, and to have her intelligence insulted in such ways was certainly unpleasant. Hermione Granger had known Ron for over seven years and for the duration had spent the majority of her time loyally by his side as one of his very best friends - for him to suggest that she couldn't tell when there was something bothering him was practically absurd. It had been going on for almost a month now, constant bad moods, lack of apparent interest in absolutely anything and a dreadfully unfriendly temperament. Nothing she tried, said, or did seemed to heighten his spirits, her constant affection seeming if anything only to push him further away. She never let him see her cry.

*

She knew when she wasn't wanted – the way he got up and left any room she came into was proof enough of that.

She knew when her best efforts simply weren't enough – after days and weeks of trying her hardest, she was sure of that.

She knew when she should probably give up – she just knew.

*

"If you would only tell me the problem Ronald, perhaps I could help you." She noted how she reverted to using his full name when she was annoyed with him, a habit she'd picked up years before.

The redhead shrugged, "perhaps" he mused "- assuming of course there was something up with me. I've told you over and over Hermione, I'm fine!"

He looked practically depressed as he stretched out across the plush red sofa, his thick muscular arms outstretched above his head, a look of deep anguish painted across his freckled face. His overall air of sadness upsetting to behold, Hermione went back to pretending to read her text book; however her eyes couldn't focus on the words only centimetres away, her mind practically humming with possibilities of things that could cause Ron's terrible mood. The minutes ticked slowly by, interrupted only by Ron fidgeting on the sofa, clearly uneasy. When the silence became too much for Hermione to stomach, she broke it.

"We live together Ron, you can't escape me forever." She said desperately, for he was looking longingly towards the door, and no doubt the solitude which outside offered. "I'm not being nosey, only you've barely eaten for two days now, which on its own can't be that nice for you, and I can hardly hold a civilised conversation with you at the best of times!" Hermione was close to tears. "I'm worried for you Ron."

Glancing towards her, a meek smile on his face, Ron said "There's no need to be worried 'Mione, honestly, I'll have something to eat later." Tears trickled down her cheeks, huge droplets falling onto the page of her book beneath her, she turned away. Ron didn't need to see.

"This isn't just about you not eating, though I must admit it's certainly out of character" her attempt at subtle humour was clearly lost on him as his expression remained vacant "I hate to see you this way, it upsets me. There's nothing that can be bothering you that you can't talk over with me, come on Ron I'm your girlfriend – I'm here for you. I want to be here for you!"

Deflated, Hermione returned his smile as she lifted herself from the lounge chair she'd been sitting in, and replacing her book on the bookcase neatly with her wand, leant to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "I love you, Ron – I want you to know that."

"Me too."

She hurriedly left the room before he had chance to catch the sight of the tears already flowing freely down her flushed cheeks.