"Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last result!" With that Hermione sat down on the steps and let out a silent sob. She heard the boys walk up the stairs and toward the common room, Ron muttering incoherently.

She wasn't sure how long she sat on the steps before she felt someone sit next to her. She didn't look up, figuring it was Harry, here to apologize for Ron. Or worse, Krum. However, after a few minutes of them not saying anything, her curiosity got the better of her. She looked up and gaped to see Fred looking back at her.

"What did that idiot brother of mine do now?" He asked, smirking slightly. Even with his smirk, his eyes twinkled with concern and Hermione felt herself staring into them. She pulled her gaze away, realizing what she was doing.

"Idiot is right." She mumbled quietly, so quietly in fact that Fred wondered if she was talking to herself for a few seconds. "I don't know why I try, He's much too immature to understand anything. I really should just stop waiting around."

Fred was quiet for awhile, processing everything. After a few minutes he nodded though. "I don't know why you wait either. You're much more mature than half the girls in my year. I can't imagine what it must be like for you. Which is why I don't understand why you insist upon waiting for Ron to mature. You and I both know you're going to be waiting around for quite a long time."

Hermione blinked a few times, thoroughly surprised. She had never seen Fred so serious; She had never seen Fred serious, period. It brought feelings to her, knowing he could be more than he showed. She found herself staring into his eyes again as he leaned closer. For a moment she thought, hoped, that he was going to kiss her.

He pushed a piece of hair out of her eyes, his lips hovering over her own. Ever so gently, he tucked the piece of hair behind her ear and whispered quietly, "You looked beautiful tonight." His breath tickled her lips and she found herself closing her eyes in anticipation for her kiss.

Instead, she heard him stand up. Hermione opened her eyes, looking up at him., but he wouldn't meet her gaze. He cleared his throat noisily before turning on his heel so his back was to her. She heard him vaguely mutter something along the lines of goodnight before he walked away, leaving her staring after him, confused beyond reason.