Disclaimer: They're not mine. I'm not nearly cool enough.

Author's Notes: First off, I wrote this for the CLM challenge and then realized that "omg... it's not slash. I can't post it there!" Anyway, this is my first story where R/H is center stage. In fact, this is my first ever fic there the primary coupling is het! I dunno how well I did with this one, but I hope you all think it's alright. Written in 20 minutes for CLM/AS challenge...

Silent Treatment
Katie of Gryffindor


Hermione and Ron glared at each other.

Hermione stuck her tongue out at Ron.

Ron did the same back.

Harry just shook his head, a smile on his face. He couldn't believe the two of them. He could have sworn one of them would have given in by now.

But no. The two of them were still sitting in silence. Just moments before, Harry (as well as the rest of the Great Hall's occupants) had been witness to another Hermione-yelling-at-Ron scene. This time was because Ron had not remembered their anniversary.

Ron stopped glaring at Hermione and started sending his Death Gaze at his mashed potatoes instead. Harry wouldn't wish that glare on anyone or anything... Not even mashed potatoes. Poor potatoes, thought Harry with a hidden smile.

Hermione glared at the top of Ron's head for a few more seconds, and then she sighed angrily and went back to eating.

Harry shook his head sadly, wishing his best friends would not fight quite so much. But then again, if Ron and Hermione didn't fight at least once a day, neither of them would feel it was a productive day. Either that, or one would think the other is mad at them for no reason and so therefore stop speaking to the other. Harry figured that second part was probably just to start a fight to make the both of them feel better.

After some more strained silence, Hermione looked up at Ron. Harry saw the sparkle of tears in her eyes. He sent an elbow into Ron's ribs.

Ron's Death Gaze was aimed at Harry. For a moment, Harry quailed under his best friend's stare. But the Gryffindor in him made Harry nod toward Hermione.

Ron turned the Death Gaze on his girlfriend but regretted it the instant he did. Hermione felt the fury behind the glare and it broke her completely. Harry could see in her eyes that she had been about to apologize. But now all that was there was pain, sadness and anger once again.

Hermione glared back at her boyfriend and then stood up. She picked up her goblet of pumpkin juice, leaned across the table, and emptied it easily. Right on Ron's head.

The humorous part of Harry's mind reminded him that pumpkin juice on Ron's head wasn't so bad because at least it matched Ron's hair. But the more rational parts of Harry's mind reprimanded the humorous part and turned sympathetic eyes on his best friend.

Ron frowned sadly back at Harry. And Harry saw the familiar look in Ron's eyes that clearly was asking whether he should go after Hermione.

Harry nodded.

At the bobbing of obsidian locks, the redhead jumped to his feet and hurried off after the bushy-haired girl he loved so much.

Harry just sighed, knowing that another heated discussion was in order. But he also knew that in an hour or so everything would be just fine again.

Because neither of his best friends were ever really good at keeping up the silent treatment.

~*~ The End ~*~