A/N: Hello all. First story ever published here. It was supposed to be a meditation on magic, but is turning into a bit more plot driven with a surprising Ron as the main character. We'll see how it goes. It's set in a Hogwarts that is independant from the plot of the books- like so many romances. If you enjoy it, feel free to leave a comment.

~0~

This was not the first time, the portraits noted to each other, that Hermione Granger dawdled before the Ranking Wall. It was a magnificent piece of magic to be sure. One worthy of the attention the little witch paid it. Two stories high, the wall was covered in hundreds of wooden plaques- each bearing the name of a current student of Hogwarts, their year, their house, and a small family crest- should the student have one.

The wall was in constant motion. With each test graded, each essay corrected, each spell correctly cast- the plaques shuffled and reshuffled themselves on the wall to properly display which student was head of her house, her year, and the school. It was said a miniature copy of the Ranking Wall stood in the Ravenclaw common room to encourage the students to even more studious studies. Yet, the story might be a myth, Hermione often thought, because there were more Slytherins in the top ranks than any other house.

Still, the sound was comforting to Hermione. They reminded her of the thick flicker of cards that fluttered through her father's fingers as he dealt himself game after game of solitaire. More comforting though was the steady silence from her own plaques- resting in the highest position in each category. A silent avowal of her most cherished title: cleverest witch in her house, her year, her generation.

But today, Hermione had not come to reassure herself, to gloat, or keep an eye on the competition. Instead, a frown marred her serious face and her eyes were not directed upwards as were their custom. Instead, her gaze was fixed at the lowest grades in each division and it was clear she did not like what she saw.

The girl reached forward and placed her wand on the only other stationary plaque on the wall. It was unmarked but brightly polished and the girl frowned for a moment before commanding,

"Please show Transfiguration Grades, all houses, all years."

The plaques paused in their vertical shuffling and scattered across the wall. Forming themselves into new columns by house and year. Hermione reflexively checked that her name was still at the top of the 6th years and then scanned down the list to the bottom rows. After a moment, she pressed her wand against the unmarked plaque again.

"Please show Charms Grades, all houses, all years."

The plaques moved slightly. A few names skittered upwards. A handful dropped lower. Hermione's frown deepened as she looked at the lower rows.

"Please show Potions Grades, all houses, all years."

The movement was greater this time and Hermione's expression lightened for a moment as she glanced through the lists, but it quickly darkened as she caught sight of the lowest rows. She repeated the request several more times, running through her course list: Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Ancient Runes. Finally, mouth tight- she snapped:

"Show Divination Grades, all houses, all years-"

This time, her eyes widened when she read through the list and immediately narrowed. She repeated her request twice more- Astronomy, Numerology- and then spun on her heel and stalked out of the hall. As soon as the girl had disappeared from sight, the plaques resumed their normal patterns and the portraits were left to speculate what had so caused the bright young witch such consternation.

~0~

Ginny Weasley was not a reader. Her tattered school books sat mostly ignored at the end of her bed until finals when she tore them open and bemoaned the fact she couldn't just stuff the knowledge into her head. Come summer, she was always glad to forget books ever existed. However, for the past half hour, Ginny hadn't moved a muscle except for the turning of a page now and then. Ron gave his sister another look and then turned back to his best friend who was frowning over the conflicting advice from his pawns.

"I tell you, mate- it's bloody uncanny."

"Hmm." Harry snatched back his hand after a pawn poked it sharply with his sword. The stream of abuse indecipherable and tinny.

"She's reading. Rea-ding." Ron enunciated incase Harry hadn't understood. Harry finally looked up- sucking on his finger.

"Huh? What?"

"Ginny." Ron shook his head and looked over to where his sister was now chewing on a strand of her hair. "That's a bloody book in her hands."

"Oh." It was clear Harry's mind wasn't on the book. Ron flopped back in his chair and put the image out of his head. "Oh yeah- she's- Hermione gave her some books."

Hermione.

Ron shook his head and leaned forward to focus on the game in front of him. Their friend was a puzzle he wasn't keen on exploring at the moment.

"Move your knight to G7, mate."

"Thanks." Harry grinned and shoved the wriggling chess piece forward. Shrill jeers and catcalls echoed from the board as his side cried 'foul play' and 'betrayal!' "Oh, speak of the devil, herself-"

Ron jerked his head up as Hermione strode into the room. Her expression was set in the all too familiar creases of concern. The same expression she had whenever her mind was taken up with matters loftier than the next Quiddich game, classes, or holiday plans. Anymore, it seemed the only expression she had.

Instead of stopping by their table, Hermione strode past the two boys and over to where Ginny had looked up from her book. The girls were too far away to make out the conversation, but after a moment, Ginny shut the book, picked up her bag, and followed Hermione to the girl's dorms. Harry returned to the game and shook his head.

"Do you think she's alright?" He asked, turning towards the window. Even though it was late November and the skies were rainy, Ron could tell his friend's mind had already shifted towards open air and the freedom of flight. Sighing, Ron moved his bishop forward and took Harry's now open Queen.

"Who? Hermione?" He moved Harry's rook for him. "Yeah. If it was something she'd talk to us." Maybe. If they were considered worthy of her latest plan.

"Right." Harry agreed absently. Ron brought his bishop forward again and checkmated Harry's king and sat back- fingers drumming on his stomach. Harry turned back to the game and grinned suddenly as he saw the celebrating white pieces. "Oh brilliant. Game's done. Want to go flying."

"No," Ron shook his head and roused himself to begin picking up the pieces. Laying each one carefully back in their spot, he continued. "You go on. Got to beat Hufflepuff next weekend. I'll see you at dinner."