Hermione sank into the couch of the Gryffindor common room, her gaze lost within the flames of the fire. She was oblivious to the celebrations around her. She was lost in her thoughts. It took Ginny flopping down next to her to break her from her stare.
"Hey party pooper. Care to explain the serious face?"
Ginny nudged her shoulder into Hermione and gave her a smile. Hermione did her best to muster up a smile, "It's nothing. I just have a lot on my mind."
"You should be excited! We just won a game! Ron and Harry are coming tomorrow to visit."
Hermione sighed, "I know, I should be excited. I just," she shrugged and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, "I guess I'm just tired. I haven't been sleeping much lately."
"Are you sure there isn't something else? You've been kind of out of it lately."
Ginny looked concerned and that made Hermione nervous. She didn't want her to press. She wasn't exactly sure how to explain it herself. She just felt different. Like there was something missing. She didn't want to say something and alarm her. Hermione was sure that it would pass. It had to right?
"It's nothing really Ginny. I promise," she said with a reassuring look, "I'm just going to go to bed. I think I will feel better after I get some sleep."
Hermione got up from the couch and Ginny grabber her wrist, "You know you can talk to me right?"
Hermione stared down at one of her closest friends and lied through her teeth. She couldn't talk to her about it.
"I know. Good night Ginny. I'll see you in the morning."
Hermione made her way up the stairs and into the dormitory. She looked around at the other beds and she regretted not taking the position for head girl. She really could have used the privacy right about now. At first Hermione felt at ease with all the other girls but she soon tired of all the chatter and cattiness. She missed Harry and Ron; it wasn't the same without them around. Ginny was a good friend but there was too much that couldn't be said. She couldn't speak openly with Ginny about her brother. She was a Weasley first and Hermione knew that.
As much as she loved Ron, it was clear that things weren't going as planned. Hermione had always imagined being with Ron. He was one of her best friends and she loved him deeply. Lately though things had started to change between them. Hermione had started to notice it when she returned to Hogwarts. As close as they were, being apart changed their dynamic. It was different when they were together all the time. It seemed obvious they would be together. They had grown apart in the months they were separated. Ron was distant and far too consumed with work. Hermione had only seen him once or twice and the letters were scarce. They never had much to say to one another. Hermione often envied Harry and Ginny's relationship. They were constantly writing one another, they had a passion that Ron and she had lost.
Hermione changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed pulling the blanket over her head. Hugging her pillow close she laid in bed and drifted into sleeping, unsure of what tomorrow would bring.
