He saw her, books in hand, heading down to the lake. He had the impulse to follow her, and did so quietly. She sat upon the grass, and simply looked across the glassy water. He cautiously sat himself next to her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a tear fall from hers. She sniffled, and he reached out to touch her shoulder. She shook away from his touch.

"Hermione, please. I-I didn't, I'm sorry." She continued to sniff, and kept the cold silence that was turning his heart to ice. "I'll stop getting on you so much about school, and Vicky- er- Viktor, and all the other things."

"That's just it Ron, you always say this. It's always 'I'm sorry, it won't happen again.' Yet, the next day, here we are again. " She sighed. "And it's so superficial the things we fight about. Viktor, and school? I know I can be a pain in the ass when it comes to studies. I KNOW Ron. I really do. I just…I don't want you to leave. "

"What do you mean 'Mione?"

"I mean, that if your grades slip too much, you'll be kicked off quidditch and you'll be expelled. I don't want to be here without you."

"Why?"

"Well because. You and Harry and Ginny are all I really have. I have my nose in my books so much, no one else really seems to notice me or care. If you're gone, I'll only have two people to trust. And that's not nearly enough."

"Oh. Right, yeah." He turned toward her, and looked into her amber eyes. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

She seemed to relax a bit. She got up, picked up her books, and held her hand out to Ron. "Alright well, I suppose we should get back. Supper will be almost ready, and I know you don't want to miss any of that."

He took her hand, and got to his feet. Once he was upright, she let go. She turned away and began walking toward the castle. He followed behind her, and just looked at her, wondering if what she said was really what she meant.

Hermione walked up the hill to the castle, and even though they just had a nice conversation, and he apologized, she still felt tears burning in the corners of her eyes.

"Why is it so complicated with him? Why do I always do this?"

"Always do what?" A voice came from her right. She turned to look into the face of Ginny. Ron's sister, and her most trusted friend.

"Oh, nothing." The one thing Hermione couldn't talk to Ginny about was her brother. She was afraid Ginny would tell him everything. She thought there was some sort of brother/sister code that would surpass the best friends' code.

"Yeah, okay. Spill."

"There's nothing to spill Ginny. Your brother just hurt my feelings again, that's all."

"That can't be all. You didn't look so distant last time. You barely noticed me come up. You were crying still, even after he apologized, and I know he apologized. It looked like he did it very nicely. He was concerned if that makes you feel better."

"Ginny I swear, that's all it is."

"Why can't you tell me! I'm your best friend! Or I'm supposed to be. But best friends tell each other everything! I know I tell you every bit of anything that happens to me. Why can't you do the same for me?"

"Because-because it's not that simple this time."

"Well why not?"

"Because I've realized something."

"Bloody hell, realized what!"

"I'm not even totally sure yet. But I promise, when I am, you'll be the first to know."

With a cold shrug, Ginny walked away. Hermione was left to sadly make her way alone into the Great Hall. Once inside, she took her regular seat across from Harry, who winked at her from behind his turkey leg. He must have been hungry tonight too, he was eating like Ron. She glanced at Ron, who was picking at his food, like he was uninterested.

"What's eating you?" Harry asked Ron with a full mouth.

"Nothing, I'm just not hungry."

"Really? You said you were starved at practice."

"Well yeah, I was, but I went to the kitchens and got something, so I'm not hungry now."

Harry gave Ron the knowing "We'll talk later " look. Ron returned it, just as subtly, and resumed picking at his food.

"Hermione, I said I was sorry." Ron said. They were in the common room, sitting by the fire. Hermione had a book, as usual, and Ron was polishing his broom.

"I know you did."

"Well you never said it was okay, or anything. And you're still acting the same as before. Maybe even worse."

"Worse? And how exactly am I acting Ronald?"

"Well, um. You're so quiet, and stiff all the time. I haven't seen you smile in a long while."

"Well maybe I have a lot on my mind, and it's not all about the row we had yesterday. Maybe there are other things in my universe, and my mind besides Ron Weasley. Did you think of that?"

"Hermione, I was only—I'm only trying to—"

"Trying to what? Trying to help me? Trying to understand? Well if you want to help, then leave me alone!"

"Oh COME ON! Can't you see how hard I'm trying here? I'm trying. And I'm not getting anything for it."

"Well what the hell do you expect Ron!"

"I expect a little appreciation for not being a prick. I'm trying really hard."

"I know, you've said that. Look, I'm going to bed, and hopefully tomorrow we'll both be cooled off." She started up the stairs, but turned one last time, and said, "I'm sorry Ron. I'm the prick." And left him to look after her, more confused than he'd ever been in his life.