Hermione entered the common room carrying a large stack of books. Although this wasn't unusual for Hermione, there was certainly more of a big deal made when everyone found out what they were for.

"I've been in the library during every spare moment I've had today, looking up revealing spells," she explained. Ginny dared to chance a look at Ron, who didn't seem the slightest bit paranoid. "It's ridiculous. There's hardly anything on revealing spells. There must be more than this," Hermione sighed. "But it's worth a shot."

She dropped the pile onto the table and sprawled them out, placing the letter in front of her. Ron was grateful that Harry was intrigued by what she was doing, so it didn't seem strange that he was watching her.

"What's this about, Hermione?" Harry asked curiously.

"It's the letter I was telling you about earlier, Harry," Ginny said, as Hermione skimmed through the first book, stopping when she found that part she wanted. Her eyes briefly examined the page, before she took out her wand and pointed it at the letter.

"Aparecium," she said, watching in anticipation but let down when the paper did nothing. "I guess it was a little ambitious hoping they'd signed it in invisible ink..."

Ginny giggled, and Hermione frowned.

"Madam Pince suggested a couple of spells that I won't find suggested in books... Deletrius," Hermione said, flicking her wand at the paper. When nothing happened, she tried "Dissendium."

The bushy haired girl heaved a sigh, staring angrily at the piece of paper as if she could scare it into telling her who sent it.

"Scourgify!" she yelled, but quickly counteracted the spell as the writing started to rub away. "Revelio!" She tried desperately, slumping helplessly in her seat when the letter remained the same.

"Have you tried Finite Incantatem?" Seamus suggested, joining in with the few people circling Hermione. People that knew Hermione were becoming more and more interested by this person who had managed to mask their identity so well, and Seamus was no exception. Hermione's eyes widened in realisation.

"Why hadn't I thought of that before?" She said, pointing her wand at the paper. Ron suddenly realised he hadn't cancelled out the possibility of Finite Incantatem, and looked desperately at Ginny, who caught his eye just in time.

"Finite Incan-"

"Expelliarmus!" Ginny yelled, catching Hermione's wand in her hand. Hermione was blasted back in her seat and toppled over, knocking the books off with her. Ron looked at Ginny with an are-you-insane look, and she simply smiled uneasily.

"What was that for?" Hermione shrieked, standing back up and looking at the mess she had made.

"Um... don't you think it would be more fun if we didn't know who it was for now? I think it would. You'll agree with me eventually," Ginny said, nodding and smiling in the hope Hermione wouldn't murder her. While she was still in shock, Ginny took the opportunity to cast the spells Ron hadn't covered on the letter, so it was now impossible for Hermione or anyone else for that matter to know who sent it. The small gathering around them groaned, and Ginny felt her embarrassment heating up her cheeks. She walked away from the mad-at-Ginny scene to sit down next to Ron, who was still in awe about her basically attacking Hermione.

"Subtle," he said as she made herself comfortable. "So subtle, I don't even think Hermione noticed."

"You could thank me, you know. I just embarrassed myself to make sure you didn't embarrass yourself."

"Thanks. But seriously, disarming her?"

"Ron, I had literally a second. What would you have done?"

"...Fair point."

Ginny laughed, and Ron considered announcing a game of Wizard Snap for the few people in the common room to play but was distracted when a new voice grabbed his attention.

"Hermione?" Cormac asked, standing right in front of her so she had no choice but to turn all her attention to him.

"Um, yes?" Hermione replied, obviously trying her hardest to show she had no interest in him. Ron shifted in his seat and watched them out of the corner of his eye, glaring at Cormac with such hatred it was a wonder Cormac couldn't feel Ron's eyes burning his head.

"It's Valentine's day next week," he said, as if she didn't know. "And I was wondering if you had a date for the Valentine's Ball."

Ron swallowed a lump in his throat to stop himself from growling. The Valentine's Ball wasn't something Ron was particularly passionate about, and alas, Lavender was his date by default. He waited almost in pain for Hermione's answer, which even she wasn't sure of.

"Um... I'm very... flattered, Cormac, but-"

"Has someone asked you?"

"Um, not exactly, but-"

"Then what's stopping you?"

"I... I'll think about it," Hermione said, offering him an uneasy smile before excusing herself and running up to her dormitory. Cormac seemed extremely smug, and Ron felt sick with envy.

"Ginny," he said lowly, "what are the chances of Hermione going to the ball with Cormac?"

"It depends how lonely she's feeling," Ginny replied honestly. "But she's not he's biggest fan."

"Right," Ron said, still glaring at the arrogant boy. He was fully aware he couldn't have Hermione right now – but if he was going to lose her, he would make sure it wouldn't be to Cormac.