Ron stomped down to the Great Hall, his breath coming out in short spurts. He was angry. You're making a big deal over nothing, a voice inside his head practically shouted at him. You're making yourself look like a big baby.

" Oh, shut the hell up," Ron growled back as he pushed through the doors and into the Great Hall. The four house tables were rather devoid of students. Only a few stragglers were left behind, enjoying their breakfast. Ron headed over to the Gryffindor table, where his older twin brothers, Fred and George, were sitting, with their best friend, Lee Jordan. A couple seats away sat Ron's sister, Ginny, the youngest Weasley. Across from her was one of Ginny's friends, Dana Ferguson. Ron took a seat next to Ginny, grunting a hello when she said good morning to him. He grabbed a roll from the middle of the table and shoved the whole thing into his mouth, chewing rapidly. He wasn't really hungry, but he knew he needed to eat, and considering he had stormed out of Gryffindor Tower, he really had no place else to go.

Ginny and Dana both shot him curious looks, but he ignored them. Ron finished eating his roll, and washed it down with a goblet of pumpkin juice. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he glanced over at his sister, who was staring at him with her mouth hanging open slightly.

" Don't chew with your mouth open, Gin," he said with a small smirk.

Ginny rolled her eyes. " I really don't think you should be the one quoting table etiquette to me," she snapped back sassily, turning back to Dana.

Ron smiled sarcastically, but didn't reply. After eating some toast and drinking more juice, Ron stood up from the table, finished with his breakfast. He thumped Ginny on the back as he walked by, then pushed through the giant double doors, leaving the Great Hall. As Ron stepped into the entrance hall, he ran his fingers through his red hair, debating whether or not he should head back to Gryffindor Tower. He had calmed down slightly, enough to apologize to Harry and Hermione for being so rude to them.

Ron turned towards the marble staircase, and collided with the last person he wanted to see: Draco Malfoy. Ron looked up, his eyes narrowing, as Draco stumbled backwards, looking him up and down.

" Well, if it isn't the Weasel," Malfoy said with a sneer.

" Bug off, Malfoy," Ron snapped, straightening. He was glad Crabbe and Goyle weren't there to back Malfoy up. He could easily take Malfoy on his own, if necessary, considering he had a good inch or two on him.

Malfoy ignored the comment. He glanced over Ron's shoulder, as if expecting someone to push through the doors and join them. He raised an eyebrow at Ron. " Where's Potter and the Mudblood?" he questioned, smirking.

Ron opened his mouth to say something in Hermione's defense, but Malfoy continued. " Oh . right . I forgot. Those two are some kind of item now, aren't they? Off snogging each other then? Hmm . too bad you can't find someone to snog, Weasley, it's obvious you've been left in the dust. Then again, who'd want to snog the likes of you? You're poor - "

Ron clenched his fists angrily, taking a menacing step towards Malfoy. " Fuck off, Death Eater," he growled. Before Malfoy could retort, Ron shoved past him, and headed up the marble staircase, his face hot with anger. As he made his way towards Gryffindor Tower, Ron tried not to think too hard about what Malfoy had said. " . it's obvious you've been left in the dust . " It wasn't like he was right, anyway.

Yes he is, the voice inside his head argued. That's why you're so mad. Because Malfoy said exactly what you've been thinking. That they did leave you in the dust.

" What Malfoy says doesn't matter," Ron muttered, trying to reason with himself. He stopped walking, taking deep, calming breaths. He looked up, realizing he had already reached the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The portrait of the Fat Lady looked down at him.

" Hello, dear," the Fat Lady said jovially. " Password?"

Ron paused a second. " Blitwit," he replied.

The portrait swung open, revealing the common room inside. Taking another deep breath, Ron stepped inside, his eyes immediately scanning the room for his two best friends. They were where he had left them. Hermione's nose was buried deep in a large book, and Harry was glumly staring out the window. Ron raised an eyebrow. Had the two been in a fight? He doubted it. Like they had anything to fight about.

Slowly, Ron walked over to them. He was still angry, but not at them anymore. He was angry at Malfoy. And that was enough to allow himself to apologize to his friends. " H - hello," he stammered.

Hermione slowly looked up from her book, staring at him with a startled expression, as if disbelieving that he was standing there in front of her. Harry's head whipped around, and he watched Ron cautiously.

" Hello," Hermione responded. Harry nodded his greeting.

Ron swallowed nervously. He lowered his head, then mumbled," I'm really sorry for being so grouchy. I didn't mean to get so mad at you two." There was silence. Ron looked up. His friends stared back at him, then their faces broke out into smiles.

" Don't worry about it, mate," Harry said. " I have to admit we were both worried about you. We thought you were mad at us."

" Yeah, Ron," Hermione piped up. " Well," she paused," Harry thought you were mad at us. I just knew something was wrong. Care to tell us?"

Ron watched Hermione intently. She stared up at him with quizzical brown eyes. Slowly, he shook his head. He couldn't tell them, and he certainly couldn't tell her. No. He would just keep his crush on Hermione to himself, that was all. Let Harry and Hermione continue living happily. And he'd ignore his feelings for her, and start acting like nothing was wrong. That whatever was the matter with him, he had worked out on his own, and he needn't bother his friends with his problems. Ron shook his head again, forcing a small smile on his face. " Don't worry about it. I'm fine," he replied.

Hermione nodded, looking skeptical. Ron glanced at Harry, who was also eyeing him warily. " Really," he added, for good measure. He sat down in his armchair, and glanced at the cover of Hermione's book, which lay closed and forgotten in her lap.

" Things to do when you have nothing to do by Felicia Noobin," Ron read aloud. He glanced at Hermione, raising an eyebrow in amusement. " Nice book, Herm."

Hermione rolled her eyes, unable to keep the smile from her face. " Oh, shut up, Ron."

Ron grinned as Harry chuckled. It fell silent again. The common room was filled with other students, relaxing and enjoying the weekend. Ron looked around at the two friends sitting beside him. Hermione was flipping rapidly through the book, her tongue sticking out between her teeth. Harry was still staring out the window, but the glumness from his face had left him. Ron felt good that he was the one to cause it to disappear. He didn't really have much to say to his friends at the moment, but Ron didn't mind. He liked the silence, because it was comfortable, and he could relax for a little bit. At the moment, he did not feel jealous, and he was glad.

" Hi Ron," came a high-pitched voice in front of him. Ron looked up. Lavender Brown was standing in front of him, and slightly off to the left, was her best friend, Parvati Patil.

" Hey Lavender," Ron said. " H - how are things?" she stammered, sounding rather giggly. Ron noticed her hands shaking slightly. He raised an eyebrow at her strange behavior.

" Just fine. How are things with you?" he asked politely. He really didn't care how things were with Lavender, considering he didn't really like her. She was rather annoying, her and Parvati acting as if they were better than all the rest. And they were rather snotty to Hermione.

" G - great," Lavender replied. She smiled. " Um ... " she looked around the room, her mouth hanging open slightly. Ron wondered what she was looking for. He shot a quick glance at Harry, who raised an eyebrow at him before turning to look at Lavender again.

" Um . " Lavender said again. She closed her mouth, cleared her throat, and turned back to Ron. " H - how was breakfast?"

" Just fine," Ron said again, this time in amusement. What was up with this girl? Can't she just leave? She's starting to get on my nerves!

Lavender opened her mouth to say something else, but thankfully, Hermione interrupted her, sounding rather miffed. " Do you need something, Lavender?" she asked.

Lavender started, then glanced down at Hermione. " Not from you, Granger," she replied stiffly. " Who would need anything from you?" she added.

Harry stirred angrily in his chair. " Then would you mind leaving, Brown?!" he snapped.

Ron looked at him in surprise. It was very unlike Harry to be rude to anyone if it wasn't Malfoy, Snape, or another evil Slytherin. He was never mean to a Gryffindor. True, he was rather annoyed at the Creevey brothers, but not to the extent of being openly rude.

Lavender's mouth hung open in surprise. Even Hermione was looking at Harry in bewilderment.

" Defending your girlfriend, Potter?" Parvati spoke up.

Harry turned to Parvati. " Yeah, I am, Patil. You got a problem with that?" Parvati raised her eyebrows, but didn't respond.

" I thought so," Harry said shortly. " Now would you two do us all the pleasure of getting out of our sight? Unless, Lavender, you have something of importance to ask Ron."

" N - no," Lavender replied. She blushed, glancing at Ron before turning away.

" C'mon, Lavender," Parvati said angrily, whipping around. " Let's go somewhere where we're appreciated. We're obviously not wanted here."

" No, you're obviously not!" Hermione shouted after them. The common room quieted for a second, as all eyes turned to stare at Hermione, surprised at her outburst. She smiled sheepishly and turned back around. " What?"

Ron and Harry stared, wide eyed, at her for a second. Then the two burst into laughter simultaneously. Hermione joined in, and soon the three were doubled over in hysterical laughter, all enjoying the moment where everything was okay again.