The end of Christmas break was greatly anticipated for Hermione. The plan had been all worked out between her, Harry, and Ginny over the few remaining days following Hogsmeade. Today was the day that they would return, and the plan would go into action. Hermione shoved her books into her bag and left the library, heading back up to the Gryffindor common room to await their return.

As she rounded a corner, she couldn't help but notice Harry, Ron, and Ginny arguing with the Fat Lady. Hermione's face lit up at the sight of her friends, and she ran towards them.

Part of the plan was that Hermione had to look her best when they returned. Well, the best that she could while still appearing casual. Her hair was loosely curled, but none of the usual frizz remained. She wore her favorite perfume, just enough to get Ron to notice. The new robes she wore had been given to her by her parents for Christmas. Altogether, she had put together a casual, polished look.

All three turned to her as they heard her coming towards them. "Harry! Ginny!" she said excitedly, embracing Ginny first. Hermione stood as to exclude Ron from the conversation, and it was very effective. Next, she turned to give Harry a hug, prolonging it just long enough for it to seem more than a gesture of friendship.

"What's the trouble?" Hermione asked, blushing at the awkwardness of the situation. She could feel the waves of tension rolling off of Ron and into the atmosphere.

"New password," said Ginny. "You don't happen to know what it is, do you?"

"Oh yes," she replied. "The new password is abstinence."

"Correct," the Fat Lady confirmed, gliding open to reveal the Gryffindor common room. It seemed that not many people had returned yet from their vacation. The room only contained three people, laughingly playing a game of wizard chess. Ron took off for the dormitory as soon as the portrait was open, and the three remaining sniggered.

"Think it worked?" Harry asked sarcastically, giving Hermione and Ginny a sidelong glance. They nodded appreciatively and advanced to a couch by the fire.

The common room seemed strange with so few people in it. Very gradually it began to fill with students returning from their vacation. Abruptly, Ginny stood up.

"Sorry, guys. I said I'd meet Dean," she explained, and she was off. Harry's face fell, and only Hermione noticed Ginny look back as she headed toward a group of sixth years who had just entered the room. Ron came down the stairs, and Hermione decided it was a good time to start a conversation.

"How was your break?" she asked Harry, genuinely curious.

"It was pretty good. We got to see Fred and George, as well as Bill and Charlie," he said.

"And how are they?" Hermione asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. She risked a glance at Ron, who was indeed looking in their direction. Suppressing a smile, she added, "I haven't seen them since summer."

"Fred and George are, well, Fred and George," Harry concluded. Hermione laughed as he continued. "Bill and Charlie are good. They spent Christmas with us, but Charlie had to return to Romania for work not long after."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said. "He works too much."

Hermione glimpsed at Ron through her hair, and he was standing with his hands balled into fists, every muscle in his body rigid. She nonchalantly adjusted her position, scooting a little closer to Harry. The look on her face told Harry exactly what she was doing, and he swung his arm across the back of the couch.

"So, how did your break go?" Harry asked her.

"Pretty quiet," Hermione replied honestly. She had stayed at Hogwarts in order to study for N.E.W.T.s, even though they wouldn't be until seventh year. In Hermione's mind, you could never begin studying early enough. "Not many people stayed behind this year."

"Quiet is good sometimes," said Harry distractedly. He was watching Ron in his peripheral vision, whose face was gradually turning redder.

Enjoying herself, Hermione decided to take things a little farther, enough to get Ron even more fired up. Undoubtedly it would not be a difficult task. Her and Harry weren't sitting very close. The arm draped across the back of the couch barely reached her, but it was enough. She yawned dramatically and leaned her head onto Harry's hand. The only indication of Ron's reaction was the Fat Lady's yell and the sound of the portrait hole slamming. Looking up, Hermione confirmed that Ron was gone and smiled triumphantly.

"We should find Ginny," Harry suggested. "Let her know how it went. She'll be curious."

"Yeah, that's the reason you want to find her," Hermione said under her breath. But Harry didn't hear her. He was already scanning the common room for the familiar flash of flaming hair.

It had been decided that over the next few days Harry and Hermione should try to seem as though everything was normal. It was plain that there was now tension between Ron and Lavender, and Ginny thought it would be a good idea to see if anything would become of it before digging ever deeper into their plan.

To Hermione, Ron seemed sort of remote, not talking as much as usual, not eating as much at mealtimes, which to say the least, was momentous. As mad as she might be, she was feeling bad about it and decided to confide in Ginny.

"Hermione," Ginny said, "do you want to be Ron to start acting normal again?"

"Yes, of course I do," Hermione answered automatically. "It's just–"

"Then there's nothing you can do for this to be avoided," she reasoned. "He's hardly spoken two words to Harry since we returned. Do you think that's what he had in mind?"

"No, but–"

"Harry knew what he was giving up," Ginny said softly. "It's going to work, Hermione. It's Ron's own fault this is going on. You know that, don't you?"

"I suppose so," Hermione said quietly.

"Exactly." Ginny gave Hermione a hug and said, "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

She laughed. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."