"Um, hello Cormac." Hermione said awkwardly, loosely gripping Ron's arm.
Ron narrowed his eyes at Cormac. Since Quidditch tryouts, Ron had known Cormac fancied Hermione. Since that day, Ron had loathed him.
"So Hermione, you hear about the Valentine's day dance?" Cormac said smoothly, walking towards them.
"No, actually." she said, letting go of Ron's arm and turning towards him.
Ron felt a twinge of jealousy at this.
"Well, Valentine's day is coming up, and that night, there's a dance. There's a romantic dinner, dancing, everything romance."
"That's sounds fun."
"I think so too. Except…"
"Except what?"
"I need a date."
"Oh…"
"Would you be my date, Hermione?" he asked, holding the roses out to her.
"Cormac…" Hermione started, but didn't know what to say. She looked around and gave Harry and Ron a pleading look.
"She'd love to." Ron said unexpectedly.
"Ron!" she whispered furiously.
"Great! See you around, Hermione." Cormac tilted her head upwards and their lips met, but quickly separated as he walked away.
Once he was out of sight, Hermione whipped around and glared at Ron.
"Ron! Why the hell did you do that?" she asked furiously.
Ron looked dazed, staring blankly at the floor. He walked over to the couch and sat down.
"Ron?" Hermione said, a tone of anger still in her voice.
"Hermione, let me talk to him. Can you go sit over there please?" Harry asked, pointing to a corner in the back of the common room, out of Ron's sight.
She grudgingly went to where he was pointing and plopped into an armchair, arms folded angrily over her chest.
"Ron?" Harry said, slowly sitting down on the couch next to him. "What's wrong mate?"
Ron looked at him, then glanced at Hermione. When she met his eyes, he quickly looked away.
"Ilufur." he said quickly and quietly.
"What was that?"
"Ilover." he said, still quickly and quietly.
"I can't understand you."
He took a shaky breath. "I love her." he whispered.
Harry stayed silent. He opened his mouth to speak when Ron spoke again.
"But she'll never love me back. Why would she? I mean, she's brilliant, beautiful, everything every guy wants… and what do I have? Nothing. You two are probably in love. I saw the way you two were when I came down here. And besides, who would like me when I'm next to Harry Potter? I'll always be second best."
"Ron, that's not true."
"Yes it is. I set Hermione up with Cormac because she deserves a great guy, not a prat like me."
Hermione walked up behind them.
"I'll be going to bed now." Ron said, and walked up the stairs to the boys dormitory.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked Harry, taking Ron's spot.
He sighed and rubbed his leg. A confused expression crossed his face and he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a pink candy wrapper that Hermione recognized instantly.
"Hey that's one of Fred and George's candy wrappers. Wait… I lost mine. Maybe that's it!"
She took the wrapper from his hand and looked at it.
The person or people who are madly in love with you will reveal themselves to you