Hermione quickly and quietly closed the door to her room, flung herself on her bed and allowed her bliss to surface full force. Harry had just granted her wish, agreed to take this leap with her. It was an extraordinary, terrifying feeling to accept that this event would be real. She realized she had been setting herself up for disappointment and rejection. Now, she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. He had asked about talking things over. Okay, this was a good place to start thinking. What did she want from all of this exactly? She had come to terms that she viewed Harry as more than her best friend. He agreed to do this, so he obviously felt the same way. Then again, he was a hormonal teenage boy so he didn't necessarily have to have romantic feelings to do the naughty deed. No, most boys just needed to feel lust. Is that what he was feeling? She promptly stood in front of her mirror and contemplated this idea. She wasn't what she would consider a raving beauty, but she wasn't ugly and without curves.

She knew that she was thinking about this way too much. He had said yes, which is what she wanted him to say. Now she just needed to keep herself occupied until that evening. What should she wear? The outfit that currently graced her form seemed acceptable. The white, lacy undergarments seemed fitting as well. She viewed these like a virtuous bride viewed the sacredness of a white wedding. She couldn't stop the slight laugh that escaped, realizing that she would not be having one of those.

Now, it was on to the daunting task of killing time until at least dinner time. Wait, she would have to endure dinner time in the Great Hall…sitting with Ron…and Harry. Taking a deep breath, Hermione willed herself to calm down. All she had to do was act normal; well, as normal as a girl could act after propositioning her male best friend for sex. She shook her head, clearing all apprehensions from her mind. She couldn't allow the possibilities of the forthcoming evening to haunt her thoughts for the remainder of the day or else she'd go crazy with worry and desire.

"…and then she was like, 'Tell Harry that if he's interested, I'd love to give us another chance,' and I told her that she probably shouldn't hold her breath." Ron was relaying his most recent 'conversation' with Cho Chang to Harry, but the raven-haired wizard seemed to be off in his own world. Ron looked at him for a moment and furrowed his brow. He looked to both sides of him, noticing that everyone seemed to be involved with their own conversations. "Would you believe Lavender and Pavarti asked me to have a threesome?"

Harry continued to lightly stab some food on his plate and place it in his mouth. "That's great, Ron," he replied, absentmindedly.

Ron stared at him for a moment, then allowed his eyes to move back and forth, not entirely sure what the devil was the matter. He, once again, took note of the empty seat next to Harry and a smirk arose on his lips. "Oh, and Hermione wants us to both have a go at her at the same time. Do you want in the front or the back?" Harry's head whipped up as his fork clanked against his plate. "Ha! I knew that would definitely get your attention!" Just when it looked like Harry had recovered and was about to speak, they heard the doors to the Great Hall open. Ron strained a bit, his smile faltering a little. "Speak of the devil disguised as an angel in that damn short skirt," he muttered. Turning his gaze to Harry, he noted that his best friend continued to stare at the figure heading towards them.

"Evening, boys," Hermione said with a smile as she took a seat next to Harry.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry replied softly as his gaze returned to his plate.

Ron looked back and forth between the two of them, unsure what to make of the odd exchange. "I see you haven't changed out of that bloody outfit," he muttered loudly before taking a huge bite of food.

"Why should I, Ronald? No one else seems to have a problem with it except for you."

"No, I suppose any male with active hormones wouldn't have a problem with it. But, I will remind you that I think of you as a sister. I would treat Ginny with the same despise as I'm treating you at the moment."

Hermione cocked her head, looking down the table a bit, and rested her stare on one Ginny Weasley who, at the moment, was being entertained by Dean Thomas…while sitting on his lap. It was all too obvious that she was entertaining him in return. Hermione returned her stare to Ron, looking rather annoyed.

"That's completely different! She's not showing her arse to the entire male population of Hogwarts!"

She closed her eyes, never feeling more embarrassed in her life. Not even delivering her request to Harry earlier that day came close to this. Closing her eyes, Hermione slammed her silverware onto the table, stood, and stormed out of the Great Hall. Her appetite was all but gone and she could not bear to look at anyone, not even Harry, at this moment. Much like Ron had done after the Yule Ball in their fourth year, he managed to nearly crush her spirits once again; all because he didn't know when to shut up.

Ron slowly chewed his food, knowing hundreds of eyes were staring at him so he dared not look after Hermione's retreating form. Once he sensed people around them continued with their own banter, he took a breath and looked up at Harry. "Thanks a fucking lot," he seethed.

His greens eyes looked up and showed their true darkness. "What the hell is your problem, Ron?"

"We're supposed to be in this together; protecting her like brothers! We can't very well do that if she's on the verge of wiggling her bits for any bloke will to look!" It took all he had to contain the Weasley temper and whisper his exclaim. He had no clue what was wrong with Harry. Did he actually approve of this display? Even worse, did he appreciate this display a little too much?

Harry squint his eyes, trying his damndest to choose his words carefully. I don't think of her as a sister; haven't for several years if you want me to be perfectly honest. She's my best friend. I guess that's the difference between you and me, because only an immature, prat of a brother would disgrace his sister like you just did. A best friend would pick up the shattered pieces of her pride like I plan on doing now." There was no anger left in his voice, just sadness at the pathetic display Ron had caused. Without another word, Harry quietly got up from the table and headed out the door, not knowing exactly what the evening would hold for him now.