He sat next to Hermione and hugged her by the shoulders. She didn't move away, thankful for the warmth he provided.
"What happened?" the question caused her to cry harder. In response, Fred began to gingerly caress her back.
xxxx
"George said…" Ron stared at the floor beneath his feet, denying Hermione his explicit attention. She hesitated, put off by his coldness. "Never mind what he said. I just want to talk to you."
Ron looked up, but remained silent.
"You've been avoiding me and I'd like to know why," her voice showcased all the strength she could manage. Ron not speaking to her made her extremely nervous and scared, not being able to understand how his thick head worked troubled her. Could it be that at any given moment she would be forced to wave their friendship goodbye?
"Really?" Ron's face twisted strangely. "There's something you don't know?"
Ouch.
"There's no need to be rude" she reprimanded. What the hell? Was is it a fun sport to open old wounds for others?
Ron frowned and stood up abruptly, walking towards the door.
"What's wrong with you?" she used the harshest tone in her repertoire. There was anger boiling up in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't stand being ignored, much less being denied knowledge she deserved to have. "I just want to-" What? Talk? Be friends? Confess? Apologize? Apologize for what!?
Ron stopped in his tracks and finally connected his eyes with hers.
"You want to know what's my problem?" he hissed. Ron's face was redder than his hair. "It's you. If I avoid you it's because I don't want to see your annoying face anymore. I'm sick of you and your know-it-all attitude. As a matter of fact, it's not just me. Ask anyone, you're a pest!"
xxxx
Oh, damn. The tears, there was no stopping those stupid tears.
She hadn't run this fast since she was pursued by a werewolf.
xxxx
Ron was an idiot. It was obvious for everyone surrounding them he fancied Hermione, why couldn't he show it to her? She didn't deserve this and he didn't deserve her.
Fred pulled Hermione closer to his body, trying to stop her shaking. The crying had ceased but faint gasps escaped her mouth continuously.
"You are aware that every ugly thing he says about you is a lie, right?" he said softly, his lips just a few centimetres away from her ear. Her hair smelled fresh and sweet, like vanilla and peaches.
Hermione shook her head and stiffened her back.
"I'm being honest. I tell you this as a friend, you're a wonderful person," Fred knew many jealous and stupid classmates did their best to convince her otherwise, though now he realised there were few people that acknowledged all the good inside of her. Hermione's bloodshot eyes looked up as she gave him a wary smile.
"Thanks," she murmured.
"No problem. I'm only stating the truth," he grinned, hoping his apparent good humour was contagious. "And while we're at it, I suppose there's no harm in confessing that it was me who enchanted your books to sing Christmas carols during the summer."
Hermione managed to let out a chuckle. "I figured as much."
xxxx
"So, what now?" George questioned with a teasing tone. "It'll be you the one sweeping Granger off her feet?"
"Huh?" Fred frowned. "No, I'm just going to give her an awesome night at the Yule Ball and show her she's better off without Ronny-angry-pants."
"You're not thinking this through," George was serious, this could end up badly. "Wasn't it your plan to get them together in the first place?" Was his twin ready to stand their little brother's toxic jealousy for the rest of the year -or his life, in the given case that Hermione had a really awesome time?
"You didn't see her, George, she was a mess. Ron acted like a wanker and made her feel terrible about herself. I'm simply helping Granger out," Fred shrugged. Hermione was already an extremely strong and independent person, she only needed a little push of fun to completely forget about his damned brother. This was a completely selfless plan that was for the best…
xxxx
Hermione laid on her back, staring at the ceiling, still feeling the stinging of her eyes and a knot in her stomach. Her chest went up-up-down-down uncontrollably. The sadness hung over her like a persistent flu.
The loss of her friendship with Ron tortured her mind. One of the first friendships she ever had in Hogwarts was now lost as well as the possibility of seeing herself get together with the guy she fancied. Several pictures she had of her future burned down.
She didn't know with what face she was going to greet Harry and Ron the following day. The idea of being next to them now sounded a bit alien. Furthermore, it was strange how it all culminated with a connection with Fred, but he made her feel at ease. She had been defeated by Ron and helped up by his brother, whose brilliant smirk alleviated some of the pain.
xxxx
The next morning Ron woke up and had a shower.
During class, he didn't understand why everyone was laughing.
No one dared tell him what was so funny about his face.