Phew, that was a much longer than expected break. Whoops, sorry about that. No excuses really other than my bad. Kind of short too, but an important one. Anyway, enjoy!
"What are you doing?"
Her eyes were winced slightly as the words came out. Hermione was surprised, more than anything else, on three counts overall. The first, was from the words themselves. In the three seconds between the first part of Ron's sentence and the second, those words were not exactly what she had in mind. And for there having been approximately six thousand two hundred and thirty one scenarios come to mind in that moment, it was quite a shock to have that not be one of them. Sure, the list was not complete yet and, yes, most of the ways she thought this would go involved either rejection or confessions of fantastical love but "what are you doing?" just did not come up.
The second thing to surprise her was just how deep Ron's voice had become recently. Had it really been that long since she had spoken to him that his voice was that unfamiliar to her? More than that, how did it happen that his voice could change so rapidly in a manner of one sentence? The third thing to surprise her? That her eyes were still winced shut.
"Granger!" That same, clearly not Ron voice perked here eyes open.
When they did open she saw that the hall was empty now, save her, Ron, and the only person able to clear out a hallway in three seconds flat. Feeling quite foolish Hermione glanced at Ron, hoping he would somehow also have had his eyes closed during the ordeal. The strange look he was giving her suggested otherwise. Reluctantly she turned her attention to the man in question and Snape looked down at her curiously.
"I don't believe I have once seen you unable to answer a professor's question. Have I finally stumped you Granger? Pity...on such a simple question."
"Sorry, professor," she said before she realized it wasn't actually class and the answer wouldn't be on the exam.
"Indeed," He sniffed, "I'd rather hoped your sudden aversion to Weasley and Potter meant you had finally had finally wizened up and chosen a better path and...companionship."
She could feel her cheeks burn red as she attempted to gather a response. She wanted to rather uncharacteristically shout at the professor. She also wanted to curl into a ball. Was she really that obvious in her aversion to Ron? Nothing came out of her mouth, however, and no curling took place. Instead, she watched a look of slow, dawning realization on Ron's face. Bollucks.
"Pity. Perhaps detention may help steer you in the right direction again?" Snape asked with satisfaction.
There was nothing much after that, except of course the smile on Snape's face as he left menacingly lingering between the two friends. Trying not to acknowledge it, Hermione began to make her way back to the common room, hoping Ron would not follow. It was a ridiculous hope of course, as he was supposed to be in the common room just as she was. At the very least he kept his distance, walking in silence two to three steps behind her. This was not a complete comfort though, as the silence hung in the air and Hermione felt compelled to speak.
"So..."
"It's true, isn't it?" Ron asked, keeping her from having to make small talk about kneezles.
"Sorry?"
"You've been avoiding us..." Ron said, more to himself than her, "Have we done something wrong?" he asked with a hurt, puppy dog look that just made Hermione want to hold him.
"Professor Snape does not know what he's talking about,"
"Except that he does," Ron started, "He's right. I didn't notice til now though. Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not."
"Bollucks."
"Ron, language."
"Why?"
"Because it's not proper for a prefect you set-"
"Not my bloody cursing, why are you doing this?"
"I'm not, it must be a coincidence,"
"So you admit it's happening!"
"I-no!"
"You said you weren't avoiding us, but you said yourself it's a coincidence which means you acknowledge you haven't been around recently."
Hermione had to pause a moment. For the first time in quite some time she was losing an argument. Not just any argument, either, and argument with Ron Weasley. This would not stand.
"I acknowledged no such thing."
"Fine, this isn't happening, I'm just imagining things," Ron said, sarcastically.
"You said it, not me."
"I did."
"Well I'm glad you could reach common sense Ronald."
"So you aren't avoiding me?" He asked defiantly.
"Absolutely not," She lied just as defiantly.
"Great."
"Great."
"Than go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend."
Damn him and his chess mind. Hermione could not hesitate for long or he would know he was right. He could not be right. She would not let him. Which is why her common sense and carefully placed planning and strategic moves she had made for weeks now went straight out of the window.
"Fine."
"Fine."
And so Ron and Hermione's first date was set.
Alrighty. Once again sorry about the delay. My endless boredom in American History (something not normally the case but when you're professor has the most monotonous voice that cannot possibly be legal at 7 in the morning it happens) will luckily make updates happen more often. In the meantime, questions? Comments? Review!
