Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J. K. Rowling's only. (Millions of fangirls wail worldwide) Oh, my EARS!! XD

---We love each character portrayed within. Any OOC-ness is merely for humor purposes and does not in any way reflect our honest opinions of the characters---

A/N: Um… heh heh… hi! We're… uh… back! Reviews are great. This chapter was written by weasleybabe24 and LondonGal.

weasleybabe24: She had to give in. My sense of logic is irrefutable.

LondonGal: Or you just annoy the heck out of me.

weasleybabe24: That too.

Stubborn Moments

Hermione glanced at the two boys over her shoulder as they disappeared in the shadow the wall was casting on the darkened staircase. Holding back a sigh, she made her way up the other set of stairs, hoping against all hope that perhaps Ginny might be in a good mood.

That is completely irrational, Hermione Granger. Perhaps simply not too foul a mood? Is that too much to ask?

She stopped at the entrance to the sixth-year dorms, squaring her shoulders, steeled for a fight. Ginny would not come without some severe use of logic and nagging. Peering around the door frame at the depressing room, she drooped at the sleeping form on one of the beds, the vibrancy of the limp hair giving Ginny away.

Hermione stepped carefully over to the side of the bed, seating herself by her friend. Touching the small of Ginny's back in what she hoped was a soothing manner, she whispered, "Hey, Gin."

"What do you want?" The immediate response made Hermione jump, the tone all sharpness and indignation, not sleepy-sounding at all. Apparently Ginny was skilled at feigning slumber, among other things.

But then Hermione realized she had not planned a response to any such question. She had expected Ginny to be awake and stewing viciously. "Have you done your homework?" she asked in as cross a manner as she could manage, silently congratulating the return of her quick saves.

Ginny leaned on her elbow and glared at her. "You came all the way up here to pester me?" The youngest Weasley sounded most scrupulously unconvinced, though prepared to be disgusted if the latter proved true.

Hermione decided then and there that Ginny was too clever a girl to allow her to keep skirting the real issue. "I am here to nag you," she said flatly. "But not about homework."

The other girl looked shocked for a moment, but then her features hardened. "If that's the case," Ginny replied coolly, "Then you can shove off. It's not your business, Hermione." But she looked very near tears.

"You made it my business. When my friends have tiffs, it is very much my business, Ginny," she said softly, carefully refraining from admonishing her. It looked as though Ginny was doing enough of that herself.

Ginny buried her face in the pillow for a moment, and when she reappeared, her eyes were shining with tears. "It was awful," she said thickly. Hermione nodded sympathetically as the girl wiped her eyes roughly. "And even though I'm still angry at him, I can't help but feel bad. Is that how you feel when you--"

"I always feel like that when Ron and I fight, after the anger quells a bit," Hermione chirped. Ginny looked mollified by this commonality and Hermione was glad to offer some comfort, even if it was very small. "Will you come downstairs?"

She shook her head furiously, but Hermione gave her a stern stare.

"You two are never going to sort this out if you don't talk at least. Civil words, it's all I'm asking. If you still feel like hexing him after that, I won't stop you," she promised. Ginny appeared as though she might argue but thought better of it.

"Alright," she conceded. "But only for a bit. I'll be right back." Ginny stood and sauntered over to a mirror, checking her reflection for puffy eyes or swollen cheeks.

Hermione frowned. I wonder how much success Ron is having. She rolled her eyes. He's never been very diplomatic…

And how right she was.

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"C'mon, mate." Ron didn't think he could withstand much more of this. He had thought Harry wouldn't be so difficult to crack, the theory proving a complete falsehood.

"No."

"Not even for two seconds?"

"Not even for one."

"Well, that's stup--"

"Nobody ever said he was intelligent," Neville muttered.

"That's not helping," Ron pointed out.

"She as good as called me a liar!" The stubborn boy crossed his arms over his chest, daring them to contradict him.

"You're sulking over that?!" Neville exclaimed incredulously.

"And how old are we turning this year?" Ron asked listlessly. Harry merely glared at the two, but had the sense to look slightly embarrassed. "Besides, it's not like it's her fault, is it?"

"You're right," Harry shot back, pointing at Neville. "It's his!"

Neville looked prepared to speak in his defense, but Ron waved him off. "It isn't, Harry."

"What are you talking about?"

"If you come downstairs, I swear I'll explain everything," Ron promised. Harry looked doubtful, but slowly nodded after a moment.

"Fine," he said, stalking out the door. "Have it your bloody way." The door slammed behind him.

"It's what I love," Ron replied under his breath. Neville smirked. "C'mon, Neville. We don't want them throwing curses at each other." The two boys followed Harry out the door.

Harry stormed down the stairs and flopped on an armchair in the quiet common room. A few study groups were working silently in corners, but other than that, the area was quiet empty. Good, he thought ruthlessly. If there was going to be another argument, he didn't want such a spectacular audience as last time.

But his stomach bottomed out as Hermione descended the stairs, pulling Ginny along by the hand. It was very frustrating that she should still have such an effect over him and he was thoroughly annoyed about it. She sat in the chair opposite him, saying nothing. He refused to look at her, even though she was watching him, heartily ashamed of herself.

It was Hermione who spoke first, Ron and Neville coming up behind her. "Look, the two of you either start talking, or we'll arrange for this little chat to take place in one of the smaller broom closets of Hogwarts," Hermione threatened imperiously. Harry glared at her, Hermione staring back, undeterred. And Ginny still said nothing.

"I believe the cause of all this was this piece of parchment right here," Ron said.

The love letter dangled precariously from the tips of his fingers. All five stared at the paper.

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