Hermione darted into the girls loo , eager to escape a disastrous Charms with Ron and braced her hands against the sink, taking calming breaths. If he wanted to be a bloody arse all the time it was his own prerogative and she would just have to face facts that the sweet, gentle, exasperating Ron she was in love with , was gone .

Why she couldn't get past this kept constant gnawing at her emotions and making her unreasonable . Hermione was well aware of the fact but couldn't stop it .

Ignoring Ron wasn't doing her a bit of good either because she felt his presence .

It was at times like this when she almost wished she had fallen for Harry instead of Ron .

" My Won Won knows the best snogging spots ," declared lavender , as she and her gaggle of friends entered the restroom to touch up their make up," he is just so strong and forceful. He is a man who knows how to handle a woman …"

Hermione brushed at her brown curls and tried to ignore the vapid girl.

" The same Ron Weasley who took me to the Yule ball," said Padma Patil, applying lip-gloss," he was hardly the best date ever . I don't think he actually talked to me "

" I think he has changed since then ," went on Lavender , adjusting her bow ," he is much more manly and mature. Of course, he has scars on his arms from the fight at the Ministry which is very appealing . War wounds "

Hermione bit her lip ," He was attacked by brains, for your information "

Lavender lifted a brow and frowned at Hermione ." He could have been killed "

" you find it appealing that your boyfriend has injuries that could have killed him ?" tossed back Hermione , unable to stop herself ," those are his scars, Lavender . "

" I do not need told about my Won Won by the likes of you, Hermione Granger " stated lavender ," he is proud of those scars "

" He was troubled by them " slipped Hermione , recalling the summer . The scars had lessened of course but they were still visible on his arms and he was self conscience .

" You think you know everything about Ron ," accused lavender , her tone haughty," you don't . You haven't spoken with him since he and I started going out so don't pretend to be all about him now because you don't stand a chance "

" Fine then don't be spreading rumors about Ron," declared Hermione , sharply," he wouldn't appreciate it especially about his ..sexual prowess. He is quite old fashioned "

Lavender giggled as if she held a secret. " Not with me he isn't "

Hermione swallowed , refusing to believe the implication because the Ron she knew wouldn't ..she didn't want to believe it to be true .

" Hello " called Luna , sailing into the restroom and sensing distress.

" Loony " acknowledged Lavender and then walked out of the loo, as Padma sent Hermione a sympathetic look then followed after her friend .

" Hello Luna " says Hermione , managing a smile ," you missed all the fun "

Luna examined the tears that were threatening to fall as Hermione tried to regain some of her composure ." I don't think it was all that much fun for you "

" I never thought I could hate someone besides Voldermort ," confided Hermione , wryly," but honestly, Luna , I despise lavender so much "

" I think she isn't a very nice person " Luna patted her friends back in comfort ," so, you had words with her regarding Ron ?"

Hermione nodded ," I shouldn't have let her bait me "

" Perhaps if you talked to Ron about it " suggested Luna ," he was quite nice to me yesterday during supper . I don't think his girlfriend liked us being friends either "

" Well I am glad Ron wasn't rude to you , Luna ," managed Hermione ,' but I don't think Ron much cares to speak with me anymore than I do him "

" I think your wrong ," murmured a thoughtful Luna ," I was a bit frightened of my feelings for Neville myself but if I had continued to ignore him, he and I wouldn't be as happy as we are now. I would be dreadfully sorry about that "

" Neville adores you, Luna ,' says Hermione ," Ron doesn't like me "

She let out a heavy sigh and blew out a breath, preparing herself ." Thanks for the talk, Luna , but I need to get to study hall " murmured Hermione , grabbing her books and heading back out of the loo and into the long hallway.

Harry had taken off for class or in search of Malfoy so she was alone with her thoughts.

Which was a dangerous things these days .

She turned a corner and nearly ran into the tall, striking figure of Cormac Mclaggen.

A smile lit his face and he strode towards her ." Granger "

" Damn " swore Hermione , under her breath ," hello Cormack "

" You are looking quite fetching today " said Cormack , in his most charming voice .

" Thank you but I really must get to class… " says Hermione ," I..I don't want to be late '

" I could walk you to your class ," Cormac took her hand ," get to know you better "

" That is very sweet but not necessary ….really " insisted Hermione , trying to wrest her hand from his ," and I never said you could hold my hand "

" I was trying to be romantic " explained Cormack ,affronted .

Hermione clutched her books to her chest as in protection from his advances .

" We don't know each other well enough for romance, Cormack "

" I am trying to rectify that, if you will let me " assured Cormac with a devilish smile .

Ron and Seamus were discussing quid ditch strategy when they came across Hermione and Cormack ,looking all intense at one another .

" Guess she is into her quid ditch players .." chuckled Seamus ," I hate when the girlfriend is right . Guess Mclaggen has a similar look with Krum "

Ron skidded to a halt and set his jaw, glowering at how Cormac was taken liberties with Hermione . The sod was awfully damn close to her ..why was he that close ?

" Guess she does …" muttered Ron, not moving . He was supposed to be meeting up with Lavender but right now all he could see was red and hitting McLaggen .

Harry had been quiet but bloody hell, could it be true Hermione was dating the bloke ?

As if sensing someone watching her, Hermione lifted her eyes and brown met blue , locking , holding , questioning each other until she turned towards Cormac.

" I guess it wouldn't hurt anything if you escorted me to class " says Hermione

" Splendid ," Cormac took her hand ," I knew I could get you to come around "

" I wouldn't set your sights any higher ," informed Hermione ," I still meant what I said, Cormac. We don't know each other all that well and this is a courtesy "

" I find that prim and proper act you do very sexy, Granger " whispered Cormac

Hermione blushed," Cormac , please don't say things like that '

She allowed him to lead her towards the library as Ron's eyes followed them.

" You gonna talk to her or is there a reason we're standing here instead of off snogging our girlfriends, Weasley ?" cut in an amused Seamus

" Uh, no ," answered Ron, lamely ," Hermione and I are …you know, on the outs "

" That why you looked as pissed off as a hippogriff ?" Seamus had to ask .

" I just….naw ," dismissed Ron," he isn't her type is all. I mean ….never mind "

" You're real eloquent there , Weasley," Seamus slapped him good naturally on the back," come on, Parvarti is gonna be madder than a banshee if I am late "

" I'll trade you Lavender…." joked Ron, half-heartedly .

His heart hurt envisioning Hermione being held by that pile of dung , kissing Cormac .

Up until now it had all been speculation and talk around Hogwarts but actually seeing Hermione and Cormac did something to just anger him .

Hermione deserved someone much better than Mclaggen .

Neville was involved in repotting plants for professor Sprout when Luna came in and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder .

" I missed you, Neville " confessed the girl, softly ," I felt I should tell you "

A grin split across his face as he beamed up at her ." I missed you too, Luna "

He removed his gloves and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips then took her hands to lead her over to sit on a bench, together . He sensed something was troubling her .

" You seem down ," noticed Neville ," is it about your Dad ?"

" No," admitted Luna ," our friends are mucking up their lives horribly "

He held her hand , listened ." If they wont listen, we cant do anything about it "

" Hermione doesn't even act like herself anymore ," confessed Luna ," and neither does Ron. It shouldn't be difficult for them to speak the truth to each other "

" I agree but its none of our business ," agreed Neville," Ron is hooked on Lavender "

" More like she has her claws in him," sighed Luna," I just feel bad for them . It was rather freeing when I told you that I was in love with you, Neville "

" For me too ," agreed Neville, resting his head against hers," have you been looking again into our friends future ?"

Luna had been exploring some of her mothers old spells and had discovered she had similar abilities of a seer but she was only picking up on emotional things regarding herself and some of their friends. Neville hadn't wanted her to explore much more past that for fear that somehow Voldermort might find out and go after her .

She had agreed that it seemed more than likely .

" Not partially ," admitted Luna, softly," Ginny's aura is practically screaming at Harry . I am honestly surprised he doesn't hear it ….it is very loud and clear "

" Ginny is stubborn " conceded Neville," listen this is going to get you down so why don't I finish up here and we can walk down and visit the thestrals "

" That sounds like a lovely idea " agreed Luna ," thank you for thinking of me "

He cracked a modest grin." Always, Luna "

Pressing a kiss against the palm of her hand, Neville stood up and went back to finish .

GT

Hermione stared at the short pink dress on the hanger and let out a wistful sigh .

It had a modest bodice that hinted a bit at her cleavage , cinched at the waist and a short but full skirt . It was very classic yet subtly sexy which is why she had chosen it and the pink because she knew that Ron liked her in the color.

Fourth year after their argument at the Yule ball, he had off hand remarked how the color suited her which she knew meant he found her attractive in it .

However, it didn't matter because Ron wouldn't be appreciating it but she loved the dress so it was all that mattered. She had no interest in Cormac's thoughts on the matter.

It was one date and the last as far as she was concerned .

She brushed her curls, glancing out of the window and wished things had been different .

Oh well it must be easier for him to pretend nothing had changed between them.

Easier to be with a girl like Lavender who was gorgeous and fun.

Hermione wasn't that kind of girl and would never be.

" Hermione ," Parvarti entered their room," shouldn't you be getting ready ?"

" I suppose so ," says a quiet Hermione ," I thought Ginny was going to help me with my hair. I suppose she got caught up with Dean ….."

" Well with that girl it is hard to tell," speculated Parvarti," I can help "

" I wouldn't want to impose on you," says Hermione ," I am sure Lavender wouldn't appreciate her best friend assisting the enemy, Parvarti but thank you "

" Lavender is studying with Professor Trelawney ," explained Parvarti," a special assignment on signs of the moon or something . Are you excited ? Cormac has been bragging about taking you to this for days, you know "

" I hadn't realized ," murmured Hermione ," I suppose it will be enjoyable "

"Here ," Parvarti held up the dress," let's get you dressed before I pretty your hair "

Hermione changed out of her clothes and into the pretty party dress, smoothing the skirt .

It really was a lovely dress.

" Cormac gets a bit carried away," mused Hermione ," it is just a date "

" To the biggest event of the season to those who were invited ," continued parvarti, ushering her into a seat so she could fix her hair ," and I think you are quite modest. Cormac is quite the catch, Hermione . I would think it would be thrilling that he is so obviously smitten with you …..I think he is handsome "

" Oh he is , I suppose ," says an uncertain Hermione ," and of course it is flattering. "

" A part of me is jealous ," went on the chatty girl," I adore Seamus but Cormac is a catch. It's fortunate that you are attracted to all the handsome blokes "

" I suppose so…" says Hermione , distracted.

" You are so modest, Hermione ," parvarti shook her head ," I would be going crazy "

" Cormac and I barely know one another " murmured Hermione , softly .

She wished desperately that Ginny would show up so she didn't have to pretend to be excited about this evening . Dread already filled the pit of her stomach and regret .

Unfortunately , she didn't have a Time Turner anymore and there was no going back.

Parvarti put her hair up , leaving curls loosely around the side , and making her look very soft and romantic .

" Thank you ," smiled a gracious Hermione," it looks lovely "

" Any time " agreed parvarti, ' oh, don't forget perfume "

She picked up the glass bottle of perfume from Hermione's dresser and sprit zed her .

Hermione closed her eyes as the familiar scent wafted softly over her . It was the perfume that Ron had given her for Christmas last year and that she hadn't worn in awhile .

She managed a wan smile , picked up her matching wrap and slipped into her heels.

" Is Cormac picking you up to escort you to the party , Hermione ?" inquired parvarti , curiously.

" No," answered Hermione , simply, " I am meeting him there "

With that, Hermione headed downstairs , pausing in the common room and stopping to gaze forlornly at the fire crackling in the grate . It looked welcoming and comfortable.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice that Ron was alone in the room until he spoke.

" Hermione "

She turned at the sound of his voice and pressed her lips together , tightly .

He looked so good in a pair of jeans and a grey jumper .

" Ron " Her voice was cool and even even though she felt her nerves shake.

He rubbed his hands on his jeans and took a step towards her . It seemed like it had been such a long time since they had actually talked and she looked so beautiful.

Ron felt his pulse speed up and the lovely scent of her perfume invaded his senses.

Roses .

" You look ….just lovely " Ron found his voice ," beautiful , really "

She bit her lip and nodded." Thank you but you shouldn't say such a thing," managed Hermione , tersely,' your girlfriend would be quite furious with you "

" Probably, " conceded Ron, his heart pounding furiously against his ribcage," but Lav isn't here . That is a new dress….I mean, I haven't ever seen it on you "

' Yes ," says Hermione , wondering why she was standing here talking to him," I bought it for the party. I….my date is waiting and I shouldn't keep Cormac waiting "

" Let the bloke wait ," Ron took another step, " I ….can we talk, Hermione ?"

Her heart did somersaults but she knew it wasn't a good idea no matter how much she wanted it with her whole being . He was still dating Lavender .

They still hadn't talked in ages and he hadn't cared too up until now.

She should be running as fast as she could away from Ron Weasley .

" No," declared Hermione , coolly ." I think we have talked plenty, Ron '

With that, Hermione pulled her wrap closer as if protecting herself and walked briskly out of the common room, leaving Ron all alone .

" Hermione "

Ron closed his eyes, still smelling the roses in the air and he missed her .

Outside the portrait, Hermione bit her lip and tried to get a rein on her emotions.

Why, oh why, did Ron pick now to decide he wanted to talk to her ?

Now there would be absolutely no way she could get through slug horn's party without recalling how his blue eyes had stared at her so clear and that he thought she looked lovely. A part of her didn't want to believe that he meant it but she knew he did .

God, she really missed Ron so much.