'Mr Potter, Miss Weasley, please sit down.'

Harry numbly sat down next to Ginny in seats set next to one of the bookcases. Professor Dumbledore was seated behind his desk, but McGonagall's presence was far more intense. The office was lit only by candles, as was the Hogwarts décor. He guessed that McGonagall had asked Ron to remove the glamour charm over his scars, as they were now clearly visible on his hands and face.

McGonagall's face was stern yet calm, as she surveyed the four students.

'Now, I'm sure you're all aware of the current circumstances. Miss Granger has physically attacked Mr Weasley.'

Ron looked up.

'Professor; how did you know about that?'

'I… I told her.'

Ginny's voice was barely above a whisper. Ron's head whipped round to stare at her, his freckled face angry and hurt.

'Ginny, I told you not to make a big deal-'

'It is a big deal, Ron!' Ginny cried, her fists clenching in frustration. 'It became a big deal the moment she attacked you! I couldn't just stay silent and let her get away with it!'

'It's my problem-'

'No! It's her problem!' Ginny was almost in tears as she pointed at Hermione.

'It's not a big-'

But, before Ron could finish, Ginny lunged forward and pulled the arm of his jumper up to the elbow. Harry felt a pang in his stomach as the scars were illuminated by the candlelight of Dumbledore's office. Hermione seemed to tremble, her face going very pale. She stared at Ron's scars out of the corner of her eye, as if terrified to even look at them.

'Tell me.' Ginny said. 'Look at these scars that she gave you and tell me that this isn't a big deal.'

'Miss Weasley!' McGonagall chided. 'Please; you and Mr Potter are here as witnesses. If you cannot keep calm, I must ask you to wait outside! I won't have you bringing up your brother's trauma so soon!'

'Then why is she here too?'

'Miss Weasley…' McGonagall warned.

Ginny sat back down and clenched her fists into the material of her jeans but didn't say anything else. McGonagall turned her attention to Hermione.

'Miss Granger, after discussing the circumstances with Professor Dumbledore, I feel it is best that you do not continue your prefect duties with Mr Weasley.'

Hermione's eyes widened in understanding. She was having her prefect role revoked. That would make sense. She had expected the news to hurt her more, but she honestly felt very little. She had attacked another student and a fellow prefect, after all. She deserved it; she knew that.

'What?' Ron looked alarmed. 'Professor, Hermione shouldn't have her prefect badge taken away; I can just swap patrols with the Hufflepuff or Ravenclaws from now on-'

'Why… why are you defending her?' Ginny asked, sounding appalled. 'After what she did to-'

'Miss Weasley, please be quiet,' McGonagall said, firmly. Ginny struggled with herself for a moment, before going silent.

Professor Dumbledore leaned forward.

'Mr Weasley, what you have suggested is actually what myself and Professor McGonagall have decided upon.'

'Wait, really?'

McGonagall nodded.

'Miss Granger,' Dumbledore continued. 'From now on, you will be sharing your patrols with a rota of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff prefects.'

Ginny opened her mouth to speak but caught the look on McGonagall's face and promptly clammed up again.

'However,' McGonagall said, her voice firm. 'we cannot ignore what you have done, Miss Granger. You have physically attacked another student, and that cannot go unpunished.'

Hermione nodded, mutely.

'When you return to Hogwarts after the holiday period, you will be required to attend detentions twice a week,' McGonagall continued. 'As your head of house, I will be undertaking the detentions myself. There will be no magic allowed; you will relinquish your wand to me at the beginning of each detention and will receive it at the end of each. Do you understand?'

Again, Hermione nodded, not saying a word.

McGonagall turned to Harry and Ginny.

'Mr Potter, Miss Weasley; you may go, please return to Gryffindor Tower with Mr Weasley. Miss Granger will stay here while we schedule her detentions. I will also be sending letters to both Mr Weasley and Miss Granger's parents about the situation.'

'Right,' Harry said.

'I believe it goes without saying that everything discussed in this room is not be repeated?'

'Yes,' Ginny said. 'But, what about Luna?'

'Considering the circumstances, I will allow you to discuss this with Miss Lovegood,' McGonagall said. 'Now, please go; it is already late enough as it is.'

Harry and Ginny both stood up, and -slowly- so did Ron. The redheaded boy gave one last hesitant look at Hermione (who was now staring down at her knees), before he followed his friend and sister out of the door.

Dumbledore stood up, leaving his desk empty for McGonagall to sit behind. The headmaster then left the room through a side door, which McGonagall was glad of. These sorts of situations were difficult enough to deal with, without the Hogwarts headmaster observing the proceedings.

'Miss Granger, I believe you are planning to return to Hogwarts on 1st January, is that correct?'

'Y-yes.'

'In that case, your detentions will begin that evening. Each detention will take place in my office at 7pm. You will arrive 15 minutes beforehand. There is no need to bring along any parchment.'

Miss Granger nodded, mutely. She had lifted her head slightly and was now longer staring at her knees. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap.

Professor McGonagall stared at her. Although she was aware that Miss Granger did possess something of a ruthless streak (her use of the full-body binding curse on Mr Longbottom in their first year being the first notable instance), McGonagall had always felt that it was held in check by the kindness of the bushy-haired witch.

During the past five and a half years, McGonagall has seen Miss Granger grow from a small, slightly bossy girl into a confident, capable young woman. McGonagall had always expected her to do well, even from their first meeting in the sitting room of Mr and Mrs Granger's house. Miss Granger was an excellent student and a true Gryffindor.

But… maybe McGonagall had been overlooking something. While Miss Granger did possess a kind heart and a very capable mind, she was also in possession of a grey moral code. Noticeably greyer than Mr Potter and especially Mr Weasley. Miss Granger had, after all, permanently scarred Miss Edgecombe the year before and had seemed to harbour no guilt or regret over it. Miss Granger saw punishment as being justified if she felt the person had done wrong, regardless of any other circumstances.

It was a trait she shared with someone-else who had been at Hogwarts the year previously. Someone who also viewed people as deserving punishment if she felt it needed. The comparison did not ease McGonagall's mind.

'Miss Granger?'

'Y-yes, professor?'

'Do you feel remorse for how you have treated Mr Weasley?'

Miss Granger stared at her, brown eyes blinking in confusion.

'Of course I do!' She exclaimed, looking horrified. 'How could you-'

'Because I seem to recall you doing something similar last year. To Miss Edgecombe, I believe.'

'That… that was different.'

'The circumstances were not the same, granted. But, as I'm no doubt you are aware, scarring Miss Edgecombe did not prevent her from informing Professor Umbridge about Dumbledore's Army. Or am I misunderstanding?'

'No,' Miss Granger mumbled. 'No, you're not misunderstanding.'

'In which case, the spell was designed to punish anyone who let slip the information?'

'Yes.'

'Even if it had been under the effects of truth potion, the imperius curse or some other method of forced coercion?'

'Yes.'

'So… it was, in effect, a form of vengeance, perhaps?'

'Perhaps.'

McGonagall stared at Miss Granger for a few seconds, before continuing.

'Were the members of Dumbledore's Army informed about this spell when they signed the document in question?'

'No.'

'But I imagine that yourself, Mr Weasley and Mr Potter were all aware of it? It does seem out of character for them both to agree to such a thing but, given the circumstances, perhaps understandable…'

Miss Granger didn't reply.

McGonagall felt her heart sink lower.

'Miss Granger, forgive me if I'm misunderstanding, but am I to believe that you were the sole person who knew about the spell?'

Slowly, Miss Granger nodded.

'Mr Potter and Mr Weasley were not informed?'

'They… they wouldn't have told her,' mumbled Miss Granger.

'But, like I said, if they were forced to, under the effects of truth potion or some other method, they would have still been permanently scarred?'

'Y-yes.'

McGonagall leant back in her chair.

'Miss Granger, do you remember the first time we met? And what I told you on that day?'

'That… that magic should be used to help people, and that was a privilege to use, and never to be taken for granted.'

'Your memory is as good as ever,' McGonagall replied. 'Although, if your memory had failed you, your behaviour would be more understandable.'

'Y-yes, professor.'

'Miss Granger, these detentions will not be writing lines, as I'm sure you've already gathered. It will do you no good to write "I will not physically assault my peers" several thousand times on a blackboard, because that won't help you see the error of your ways. Unless you see why your behaviour has crossed a line, we might as well have you scrubbing bedpans in the hospital wing for all the good it will do.'

Miss Granger nodded.

'I told you once that magic is not a tool for your selfish goals; it is a privilege that must be used to help others. Somewhere along the way, it seems that the two blurred together in your mind. Do you understand what I am saying?'

The bushy-haired witch nodded once again.

McGonagall picked up a piece of spare parchment, tapped it with her wand, and handed it to Miss Granger.

'A further reminder of the time and place of your first detention. You may go now, Miss Granger.'

Miss Granger nodded, taking the paper. She stood up and left the office.

As the door closed behind her, McGonagall rubbed her temple with her hand.

'A most difficult situation, indeed,' said Dumbledore, as he walked back into the office from the side door.

'Sometimes, Albus,' McGonagall said, more to herself than to him. 'I feel I have been too quick to nurture some students, and too slow to do the same for others.'

Dumbledore nodded in understanding.

The castle was quiet as Harry, Ginny and Ron walked through the corridors.

'So… that was that,' Harry said.

Neither Weasley responded, both of them deep in their own thoughts.

After reaching the common-room, Ron nodded to both of them and left for bed. Ginny dropped down into one of the chairs next to the fire, and Harry joined her. He didn't think he could sleep, and he'd rather spent the time with a friendly face.

'Ginny?'

'Hmmm?'

'Don't… please don't pick a fight with Hermione when she gets back.'

Ginny chuckled mirthlessly.

'No point,' she muttered. 'She already knows how badly she's behaved. I just… I wonder why… she never seemed to make it clear that she liked him.'

'She kissed him on the cheek once.'

'Yeah… once. After she'd kissed you on the cheek. No wonder Ron didn't think it was anything special. You know how many times Ron has been stuck feeling like no-one's first choice?'

'I… I guess a lot.'

'Too many times to count,' Ginny said, gazing miserably into the fire. 'I know mum never meant it to happen, but… well, there's seven of us. Bill, Charlie, and Percy were the over-achieving older brothers, Fred and George are… well, Fred and George, and I was the girl that mum always wanted. Ron just… he got lost in the shuffle. Do you know how much that can mess with your head? How much that can make you feel that no-one cares?'

'Yeah,' Harry replied, quietly. He had known for years that Ron had always felt lesser than his siblings but, as was always the case when the topic came up, he never really knew what to say. 'I suppose that explains some things.'

'Yep.'

'Like how Ron didn't seem to realise that Hermione fancied him, you mean?'

Ginny nodded.

'Can't say I blame him. Hermione wasn't exactly there for him. She wasn't even present when he won the Quidditch cup last year.'

'Neither was I.'

'Yes, but you actually bothered afterwards to learn what you'd missed!' Ginny exclaimed. 'Where was she during all that?'

'Er… the library, I think.'

'Of course she was.'

Ginny continued to stare irritably into the fire, before sighing sadly to herself.

'Listen… I… I know I can be harsh on Ron occasionally, but he's still my brother,' she said, quietly. 'Weasleys look out for each-other. I know you think it was wrong of me to tell McGonagall, but… I… I can't forgive Hermione quite as easily as you can.'

'I never-'

'I know, I know,' Ginny replied, her brown eyes sad. 'But you get what I mean.'

Hermione walked quietly though the corridors. As she passed a suit of armour, her prefect badge glinted in the shiny metal breastplate.

It seemed like such a silly thing to have worried about.

She was still shocked that she had been allowed to stay a prefect. What right had she to enforce rules when she had arguably broken not just school rules but wizarding laws?

McGonagall had been right. She had let her judgement become blurred over time. Back in her first year, she'd assumed that all rules needed to be followed for the good of all. Rules were what made things work! But, as the following years had shown her, many rules existed for no real reason. Umbridge had invented rules purely to further her own agenda.

Was Hermione really any better than Umbridge? She would like to think so. She wasn't deliberately obscuring the truth from people like that vile woman had been. But… she had acted like Umbridge in other ways, hadn't she? Punishing people because she honestly thought they deserved it. Because she was too focused on being "the one in the right" to see any other viewpoint.

She spoke the password to the fat lady and entered the common-room. It was empty aside from Harry and Ginny, who were sat by the fire. Both of them stopped speaking as she entered; Ginny's eyes narrowed, Harry's wary.

Hermione crossed the common-room and climbed the stairs to the girls' dormitory. It did seem strange that she could enter the boys' dormitory whenever she liked, and yet neither Harry nor Ron could visit her dorm. If she so wanted to, she could barge into Ron's dormitory and refuse to leave.

The thought made her stomach shrivel.

It had barely been twelve hours since she had set the birds on Ron, and yet the world prior to that after-match party might as well have been part of a different lifetime. A lifetime where the boy she loved didn't quake in fear at the sight of her. A lifetime where her friends weren't suspecting which of them she might attack next.

A lifetime where she still thought of herself as a good person.

Hermione had always struggled with illogical things. To her mind, there was right and wrong. No grey areas. The world was divided between the good and the bad. If you did something bad, you were bad and needed to be punished. Simple and straightforward.

But the world wasn't like that. People made mistakes; people didn't always do the thing that made logical sense. Hermione's obsession with rules had been in conflict with this for years; if she followed the rules, surely she was good? Surely, that meant she knew what was good?

In a world where rules didn't seem to exist for any good reason, Hermione had fallen back on this. She knew what was good, therefore she knew what needed to be done. If someone hurt her or her friends, surely they deserved to be punished. After all, Hermione was good, and so could punish people who did bad. It was obvious. Simple. Straightforward.

Hermione's head hit the pillow, her eyes sprinkling with fresh tears.

It was wrong.

She was wrong. Hermione hated being wrong. But it was true. And she knew it.

'Luna?'

Luna looked up from the book she was reading. Cho Chang was poking her head through the door of the Ravenclaw fifth-year girls' dormitory. It was late in the evening, and Luna was reading one of her favourite muggle fiction books. She was also happily remembering the enjoyable evening she had spent with Ronald in the Gryffindor common room, playing chess, and sharing stories. Ronald had happily listened to her discuss the Rotfang conspiracy, which Luna had appreciated; he seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.

He had even given her a kiss on the cheek before he left. Which Luna had very much enjoyed.

'Hello, Cho,' Luna said, smiling. 'Is something the matter? You look worried.'

'No, I'm fine. I just… I wanted to speak to you about something. Can I come in?'

Luna nodded, slotting a bookmark onto her page, and placing the book on her bedsheets. She then patted the bedsheets again, and Cho crossed the room to sit down.

'What was it you wanted to speak about?' Luna asked, calmly. 'I'm not having any severe issues with my O.W.L studies yet.'

'Actually, I wanted to talk about you and Ron Weasley.'

Cho had never seen Luna blush before, but the younger girls' cheeks glowed slightly in the candlelight.

'O-oh,' Luna said, looking slightly flustered. 'I see.'

Cho smiled.

'Ron's a good bloke. Did I ever mention how he got on at me for wearing a tornados badge?'

'Briefly, yes,' Luna replied, smiling at the memory. 'You said he was making sure that you weren't just jumping on the bandwagon.'

'Exactly. Ron wanted to make sure I wasn't a fair-weather fan. I think he was looking out for Harry, y'know? Making sure I wasn't the type to just go after something because it was the popular thing to do.'

'Ronald is rather like that,' Luna said, quietly. 'He really cares for his friends.'

'Yeah, except… well, sometimes I wonder whether he cares too much for them when they don't always deserve it.'

'Do you mean Hermione?'

'Well, yeah. The schools full of rumours about them. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who gave Ron those scars. But, well… Luna, has Hermione… threatened you?'

'No,' Luna replied. 'I think she does genuinely feel sorry for what she's done to Ronald.'

'That still doesn't make it okay. She's done this sort of thing before. You know she's never apologised to Marietta? The healers say she'll have those spots on her forehead for the rest of her life.'

Luna didn't say anything. This had been weighing on her mind as well.

'Even if Ron does forgive Hermione,' Cho continued. 'That doesn't mean she can go right back to being his friend. What would that show her? That she can attack him and still be welcomed back with open arms? No; he deserves better than that.'

'You think Ron doesn't believe his feelings matter?'

Cho sat, frowning.

'I guess. I always did think it was weird how he never seems to stick up for himself whenever his friends are being beastly to him. I remember that Fred and George always seemed to be taking the mickey of him for something; even more than normal for siblings.'

'I wouldn't know.'

'Neither would I, but Padma and Parvati both agree that Ron gets the short end of the stick a lot. Didn't he not get his own wand until third year?'

Luna nodded, remembering how Ginny had mentioned it once.

'I know he's the youngest son in that family,' Cho continued. 'But still. No wonder he doesn't like making a fuss. I remember those awful robes he got at the Yule Ball; isn't his mum used to adjusting clothes with magic? Why were they in a colour that looked so bad on him?'

'Maybe she ran out of time?'

'I suppose. But it wouldn't have taken more than a minute to do. I dunno. It just… seems weird.'

Luna shrugged, thoughtfully playing with a loose strand of her pyjama top.

'Luna?'

'Yes?'

'Do you like Ron?'

'Yes,' Luna said, smiling. 'He's kind, and sweet, and very funny. I like being around him.'

Cho smiled back. Luna didn't really have many close friends in Ravenclaw and, despite Cho's best efforts, most of their housemates weren't really that interested in spending time with Luna. Cho was glad that Luna had made some connections with people who appreciated her.

And Ron genuinely seemed to make her happy. Cho knew that relationships were often very rose-tinted in the early stages, but this wasn't so much the case with Luna's coupling with Ron. It was steady, quiet, and more of an extension of the friendship they had developed prior.

'That's great, Luna,' Cho said, patting the younger girl encouragingly on the arm. 'I'm happy for you two.'

Luna smiled, her grey eyes warm.

Ron didn't sleep much that night, as was obvious when he sat down to breakfast in the great hall. There were bags under his eyes, and he immediately poured himself a large mug of coffee instead of his normal hot chocolate. He had lost his frostiness towards Ginny and so had passed her a plate of kippers. The two siblings had shared a small smile, before digging into their food.

Harry had never been sure how to deal with the complicated sibling dynamics amongst the Weasleys, so he didn't say anything.

The great hall slowly became busier around them. The Gryffindors up and down the bench were in relatively high spirits, due to the lingering good mood from the Quidditch match and the promise of the holiday season. Most of them weren't planning to stay in Hogwarts. In fact, virtually no students from any of the houses were, given how dangerous things were getting in the wizarding world.

Ron looked up the table. Hermione was sat by herself, staring numbly into her half-empty bowl of soup.

'Don't even think about it,' Ginny said, under her breath. 'She's made her bed and now she has to lie in it.'

Ron went back to his porridge, looking conflicted.

'I heard she missed all her classes after Transfiguration,' Dean whispered, as he sat down next to Ginny. 'Professor Vector had to send her some catch-up work.'

Harry and Ginny exchanged a look. Hermione never missed classes.

'Ronald?'

Ron looked around. Luna was standing nearby, wearing a thick woolly hat and a blue duffel coat.

'Hi,' Ron said.

'Would you like to go for a walk?'

Ron nodded, grabbing his coat, and standing up.

A few Gryffindors gave Ron cheery waves as they left the hall, which he returned. The entrance hall was empty of people and, as the two of them exited through the large main doors, they immediately were glad of their coats. The crisp, December air was what Ron's mum referred to as "bracing", meaning that it was the sort of weather that was only enjoyable if you had the promise of a hot drink afterwards.

The giant squid was attempting to sun itself in what little sunlight was breaking through the clouds. The rest of the grounds were empty, although they could distantly see Hagrid working in his vegetable patch.

Ron and Luna stopped under a familiar looking tree.

'Hang on; isn't this where you gave me that umbrella last year?'

'Oh, yes,' Luna said. 'I suppose it is. You were rather soaked-through at the time.'

'I never did thank you for that.'

'You don't need to.'

'Still…'

Ron pressed a quick peck to Luna's cheek, and she giggled happily.

'Are you going home for Christmas?'

'I expect so,' Luna replied, her cheeks now flushing from the cold and from Ron's kiss. 'Dad always likes it when I join him for the holidays.'

'Fair enough. I was just wondering because… well…'

'Ronald, are you inviting me to visit you at the Burrow?'

Ron felt his ears burn.

'W-well, yeah. I reckon I am.'

Luna smiled.

'Thank you. I'll look forward to it.'

The two stared out over the grounds. The winter frost had tinted the bare trees, and the mountains in the distance were tipped with snow.

'Luna?'

'Yes?'

'I… I'm not just using you, am I?'

'No,' Luna said, shaking her head. 'Were you trying to?'

'No! But… well, I was worried that it might seem that way. I… I don't want you to ever think I'm just… just…'

'It doesn't,' Luna replied, earnestly. 'I know you'd never do that. I like you, Ronald; I'm glad to be with you. Be it as your friend or… something more.'

Ron's ears went red again.

'Are we… something more? I mean, we haven't really discussed it yet…'

'We don't need to put a label on it if you don't feel comfortable doing so,' Luna replied. 'Just as long as it makes you happy.'

'It does.'

'Good. You deserve to be happy, Ronald.'

Ron chuckled mirthlessly to himself.

'Funny you should say that. When those birds attacked me, I… I feel like I almost… deserved it. For trying to be distant with her.'

'Ronald,' Luna said, softly. 'You weren't the one who set a flock of birds on someone. And you didn't deserve it.'

'Still.'

Luna reached out, and tenderly intertwined her fingers with Ron.

'You remember how you were saying about me being brave?'

'Yeah.'

'Well… I suppose I could have had friends when I was younger, but… well, they would have kept me around for the wrong reasons. And I would have stayed for the wrong reasons. Not because they were good people, but because they were the only people who would have me as their friend.'

'Right. I… I want to be there for you for the right reasons, Luna.'

'I know you do, Ronald.'

The two of them stood in silence for a while. Then, without saying a word, they began to walk back towards the castle.

'Luna, do… do you think Hermione regrets it?'

'Certainly. But…'

'What?'

'You aren't obligated to let her be a part of your life again just because she's sorry. If you don't feel comfortable being around her, then don't force yourself to.'

Ron nodded, thinking hard to himself.

Harry and Ginny met Ron in the entrance hall. Luna had gone back to Ravenclaw Tower to collect her things. The great hall was still full of people, and Ron could hear the sounds of cheerful laughter through the huge doorway.

'How was your walk?' Harry asked, as they grew closer to Ron by the staircase.

Ron shrugged.

'Fine. Are we flooing from McGonagall's office, then?'

Ginny nodded.

'Mum sent a letter to McGonagall about it. I… I think Mum wants to talk with you about things when we get home.'

Ron sighed.

'I kinda expected that.'

The three of them walked through the corridors, which were still largely empty. McGonagall had apparently booked them in well before most students would be flooing home. Ron wondered how long it would take his mum to start enquiring about what had happened in the past week; McGonagall had sent a letter explaining it, but Ron knew his mum would want a first-hand account.

He honestly wasn't sure what he was going to say. It wasn't every day that your best friend attacked you, after all.

Ginny knocked on McGonagall's office door.

'Enter.'

McGonagall was just applying the floo powder to the fire.

'All ready, you three?'

Harry nodded.

'Ron, I think someone's here to see you.'

Ron turned. Luna's head was poking around the door, still wearing her duffel coat. She had taken off her woolly hat, and her long blonde hair was messier than usual.

'Oh, hi,' Ron said, walking over.

'Hello. I… well, I suppose I came to say goodbye. For a little while, anyway.'

'Thanks,' Ron said. 'I… I guess I'll see you over the holidays sometime, then.'

Luna nodded.

'Er, what would you like? You know, as a gift?'

Luna mused for a moment, twirling a strand of her dirty-blonde hair through her fingers.

'Oh, just something interesting. What would you like?'

'You really don't have to.'

'I want to, though.'

Ron smiled down at her. She really was a sweet girl.

'Whatever you think I might like, in that case.'

'Ron; time to go!' Ginny called.

'Just a sec!'

Ron turned back to the Ravenclaw.

'Well… happy holidays, Luna.'

'Yes, and to you. Goodbye, Ronald. Remember what I said about you deserving to be happy.'

'I will.'

Smiling, Luna stood on tiptoe and pecked Ron softly on the cheek. She turned on her heel and left, her hair swinging behind her as she did so. Ron smiled after her, before stepping into McGonagall's fireplace and disappearing in a woosh of green flames.

Harry was just about to follow, when-

'Harry?'

Hermione was stood at the door.

Ginny narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything. Harry took a cautious step forward.

'Off… off for Christmas, then?' Hermione asked, keenly aware of the distance Harry was keeping between them.

'Yeah. The Burrow.'

Hermione nodded.

'I thought I best say that… well, I hope you have a good Christmas, Harry.'

'Yeah. You too.'

'I think we both know I won't.'

There was a long, billowing silence. Harry honestly didn't know what to say. He'd known Hermione since first year and yet he found that he wasn't sure he knew who she was anymore.

Judging from the look in her eyes, Hermione was unsure who she was too.

'Hermione?'

'Yeah?'

'Are… are you going to try and be friends with Ron again?'

Hermione looked off into the distance.

'Not yet. After the way I've treated him, I don't see why I have any right to be in his life.'

'He might forgive you.'

'But I haven't forgiven myself. What if I get angry at him again, and end up doing something even worse? I care about him more than I care about almost anyone-else, and I still attacked him.'

'You were angry.'

'That doesn't excuse it. In fact, that makes it worse; that's how I act when I lose control. Until I fundamentally change how I behave, it isn't fair to him to even be around him.'

'Oh… right.'

'Harry,' Ginny said, patting him on the shoulder. 'The floo won't keep going forever.'

'Right. Well… bye, then.'

'Goodbye.'

The fire burned green, as Harry and Ginny were individually swallowed up by the magical flames. Hermione turned to go, passing Professor McGonagall on her way out.

The students in the corridors eyed Hermione warily as she walked back to the entrance hall. She wasn't expecting to have anyone sit with her on the way back to Kings Cross either. Come to think of it, she wasn't sure what her parents were going to say to her; although Professor McGonagall had sent a letter to them, Hermione had received no letter from them regarding the matter so far. She supposed she would have to wait and see what they thought when she arrived on Platform Nine And Three Quarters.

Hermione sighed. It was going to be a very lonely holiday, indeed.