AN: Welcome! I have been writing this one for quite some time. Feel free to give me your feedback, otherwise, enjoy!

Chapter I

Everybody knew Hermione Granger as a know-it-all, as the brightest witch of her age, even though the girl only turned fifteen last month. She was a walking dictionary, being able to quote an exact line from a textbook. Excellent in class, an expert in every theoretical field. Hermione had slight problems with the practical part, she admitted. Although she tended to diminish her own difficulties, refusing to believe that even Harry was better at practice than her. It's not like Harry was the lowest point to judge from, but for Hermione it was humiliating. No offense to Mr Potter.

So it was no surprise that Hermione Granger was a professional in the area of interpersonal relationships, too. She was an amazing source of tips for Harry and Ron who struggled with their romantic situation regarding their non-existent partners for upcoming Yule Ball. Hermione truly believed that everything was just as easy as the books told her. So when for umpteenth time she huffed while Harry was whining about his inability to approach Cho, the boys finally snapped.

It was a pretty regular evening. Having completed all her homework for the future week, Hermione was snuggled cosily on the sofa in the Gryffindor dorms with a book. She was hoping for peace and quiet, but the second she heard familiar voices uttering words of distress, she knew that it wasn't going to happen. Thus, Hermione sighed and even put away her Herbology textbook. Harry and Ron stormed in, both talking animatedly, and plopped on the couch. The brunette was silent as she filled herself in a little bit about the events by listening to their rant. After a short while, she had enough.

"Oh, come on, Harry, it's not that hard. You just say hello to her and her friends, then you ask her to talk in private and then you discuss things!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her hands up, interrupting a very sad story about Harry not being able to walk up to the girl yet again. Boys turned to her, red in the face. Ron squinted at her, as Harry crossed his arms defensively.

"Really? Not that hard?" Ron cried, agitated. "You just sit here, giving us a piece of advice, having no idea what it's like in real life! You always say how easy it is, but have you even bloody tried it? Huh?!" Harry nodded along.

"Yes, Hermione, I'm with Ron on this one. I mean, I appreciate that you're trying to help, but you really don't know how things happen when you actually try to do them." The dark-haired boy said seriously. Hermione scrunched her forehead in disbelief and crossed her arms, too.

"Pfft. I can admit that I may lack some piece of information, sure, but I really don't think that it's much different from what I tell you." Hermione huffed, and immediately she was met with resistance. Ron opened his mouth, his face even redder, as Harry rolled his eyes.

"I mean, no offense, Hermione, but…" The boy-who-lived started, but trailed off, seeing the look on girl's face. She glared at him for whatever that was about to come out of his mouth. Ron, however, had no such problem, as he finished what Harry was about to say.

"Have you even had experience with relationships, 'Mione?" He inquired, his voice challenging. Hermione pursed her lips angrily, glaring at the red-headed Gryffindor. Ron seemed unfazed, looking at her with same intensity. Feeling lost with no argument left to defend her, Hermione attempted to say something, as she looked back and forth between the questioning faces of the boys.

"Okay, fine, I haven't, but that doesn't mean that…" She admitted, uncrossing her arms, and looked away.

"Yes, it does!" Harry and Ron said in unison. Pleased with themselves, they eased in their seats a little, as Hermione refused to meet their eyes, feeling embarrassed.

"Urgh, 'Mione, don't get all offended, it's just the truth." Ron said, not making it better. Harry nudged him in the ribs. "What Ron means is… ugh…" He tried.

"So what? To be seen competent in your eyes I have to date someone?" Hermione asked incredulously. She turned to them fully, outraged. "Is that what you're implying?"

"N-" Harry was about to deny everything, waving his hands as Ron exclaimed: "Yes!"

"I mean, if you actually tried to ask someone out to the Ball too, that would make you understand that you're no expert in this stuff! I mean, come on, we get it, 'Mione, you're great with spells and classes, but it's not something that you can learn from a book. It's a completely different level." Ron scoffed. "So you're in no position to tell us what to do. Unless you suddenly get yourself a super-hot date for the Yule Ball, of course. Then I'd be begging you for tips."

Hermione was seething by the time Ron finished his rant. She clenched her jaws and said nothing. Seeing no reaction from the girl, the boys renewed their conversation. Hermione sat still, arms crossed.

How dare they question Hermione's knowledge? The girl fumed only thinking about it. It had never happened before and she had hoped that it would stay this way. She found herself at loss on what to do about it, however. Her authority was undermined now, and anything she would say right now would be taken with suspicion, and that was the last thing she wanted.

Hermione's first decision was to storm out dramatically to emphasise her disagreement with whatever boys thought about her competence. So she did. Hermione got up, threw an angry gaze at puzzled faces of Harry and Ron and confidently retired. She flung herself on her bed once she reached the girls' dormitory. She didn't want to sleep, not really, but she made her bed and changed into her pyjamas.

Hermione irritably got under the covers, turning to the side and shut her eyes. Half an hour later, she found herself even more alert than she was. She tossed and turned all night, wide awake, deep in thought.

How could she make them respect her opinion again? But in the way so they would also realise how wrong they were and feel sorry for ever doubting her abilities? How?

These questions swirled in her head until she exhausted herself upon not having found an answer and fell asleep, finally.