How could I let him see me like this? How could I let him see what I've become?

I ran up to the girls' dormitory, and shut the curtains on my bed. I sat on the bed and hugged my knees, wanting to cry. I removed the hood slowly from my head.

I was hideous...I was a monster. I touched my left cheek. My skin was rough and scarred. Madam Pomfrey had did all she could to heal my burns, but still...these scars were even beyond magical care. I couldn't let Ron see me. Not like this. I had pushed him away when he tried to remove my hood. I simply couldn't bear to look at him with a face like...like...this. It hurt me to have to avoid him and push him aside when I love him so much. Although I know the feeling isn't mutual.

I had woke up in the Intensive Care wing, and Madam Pomfrey was sitting beside me. She had smiled, but I saw that the smile was slightly forced. She had given me a mirror. And that's when I realised I was no longer the Hermione Granger of old. I was an ugly and hideous creature. My left cheek had been horribly scarred and burnt. I had waited for them in the Common Room, hoping to have the courage to face both Harry and Ron with my new and horrible look. But when they came in...and when Ron called out my name...I just couldn't. I just couldn't muster up any courage to face either of them, not even Harry. How could I just look them in the face and force them to accept me for who I am now?

I had asked Madam Pomfrey what to do to cover up this horrible scar, and she had told me not to cover it up. But I had to. How can I stand everyone at Hogwarts staring and pointing at me? How could I stand Ron looking in my face only to think, 'Ooh, she's ugly.'? How could I put up with the ridicule and embarrassement I have to face? How could I...?

I know that thinking only of the surface is a very shallow act...but whatever people say, looks do matter. Even though everyone says that loving a person is about loving their hearts and souls...they still think looks matter. Everyone does.

So I had put a hood on my head, using part of my long hair to conceal the disfigured portion of my face. This had aided a lot...because no one could see what was behind my hair...but I know that this was only a temporary measure. You can't expect me to go around looking like Red Riding Hood forever, right?

"Hermione?" I heard someone say. "Hermione? I know you're in there."

I opened the curtain a little, enough to look out. It was Lavender Brown. Tears were welling up in her eyes. "Yes?"

"Herm...I'm so sorry," she said, her tears starting to fall.

"It's not your fault, Lavender. Neither is it Parvati's," I said. "Don't blame yourself."

"I...if I hadn't been talking to Parvati on the Quidditch pitch, we wouldn't have encountered the dragon, and you wouldn't have come out to try and help us, Herm...It's our fault," she answered.

"It's not. If I hadn't been nosy I wouldn't have got hurt either..." I said. "It was the dragon's fault. How in the world did it get in here?"

"I don't know...I was just talking to Parvati when suddenly a huge dragon came out of nowhere," she said. I saw her wiping away her tears.

"Okay...Lavender, stop crying. I think you're going to be late for Divination," I said.

"Aren't you going for Arithmancy?"

"I've been given a few days rest...to adjust." To adjust to my new look.

"All right. I'm really sorry, Herm," I heard her say. And then the sound of footsteps going down the dormitory stairs.

Was I ready to tell Ron and Harry yet? They must be wondering what's wrong with me.

But I just can't bear letting Ron see me like this. I guess I'll decide after their Divination lesson.

**

Sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room, I waited for the boys to get back after Divination. I don't know what I was going to say, or what was I even thinking of saying. What can I expect from their reaction? Probably shock, horror... I don't know. I got up, intending to leave...I don't think it's time to tell them yet. Besides, they were supposed to be in the middle of their Divination class.

The painting swung aside abruptly, and Ron stepped in. Shocked at Ron's sudden appearance, I started to rush up the stairs again...but he was faster. He grabbed me and pulled me into his arms.

"Don't run away again, Hermione," he said, holding me tight. "Please don't leave me again."

I pushed him and tried to pull away from his warm embrace, but he was too strong. "Let me go, Ron..."

"I won't. Unless you promise not to run away again," came the reply.

I continued struggling. "Let go of me, Ronald Weasley."

"D'you think I snuck out of Divination just to let you get away again, Herm?" he asked.

"You're in love with Lavender Brown, Ron...Not me," I said, still struggling.

"That was a lie, Hermione. I never liked Lavender Brown. How could I, when all of the space in my heart is taken up by...you?"

I couldn't believe my ears. "What?"

"I love you, Hermione Granger," he said. Then he bent over to kiss me.

Shocked at his sudden and abrupt advance, I pushed him away as hard as I could. I broke free. "No...this can't be true."

How could it be...how could it be that he loves me? I'm a hideous creature. Hideous!

I ran as fast as I could up the stairs to the girls' dormitory. He started to follow.

"Leave me alone, Ron...Please..." I said, running. "Ron...not now. I'll explain some other time, but not now. If you respect me enough, you'll leave me alone."

I heard Ron's footsteps stop.

"Go, Ron. Please...go," I said, my heart hurting with every word. Tears were already falling from my eyes.

I ran into the dormitory and onto my bed.I shut the curtains. Hugging my knees, I cried.

Please...make him go away. Please make him leave me alone. I wasn't ready...not now.

Not now.