AN: Bum BA bums…Ron doesn't know she's there, the entire time. Now, doesn't this make a whole lot sense? In the next two chapter I'll explain a lot: the thump in the common room when Harry first found them—how he had it mistaken it for Ron—the truce Malfoy called—the Inperius Curse—and why she did it all. Oh, guess what? Not everything appears to be as it seems. Wait and see…wait and see…

Disclaimer: (sorry, "Jess", have to add this for the ml…). As I have said before, I don't own Harry Potter, k? So don't sue. Ha ha, you wouldn't get much if ya did, neither.

Chapter Thirteen: Will Eventually Be A Memory

Harry looked at Hermione. Her face was tear-streaked. Her hands were shaking as she motioned for Harry not to reveal she was there. Harry watched her back up into the shadows, and then disappeared down the spiral staircase that led from the boys' dormitory to the common room.

Harry was slightly appalled. How could Hermione stand there and eavesdrop like that…? Then he felt his mind wander…he'd done something rather similar to that…without meaning to. The night he saw Hermione kiss Draco Malfoy.

Curious, he thought. How could he mistake Ron for Malfoy? For one thing, Malfoy had silver blonde hair, and Ron had a mop of red hair. Harry shook his head. His mind was playing tricks on him. It was, after all, late. He hadn't much sleep the night before (worrying about the upcoming O.W.L.s and Snape's rotten Potion exam, he supposed—or was it another thing entirely?) and perhaps the tiredness was getting to him. The light from the fire could be made to look like one had red hair.

"Harry?" Ron asked, poking him in the side. "You've drifted off."

"Er—what?" Harry replied, coming out of his thoughts. "Sorry, Ron," he added quickly. "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing. Just thought you'd like some dinner," he said. Ron seemed to be in a much better mood now that he'd told Harry what was on his mind. Harry laughed to himself. Ron would have been a lot more better off if he'd just have listened to him in the first place.

He followed Ron down to the common room and out the portrait. Ron was chatting animatedly about something. Harry didn't really listen. Something about his favorite Quidditch team, Chudley Cannons. In fact, it was that conversation that sparked something in the back of Harry's mind.

"Damn," he muttered softly, and Ron looked at him. "Quidditch practice tonight," Harry replied, answering the question on Ron's face. "Almost forgot."

"Oh," Ron said knowingly. "Yeah, that's right…" After Oliver Wood left the year before, George Weasley had been made Quidditch Team Captain. He told Ron he could be on the team for a trial period, just to see what he could do. So far, they haven't lost a match yet, and Ron was proving himself to be quite a Keeper. "Nearly good as Wood," George had said, beaming at his brother and the perfect choice.

"Mmm…smells rather good, this does," Ron said coming to the Great Hall, and Harry followed right behind him. They stopped at the entrance, and saw the sign up sheet. Harry picked up the quill immediately, knowing that he was most indefinitely staying for Christmas Break. The Dursleys' would never ever have him home for a break.

They were only a few minutes late, but the amount of voices, it seemed that not too many people were here after all.

"Signing up for Christmas Break, Ron?" Harry asked, noticing George's and Fred's name already on the list.

"Yeah, want to practice some moves. George said I've got to stay, anyway," he replied, picking up the quill. "But you he won't tell me why, though. I think Mum and Dad probably want some time to themselves. George has become their messenger, he has." Ron laughed.

His laughter died away instantly as he rose from signing his name, and saw Hermione come up behind them. "Hullo," she said drowsily. "Excuse me, Harry."

"What, haven't you begun calling him Potter like your boyfriend does?" Ron hissed vengefully, watching her sign her name.

Hermione's writing began to scratch as she couldn't control the shaking. Harry couldn't tell whether or not she was going to slap him, but either way, she was going to yell.

"What's that, Ron?" she said calmly, looking up at him. She had daggers in her cinnamon eyes. Harry could see her face becoming a lovely shade of deep red.

Ron narrowed his eyes. "Why bother sitting with us anymore? You've certainly betrayed your own kind," he said angrily.

"How so?" she asked loudly.

"Well, for instance," Ron replied, just as loud as she, "you're dating—and heaven know what else you've done, knowing them--with a Slytherin." He paused. "Not only that, but it's Draco Malfoy."

Hermione's face light up like a flashlight. She started to sputter angrily, when another person joined their party.

"What have we here?" the voice said silkily, crossing his arms at him chest defiantly.

"Hello, Malfoy," Ron snarled. "Come to collect your girlfriend?"

Malfoy looked unnerved. "What, do you mean that long-tooth Mudblood?" he asked vehemently. "Perhaps you should make a pass at her. Or perhaps—" he leaned over so that no one else could hear him except Ron, "it's too late. Personally, pinning someone against the wall isn't my idea of playfully flirting."

Ron's eyes grew wide. Harry turned his head sideways. What did Malfoy just say to Ron? "Shove off, Malfoy," Harry retorted. "Or—" he glanced at Hermione, "perhaps, it'd be more fitting if I called you Male- toy." Harry could help being on Ron's side, for this fight at least. It was Hermione's fault, and it was obvious that he liked her…always wanting to be her partner, and also, that whole incident with Krum.

Malfoy looked like he wanted to punch Harry right there. But, being where they were, right in the hallway outside of the Great Hall, a fight would do no one good.

Hermione stamped her foot. "Oh really, this is all nonsense!" she exclaimed, tears brewing in her eyes. "I don't care what anyone thinks anymore!" She turned to Ron. "And you," she said, threateningly, "I hope that you find someone as miserable as you are. Harry," she said, turning to him, "I can't believe you'd take sides in this."

And with that, she turned her head and kissed Malfoy right there—right in front of Harry and Ron.