Later on that day, just before supper

The Ron, Harry, and Ginny stood just inside the Hall. Hermione was sitting alone eating her meal.

Ron sighed, "I hope she's ok."

Harry and Ginny looked at him confused. Ginny asked, "What do you mean 'I hope she's ok'?"

Ron blushed, "I don't know! She came out of her room crying. She left with out saying anything to me. And I haven't seen her all day, "he looked a bit guilty, "You don't think she noticed, you know.do you?"

Harry and Ginny gave each other a sideways glance, "Well."

Ron hung his head in defeat, "I'm screwed"

Ginny placed a hand on her brothers' shoulder. "It could be worse."

"Really, how?"

"Well.she could.er.that's not the point, Ron. The point is what are you going to do about it?"

"Do about it?"

"Yes Ron, you just can't leave it like this. You're going to have to do something."

Ron thought about it for a moment. "How about if I run away to Romania and get eaten by a dragon?"

Harry shook his head at his friend. "I don't think that's what Ginny meant Ron."

"What am I supposed to do? Tell Hermione the truth and have her think I'm a bigger idiot than she already thinks I am?"

Harry turned to Ginny, "He has a point."

Ginny sighed, "You have to do something. At least go over there and be nice."

Ron nodded his head with determination, "I can do that." He headed towards the table.

"Oh Ron?" Ginny called, "What ever you do, try not to say anything that could make this worse."

~*~

Ron, Ginny, and Harry walked over towards the table where Hermione sat. Hermione was reading her Arithmancy book.

"Hi Herm." Ron said as he sat down beside her. Harry and Ginny and across from them.

Hermione smiled up from her book. "Took you guys long enough. I was beginning to think you weren't coming down."

"Are you OK?" Ron asked.

Hermione turned to him, keeping the smile on her face, "Yes, Why wouldn't I be?"

Ron's ears turned a bright pink. "Well, you ran out of the common room so fast, and you looked a bit upset."

"Oh, that! I wasn't upset, I just realized I had misplaced my potions book," her smile turned a bit colder. "But I remembered that I had left in here last night."

"Oh.well as long as you're alright-", The sound of wings and hoots cut him off in mid-sentence.

A very large brown barn owl swooped pass them, landing a small package neatly in front of Hermione.

She looked at it curiously. Hermione ripped the brown paper cover and opened up the small box. Hermione's eyes widened.

"What is it?" Ginny asked curiously.

Hermione passed her the small white box. Inside was a small gold cat pin and a folded piece of paper.

"Oh! It's gorgeous! Who sent it?"

"I'm not sure. Can you hand me the note".

The note was written in a large hand. It read:

Merry Christmas Hermione, Sorry it's late. I hope you enjoy it. Love your friend, Victor Krum

Hermione took the pin out of the box and held it in her hand. It was gold with jewel green eyes. She smiled a little. "It's probably something cheap from the pharmacy", Ron said looking quite gloomy.

Hermione set the pin back into its box and glared at him. Anger filled her eyes, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ron turned slightly pale, "Well I just meant that-"

"You just meant that I'm not worth buying anything for, is that it?"

"Hey! I didn't say that!"

Hermione stood up "No, you just thought it"

With that said she ran out of the Hall. The anger replaced in her eyes with tears.

Ron looked to his sister and his friends as if to plea for help.

Ginny shook her head, "You did what I told you not to do."

Ron buried his head in his arms. "And what was that?" he asked, his voice muffled.

"You opened your big mouth and said something to make things worse."

~*~

The Gryffindor Common room was quiet and empty. The only sound was the crackling of the fire place. Hermione sat down in front of it on the couch and stared into the fire.

*Why am I acting so weird? I'm behaving like a spoiled brat! Why is it bothering me so much that Ron forgot about me? I mean, it's only a gift. I have plenty.* Hermione reflected on this for a minute. Her eyes widened as she realized something. It wasn't the fact that Ron forgot to get her something; it was the fact he forgot her. That he didn't think of her as important enough to even explain why. Lavender didn't help things either.

Hermione buried her head in the cushion and began to sob.

~*~

and so another chapter ends, and the ending is no where to be found. But don't you worry! Next time, I promise this story will be over! I just thought it would be more fun to play with your minds again ^_~