Jenie: Wow! Thanks for your review! Don't tell anyone what you think is going to happen with Jame's record, because that'd give it all away!

E.C.R Potter: I'm very sorry if this chapter's not what you wanted. Please forgive me! I'll make it up later, don't worry! *note to self… make an effort NOT to give anything away in you're AN's!*

En Shoe: Hey, everyone's entitled to his or her own opinion (not mine.) I don't hate you if you don't like Zoolander, don't worry! ^_^;

DragonBlond 04: Great review! I'm glad you liked my other chapter! I'm seriously planning to not have a lot of fluff, but there will be little hints here and there once in a while. Not much. I'm ignoring complaints in my inbox about how 'I'm a terrible writer for not putting fluff in here'. Completely and utterly ignoring them. ^_^;

Max Lonewolf: You're cool! I could see your smile across from Toronto! Oh… by the way… I've just noticed the majority of my reviewers are Canadian…. WWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOOOO! That's more than fine with me ^_^;

Calistal: Thanks for your great review! I'm glad you liked my chapter! I hope this one is just as good!

Lavender Weasley: Hello unknown person I have never met in my entire life…*snicker* Thanks for your review! Hope this chapter makes you smile!

…~'*'~…

"You look beautiful, Parvati!"

            "And you! You look so dreamy! Seamus will simply adore your dress!"

            "What about me? You don't think this flower is too colourful, do you?"

            "Oh, no, Ginny! It's perfect!"

            Hermione huffed. She wished she could jump out at her roommates and put a silencing charm on them. They all managed to get partners for the ball- Ginny with Neville, Lavender with Seamus and Parvati with a Hufflepuff boy Hermione had never spoken to in her life. She wondered if Parvati had either.

            "Your dress! It had a crease!"

            "Oh no! Really? What do I do?"

            Hermione couldn't take it anymore. She forgot about the clasps on the back of her dress, which she couldn't fasten, walked out from behind her four-poster and approached them.

            "Will you all natter a little more quietly, please?" she hissed. They stared at her as if she had grown another head.

            "Where," gasped Parvati, "did you get that dress?"

            Hermione just realized that she was talking about the dress she was wearing, the one she got from Miss. Marmalade's. Ginny, who was holding the creased part of Lavender's dress, had her mouth open in admiration.

            "I got it at Miss. Marmalade's Fine and Not-So-Fine Robes," said Hermione, "She only had one of them."

            Parvati blinked a few times, her eyes traveling from the silky blue bottom of Hermione's dress to the thin, dainty straps. Then she came quite serious again.

            "Really?" she said skeptically, "I've never heard of such a place."

            Hermione rolled her eyes, "It's in Diagon Alley. Madam Malkin's was too busy, so I went to Miss. Marmalade's."

            "Who's that?"

            "The store owner!"

            Hermione sighed heavily, and sat on her bed, pulling on her blue high-heeled dress shoes. She hated wearing these, but anything else would look horrible with such an elegant dress. They made her feet hurt and she doubted she could dance properly.

            "So, you're going to the ball, then?" said Ginny in excitement, "So, tell us… who are you going with? Dean? Or one of the twins? No, it must be Justin-"

            "Harry!" snapped Hermione impatiently, "I'm going with Harry," she stood and felt the colour rising to her face, seeing all three of them staring at her, "You know, Harry Potter? The boy you always goggle at during the feasts?"

            Lavender nodded, her face pale.

            "Are you serious?" Parvati asked Hermione, a slight hint of jealousy in her voice, "I went to the Yule Ball with him, remember? He's an okay dancer, but the way he looks! He's really, really, really dead se-"

            "Enough!" hissed Hermione irritably, knowing what that particular sentence would end with, "I know he went to the Yule Ball with you lat year… and don't talk about him like that!"

             Ginny, Lavender and Parvati looked at each other for a brief moment, then back at Hermione. They had a hungry excited look in their eyes, and Hermione didn't like it at all.

            "You're dressed, but your hair! It's not done yet!" said Lavender.

            Hermione nodded. Her hair was the same way it always was– bushy and tangled. Whereas Ginny, Parvati and Lavender's hair was done in elegant knots with flowers intertwined in it.

            "Hermione… you're going with Harry Potter to the Ball! The Harry Potter!"

            "I know," sighed Hermione dreamily, trying her hardest to fight that gorgeous image of Harry in his handsome dress robes, waiting for her at the bottom of the marble staircase, rose in hand.

            "And we're all ready! You do know what this means, don't you?" Lavender pressed on.

            Hermione folded her arms and huffed, "Could it possibly mean that you're going to help me, because you think I like Harry as much as you do?"

            "Yes!" cried Ginny happily, jumping up and clapping her hand together, her huge heels hitting the floor, "Well, no… b-but I used to… er… never mind! Let's get you fixed up!"

            "Someone get a comb!"

            "Where's my wand?"

            "I need a towel! Quickly!"

            The next moment was a blur to Hermione. She found herself being pushed into a chair and forced to keep her face straight and hands in her lap. Ginny, Parvati and Lavender were surrounding her, their heads and arms forming a wall so Hermione could no longer see her dorm. She felt her hair being pulled, her eyebrows being pinched and her fingernails being painted, and it was like she no longer could breath. She didn't dare open her eyes to see what they were doing to her.

            After Lavender managed to get all the tangles pulled out of her hair, Hermione found a diamond necklace being draped around her neck, and Parvati's voice was heard somewhere beside her, "I'll let you borrow this, but I want it back after the ball! Ouch! Watch it, Ginny, you almost ruined my shoes!"

            Brushes ran through Hermione's hair, combs prodded her head, earrings were clipped onto her ears and hairspray was sprayed everywhere. Hermione could tell Lavender was having the worst time, being she was attempting to do the same to Hermione's hair what she had in hers.

            "I think I'm going to have to use an untangling charm," she whined, "This is just too hard!"

            Soon Hermione's hair was done and her nails were painted a cerulean colour. Parvati started applying peachy pink creams to her face and some things Hermione had never seen in her life.

            "What colour do you think is best?" said Ginny to Lavender as she held two lipsticks, "Peach frost or clear crystal?"

            "Oh… peach frost, I suppose."

            Hermione hated the smell and feeling of everything they were putting on her. Her lips, with tasted like fruits, were they only thing she could ever put up with. She was just about to get to her feet, unable to stay in one spot for much longer, but Parvati pushed her back in her seat again.

            "Stay put! We're almost finished!"

            Then, for what felt like and hour later for Hermione, Ginny let out a triumphant, "Ha! Finished!"

            Hermione shot out of her chair almost at once.

            "Great. Well thanks, but I'd really like to get rid of this rubbish now," she said, ready to head to the nearest sink, but she was steered to the full length mirror next to Lavender's four poster. There, Hermione stared at her reflection in amazement.

            She would never believe she was seeing herself, for there was a gorgeous girl staring back at her. She could have rivaled Fleur or Marindernia.

            Hermione's hair done up in an elegant knot with a few flowers of what looked like baby's breath in it. She face looked rosy and unmarked; not a hint of skin was left unmarked my sheer purity. Her lips blending with her skin and her eyes- her eyes were brightly exaggerated and extraordinarily striking. And her dress matched perfectly. Hermione thought for a moment, willing herself to believe her reflection was indeed mirroring her semblance

            "Your hair looks different, better than ours," said Lavender with bitterness, but she was smiling at how Hermione was momentarily wordless with her reflection, "I should have put a tangling charm on my hair too. It seemed to tame it quite a bit more." Ginny and Parvati nodded fervently beside her.

            "Uh… thanks so much," mumbled Hermione absentmindedly, as she twirled around, her eyes not leaving the mirror, "I don't know what you did to me, but thanks."

            "That's the magic of cosmetics, Hermione, and you should use them more often," said Parvati as she retreated back to her four-poster to retrieve her small, studded purse.

            Hermione seriously doubted if she would ever wear whatever was on her face again. It seemed like it was a big sacrifice, wearing cosmetics for an entire day, and it would certainly make you miserable getting through it when all's said and done. But still, Hermione gazed at her reflection with watery adoration at what wouldn't possible live on after this night was over.

            "Uh… Hermione? We're about ten minutes late for the ball, you know," said Ginny as she hurriedly touched up her hair and arranged her necklace to her front. Hermione jumped, and that feeling of uneasiness dawned on her. She ran to her four-poster to retrieve her matching shawl. This is it, she thought to herself, Harry's probably waiting at the foot of the stairs, calm and collected, while passing the time of opening the ball. She seized her belongings, stuffed them in her trunk, laced up her shoes, and checked her reflection one last time. Then, with her stomach in knots, Hermione left the dorm with Lavender, Parvati and Ginny.

            While elegantly climbing down the stairs after her friends, Hermione could hear the chatting of four boys at the foot of the stairs; two laughing, one telling a joke, and the other telling the joker off. It was when Parvati heavily cleared her throat when all four of them turned around.

            Once Hermione rounded the slight turn, she could see Seamus, Neville, the 'unknown Hufflepuff boy' and Harry. They all beamed.

            "Our arrival is evident," said Lavender airily, waving a polished hand at her partner, "And you boys are looking very handsome."

            Hermione inhaled slowly, focusing on not loosing her footing on the stairs more than anything. When she felt her feet touchdown, she exhaled in relief. As her friends and their partners met and exited the common room, Hermione approached Harry. It was then when she trusted herself to look up, and her breath caught in her throat.

Harry did indeed look handsome- very handsome. In his bottle green and black trimmed robes and his still messy back hair and bright green eyes, he smiled at Hermione widely, offering his arm with a soft, "You look gorgeous, Herm."

Hermione was too hindered with Harry's breathtaking aspect, and she didn't notice her mouth hanging open. She tried to smile, and when she did, she had a vague impression that it just didn't look proper.

"T-thank you," said Hermione, thankful that all her makeup would no doubt cover her burning cheeks of embarrassment, "And you look very handsome."

Hermione slipped her arm through his, and suddenly, she didn't feel afraid anymore. What was with Harry's touch that made her feel so at ease? Her cheeks no longer burned and her stomach loosened and felt completely normal again.

"You're tense," said Harry, looking down at her with eyes full of concern, "Calm down, alright? It's not the end of the world, you know."

This time, Hermione found it much easier to smile.

"Thanks, Harry. I feel alright."

"Ready?"

"More than ever."

They left the common room, pacing staring first years of all three houses, and down the corridor, to the entrance of the Grand Hall. With an exchanged nod, Harry and Hermione entered the Anika Ball.

Hermione could have thought that she had fallen asleep at that very moment, with Harry's arm laced in hers, for the Hall looked completely different, like a dream. Through the mass of many girls with their pink or blue or purple dresses and boys with their dark robes, Hermione could see hundreds upon hundreds of flowers everywhere, over the high ceiling, walls and the small stage at the front. White, misty light was shinning down somewhere up above, giving the room a cloudy sort of feeling, and as Harry and Hermione ventured further into the crowds, onto the spacious dancing floor amid the circle of tables, they saw an enormous angelic fountain of a mermaid with red water that could only be punch flowing from a flagon it held.

Hermione jumped a little, hearing giggling above her head, and looked up to see a little pixy imitating her amazed stare, and when Hermione looked around, she realized the hall was full of them, trailing flower peddles as they went.

"The Hall looks beautiful, and all, but I bet they could do without the pixies," said Harry, swatting at the on above Hermione's head, "Argh! It bit me!"

Fred and George leapt at Harry from the crowd, and grabbed the struggling pixy by the legs. They had some sort of mad look, like they had struck gold.

"Sorry 'bout that," said Fred, "We've been looking for these things everywhere for a prank, and since the teacher's not around-"

"-we decided now was the perfect time to swipe them," finished George, tucking the pixy into his front pocket, "Hey, Harry, is that your partner? Who's she?"

Hermione frowned at them and said, "You know perfectly well who I am!"

The twins raised their eyebrows, and stared.

"Hermione?" said Fred, peering closely at her, "Great wizards, you don't look like yourself! Wow!"

Hermione's cheeks burned, noticing a few people heard them, and they too, were staring at her. Harry grinned a little, and motioned Hermione to walk with him to a separate table than the others at the very front, where the champions were to sit.

"This is going to be great," muttered Hermione sarcastically as they passed many with staring eyes and open mouths, but, to Hermione's surprise, Harry had heard her.

"I know what you mean," he said quietly.

They walked by the orchestra, which were pearly-white ghosts, and the rose adorned tables, where Hermione could briefly see Parvati, Lavender, Ginny and their partners, all in which she nervously waved to, and sat at the high table next to Hagrid, who was beaming at the pair.

"So…" said Hagrid slyly, leaning closer to Harry, "You and Hermione hitting it off, eh?"

Harry narrowed his eyes at him as Hagrid chuckled with mirth, "No. We just didn't have partners, so we decided to go together, that's all."

Hermione pretended she didn't hear that. She busied herself with looking down the table at the champions and teachers.

On Hagrid's other side was Professor McGonagall, who was wearing robes of claret, and next to her was the misty-eyed and smiling face of Dumbledore wearing special robes of dark mauve with stars and moons upon them. Siamoen was just a riot beside him. He wore lilac robes with what looked like sequins hanging off the sleeves and a hat with illuminating pictures of flowers and fairies flashing intermittently. Then Tisroc Whin and his partner, who looked almost as mean as he did with her dress of blood red and dreadlocked hair, was sitting next to him.

"These Hogwarts persons. I do not like them one bit. They are too happy for my liking," Hermione heard Whin's partner say with a strange brogue, "I do not that Harry Prodder also. Do you, Rocky?"

"Nah," said Whin carelessly, "Nor his fan club."

Hermione had a vague notion that Whin had known she was listening. She didn't dare look at them; she hoped they weren't watching her. Just to make it a bit less evident, she looked down the high table at the rest of the seats taken. Professor Kohl, who was looking very stunning in her robes of sparkling sapphire, was watching the little pixies wiz by her head with an impressed smile, and next to her sat Marindernia and Ron.

Hermione looked twice and noticed they were having a great time. From what it looked like, Ron had told Marindernia one of his clichéd jokes that were only fit for the dim witted, and she apparently thought it was hilarious, the way she looked as though she'd fall off her chair in giggles. No surprise there, thought Hermione savagely. The only good thing about Marindernia tonight was that she wasn't going to the Ball with Harry and she would keep Ron from pointing and laughing as he would watch Harry and Hermione elegantly glide across the dance floor.

"They look happy," said Harry cheerfully, following Hermione's gaze down the table. He waved at Ron, and he just as willingly waved back. Marindernia was too busy sophisticatedly waving her hand to her girlish Nockdernian friends in the mass of students before the High Table.

            Once everyone had taken a seat at the high table or with the students, Professor Siamoen stood, his pointed wizard's hat askew over his shiny, blonde hair.

"Welcome," he announced to the Hall, "to the Anika Ball!"

There was a round of courteous applause, waves of pinks and purples and blues stirring in the mass of students before the High Table around the dance floor.

"This is a time when you get to associate with your…er… special acquaintance. Yes, I could put it that way," continued Siamoen with a jovial wink,

"Please feel free to eat, drink, chat, do whatever you fancy, within reason. The garden is open, may I remind you all!" he chuckled excitedly, and with another wink, motioned to the Champions at the High Table, "Our Champions, if you would please do the honors."

Then it was time for the part of the evening that Hermione had dreaded. The orchestra started a slow, desolate tune, misty lights of every colour from high above the ceiling shone light upon the dance floor, and the champions stood. Tisroc and his partner, who were quickly followed by Marindernia and Ron, left the High Table and sauntered over the dance floor. It was a wonder nobody lost their footing, but then Hermione reminded herself that nobody could possibly be anymore nervous than she was. As girls giggled and boys cat-called, Ron led Marindernia to the other side of the Hall while Whin and his partner stayed close to the front.

"W-we're supposed to dance, right?" Hermione said to Harry, her voice trembling in fear, "Let's go."

            As Hermione struggled to get out of her seat, Harry grabbed hold of her arm to stop her, "Herm, are you feeling alright?"

            Hermione tried to smile. It hurt, since it was strained and reluctant, and it seriously didn't look right. She swallowed, nodded, and allowed Harry to help her to her feet. Then they carefully walked down from the High Table, arm in arm, and onto the center of the dance floor.

            Every eye was on them. The students and Professors at every table from all directions watched them and only them, since the other champions started dancing already. Dean Tomas, Lee Jordan and the twins were among the Hogwarts students, pointing and snickering. Hermione wished they'd disappear.

            "Herm, remember the Yule Ball?" said Harry as he gently placed a hand on her waist, "The way I danced?"

            Hermione smiled despite her trembling nerves, and nodded.

            "Of course," she said, "and I don't think I'll be leading you around like that. I can barely control what I'm doing."

            Harry shook his head, smiling warmly down at her. Hermione was almost afraid of what he'd say next. Perhaps a compliment or even a corny joke that could lighten up her mood? Or he could insult her and tell that it was a mistake to ask her to go to the ball with him. But it was-

            "If I can do this, you can do it better."

            Hermione laughed… she laughed! A few people's heads turned, and Hermione stopped at once. Clearly, many were taking this Ball very seriously. A few girls from Dryconderoga looked scandalized, staring at her.

            "Come on, Herm, let's do this," said Harry quietly, bending closely to her ear, "If you fall, I'll fall too and make it look like an accident, if you want. Just relax."

            And Hermione did. She draped an arm around his shoulder, her hand holding his, and Harry held her waist, this time with both hands. They started slowly revolving on the spot, ignoring the snickering boys.

            You know that feeling when you wake up and wonder if the convincing dream you had was real? That feeling was what Hermione felt. Surely the soft music and fluttering rose pedals were all imaginary. The soft hand holding Hermione's was sure to vanish when Hermione opened her eyes. But then she was suddenly aware that there was stirring around her. She opened her eyes and noticed that everyone had joined in the dancing. Students nervously approached the dance floors and started dancing with their partners. At the High Table, Dumbledore had asked Professor Kohl to dance, and she accepted. Soon they were waltzing together next to Siamoen and Professor McGonagall. Ginny and Neville, each looking terribly nervous, where stepping on each other's feet, pretending to enjoy themselves. Next to them was Lavender and Parvati with their partners. Soon enough, everyone was dancing, and Hermione realized this was most unlike a dream.

            Hermione laid her head on Harry's shoulder, smiling peacefully. This wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it would be. Last year was all right, being Victor Krum was leading and he was immensely admired. But she enjoyed Harry's company much more. Besides, she had known Victor Krum for only a month before they had actually spoken, whereas Hermione had known Harry for four wonderful years, and still counting. She had grown to like him and his friendly, caring behavior, and he had become some sort of a necessity to her.

            Harry and Hermione shared three complete dances to three different songs without releasing each other and not seeing the other champions. Then at the fourth song, they called it quits and walked to the tables, which were now laden with goblets and plates of food. They didn't get far until Ron, who was standing at the fountain, waved Harry over.

            "I'll be right back," said Harry, giving Hermione's hand a last squeeze. He left across the dance floor, walking around the students and teachers.

            "Hermione!" called a voice behind her. Hermione turned around to see none other than Marindernia, in her fancy pink evening dress, sitting at one of the tables. Hermione clenched her teeth, and forced down a curse she wanted so badly to scream at her. Instead, she walked up to her.

            "Sit down," offered Marindernia, "Ron's off to get us some drinks."
            Hermione sat, but not willingly. She fought the urge to stand and run away, screaming threats. But since Harry was gone to talk to Ron halfway across the hall, she figured she'd look a bit suspicious.

            "Having fun?" asked Marindernia, and Hermione nodded, "I bet your Yule Ball wasn't as good as this. Ron told me all about it. About Victor Krum and you hitting it off then breaking up. It must be great to have two famous friends!" Hermione scowled.

            "Loads," she mumbled, but Marindernia missed the sarcasm.

            "Say, did you see your headmaster dancing?" continued Marindernia, playing with her curled tresses, "He's a pretty quick man for his age, isn't he? Is he always like that? Well, he must be, since he defeated so many wizards before-"

            It was just like in the Leaky Cauldron, her babbling on and on and on, Hermione not paying any attention. One thought was clearly set in her head- How could Ron like such a daft girl?

            "-and then he said 'well, you're just a blonde, aren't you?', whatever that means… some people, huh? Never knowing what they're talking about…"

            Three different songs had gone by, and Marindernia hadn't stopped. That was until she said-

            "And about Harry Potter…"

            Hermione nearly knocked her goblet to the floor in surprise. She hurriedly smiled at Marindernia's confused face, and said, "Sorry, please continue."

            "Well," started Marindernia, "Harry Potter… isn't he such a gentleman? My gosh, I could go on and on about him!" she giggled furiously, "The way he looked in the second task…oh, I'm speechless! And I've read about him and the Dark Lord, how he's met him so many times!"

            Hermione stared at her with very wide eyes. Marindernia obviously didn't know that she was Harry's partner. Besides, she hadn't seen who was his partner the entire ball, being she was too busy with her girlish friends to notice Hermione sitting next to him.

            "And he hates Whin, just like me! Isn't that grand? But, Hermione, Don't tell anyone this," Marindernia leaned in secretively, "I've had my eyes on him before I asked Ron to the Ball. Actually, I've liked him all year!"

            Hermione gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth in horror.

            "I know!" said Marindernia with a wide smile, "Isn't that crazy? But what's even crazier, I think Ron's found out! I bet he's telling Harry about it right now!"

            Hermione sat still for a moment, gasping for air and hardly daring to believe what she just heard. How on earth could this have happened? Sure, Marindernia had thrown some obvious hints in the wind, but who could have predicted this? How was Hermione going to compete with her?

            "Oh, enough about me!" said Marindernia happily, "What about you? Who's your partner?"

            Hermione gulped, ignored the fact that she felt like being sick, and answered, "Harry."

            Marindernia would most likely look horrified or pathetically sorry for saying too much. She'd probably beg for forgiveness and leave the Hall, but that was wide off the mark. In fact, she didn't anything of the sort- she sneered.

            "I know."

            Hermione gapped at her in alarm. Without another word or any goodbye, she stood up and ran across the hall, pushing her way through dancing students to the doors. She threw them open and ran outside.

            The gardens were dark and the moon was barely visible through the clouds. Torches lit the winding paths throughout the rose bushes and the benches people were sitting at, keeping each other company. Hermione sniffed and stumbled down one of the paths, past shivering and giggling bushes.

            So Marindernia and Harry was destined for each other. What could be worse? Well, perhaps if Voldemort barged into the hall and killed everyone in sight. Or if he had brought all his useless, repulsive death eaters and managed to take over the world. No, this was worse. Much worse.

            Marindernia didn't care for Harry's well-being or assertiveness. All she care about, and Hermione was certain about this, was his looks. To like someone because they looked handsome? That was the worst thing you could possibly do to anyone, and Marendernia was living it up. She was the one who was selfish and hollow hearted. Hermione wondered what Harry must of thought about all of this, or if he knew at all. Ron would march up to him and tell him that such a beautiful girl liked him, but little both of them would know is that Harry would be a model. A mannequin for a sick girl who only had bad intensions.

            Hermione sat at an empty bench, a far ways off from the busied part of the garden. She thought she'd break down any moment; tears were slowly dripping down her cheeks. She folded her arms, truly wishing that she had brought a jacket, and waited for the night to be over.

            "You've got to tell her!

            Hermione nearly jumped out of her skin- someone was coming. Wiping her eyes with her hands, Hermione hurriedly stood with a slightly hunched back, and slinked behind her bench among the rose bushes. There, she ducked and hid, her heart pounding out of her chest.

            "I can't! You know how it is! I'd like to see you do it!"

            Hermione found a place to peek through the bushes. A small opening that allowed her to just see the pathway and the bench. She looked watched through it to see who was coming, and she gasped to find… Harry and Ron?

            Yes, it was them. Looking tired and annoyed, they were walking down a nearby path, hands in their pockets in a leisurely fashion. Hermione caught a glimpse of Harry's face before he sat on the bench Hermione was at before. He looked very irritated and flustered. Oh no, thought Hermione in horror, Ron told him!

            "What am I going to do?" Harry asked Ron desperately, "She's probably waiting for me!"

            Ron threw his hands up in the air, "I don't know, Harry? D'you honestly think I have a lot of experience in stuff like this?"

            Hermione could tell Ron was just as befuddled as Harry was. His face was red and he looked as though he'd explode. He looked down at Harry, who buried his head in his hands in panic.

            "She looked pretty sincere 'bout it all," he said more calmly, "And I'll be a monkey's uncle if you ruin this for her."

            Harry sighed, and said, "Listen, Ron. I'm not very good with this kind of stuff. D'you think I had time to think about love at the Dursleys? I never even knew what it was! This is all so new to me!"

            Ron looked as though he finally realized that Harry was right, and he suddenly looked very somber. He knew how it was like at the Dursleys, Harry being treated like scum at the sole of your shoe.

            "Okay, Harry, I believe you," said Ron, "But maybe if you tell her you feel the same way, everything will turn out all right for you and her. Hey, if this is your first time, maybe it'll work out! I know she'd be much happier with you."

            Hermione had heard enough. She was going to explode into tears if she were to stay any longer. Before she knew what she was doing, she jumped up from her hiding place.

            "Well, lets get back inside-"

            But Ron couldn't finish as something flashed by his eyes. Hermione rushed out of the bushes, past Harry and Ron and started running as fast as she could down the path. She could just hear Harry gasp, "What? Who's that?"

            "It's Hermione!" said Ron, sounding thunderstruck, but Hermione was already out of sight.

            The frantic shouts of her name were drowned out when Hermione entered the Hall. Without a backwards glance, she ran up the stairs to her dorm, tripping a few times. She ran all the way to the common room, past suits of armor and empty portraits. She only stopped in her dorm to collapse onto her four-poster, the very place where she realized that she had loved Harry all along. Now it was the place where she realized that her heart was broken.

            Hermione cried like she had never had before, regretting the day she met that boy. That boy who was no doubt the reason she'd stay in tears for the entire night. She opened her mouth and shouted the words she thought she'd never say in her entire life of knowing her best friend-

            "I HATE HARRY POTTER!"

…~'*'~…

A/N: I'm so sorry… It had to be done… if any of you are thinking that you'll form a mob and hunt me down, just remember this isn't the end of this story. This is only a chapter. There's still lots more to go! Oh, and sorry this chapter took me sooo long. To make up for it, I've made this chapter better and longer than the last chapter by about 3000 words… and my hands are now swollen from typing. My sis was at a Birthday party, so I had some free time to myself… but then I decided to spend the night finishing this. Now I gotta catch some serious Z's….