The Over-Sized Ego Returns
"Ron had just reminded Harry forcibly of another Gryffindor Quidditch player who had once sat rumpling his hair under this very tree."
A/N: Once I read this part in OotP, I completely fell in love with it. I adore the idea of Lily and James, and I foresee this for Ron and Hermione. Perhaps not quite as Love/Hate as the infamous Potters.. but, as I aforementioned, tis inevitable.
Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful words of J.K.Rowling
The evening grew dark as Hermione sat next to a large oak tree, her knees tucked comfortably under her. She watched as her two friends ascended and descended throughout the Quidditch Pitch, among several other teammates. Through the waning sunlight she could make out Ron succeeding in a rather difficult block, his face smug with contempt as he returned it to the chaser. Harry swerved in and out of the goal posts, sending him a grin of congratulations.
At Ron's aloof grin, Hermione frowned. Not only a year ago, she would've been overjoyed that he was so happy. He needed it then. She understood how his family was, how hard it was for him to shine. She knew how much he longed for something to make him stand out, for anything to help him ascend to his brothers' level. She could still remember his smile of sheer jubilation; the way his cheeks had glowed with the ecstasy of accomplishing something great. She had been elated at his new found abilities, and how excited he had been. Her happiness faltered, though, as his once modest qualities quickly evolved into pompous ones.
She had observed the changes with disregard at first, figuring his peremptory attitude would soon dissolve, once he had settled into this new atmosphere. It had to be quite an abrupt change, she assumed, going from an overlooked best friend of The Boy Who Lived, to extravagant well-known Quidditch Keeper. As the infamous trio's sixth year and new season commenced, many things were different. Ron only excelled further in the sport, having the confidence he lacked before. Many girls now flocked about him, and his group of friends expanded greatly. And so Hermione waited, because she just knew that his new arrogant demeanor would soon diminish.
And she waited. And she waited. And she waited a bit longer. And finally she was fed up.
The months passed, and he only got worse. The superior air about him grew, and the praises his fellow student body sent him certainly didn't help. He nevertheless remained close to the two he had befriended since first year, but the connection between him and Harry grew to a fuller extent. It was most likely the simultaneous love and ability concerning the sport that now dominated their lives, but it could have perhaps been the familiar fancy for the female population. Ron, who had never been even close to having a girlfriend, now had dozens. Literally. Hermione swore that once he even had two at once, but when she questioned him about it he just shrugged it off carelessly.
Hermione and Ron had always had an odd friendship. It was filled with many squabbles and rows, but at the end of the day they always appreciated one another, always knew the other would be there for them. Now, however, he treated her much different. Ron brushed her scolding comments off, and eventually turned to just ignoring her, rather than retort. For some odd reason this hurt Hermione. The remarks they had thrown back and forth seemed almost as if they were a game, something special between the two. At least, this is how she portrayed them. Now though, he treated her in a different respect. He acted almost as if she were inferior, and the brotherly love he had showed for her before all but disappeared. It wasn't the sort of demeaning a Pureblood would present to a Mudblood- Ron would never do that, no matter how much he'd changed. No, it was a more of a subtle thing. For instance, when he talked to Hermione, he did so with a bored tone, and with an expression maintaining disinterest. Though, however subtle this change was, it still hurt.
Her heart throbbed as she thought of the night of the Yule Ball. How, she had been so sure he had grown a fancy for her. The way his eyes had bugged out when he saw her new appearance, and his jealous expression as he watched Hermione arrive with Victor Krum. Yes, she had been certain.
Perhaps he had in fact liked her. But, no longer, that was for sure. Now he treated her almost as indifferent as the next student, his blushes and stammering vanished.
She couldn't stand the new Ronald Weasley. She missed her best friend horribly, and honestly wondered if they could ever act as they previously had.
A cool November wind blew across her face, bringing her back to reality. She looked up at the field, and saw the team gathered at the bottom of the pitch. She couldn't make out their faces, but could see the confident clasps Ron and Harry bestowed upon one another, as they headed off the field.
They were going to have to pass her, considering the tree was in the direct path back to Hogwarts. For a moment she thought about returning to the school before they walked by, avoiding any confrontations all together. This idea caused her heart to practically sink to her toes; had things gotten so bad she couldn't even talk to her best friends anymore? No, she told herself, things weren't that different.
Harry and Ron's jubilant voices grew louder as the distance shortened between them.
Harry spotted Hermione first, and threw her a friendly smile. Ron turned to look in the direction he was glancing, and relief filled her as he appeared to send her an equally friendly response.
Hermione smiled broadly, and took a step towards them. "Hello," Harry greeted, as she fell into stride next to him. She nodded in response, and then looked expectantly over at Ron. He wasn't looking at her, but rather in the direction she had came.
As if he could feel her waiting eyes upon him, Ron turned towards her. "Oh, hi Hermione."
He shifted his gaze to where he was looking before, and a wide grin spanned across his face as a bubbly girl bounded up beside him. "Hello," he greeted the girl warmly, in much contrast to the cool welcome he had given Hermione.
Hermione stopped walking. Hurt enveloped her as realization hit- he hadn't been looking at her, but rather his latest girlfriend. The pain deepened, as Ron and Harry walked onward, not even noticing Hermione had stopped.
A/N: So, what'd you think? This is most likely only going to be a two or three chapter ficlet unless some miracle happens and I get free time to write this and my two other fics : ) I would really love feedback, so go on, and review!