Rage surged through every vein making them pulsate beneath her skin. Who did that girl this she was? The Pope of Rome or something? How dare she think she could just prance in with her perfect wavy hair, and her bright innocent eyes, and wrap her little straw arms around Ron. Hermione was so furious she couldn't even bear to look at him. How could he sit there and toy with her emotions making her think that there could be a little something between them. Back at the Leaky Cauldron, Ginny was trying to cheer her up.

"You know, she did hug Harry too, Hermione." Ginny didn't seem the least bit upset about some girl hugging her boyfriend.

"I know I know, but don't you think she hugged your brother in a "different" (here she used both of her index and middle fingers in mock quotations) way?"

"No Hermione. In all honesty I think you're blowing this way out of proportion. I've been watching him these past few days, and I can tell he has a thing for you. I had a feeling all summer since all he talked about was you, but now I'm sure of it."

"You're just saying that so I'm not mad anymore, Ginny."

"No, I really mean it. Trust me; don't be so hard on him. Okay?"

"Fine."

As they bid their goodnights Hermione couldn't help but still feel angry at him. It wasn't something you got over so easily when it was a person you had immensely strong feelings for, and Hermione knew that she wouldn't be able to. It was hours before she even fell asleep and even then the image of the girl hugging Ron played over and over again in her mind.

The next morning was as dark and dreary as could be. One look out the window sent you into a melancholy mood. Hermione decided to take a hot shower to awaken her bedraggled appearance. Besides, it might make her feel a little better since she was still upset over the previous days events. The water felt nice and relaxing as it trickled down her back. After drying off, dressing, and doing her hair, Hermione quietly walked downstairs to eat breakfast. The normal breakfast time had long since passed without her noticing, so it came as a shock to her when she descended the stairs to find no one else but Ron sitting there munching away on a piece of toast. He shot a sideways glance at her before returning hastily to his toast. Inside her head, Hermione vowed to ignore him completely. After getting her breakfast of eggs and sausage, she made her way to the very end of the table as far from Ron as possible. She knew it seemed childish, but what had happened yesterday had really burst her bubble. She nonchalantly looked down at his end of the table to find him staring right back at her. Just looking at him made her want to give in to his beautiful blue-green eyes, but every time she thought about it the picture from the day before of the girl hugging him while he smiled back at her popped into her mind.

After what seemed like hours, the sound of Ron's chair scraping against the hardwood floor could be heard echoing throughout the room. Before Hermione knew it, Ron was standing right in front of her with his feet planted firmly on the ground. She couldn't help but notice that the maroon color of his sweater really brought out the color of his hair making him even more desirable to her.

"Hermione, we need to talk."

"Ron, I'm kind of busy at the moment." She was in no mood to have to stare at his handsome face but at the same time remember why she was so mad at him in the first place. Why did boys have to be so difficult?

"No offense, but you haven't even touched your eggs."

"I was just getting to that, Ronald. Now if you don't mind..."

"Can you please just tell me what's bothering you? You've seemed so withdrawn since yesterday." He seemed so innocent that Hermione's conscience seemed to be screaming for her to jump up and hug him for being so adorable.

"I have not! It's just some stupid little thing that's bugging me that's all."

"What...what is it?"

"Nothing. It's just...well when I walked out of the Magical Menagerie yesterday I saw you hugging that girl and I couldn't help but notice that you seemed to be enjoying it quite a lot. I just felt like I was sort of being...well replaced." Ron was now staring at her so intently that his eyes seemed to be watering from not blinking. Or was he tearing?

"Replaced? Hermione no one could ever replace you."

"Really?" That was the sweetest thing she had ever heard from anyone in her entire life.

"Really."

With that, Ron took Hermione by the hand, lifted her up out of her chair, and embraced her in a hug she wished could last forever. Sadly it was broken by Ginny clearing her throat from the bottom step and announcing that it was time to pack their trunks since they would be off to Hogwarts early tomorrow morning.

Back inside the room, Ginny was holding an interrogation session while the two girls packed.

"So...that hug seemed a little intimate...did it not?"

"Oh Ginny, we were just talking that's all."

"About the thing with Nora?" That grabbed Hermione's attention right away.

"Nora? Who's Nora?"

"That girl that hugged Ron yesterday. She goes to our school. Her name is Nora Hayle; she's a seventh year."

"So that's her name."

"Yep. We've known her quite some time. Her father used to work with ours at the Ministry."

"Ron never told me he had known her awhile." Hermione could begin to feel the jealousy start to kick in, but she subdued it.

"Well they weren't like best friends. We all just knew each other. Yesterday was the first day we had seen her in a long time. That's why we were talking to her. Plus, I wanted to introduce her to Harry." A smile spread across Ginny's lips at the sound of his name issuing from her mouth.

"Didn't you say she hugged him? Why would she hug him if she had just met him? I know I would be a bit jealous if some girl I just introduced to him hugged him before leaving, wouldn't you?"

"No, I trust Harry. Besides, Nora's always been like that. She's very kind and very open around people, even ones she just meets."

"Oh. I see."

"Hermione?"

"Yes Ginny?"

"Don't worry about her. She's just an old friend. I can tell my brother holds feelings for you. He makes it apparent in the way he acts around you and by the way he looks at you. That's what you want isn't it?" Ginny had just thrown her last item into her trunk and had now turned to glance at Hermione. Ginny was so sweet. She always looked out for those around her and truthfully, Hermione felt that she was wise beyond her years.

"Yes. Yes it is."

They smiled briefly at each other before Ginny embraced Hermione in a sisterly hug.

"Thanks Ginny."

"No problem."

Hermione had just finished packing when Mrs. Weasley came in to check on them. After making sure all their belongings were packed and ready to go, Mrs. Weasley kissed both girls on the cheek, said goodnight, and commenced to the boys room where she was sure there would be some issues that needed resolving. Hermione was beat. She had never felt so drained both physically and emotionally in her life. She could hardly keep her eyes open. She bid Ginny goodnight, switched off the lamp beside her bed, and was out like a light as soon as her head hit the pillow.

A/N: Hey everyone! I got back a day earlier than expected from my little camping excursion. I was so glad to get back to my computer and FanFiction as sad as that sounds. I hope that all of you are still enjoying the story. I have a lot of things planned for it and am looking forward to writing it for all of you! Please keep reviewing and encourage other people to read and review. Words can't describe how dependant I am on all of your reviews for my strength to go on! I live for this since I want to write professionally and hope that I will do a good job of it. Shout out to MissDissendium for being my inspiration on a certain part! Thanks everyone! Love you all!