A/N – hey guys! This is my first attempt at a fic so please R/R. unfortunately, I own nothing. Harry Potter belongs to the mind that is J.K. Rowling and the lyrics before the chapter are from a song called 'In His Eyes' from the musical Jekyll and Hyde. Enjoy!

UPDATE: hey everyone! Thanks so much to all who have R/Red. I didn't realize how messed up the format was, so I went back and changed it just for you Fire Arrow!

CHAPTER 2

"I think of him how we were

And when I think of him then I remember

Remember…"

The dream had been dangerously real. It was a recap of all the things that had happened the night before, except for one thing… Ron. Ron had been in the dream in place of Draco. Hermione did not want to believe it, but as wonderful as last night was, she knew it was not real. Unfortunately, she also knew that any feelings she had for Ron were not exactly realistic either.

In the past few years Ron had become quite the school heartthrob. He had grown out his hair just enough to allow a few curls to form at it's end, giving him a forever shaggy appearance that looked incredibly scrumptious in the hat Hermione had given him for Christmas the year before. He had finally grown into that tall, lanky body of his, which was now still tall, but not so lanky. His shoulders had broadened, his arms grown muscular, and his face structure had become more prominent. But there was still something incredibly boyish about him. Maybe it was the way his ears still turned colors when he was angry or embarrassed. Maybe it was that goofy, lopsided grin of his that never failed to make Hermione laugh. Or maybe it was the fact that those deep, deep blue eyes had not changed since the day they had met almost seven years ago. Those beautiful eyes that Hermione wished she had the courage to let herself get lost in, that gave her gooseflesh every time they fell upon her.

Hermione wasn't the only one to notice Ron's changes, however. In fact, he and Harry were without a doubt the most sought after boys in school, and many girls envied Hermione for being their best friend. But it wasn't like that… it just wasn't. Now Harry and Ron had developed a 'flavor of the month' tactic in dating girls. Their current 'flavor' being Lavender Bloom and cringe Pansy Parkinson. Yes, Ron had stooped as low as to ask Pansy Parkinson – the unquestionable slut of the school – to be his girlfriend.

Draco wasn't that bad. In fact, he wasn't bad at all. He was incredibly good looking and seemed sincere enough. Hermione knew she would have to come to terms with Ron's non-existent feelings for her someday. And what day is better than today? Yes. She would see Draco again. Should he ask that is. Of course he would ask. Why wouldn't he? They had had a lovely date the night before. Besides, Hermione still had his jacket…

That damn jacket. That stupid, disgustingly expensive jacket. It wouldn't be so bad had it not been for the fact that Hermione wore it nearly every day. Almost as if to shove it in his face, every bloody day. It had been a month since that stupid fight. A month since Hermione had gone on the date with that git. She hadn't come running back to him like he had thought. Instead she had continued dating the bastard, and even agreed to be his girlfriend, and wear that jacket Every. Single. Day. It drove Ron completely mad.

In all honestly, Ron didn't even like Pansy. She was easy to put up with at first, at least she was good looking. But now she was just annoying. Ron would have broken it off weeks ago if it hadn't been for Hermione getting together with that stuck up prat. But Ron couldn't stand to just watch her with someone else like that and not be having a good time himself. Though the truth was, he wasn't having a good time at all. He was absolutely miserable. But he would never, ever let that show to Hermione. Or anyone for that matter, but especially not Hermione. This little game she was playing had gone way to far.

But then again, maybe it wasn't a game… at least not anymore. At first Ron was positive that she was doing it all to spite him. But now he wasn't so sure. Hermione seemed genuinely happy with Draco. And he seemed to be treating her well enough. Merlin knows he gave her a new present nearly every week. Now don't go jumping to conclusions. Ron was happy that Hermione was happy. He just wished she was happy for another reason. For Ron knew that Hermione could never have the feelings he had towards her. Even if she did, he would never be able to shower her with gifts or keep up with her like Malfoy or even Viktor for that matter. He'd known this for a long time. That's why he'd gone around with all those other girls these past few years. He couldn't bear the thought of Hermione knowing how he felt. He never, ever wanted her to feel sorry for him, or any kind of regret at all. He cared about her far to much for that. No. He could not, he would not tell Hermione how he felt. Even if it was the death of him. Which at this rate, Ron wasn't completely sure it wouldn't be.

It was snowing heavily outside on the last day before midterm exams began. Every student at Hogwarts was completely stressed out over all the studying and homework. Everyone except for Hermione that is, who was always a step ahead of everyone else.

"They couldn't have planned a better weekend for this Hogsmeade visit," sighed Ron as he, Harry, and Hermione walked out of Herbology, "I don't think I've ever needed a butterbeer more."

"I hear you mate," Harry added. Harry was particularly stressed out, because on top of all the homework, Lavender had just dumped him two periods earlier. And not since Cho Chang had Harry Potter been dumped.

Draco came to meet Hermione right outside the great hall, as he did everyday.

"Hello love," he said, giving her a peck on the forehead. Ron cringed, while Harry, not exactly in his right mind, nearly burst out laughing. Seeing Malfoy acting in any way other than a cold, insensitive snob was still new to everyone.

"I was thinking we could make a date out of this Hogsmeade visit. I just found this wonderful little restaurant last month," Draco continued, "are you up for it?"

"Of course," Hermione beamed. She always seemed to beam around Draco. It made Ron sick.

"You to are invited to come to you know," Draco said, an almost embarrassed smiled creeping up on his face. He really had been going out of his way to make friends with Harry and Ron. "We can make a triple date if you'd like to bring Lavender and Pansy."

"Actually, Lavender and I just broke up," said Harry, eyes casted towards the ground.

"Well that's a shame. I can set you up with another girl if you'd like," Draco offered.

"Oh! I know just the girl," exclaimed Hermione.

"Doesn't sound too bad," Harry shrugged, "sure, I'll go."

"Ron?" Hermione asked.

Ron hesitated for a moment. His eyes went from Draco, to Hermione, then back to Draco.

"I think Pansy and I are busy," he said smugly.

"No your not," Harry smiled mischievously, "I just heard her talking last period, she said-"

"We don't want to go," Ron grunted before turning on his heel and striding away.

"What on earth has gotten into him?" Hermione exclaimed, "I'll be right back." And with that Hermione hurried down the hall after him.

"Hermione I don't think that's such a good idea-" Harry tried. But it was too late.

"Ron! Ron!" Hermione called. But Ron kept walking briskly until got to the giant doors that led out onto the front lawns of the castle, pushing them open violently.

"Ronald Weasley you stop and listen to me right now!" Hermione screamed. And to her surprise Ron stopped dead cold, in the middle of the snow and turned to face her.

She paused for a moment, suddenly coming to terms with how close they were, and almost, almost let herself swim in those wonderful, now flaming eyes of his. 'No,' she told herself, 'Not here. Not now.' After blinking a few times Hermione regained her composure.

"Why are you acting like this?" she said, not sure if she should be shouting or whispering, "What has gotten into you?"

"What has-what has gotten into me?!" Ron stumbled, "What do you think! He has gotten into me Hermione. Or have you forgotten? He's bloody Malfoy!"

"Watch your language," Hermione scolded. She sighed before she continued, talking softer now, "Look, I know we haven't exactly had a great history with Draco, but you must believe me when I say he's changed."

"Hermione, scum like Malfoy don't just change." Ron said, towering over her, "Can't you see there's something else going on here? A bird doesn't just wake up one day and decides it wants to be a fish!"

Hermione couldn't help but let out a giggle, "Ron, a fish for Merlin's sake."

"Yes Hermione, a fish," Ron continued, ignoring the fact that he was making no sense whatsoever, "He's up to something, that bastard." It didn't take but a second before Ron felt the heated smack across his face.

"Ron you stop it right now or I'll-"

"Or you'll what Hermione?" Ron challenged, "He's using you. That's all there is to it."

"You," Hermione said, tears welling up on her eyes, "are the biggest, most self-absorbed, idiot I have ever met Ronald Weasley. That is all there is to it."

Suddenly, drops of tears were pouring down her cheeks, stinging her skin in the frigid cold, and Hermione didn't know how to do anything else but run. Run far in the other direction, straight into the arms of the only one she could ever trust – her best friend, Harry Potter.

Harry hated to see her like this, huddled on the floor in the corner of her room, crying her eyes out. It was always hard to see Hermione like this. One would never expect someone who came off so strong to become as vulnerable as she was right now. And the worst part was, he didn't know a single thing to fix it. All he knew to do was to hug her tightly, and hand her the occasional tissue, until she had cried herself out. Harry didn't know what was said outside between them earlier, but all he could think was -'I'm going to kill Ron.'

Ron stood there, kicking the snow, until he had dug a hole all the way to the frozen ground. He hadn't bothered even to think to get his jacket on the way out here. Now he was numb from head to toe, and shivering like mad. But he didn't care. He deserved it.

He hated when this happened. Despite what she or Harry or anyone for that matter thought, he never enjoyed it when they argued. Especially when it was his fault. And it was his fault. He knew it was. But what he hated more than anything else, was to make Hermione cry. It was bad enough to even see her cry, but to make her cry was even worse. It made him want to go and dive straight into the frozen lake behind him.

'Hermione's right. I am an idiot.'

She was determined to get over him, and get over him fast. This was not going to be like one of their other arguments. Sure she had cried, but now it was all out. And she was not going to let it get to her. No sir.

It did make her feel a teeny bit better to know that she could peek and see what he was up to at any minute. She patted her pocket gently as she thought of the wonder that was the Marauder's Map. She had borrowed it from Harry a few days ago to sneak into the library for some late night studying. He had never mentioned it after that, and with everything else going on the map just slipped to the back of her mind. That is until that evening as Hermione rummaged through her trunk to find something to wear and came upon the map folded neatly and tucked into a certain maroon sweater.

Now she walked contently with Harry down the road towards Hogsmeade where Draco and Harry's blind date were waiting.

"So you have to tell me who this mystery girl is Hermione," Harry begged, "The suspense is killing me."

"Patience," Hermione giggled, "You'll find out soon enough. Stop worrying so much. Your perfect for each other."

"Has anyone ever told you that you are a mean, mean little girl?" Harry smirked, "Clever, but downright mean."

"All the time," Hermione smiled.

"Oh and by the way, you haven't happened to still have the Marauder's Map do you?"

"Me? Of course not," said Hermione innocently.

Harry stopped for a second and looked her up and down. "It's in your pocket isn't it?"

"Merlin Harry you really freak me out sometimes you know that?" Hermione said pulling the Map out of her pocket.

"Let's have a look and see what kept Ron so busy shall we?" Harry said with that mischievous glint in his eyes. He unfolded the paper and scanned it over quickly before finding the name of his other best friend. "He is a busy one isn't he." He said casually after seeing the Map. But as soon as he said it, he regretted it. He watched the confusion enter Hermione's eyes. There was still time to save his arse with.

"What do you mean?" Hermione said coming behind Harry so she could get a good look at the map. "Let me see."

"Oh he's just in the library is all," Harry blurted quickly, "Nothing interesting here."

"Ron? in the library? Oh, this I have see," Hermione said, and before he had time to react snatched the Map out of his hand.

"Hermione wait-" but it was to late. It only took her one second to find Ron's name on the Marauder's Map, and only one more to register what it meant. Slowly, gently, she gave the map back to Harry.

"Tell Draco I'm not feeling very well," Hermione said with a sniff, and ran off up the road back to the castle.

a/n: please R/R!