Hermione spotted Seamus, and the girls left her to find some Ravenclaw boys they were going with.

"Hi" She said a little shy.

"Hi Hermione, you look fantastic" Said Seamus, grinning.

"Thanks" Said Hermione, and sensing his comfort, relaxed a little.

All the groups of students slowly started to make their way out of the courtyard and down the little road to Hogsmeade. Draco and Pansy walked past, and gaped at her.

"Granger?" Said Draco in disbelief.

"That's right" Said Hermione, turning her nose up at the pair, sufficiently happy with their shock.

As Seamus and Hermione entered the small wizarding town of Hogsmeade, they looked for somewhere to go and get a drink and perhaps something to eat.

"I know. We could go to Madame Pudifoots…" Suggested Seamus.

"That horrible little café? No, let's go to the Three Broomsticks shall we?" And they walked into the crowded but comfortable little pub. Once inside, they looked around for a table.

"There doesn't seem to be anywhere to sit." Said Hermione sadly.

"Oh wait, there's a little booth over there!" Said Seamus, and he took her hand and walked over. The second they sat down, Rosemerta was there to take their order.

"What'll it be kids?" She asked in a cheery voice.

"We'll have two Butterbeers thanks" Said Seamus and Hermione reached into her pocket but Seamus stopped her. "It's okay Hermione, I've got it" And he smiled and paid.
"That was nice of you, thanks" Smiled Hermione.

"For you, anything"

They sat in silence for a few moments, and Rosemerta brought their drinks over. Hermione had a sip.
"Mmm… I love Butterbeer!" Said Hermione, as she felt the warmth spread over her.
"Me too… So, are you looking forward to the 5000th anniversary ball?" Asked Seamus.
"Oh yeah, it should be lots of fun" Said Hermione, taking another sip of her Butterbeer.

"So… Are you going with anyone yet?"
"No, not yet" Said Hermione, smiling. The girls were right; boys really do ask girls to balls in Hogsmeade. And at that moment, Ron and Harry walked in. Ron looked straight at her, but looked away so quickly it was like he was looking through her.

"Well, would you like to… I mean, if you don't want to it's fine… But since you're not going with anyone, and I'm not going with anyone… Would you like to go to the Anniversary Ball with me?" Said Seamus, and he took a deep breath after. Hermione hesitated and she looked over at Ron. Ron wouldn't ask her, and she didn't want to go alone…
"Yes Seamus, I would love to go with you"

They drank the rest of their Butterbeer, and chatted about lessons and homework and holidays, and then Seamus said he had a great time but he told Dean he would meet him at three o'clock. They stood up, hugged, and Seamus left. Hermione considered going back to school, but then she remembered Ron and Harry were around the Three Broomsticks somewhere, so she thought she would go and say hello to them.

She found them near the bar and she sat down.
"Hey Hermione, how'd it go with Seamus" Asked Harry, smiling as she sat down.

"Oh, fine, you know" She ran her fingers through her hair, and looked at Ron, who was making a point of not talking to her.

"Hi Ron…" She said.

"Oh, we're good enough for you now?" He barked at her.

"Ron it's not like that, you know it's not, I didn't think you'd mind, it's not like we were going to do anything special" Said Hermione calmly.

"That's not the point. The point it you ditched us again!" Shouted Ron. The people at the nearest tables were staring at them.

"Ron please don't do this… I'm sorry I didn't come with you guys, I didn't think you'd mind…" Said Hermione.

"Well… You thought wrong… You've changed Hermione, and I don't think I like who you're becoming…" Said Ron, unable to hide the hurting in his voice, and he got up and walked out. Harry reached across the table and put his hand on Hermione's who was beginning to cry.

"Don't worry. He's…." But Harry was unable to say what Ron was exactly.