The sunlight shined brightly on the cold winter day. Hermione's hair blew behind her winter hat. She could feel the cold wind blowing against her face and she could already feel the need to get inside the three broomsticks. She couldn't wait for the bumpy carriage ride to end.

"So we are going to head to the three broomsticks then?" Ron asked sitting across from her in the bumpy carriage.

"Yeah," Hermione said smiling at her redheaded friend. It was hard to tell if he liked the idea or if he hated it. He never really allowed his emotions to show what he thought of her and it made it very difficult. She felt something for him for the longest time but could never tell if he had the same feelings for her. True, he had been quite the jealous one at the Yule ball in their 4th year, but that doesn't mean a thing. "I am kind of hoping to see if we can run into any other people in there before we start walking around the town."

"Okay," Ron said. "As long as you don't start talking to them about work and school and everything."

Hermione giggled at his lack for the like of school talk during the Christmas break. "Well," she said thinking deeply about what she was going to say. "If I do, I promise to play a game of chess with you back in the common room tonight." Hermione could tell that Ron was thinking of saying something but she caught a glimpse of a smile.

"You've got a deal," he said. The carriage came to a stop and she walked out of the carriage and the cold wind bit her nose as soon as they stepped out. It was very windy and she didn't think she could sit there and freeze.

"Come on, let's get into the Three Broomsticks," she said. "I'm freezing."

Ron smiled and he put his arm around her, although, as Hermione noticed, it was with a slight hesitation on his part. "Well, let's see if we can't get you someplace warmer."

Hermione blushed as he led her to the Three Broomsticks. Oh, wouldn't Harry get a kick out of this one if he were there. Ron pushed open the door as they entered the pub and headed inside. "Would you like a Butterbeer?" Ron asked her.

"I would very much like one, thank you," Hermione said smiling, however, disappointed when he let go of her now that they were inside, maybe it was nothing more than the fact that they were friends and he was just trying to be friendly. 'Oh, I hope not,' Hermione thought sitting down at one of the tables as Ron headed up to the counter. He paid for the two butterbeers and then brought them over to the table. He handed one to Hermione.

Just before Ron sat down Hermione scowled at the sight of Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy who had just entered into the Three Broomsticks. And she motioned Ron to look as they headed in their direction.

"Hey, It's the muggle-lover and the mudblood." Draco said walking over. "What's up you two love birds."

"Back off Malfoy," Ron muttered to the blond boy. Hermione could feel the tension in the room rise the instant Draco opened his mouth. There were other people in the pub that had heard him call her a mudblood.

"Oh, what are you going to do about it Weasley?" Draco asked with a sneer. Hermione could see that Ron was very angry and was afraid he may do something rash, but then, she was afraid she might do something rash as well.

"I said, Back off Malfoy," Ron said his face was turning red and his hand had reached into his wallet.

"Wow, two butterbeers," Pansy said from behind Draco. "I'm surprised you could afford just one for yourself other than one for your girlfriend as well." The four Slytherins laughed and Draco and Ron both opened their mouths to say something but shut them when Dumbledore and Flitwick walked into the pub. At the sight of the two proffesors Draco and his goons turned and headed to the counter to buy themselves some drinks.

"Stupid-git," Ron muttered as he sat back down. Hermione was a little upset she didn't get to hear what he was going to say to the girlfriend crack from Pansy.

"What were you about to say to Pansy?" Hermione asked.

"Just that I wasn't as poor as she thought I was," Ron said taking a sip of his butterbeer. "The twins are doing very well with their profits and they've been lending and giving me some money so that mum and dad don't have to."

"Oh," Hermione said looking down and then drinking some of the warm butterbeer. It melted in her throat with utmost satisfaction. "So, that was all you were going to say?"

"Yeah," Ron said. He was looking at her funny and Hermione could feel that he was trying to figure out why she cared so much about it. She wanted to ask him what he thought about the last part but decided to mention it again later, maybe while they were more alone so that he would be more comfortable answering it.

"Okay," Hermione said. "Glad you didn't lose your temper." She smiled a sweet smile at him and noticed him blush slightly.

"I almost did," He scowled turning to look at Malfoy who was now sitting down with his goons, a few other Slytherins had sat around him now. "He should not call you a mudblood. It's not right, it just isn't"

"I don't hear you get all mad about it when he calls others a mudblood." She said pushing him and trying to trap him in a corner. She could tell that it was working because he seemed very pressed to find his words.

"Well," Ron said with a slight pause. "I guess they just aren't as good a friend as you are."

Hermione smiled feeling flattered by his words. "Come on," she said standing up and leaving the bottle there. "We need to pick up Harry some treats." She really just wanted to distance her and Ron from Draco and his friends.

"Yeah, poor Harry," Ron said standing up and heading to the door. "Be prepared for the cold," he said.

"I'm nice and warm now," Hermione said as they walked outside into the blistering cold winds. It had gotten a lot windier outside but for some reason she felt much warmer than she had before. Maybe it was Ron's arm that was around her, maybe it wasn't.