Harry watched as they danced to a slow waltz. Ron, of course, had a crush on her, so it was natural that he was flirting with her. But Hermione was his! Why did she seem to laugh at what he said? Why did she seem happy with him? Why did it seem that she wanted to be with him? Finally, the dance was over. Thank goodness, Harry thought as he ran over to take Hermione away. But an enormous crowd of people were standing in front of him, and by the time he got through, they had disappeared. "Wondering were your mudblood girlfriend went?" a voice drifted in his ear. Harry turned around lazily to face Malfoy. "Yea, as a matter of fact," he replied. "I know where she and with whom she is with," Malfoy said slyly. "What are you talking about, Malfoy?" Harry retorted.
Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione were dancing close outside. He spun her, and she giggled. He loved hearing her laugh. He tapped his wand, and out burst a beautiful rose. "For you," he said. Her face brightened, and she leaned in automatically for a kiss. But before their lips met, Harry jumped in the way. "Get off my girl!" he yelled, and his fist met Ron's face. Hermione screamed, and Ron got up, ready to fight. "Harry, no!" Hermione pleaded, grabbing his hand, but Harry shrugged it off, and dove for Ron. The fight continued, and would probably would have gone down to the death, that is, unless Dumbledore hadn't interfered. He waved his wand, and immediately, both boys were pushed against the wall. Hermione gave a sob and sank down against the wall. Dumbledore calmly spoke, "All students return to the ball-except for these three," pointing to Ron, Harry, and Hermione, "Professor McGonagall, please come as well."
The three walked in a straight line, Hermione in the middle. When they finally arrived Dumbledore's office, he began to speak again. "What were you two boys thinking? Explain to me why. Why did you two fight like this? It is not like you! You two are friends, but you act like enemies." Harry stubbornly refused to speak, and Ron's ears, like always, turned red. Both boys, however, kept their mouths shut. "Very well," McGonagall said, "Ten points from Gryffindor, and detention for both!" They filed out, and Harry sped up, leaving Hermione and Ron alone. "I knew this would happen," Ron said, turning to Hermione, and that's when she saw, for the first time, that he was injured. "Oh no! Ron, you have a black eye!" she said, trying to examine it. "Don't touch it," Ron replied, "It's still sensitive." Hermione buried her face in her hands. "This is all my fault!"