Ooh, I have plans for this fic. rubs hands together and cackles

Disclaimer: siiiggh No, no, I don't.

Chapter 2

Finger Foods and Invitations

Hermione Granger walked down the spiral staircase of her dorm, yawning widely and trying not to lose grip of all her books. Indeed, it was Christmas vacation but there were so many classes she had to study for. She stepped off the last stair and nearly bumped right into Ron Weasley. To the left of him was Harry Potter.

Ron gave a long yawn. "'Mo-Moornin, 'Mione!"

Hermione smiled. "Good morning, Ron." She peeked at Harry. He seemed deep in thought

"How is your morning going, Harry?" she asked carefully.

Harry jumped. "Fine! Why do you ask?" He looked at her shiftily.

"I was just wondering," she said indignantly.

"Well, don't!" snapped Harry and began walking faster.

Hermione sighed. It must have had something to do with Cho. Harry was now a good three meters ahead of them, practically jogging.

"Since he obviously doesn't want to talk to a girl about it, Ron, you should try to cheer him up today, maybe get his mind off of things."

"Will do. Looks like a wonderful day for a snowball fight," said Ron, peering through an ornate window that had been charmed to repel frost.

"What will you do all day?" asked Ron.

Hermione couldn't help but take what he said as an insult. "I have other things I could do, you know."

"I didn't mean it as an insult. I just thought it'd be fun if you came to join us in the snowball war later, just because Harry has his knickers in a bunch doesn't mean you should have to be hide away for the day."

Hermione giggled. "Maybe I'll stop by later, I really do have some things that need taken care of."

Ron couldn't help but think that those certain things were homework-related. He sighed. "All right."

The two made their way to the Gryffindor table and sat across from Harry who was ravaging his plate of eggs and toast.

"Yup, definitely girl problems,' Hermione thought disgustedly, trying to distract her from the grotesque sight. She reached forward and scooped up some cranberry salad. She munched on it for a few minutes, thinking about a mathematics problem when Ron spotted her small bowl full of the pink conglomeration.

"Whuff's tha' suff?" Ron asked her with his mouth full of a violet pudding.

"Cran..." Hermione had started but stopped short when Ron swiped a finger into it and popped the end in his mouth, tasting it.

Hermione gaped. Ron shrugged, "Pree' good!"

Hermione shook her head and got an idea. She swiped a finger through Ron's pudding, or whatever it was.

Ron startled.

Hermione turned red, instantly regretting her actions.

Ron was looking at her in utter disgust. And of course, so was Harry.

"Now that's just gross and rude, Hermione!"

Hermione felt angry and even more embarrassed. She had just loosened up and did to him what he had done to her. He was acting as if she had just contaminated the entire table with her germs. Ron wasn't being quiet about it either! Neville and the two second year girls at table were staring.

Hermione was about to get up and leave when Fred and George Weasley sat down next to her.

"Ron, you prat! Here, Hermione!" Fred grabbed Hermione's hand and swiped one of her fingers through a bowl of pudding that George had pushed in front of him. Then he took a large spoonful of it for himself and popped it in his mouth.

He swallowed. "See? I don't care if you put your fingers in my food!"

George nodded assuredly. "I wouldn't care, either!"

"Ron, here, still thinks girls have cooties," Fred said, reaching over and knocking Ron on the head with the flat side of his butter knife.

Hermione got up and left. She thought if she stayed any longer her face was going to start on fire or she was going to burst into tears. Or maybe both. What a sight that would be.

She walked up two flights of the grand staircase and turned down a random corridor.

"Hermione!"

She stiffened at hearing her name and tried to inconspicuously wipe away the few tears from her eyes.

She heard footsteps coming closer to her, "Here, a bunch of owls came right after you left and gave a letter to nearly every Gryffindo-'

'Hermione?" asked George, hesitantly, still holding out the letter to her.

When she didn't say anything, he lowered the letter and took a few careful steps toward her.

"'Mione, are you ok?" he asked putting a hand on her shoulder and slowly turning her around.

He heard her sniffle and felt his stomach drop when he saw the tears on her face. George did the only thing he could think of to help and scooped her up in an engulfing hug.

Hermione had to stifle a wail. Him being so nice to her made her want to cry more. She wasn't one for sympathy.

"Just forget about Ron, he's just really thick at times," George ushered, looking down at the girl who's face was hidden in his robes.

A muffled noise came from Hermione. "He's really thick. And so is Harry."

George looked at the ceiling and said airily, "Sometimes I think those two should just get it over with and elope."

A stifled giggle came from Hermione and she peeked up at him, her nose pink from crying, but George was relieved to see that she was still smiling.

George grinned at her. "Now that's better. Say, why don't you join me and Fred out on the grounds so you can help us beat the stuffing out of Ron in a snowball fight? And then later, maybe we'll show you a new secrets about Hogwarts," he offered, winking at her cutely.

Hermione flushed at his cute smile and opened her mouth to say something but was cut off.

"Actually, I'm not going to take no for answer," George got a devious glint in his eyes and before Hermione could say anything, he hoisted her over his shoulder and took out his wand. Hermione yelped and clung onto the back of his robes.

"George!" she laughed.

"I'm taking you as my prisoner for the day, Mione!" And with that, he walked over to a bookcase and gave it a tap with his wand to reveal a secret passageway.

O.o.....o.o....o.O

Hope you liked! More to come! The next chapter should explain a few things.

Maddy