A/N: CHAPTER TEN! Hoot! R&R please.

10

The Dying Embers of a Fire

Hermione entered the common room. Her face was flushed with the winter cold mixed with the feelings of embarrassment she was feeling for having done what she had.

She spotted Ron sitting near the embers of the fire, staring into it. He hadn't looked up when she had entered. He hadn't even made it seem as though he had realised that the fire had died.

"Ron?" Hermione called softly.

Ron didn't look away from the smouldering ashes. "Hi," he said.

Hermione took off her coat and threw it over the side of the sofa. She moved to start the fire again, but Ron held out an arm, blocking her from the tools and wood.

"Don't," he said.

Hermione gave him a questioning look but backed off quietly and sat down in a chair. "What's up?" she asked, running a hand through her hair.

"Smouldering," Ron said, and Hermione assumed that he was talking about the fire.

"You're rather distant," Hermione commented.

"Aren't I always?" Ron said, standing up finally and sitting in the chair across from Hermione, not looking at her.

"No . . . You're usually very talkative."

"Well . . . people don't always act like they usually do," Ron said, hoping Hermione would take the hint.

She didn't. "No, they don't."

Everything was silent as the last coal left its life with a small pop. "Graduation Ball's tomorrow," Ron said, breaking the silence.

"Yes, it is. Have you asked anyone to go with you yet?" Hermione queried.

"I sent a letter to Lavender. I suppose she won't want to go with me. After all, Parvati and Padma were less than happy about the way Harry and I were as dates at the Yule Ball. I could just go alone. Dance with myself. Do it all the time at home," Ron said, pitying himself.

Hermione nodded.

"Maybe I should ask Cho since Harry's obviously over her . . . Wonder if he would mind. Cho's a nice looking girl too . . . Wouldn't be like asking someone repulsive."

At that point, Hermione cringed, happy that Ron wasn't looking at her. "I-I don't think Harry will mind. He's so obviously smitten with Luna, I doubt he would care at all."

"You know, I had someone in mind to ask, and I was real close to asking her, but I found out she had already been asked. I bet Cho has too. Maybe I should go ask now. Care to come?" Ron inquired, standing up.

Hermione shook her head. "I'll pass," she said.

Ron left the room, and she was left in silence. "Damn you, Hermione Granger," she said to herself, "What have you done? You could have said no to Draco. Truly, you could have. Maybe Ron would have asked you for lack of anyone else to ask. You did this to yourself. Now, you can suffer the consequences."

Hermione felt tears spring to her eyes. "You're a stupid girl, Hermione," she mumbled, "a stupid, stupid girl."

The portrait hole opened, and Hermione looked up to see Harry coming into the room. She had forgiven him mostly for what he had told Draco. His intentions had been good, even if they had not seemed to be that way at first.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, "Where have you been?"

"N-Nowhere," Harry replied, blushing. He looked at Hermione, "Why're you crying?"

"Huh?" Hermione asked.

"Never mind," Harry said, sitting down on the sofa.

"You look exhausted."

"I am. I got no sleep last night. You'll never believe who's a Quidditch queen."

"Luna?" Hermione asked, grinning.

Harry laughed. "Yeah. She's great. I wish she were on the team."

"Would you care if someone asked Cho to the Graduation Ball?" Hermione asked randomly.

"Not really. I mean, I've got Luna. I asked her last night. She said she would. I'm eager to see what she's wearing."

"What if one of your best friends asked her?" Hermione queried.

Harry gave Hermione a questioning look. "You're not asking her; are you?"

Hermione shook her head vigorously. "Of course not, but Ron is."

"Ron?" Harry said, the fact that Hermione had been crying when he had walked in springing to his mind.

"Yes, Ron."

"Why?"

"Because she's not repulsive," Hermione repeated in exasperation.

Harry paused then laughed out loud. "Ron. He's such a nut."

Hermione smiled. "He is."

Ron came into the room suddenly. "She said yes," he announced, not smiling.

"That's great, Ron," Harry said, "Who said yes?"

"Cho, though I expect Hermione, here, has already told you all about it," Ron said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked.

"Figure it out yourself," Ron said, storming up to the boys' dormitories.

Harry looked after him, mildly surprised. "Short fuse, that one."

"Yeah . . ." Hermione said, staring blankly at the staircase to the boys' dormitories, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about what's wrong with him, would you?"

Harry shrugged. "Want me to go ask?" he asked.

"You don't have to. I would appreciate it if you did, though. He's not very open when it comes to talking to me."

"All right then," Harry said, getting up, "See you in a bit."

Hermione nodded.

A/N: Please review!