Disclaimer: None of the people, places, or things surrounding Hogwarts and the wizarding world are my creation; they belong to the wonderful Ms. Jo Rowling.

A/N: Ch. 4. Woot. People keep asking me where I'm going with this story, and well, you saw how HBP ended. I won't change anything—I'm just highlighting the points that we "missed" along the way the first time around. As for each individual chapter, I really have no idea what's going to happen until I type it. Anyhow, thank you once more to all the people who review after every chapter. Just like you guys like seeing a new chapter added, I LOVE to see the new reviews! I have changed certain aspects of the story because of points you have brought up…so continue writing to me. I love it, I truly do.

KrAzYLiKeAFoX: I love seeing the characters' thoughts, too. That's why I like to read (and write) Missing Moments. I really think that Ron deserves his own sidekick story.

DCoD: Reading your comment about how my story is more a companion piece to HBP than its own wacky story was one of the highest compliments anyone could have given me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. For a fiction writer, that is truly the best thing any reviewer could say.

Crookshank: I love writing Missing Moments, and I love people who like my stories even better! Thank you, sweetie! ;-D

Roberta Nunes: I'm not sure yet exactly where I'm going to stop the story. I HATE sad fics, and if I write a chapter taking place at Dumbledore's funeral, it will probably make me (and you) cry...and I for one hate crying. Then again, I'd like to see the last chapter perhaps being a post-HBP one. But I truly don't know quite yet...don't hold me to anything.

Phillyactress: Your comment meant SO much to me! I love being compared to J.K. Rowling, and I don't mind that you said that I can't totally compare to her, because, well, it's the truth. She has an utterly brilliant talent that can be emulated, but never copied. But thank you SO MUCH for your compliment. I look forward to hearing more from you in the coming chapters!

Lorelai the Coffee Slayer: I love that you think my story is cute--that's the adjective I'm going for. And I really like your name--something tells me that you're into Gilmore Girls and Buffy. Just a guess, mind you. Lol. :-D

RonMione4eva: I can promise that I'm trying to keep up the good work. It's all a matter of what you think. Thanks! I am blowing you a thank you kiss.

legolascrazy17: Yay! I love you so much...I was getting worried there for awhile, when I didn't see a review from you on my e-mail. But you're back, so all is right with the world again. Lol. I don't know how I wrote all the Ron stuff, because I don't have a "Ron" in my life, either. Well, not a boyfriend. I have one guy friend who reminds me so much of Ron it's quite scary, but I don't actually have a "Ron." But I want one...more than anything, really. I really just draw on my emotions, and the things I see in movies or read about in books. You and I are really a lot alike--I'm the friend, but never the girlfriend. I also am a "boring goody two-shoes (but in a good way)" and have never done anything truly unpredictable in my life. SIGH. All that will come next year, when I'm in college. Speaking of which, that should give you an idea of how old I am--I'm a senior in high school this year (and no, I haven't been held back...in fact, I'm pretty young for a senior). Ta ta 'till next time! Sugarquill

Chapter 4: Getting Even

Hermione paced the floor outside the portrait hole nervously. The past weeks with Ron had been pure torture, and though she was still hurt and confused, she'd passed the point of crying herself to sleep each night. Now she was simply angry at him, and had vowed to give him a taste of his own medicine.

She just wasn't sure if she even had courage to do what she was thinking about doing. With a sigh, she turned out of her room and made her way down to the Common Room, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Ginny studying at one of the wooden tables. She and Ginny had become quite close over the past three years, and Hermione always felt comfortable coming to her about personal problems.

She took the few steps over to Ginny and bravely tapped her shoulder. "Gin, can I talk to you?" she asked anxiously, hoping that Ginny would simply listen and not judge.

Ginny glanced up at Hermione and immediately shut her down upon seeing Hermione's face. "Yeah, sure," she said and walked over the sofa. "What's up?" she added after the two girls had seated themselves.

Hermione took a deep breath, not exactly sure where to begin. "It's about Ron," she began bracingly.

Ginny merely rolled her eyes and nodded. "Figured as much. My prat of a brother is always doing something stupid. What happened?"

"Well, that's just it. I'm not sure. We—we were getting along so well. We were going to Slughorn's party together and…"

"Yes, I was rather surprised when I heard that," Ginny cut in and Hermione stopped, looking at her in surprise. "Oh, not because it's you and Ron," she hastened to correct, "It's just that after so many years, no one was truly convinced anymore that you two would ever pull your heads out of your—"

"Got it, Ginny," Hermione interrupted gently. She turned to the side and rested her hands on her chin. "I don't know what I did," she pondered quietly.

Ginny sighed and laid a hand on Hermione's back. "You probably didn't go anything, Hermione, you've got to realize that. Ron's just… Hey, when did he stop talking to you?"

Hermione paused, considering. "I think it was right after their Quidditch practice a couple weeks ago. He and Harry came back late and went right upstairs. The next morning when I came downstairs, Ron and I rowed…and that's where we are now. Only without the rowing…because we're no longer speaking."

As Hermione was speaking, Ginny's face had been turning progressively paler. Hermione looked at her in alarm. "Gin, what's wrong? You look like you just drank an entire pitcher of pumpkin juice."

"Um…er, it's no—nothing," Ginny stammered, looking away a bit guiltily. Hermione, however, was too upset to take a second notice at the strange behavior.

"What should I do? I mean, I know what I should do…I'm just asking if there's anything else I could do," Hermione said.

Ginny was shaking her head and attempting to look Hermione in the eye. "Huh?"

"Well, Ron's not speaking to me and Professor Slughorn's party is in two days and it is pretty obvious that Ron and I won't be attending together. So, what if I invite someone else?"

"Someone else? As in a boy?" Ginny blurted and Hermione jumped at her shrill voice.

"Yes, a boy. Why, is there something wrong with that? Because I suppose I can always—"

"No…no, Hermione, that's—that's a wonderful idea," Ginny said as if discovering something for the first time. "Reckon it's time to give my dear brother a sampling of what it feels like…"

"A sampling of what? What are you talking about?" Hermione asked.

Ginny went pale again. "Oh, um, just…nothing. I mean, well, don't you want Ron to feel how you're feeling now? Don't you think it might teach him a lesson?"

Hermione hesitated. "He does need to learn a lesson," she said a bit doubtfully, "But I'm just not sure I could do something like this. Something so—so…"

"Devious? Underhanded? Deceitful?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow and Ginny lowered her head shamefully. "Sorry," she apologized. "I was, erm, looking for words to describe Ron." She sat up straight, shaking her hair over one shoulder. "Seriously, Hermione, get even. It's time you started fighting back, more than just yelling at Ron. He needs something that'll shake him up."

"You really think so?"

Ginny smiled widely. "I know so. So, who'd you have in mind for a date?"

He didn't like it, Ron decided, watching his little sister and Hermione talking in hushed voices beside the fireplace. Ginny kept glancing over at him, then turning back to Hermione, whispering with a fiendish smirk across her face. They were talking about him—he could at least tell that much.

Ron heaved a sigh and attempted to turn back to his homework, but there were too many thoughts racing through his head. Lavender Brown and Hermione Granger being the top two of them. (Quidditch, of course, as always, a close third.)

All week long he'd been gathering the courage to approach Lavender about Slughorn's party. Even though he wasn't invited, based on the quick, giggly, glances Lavender had been sending his way all term long, he had a pretty good feeling that she would take him to the party with her. He just had to walk across the Common Room and actually ask her.

"Easier said than done," he mumbled to himself, wishing hopelessly that Harry—or Neville, he was so desperate—were there to help him out…or do it for me, he admitted wryly.

Ron growled quietly, rising slowly from the table. Here goes nothing. Feeling as if his life or death fate was on the line, he made his way to where Lavender was studying with Parvati.

He cleared his throat upon reaching Lavender's table and nearly groaned out loud when she glanced up with a high-pitched giggle. He wondered briefly why again he was doing this. "Erm, could I talk to you?" he addressed her reluctantly, feeling too stupid to bother blushing or feeling awkward.

Lavender looked sideways at Parvati, who grinned back with another giggle. Lavender stood and nodded to Ron, gesturing to the portrait hole. He heaved another sigh and followed her. Once they were outside, he took a deep breath and prepared to launch into his speech.

But was stopped by Lavender, who launched herself at him and had him in a lip-lock before he thought to duck out of the way.

She apparently took his reflex of grabbing onto her waist and falling into the wall behind him as a positive response, and without preamble, had thrust her tongue into his mouth. Bloody hell…if this is what snogging is, then I'm not so sure I should be upset that I've missed out, Ron thought in disgust. But, then again, practice makes perfect, right?

He settled into the…he wasn't actually sure what exactly to call it. Granted, he had absolutely no experience in these matters, but even he was smart enough to know that you wouldn't call something so impersonal and emotionless like this a kiss. As he realized belatedly that his mind was nowhere near being focused on Lavender, Ron attempted to stifle a chortle, but couldn't help himself. I think I'll call it "physical adoration of the mouth." And that was it. He broke away, doubled up with laughter.

Lavender took this as another happy sign…how thick could someone get, honestly? She giggled helplessly and locked her arms around his once more. "Oh, Ron, you're so funny," she gushed in a whispery voice, batting her eyelashes.

"Erm." He honestly didn't know how to respond to that. "Huh?"

"Oh, you silly, it's a compliment. Though I expect you wouldn't receive those very often, with the way Hermione's always nagging at you."

Oh, Merlin. Ron could feel the potential for a sticky situation already. "Yeah, I s'pose she can get a little harsh sometimes, but—but she always means—"

"And he's loyal too!" Lavender shrieked, and once more flapped her eyelashes as if they had a mind of their own.

"Uh, something caught?" he asked.

The batting continued, but Lavender did look puzzled. "Excuse me?"

"Your eyelashes."

Her eyebrows crinkled in confusion for a moment, but she dismissed it, waving a hand in the air. "Forget it, then," she said merrily, leaning heavily into him. Ron resisted the intense urge to turn around and race to the safety of his dorm room.

"So…" he began, attempting to get back to his original reason for bringing Lavender out here. "There's—there's a Christmas party that Slughorn's hosting and, well, you've probably heard that I wasn't…that is, I, er—"

"Well, of course you and I are going, silly! That's what couples do, right?" Lavender interjected before Ron could complete his thought.

"WHAT!"

At least she had the decency to look shocked at that one. "What's so surprising?"

He wasn't quite sure how to put it. How had he and Lavender gone from barely speaking to each other, to full-on couple in a matter of minutes? Perhaps that's what happens after she snog-ambushes you? Best to go with it for now, he figured. "Oh, yeah—yeah, right. I was just…making sure, that's all." He gulped.

As Lavender continued to stare at him with those wide, bright eyes, Ron was reminded of Malfoy's face when they'd had to serve a detention in the Dark Forest first year. He wasn't sure if Lavender had actually listened to anything he'd just said.

"Well, all right then," he finished matter of factly. Lavender giggled again and the flapping eyelashes started up again. How do they not flaw completely off? he wondered. They stood in awkward silence for a few more moments before he sighed and reached uncomfortably for her.

"Should we, er, get back to—" he started, but was cut off by Lavender's lips. They didn't feel terrible, he had to admit. A bit too slippery, if he was going to be totally honest. But she didn't seem to be complaining about this technique—or lack thereof—so he wasn't about to say anything.

Still, he couldn't help having to fighting a chuckle again seconds later, as he tried to hang onto her mouth as it kept slipping away. It's like kissing a fish.

Hermione took a deep breath as she approached Cormac McLaggen at the Gryffindors' table in the Great Hall. She still had a fleeting hope that because the party was that same night, he would already have a date and she didn't need to go through the torture of asking him.

"Cormac?" she asked nervously, and the massive boy grinned slyly up at her.

"Hermione," he responded, a smirk crossing his face. "Come to ask me to Slughorn's party, I presume."

If she hadn't promised Ginny that she would do this to give Ron a taste of his own medicine, Hermione would have turned around and walked away right there. But she pressed on, deciding to ignore McLaggen's all too disgusting persona.

"Yes, actually," she said in a sickly sweet voice. McLaggen seemed to eat it up, and Hermione fought the extreme urge to retch. Ron never would have believed me if I was talking in that tone of voice, she thought. "So, if you're not busy…"

"It would be my pleasure to escort you," Cormac replied surely. "And to show you how a real man is supposed to act. What with the way you're always carrying on with Weasley, I'd expect you wouldn't know a polite bloke when you—"

"I'd appreciate it if you'd leave my friends out of this arrangement," Hermione cut in icily. "Yes, Ron and I are having some problems right now, but I still consider him one of my best friends, and I hardly think that our friendship is any of your business."

McLaggen's mouth was flopping open and closed like a fish. "I'll see you at the party," she tossed over her shoulder as she turned around haughtily.

Her hands were clenched tightly together, and it was physically hurting her not to return to McLaggen and hit him hard in the face. Why was she doing this? She could picked ANY other guy in her year to ask to Slughorn's party. Seamus, Neville. But she had to go with McLaggen. Because I knew he's the one who would bother Ron the most, she finished.

As Lavender dove in for yet another kiss, Ron was slowly starting to realize that he was going to completely miss any part of the Slug Club party he'd been dying to attend weeks ago. He'd tried to listen to the conversations around him as Lavender occupied herself with what Ron could only describe as the attempt to gnaw his face off. But it simply wasn't working. He was too distracted…where was Hermione? This entire plot was going to be pointless if she never showed up.

Then—as if one cue—she appeared. She'd dressed up for the occasion, and for a few moments, Ron was utterly taken by her. When exactly had Hermione gotten beautiful? Of course, a part of him had always thought that she was pretty, but when had it become so pronounced?

Ron gasped and abruptly pulled away from Lavender's claw-like grip. She was with…McLAGGEN. Suddenly he was filled with a such a rage that it was only Lavender's hold on him that kept him from jumping up and knocking that all-knowing smirk off the git's face. As Hermione's head turned, seeking him, Ron grabbed Lavender and attacked her lips viciously.

Pretend it's Hermione. Pretend you're snogging Hermione. He squinted his eyes shut as tight as he could, but no matter what, he couldn't pretend Lavender was Hermione. He simply couldn't IMAGINE that kissing Hermione would feel like kissing a fish.

Hermione gasped when her eyes found Ron. There he was, sitting on the couch, digging into Lavender's mouth as if she were his last drink on the parched earth. She'd thought that by going with McLaggen, Ron could feel just a touch of what she'd been feeling ever since he had stopped speaking to her.

She just wasn't prepared for something like this to hurt so much. It was like an extra sharp knife had been stabbed into her chest, on top of weeks of smaller, yet equally painful, pricks into her heart. She couldn't stay there any longer.

Hermione saw Harry making his way over to her out of the corner of her eye, but couldn't stop. The last thing she wanted was for the entire party to see Hermione Granger sobbing like a child. She turned and ran out, leaving Cormac staring after in bewilderment.

She stopped at the first empty classroom she came to. She raced to a desk and braced her hands on, breathing heavily, willing the tears not to fall. Suddenly she heard pounding footsteps outside the door; she knew it was Harry. Hermione cast the first spell she could think of, and by the time Harry opened the door, she had a small flock of canaries flying around her head. Not bad considering I wasn't thinking straight.

Harry appeared to be feeling extremely awkward. "Er, Hermione?"

"I'm just practicing," she responded airily, hoping that her voice wouldn't tremble.

"Yes, well. About back there. I'm sure Ron was just—"

Suddenly the drop swung open again and Hermione groaned. Of COURSE Ron and Lavender would pick this very room to continue their…activities. She was really having a horrible night.

"Oops!" Lavender giggled and then hobbled away a bit unsteadily, leaving Hermione to wonder if she'd had a few too many Butterbeers.

She and Ron stared at each other, and a split second, Hermione was sure that Ron understood how she was feeling. She knew that her emotions were right there on her face; Ron could very easily see the hurt in her eyes. His shoulders momentarily drooped and she thought he was on the verge of apologizing.

"Um…" he managed, before turning away again. Oh, blast you, Ron Weasley! He shrugged at Harry, who looked as if he wanted to take Ron and shake him. "I'd better get back…Lavender…"

Hermione's sadness suddenly left her—momentarily, at least—and she was seized by an anger so intense she knew that if Ron was still standing in front of her, she would have slapped him. She grabbed her wand and shrieked after him: "OPPUGNO!"

The canaries took off after Ron and began to attack him. She willed them to claw at his arms and hands like seeing him with Lavender was clawing at her heart. She knew she should have felt bad, watching Ron struggle with the birds, but somehow she couldn't. She was hurting too much.

Without another glance at Harry, she leaped off the desk and tore out of the room. She wasn't able to contain the sobs any longer. The tears were already running down her cheeks in a torrent as she ran down the corridors, wishing fervently that she wouldn't run into anyone.

Lavender was waiting impatiently for Ron when he finally made it out of the classroom. Harry followed him, but didn't spare him a second glance. Ron felt horrible as he watched his best friend walk away, shaking his head sadly. He'd really messed things up.

"Come on, Won-Won. We'll find some place where that Granger girl—"

"Her name is Hermione!" Ron roared before he could stop himself. "And you—you two are supposed to be friends, you are."

Lavender's eyes widened. "Well, she's certainly not acting like a very good friend. Sending those evil birds to hurt you."

"I reckon I deserved it," he muttered, more to himself than to Lavender.

Again, she didn't seem to be paying attention, instead grabbing his arm and redirecting it to her waist. "Now, where were we?" she murmured slyly, reaching up to lay her mouth across his.

This time he really couldn't stand it. Ron tugged Lavender's hands away from him, and put a good three foot distance between them. "Look, maybe you should just go back to the party. I'm—I'm not feeling well."

"Oh, you poor thing! I'll come with you. You need someone to look after you," she whined.

"NO!" Ron yelled louder than he'd intended. "I—I mean, that's very nice of you, Lavender, but you should just go back and have fun, all right?"

Apparently the idea of showing herself off at a party was too tempting for Lavender, because upon hearing that, she promptly pivoted and began skipping back towards Slughorn's office. Ron heaved a sigh and slapped a hand to his head. What the bloody hell had he been thinking? He turned on heavy feet and an even heavier heart and started back to the Gryffindor Common Room.

He stopped short, however, when he came around the corner and saw Hermione crumpled in a tight ball on the cold stone floor just outside the portrait hole. This time he couldn't stop himself from going to her. He knew that she was upset with him; and even more so, he knew that he deserved it. But he simply couldn't help going over and trying to make her feel better.

"Oh, Hermione," he breathed, kneeling down and taking a lock of her bushy brown hair between two of his fingers. "Please don't cry… I can't stand it when you cry."

She looked up at him, and the desolate expression in her cinnamon eyes nearly undid him. He'd put that expression there, and that feeling was more sickening than any Ron had ever experienced. "Ro—Ron?" she hiccupped, the tears still streaming down her face. He nodded and without another word, pulled her into his arms and half-way onto his lap.

She didn't pull away, he realized wonderingly. Rather, she buried her face into his shirt, clinging on for dear life. His arms tightened instinctively around her, and he gently rubbed a hand in circles across her back.

"Hermione, I—I'm sorry. I didn't know…I didn't think that you'd ca—care so much," he stumbled. "Lavender…she's just—"

Hearing Lavender's name seemed to pull Hermione out of her intense crying. She straightened and pulled away from Ron, as if just realizing that moments earlier she'd been clutching him like she'd never let him go. "That's not going to fix it, Ron," she said stonily.

Ron wasn't even going to try to argue with that. "I—I know, Hermione," he said quietly. "But I'd just like you to know that I'm sorry. I never meant to make you feel bad."

She SHOULD have forgiven him right then, Hermione noted, considering that that was by far the biggest apology she'd ever received from Ron. "Are you still with Lavender?" she asked tiredly. Ron was no longer holding her tightly, but he still had one arm looped around her, and she was making no movement to move away from him.

"Um…yeah?" Ron answered in a question, then immediately knew that was the wrong answer, but a reason he knew he would end up regretting later, pressed on. "Well, she said we were boyfriend and girlfriend, so…" He shrugged. "I guess so."

Hermione's lower lip started to tremble and she forced herself to move away from Ron's warm embrace. "Wrong bloody answer," she said in a whisper, before turning around and marching through the portrait hole.

With the loud slam of the door, Ron felt as if a symbolic door had also been shut. On their friendship.

A/N: Oh my goodness. I didn't realize how EPIC this chapter had become until I did a word count after I was done typing it. I hope you guys aren't upset with me. There was just a lot that had to be covered in this chapter, and I only hope that I did it justice. Please leave a review! Nothing makes me smile more than seeing a new review at the end of each day:-)