As soon as they left the Great Hall, Hermione took to talking once more.

"I just need to tell you something else. McGonagall told us there'd be a ball – they haven't decided on a title yet – and I'm one of the sponsors and supporters. I have to make the decorations and everything! But... I have to work with Malfoy."

Harry and Ron didn't react at first, but then Harry began questioning his friend, "What do you mean you have to work with Malfoy? It's not like you're obliged to work with him is it? I mean, you must have some kind of freedom of choice right? Freedom of chosing your own partner?"

Hermione laughed quietly and answered regretfully, "No, Harry. It doesn't work that way, I guess. Professors always chose our partners, do they not? Now, I wish I didn't have to work with him, really – I do. But what choice do I have?"

Ron spoke up, "You could ask McGonagall for another partner. Take me, for example! Wouldn't it be so much better if you had to work with me, instead of that ferret?"

"Oh, please, Ron! You're being silly. What idiot would she have to be, to partner you with anyone if you haven't been to half the meetings?"

Ron blushed and spoke harshly, "Well, it's not like anyone reminds us! How are you able to go to every single one, if we don't get reminders or something?"

"Ron, it's a matter of responsibility. If you were responsible, you would find out another way, which believe you me, is very possible." Hermione answered snobbily.

"Fine then! I'm not responsible! Is that what you're saying? I couldn't possibly take care of myself because I don't keep up with some silly meetings that I never even understand?" Both of their voices began to rise speedily.

"No! It's not as if you ever bothered to understand what I'm trying to say! I don't know why I even try to -"

"WHAT DO YOU TRY, HERMIONE? HAVE YOU REALISED THAT EVERY TIME YOU OPENED YOUR MOUTH ABOUT ME YOU'VE ENDED UP INSULTING ONE OF US?" Ron shouted, pointing with his thumb to himself and Harry. "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME, HERMIONE? SYMPATHY? THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THAT MUDBLOOD-HATER I'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO KEEP AWAY FROM YOU? AND YOU KNOW WHAT? AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF 'BEING ON HARRY'S SIDE', YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE DREADING YOUR PARTNER AT ALL, MUCH!"

"If you say so, Ronald. Even though I wouldn't say that you've been at all respectful toward me, either. Do you really think I could want to hurt you or Harry? I love you two so much! You are my best friends! You have made everything okay when it wasn't! I am thankful. But I don't think you are, Ronald. For keeping you grounded, leveled, loved, and remembered, when there was no one else. And you know what? I think Harry agrees with me. Do you not, Ha - ?"

She topped in mid-sentence as she turned to her other friend, awaiting a nod. But as she swiveled around, pointing her index finger at thin air, there was no Harry. To think of it, neither of them had heard much from him the entire fight and had it not been for his leaving, they wouldn't have stopped quarreling.

She slowly turned back to Ron, panting heavily. She lunged at him and was basically hanging on to him, as she blew the air out of his stomach. He quickly wrapped his long arms around her tiny frame and closed his eyes with a sigh. They stood there, in an embrace for a while, each of them replaying the events of the fight in their heads.

Hermione's eyes were spilling tears and she had his neck right next to hers, her hands going through his hair, as Ron was holding her tightly and rubbing her back slowly.

She pulled away from him and smiled, keeping a distance between their bodies. Then, out of nowhere, the pair began laughing nonstop, as if there was anyone around who would stop them. The corridors were empty, for a long time now, and the silence was not only embarassing, it was deafening.

Ron casually stepped closer to her and held out a hand toward her waist. She gasped inwardly and was thinking of running when she heard an important thought – Why?

She stood there, her face emotionless, and watched him go on. His other hand reached her neck and slid down her arm to her hand. He took it in his own hand and pulled her body toward his.

Hermione's breath was quickening and she gasped when their lower stomachs touched. They actually, kept on touching, and she moved her upper body closer to him and closer, until she was in his arms and he was kissing her with the same desire she wanted to feel for him.

But that was just it. She wasn't actually feeling the desire. She had no need whatsoever to be standing there, in Ron's arms, being protected by someone she didn't love. But then whom did she love?

Pulling away once more, she put a hand gently on his chest and smiled a convincing smile, before turning on her heel and clicking her way back to the common room, leaving a very satisfied Weasly staring off into her direction.