A/N: OoOOh weeee it has been a while since I updated! Don't worry, I'm still alive. ;) It al started with a case of writer's block...then one of my really close friends passed away in January so I haven't felt like writing since. But I figure since it's close to the end of the year and I'll have more time to write, I'll start updating again! Without further ado...

The next day, Hermione was in Ancient Runes early preparing for a quiz. She had slept in a little because she was so warm lying with Ron in her bed and didn't have time to study. Just when she had gotten out her notes to review, Michael Gates walked into the room towards her table.

"Is this seat taken?" Hermione looked up and his crystalline eyes put Ron's to shame. She let out a squeak in her attempt to speak and he smile just grinned and sat beside her.

"I was worried about you…" Michael took out his notes and text book from his bag.

"Excuse me?" Hermione was more than a little confused.

"Well, yesterday evening….I saw you running through the school, looked like you were crying. I was worried, that's all," Michael was sincere, that much Hermione knew.

"Oh, well I'm fine. Ron and I just got into a bit of an argument. It turned out to be a mere misunderstanding in the end…like all of our fights are. Thank you though." She laughed at the last comment; of course it would only make sense to someone who knew Ron and Hermione very well.

"That's good then. So, how's your morning been so far?" Michael shuffled his notebooks, a little unsure of what to say.

"Can't complain. Woke up a little late, breakfast was…good, so I guess it's starting to be a good day," Hermione smiled warmly at the thought of why, exactly, she did sleep in. "What about you, Michael? How's your morning progressing?"

"Well," he started, "I tossed and turned all night (one of my dorm mates had a horrible snoring fit). I'm a little groggy so I think Advanced Arithmancy will be a bit difficult to concentrate on," he and Hermione giggled a little when Professor Vector announced the agenda for the day.

"Good morning students! Today you will be using your Table A-3 Matrices to break a mild curse I will place on an object on your desk. It will be yours and your partner's task to first locate the cursed object and then break it; any questions? No? Well then, everyone please turn your backs while I go around the room," When Hermione felt the swish of the professor's skirt pass their desk, she turned around.

"First we need to use a Detector Charm to find the cursed object," said Michael matter of factly. Hermione smirked. For once I'm not the one explaining the process of an assignment. I could get used to this!

"Or I could just touch everything and see what reacts," Hermione realized what she had said too late. What! Ron usually makes these kinds of jokes! Is he just rubbing off on me? And Oooh why does Michael smell SO good?

Michael looked at her and smiled charmingly. "Well, I suppose, but I don't want to worry about doing the assignment AND healing you before class ends," Hermione let out a little laugh and they stared to work.

After forty minutes of work and mild conversation, Hermione leaned across Michael to get their chart. Blimey, he smells amazing… Without even realizing it, Hermione felt herself taking several deep breaths over the next few minutes. Michael noticed and asked if she was okay.

"Um, I'm ok, really. I didn't even realize," she said as she looked in his eyes. "I think I'm- well…yeah…tired maybe?" her cheeks were scarlet.

"Yeah," he said, blushing himself. "Maybe we should nap during our open period," Hermione's eyes went wide. "Not together! Oh no, I didn't mean it like that...I mean…since we're both exhausted…and stuff,"

Silence.

Hermione broke the silence. "Of course you didn't. But yes, I agree, maybe a nap would do some good." She turned back to her work, letting the blood slowly drain from her face for the rest of class.

During their free period, Hermione, Ron, and Harry were sitting in the common room doing some homework. Hermione was leaning her back against Ron's side while Harry sat across from them, sprawled on the plush carpet.

"Hey, Hermione?" Ron wiggled the arm she was against.

"Agh, RON! You made me blotch my essay!"

"It's no big deal, 'Mione! You can easily Scourgify it and forget is happened. Look, I'll even do it for you! Scour-"

"Oh, no you don't Ron Weasley! Not on MY essay!" Hermione hunched over her work so Ron couldn't get a good shot in.

"What, don't you trust me?"

"Of- of course I do, Ron!"

"Then why won't you let me just fix it?" his face was crimson although his eyes betrayed his anger with hurt.

"Because, well…" Hermione didn't know what to say.

"Because I'm a shoddy wizard, that's it, isn't it? Is Ron Weasley too mediocre to be trusted with even the simplest of cleaning spells?" he got up and was moving away from her now. Harry sat up.

"No Ron! Not at all!"

"Or is it that Hermione Granger's essays are too precious to her?" His eyes looked glossed over.

"Please, Ron! Listen!" Hermione begged. She was hurt and angry. Why won't he just shut up for a second?

"No, not now. I'm going for a walk" he stormed through the portrait, leaving Hermione and Harry with wide eyes and open mouths.

"Harry…."

"I know, Hermione…I know. Just give him a second to calm down then go talk to him,"

After a few minutes of roaming corridors, Hermione gave up when she bumped into someone as she turned the corner.

"Oh, I'm s-sorry" she sniffled as she looked up and saw those familiar blue eyes.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Michael Gates rested his hand on her shoulder.

"Not at all, Michael. Ron and I got in this argument…and it's just a misunderstanding but oh have you seen him around?"

Michael hesitated a split second before speaking. "No, no I haven't. Would you like to talk about it? That usually helps," Hermione was touched by Michael's gesture.

"Okay, well," she began walking, nodding for Michael to follow her, "we were in the common room doing homework. Actually, I was doing homework; Ron was probably staring into space. Anyway, he nudged me and I blotted ink on my parchment. I got upset, and oh, Michael…I think I behaved horribly," Hermione whimpered.

Michael was perplexed. Why was this pretty girl crying? He felt compelled to immediately take Hermione's side because she is such a logical thinker; he also had a bias against Ron for being so brash.

"Hermione," he said softly, wandering down the next corridor with her, "Calm down. Just tell me what happened,"

"We-well…I got upset and he offered to clean it up for me, but well...I know this is horrible Michael, but I said no!"

"What's wrong with that?" If Michael thought he was confused with their relationship before, he was utterly confused now. What's so bad with him wanting to help?

"Ron hasn't always been…the most astute student in our grade. It's not that he isn't smart, oh no…he just chooses not to do his work. If it wasn't for me these last 5 or 6 years, who knows where he'd be! Anyway, I may have offended him. Ohh what am I saying!" Hermione whirled on the spot. "Of course I offended him! He stormed out of the room and I've been looking for him since." She had since slowed her pace and decided to lean against the nearest suit of armor and sob. I wish I could stop blubbering for a second! Here is this gorgeous guy (sorry Ron!) showing me all sorts of patience and kindness when he doesn't have to…Oh I wish Ron was more like this…

"Aww Hermione, I really am sorry. Do you have any idea where he could be right now?"

Hermione wiped her eyes. "No, I was thinking he may have gone down to the pitch. That's where I was going before I ran into you," she smiled at Michael's comforting gaze and continued. "Thank you, by the way, for listening. It's not exactly the kind of first impression I wanted to make but I guess it's too late for that,"

"Oh no no," Michael braved another step toward her, "I've already gotten my first impression of you and I have to say, you're quite an astounding individual. Really, don't worry about it," he said reassuringly as he outstretched his arms.

Hermione, unsure of what to do, accepted his hug. Oh Merlin! He feels good! And he still smells like soap! Knowing that she shouldn't, Hermione enjoyed every bit of Michael's embrace. It was so warm and comforting after a stressful day. Who knows when she would be able to get Ron settled enough to listen to her?

Just then Ron turned the corner into the east corridor and heard people talking behind a suit of armor. He was still angry by what Hermione had said but couldn't help his curiosity by the voices. As he got closer, he saw the pair hugging. The guy was tall and blonde and the girl, whose back was to him, was kind of short and had curly brown hair. Wait a second-

"Her-Hermione?" he asked with a pained expression streaked across his face.

Hermione spun on her heels and looked at Ron with wide eyes.

"Ron!" Before she could continue, Ron clenched his fists until his knuckles were white, turned away, and stormed off down the hall.