Ron hardly slept last night, hoping that Harry might say something in his sleep. As well as mulling things over. So far he couldn't work things out. Ron was still asleep seeing as it was still early. He thought it would be better to just leave him there. He would probably still be in a foul mood since yesterday. Quietly Ron got dressed and left the dorm, hoping to find Hermione.

Harry lay still waiting for Ron to leave. He still couldn't face talking to him, and obviously Ron was still upset about how snappy Harry had been. Yet, Harry knew he couldn't avoid Ron forever. He couldn't sleep. Always thinking about what he had done. Maybe he should tell Ginny? Would she be able to help him? At least he won't be lying to her. Hermione might have told her anyway.

Hermione had had a bad night. All she could see was Harry's face. Things had finished so quickly. They were never supposed to happen. She couldn't really blame Harry for ending things. His friendship with Ron was important to him, and she knew he still really liked Ginny. Yet it still hurt, and even now she was fighting to hide away the tears. If only she could tell Ginny, then things might seem clearer. It was Saturday, so Hermione curled back up into bed and tried to get some sleep.

Ron had finally made his way down to the common room to find it empty. Hermione never slept in late, and could be found working in the common room from the early hours. Either she was seriously ill; from all the crying it looked like she had done. Or whatever happened last night, between her and whoever must have seriously upset her. That still begged the question about what had upset her. Ron decided the best thing to do is to go and take a shower. He won't be able to solve anything until he talked to them, and anyway the bathroom would be emptier now.

After twisting and turning for some time now, Harry decided that he would not be able to get any sleep. The sun had already risen and the room had become brightly lit, adding to Harry's discomfort. Despite his lack of sleep Harry had now become determined to tell Ginny what had happened between him and Hermione. This however would be done after a shower, seeing as it was too early in the morning to be disturbing her.

Ron had just finished what had been, considering the circumstances, a thoroughly enjoyable shower. He found that he was able to think more clearly, deciding that Hermione was definitely the best person to talk to first.

The door to the bathroom creaked open and the shadowy outline of the figure standing at the door was starting to take its full form. It was Harry. Ron had no idea what to say. The awkward silence between them was growing unbearable.

"Hi Harry." Ron was trying to sound cheerful, to show he had forgiven Harry about last night. Harry didn't want Ron to be cheerful, nor did he want to talk to him. But he couldn't see what other choice he had. The guilt had taken over him too much. Harry knew therefore that it was going to have to be brief. He didn't want to ruin Ron and Hermione's relationship even more.

"Err, hi Ron." There was an obvious lack of enthusiasm in his voice.

"You okay?" Ron decided to see if Harry would talk to him now.

"Not really Ron." Harry became angry at himself for saying that. He knew now that Ron would become more suspicious.

"Why? You still upset about what happened yesterday?"

"Yeah."

"Want to talk about it?" Ron was hopeful about this. Maybe he would be able to find out what happened sooner.

"Nah, its okay mate, I'll be fine." Ron didn't seem convinced.

"You sure?"

"I'm fine Ron, honest."

"Then do you know why Hermione came back to the common room upset?" Until this moment Harry had been looking at the floor, and the bathroom, never at Ron. For the first time he looked at Ron. He was seriously worried about them. Harry knew the cause of Hermione's unhappiness, and yet could not accept it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, her eyes were red, and you could still see tears rolling down her face."

"Did she tell you what was wrong?" Harry hoped Hermione hasn't told Ron. She can't have Ron wouldn't have been so nice to Harry.

"Nope, I was hoping you could tell me. You both seemed distant. I thought maybe it was the same thing."

Harry had to think quickly. He never really wanted Ron to find out, not like this anyway. He had to get him off the trail.

"I don't know. I didn't see Hermione all night. Why would I have upset her anyway?" Harry's voice sounded panicky. Ron could obviously tell. Why was Harry lying? Something was going on between Harry and Hermione, why else would he lie. That's if he lied in the first place.

"Harry, you know we're best mates right, and you don't have to lie to me?"

Harry was getting angry again.

"I didn't lie."

"If you say so." Harry hadn't convinced him. He was going to find out the truth, whether they tell him or not. He's not stupid, whereas Harry was. "I'll leave you to shower in peace."

Ron left the room, angry that Harry felt that he had to lie to him. Back inside the common room, Ron saw Hermione sitting in her favourite chair by the fire, all alone. This time she had better talk to him.

"Hi babes." Ron was forcing himself to sound cheerful.

Even now that sounded strange coming from Ron's mouth. That's what Harry called her. Why did everything remind her of Harry?

"Hi Ron."

"You feeling any better?" This dazed Hermione. Had he noticed that she had been crying? He really cared about how she felt, unlike Harry. What is she thinking, comparing them.

"Yeah, better thanks." To try and smooth things over she gave Ron a gentle kiss on the cheek. Even that felt uncomfortable to Hermione. Being around Ron was making her feel uncomfortable.

"What's was wrong?"

Hermione had to think quickly.

"Well, I was stuck in the library trying to do some homework. When Professor Snape found me and said that I had failed last weeks test."

Immediately Ron felt a shiver up his spine. He couldn't understand why everyone was lying to him. He wasn't sure if they were lying. Yet what they were saying sounded so far from the truth.

Hermione knew she had just lied to Ron. It was the first thing that came to mind. That same line revolving in her mind, it sounded more farfetched each time. Ron would find out the truth later on. Or maybe she did fail. Her grade had been slipping lately, because she spent so much time with Harry.

"He was probably lying, Hermione. Don't worry about it. Anyway, even if you did, it as only one test." Even as he was saying it Ron didn't sound convinced. He felt he couldn't speak his mind. He needed to know what was going on. If not he could end up losing not only his best friend, but girlfriend as well.

Ron leant closer towards Hermione, with his arms still around her.

"I love you Hermione. I always will, no matter what." Ron hoped that this would help her to open up. Their relationship had been becoming distant over the past months and Ron decided that it was high time he sorted things out.

Hermione had said those magic words to Ron before. Her and Harry never spoke quite so much. Hermione knew that Ron was just trying to assure her that their relationship wouldn't be affected. She knew in her heart that even though she needed someone's love, she could not say it back at this moment. And if Ron ever found out her little secret, then he would most certainly not feel the same.