Isn't it Beautiful

By Blair

Author's Note: Finally after two years I have decided to revamp and resume Isn't It Beautiful. I am currently in the process of revamping (it needs an extreme make-over) and hopefully I'll be posting new chapters soon. Also I am looking for a beta, so anyone interested in the job please email me with your credentials. Thank you for reading.

-Blair

Chapter One: Hermione

"RONALD WEASLEY, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Hermione Granger's threat echoed through the portrait hole. The head girl stormed into the common room face flushed, her eyes narrowed slits. Raging, the frizzy haired Gryffindor searched for the intended victim, fists clenched and scowl in place.

Ronald Weasley sat before the fireplace a chocolate frog making the short trip to his now gaping mouth. Harry Potter sat across from him, a chessboard between them. The Boy who lived darted a look at his guilty looking friend, one that clearly asked, "What did you do now?"

Marching over to the horrible wretch of a boy, Hermione steeled herself for the coming argument. Meanwhile, Ron fumbled to his feet, standing tall at the impressive height of 6'3, ready to face his executioner.

"Well, Miss Granger, what have I done to brass you off this time?" Ron asked, clearly amused. Ronald Weasley made up 50 of the percentage of males who would willingly face an angry Hermione Granger. It was a known fact that the pair of them bickered on a daily basis and there was no benefit in intervening.

"Well, Mr. Weasley," Hermione's voice had taken on a sugary sweet tone, a tone which only meant trouble, " you have some how managed to mash chocolate frogs into my sheets, you…you berk!"

All the commotion and noise, which had been previously gracing the common room, ceased; heads turned as eyes bulged at the implications of such a statement. Hermione and Ron, once catching onto what exactly everyone was thinking, flushed with embarrassment as Harry laughed hysterically, clutching his sides as though he was in pain.

"Oh, close your gobs! We were studying and I left chocolate frogs on her bed. Bloody perverts!" Ron yelled. The Gryffindor common room exploded with laughter and all hope of explaining became lost.

Hermione could feel the moisture welling up in her eyes; she bit her lip, desperate to hold in the tears. Ron looked like he was about to attempt to comfort her and she couldn't handle that too. If he put his arms around her, everyone would start believing that what was implied was true. As Head Girl she could not afford to have ridiculous rumors bandied about, especially rumors that involved Ron and herself.

"Hermione," Ron began, but Hermione just brushed him away and headed towards the exit. She needed to go to the library; the smell of books would make her feel better. Her hasty retreat however was impeded by Ginny Weasley's concerned face.

"Hermione, don't let those prats get to you," she advised. Ginny was used to being picked on and laughed at. The girl had been teased and bullied by her former friends post the Chamber of Secrets. Today, most students had either forgotten about her part in the incident or they had better things to occupy their time. Despite this fact Ginny still endured the task of being Draco Malfoy's verbal pincushion day in and day out.

"Ginny, don't curse." Hermione lectured, her voice sounding very meek. Nothing could have prepared her for Ginny's response, though considering she is a Weasley, shouldn't have surprised her.

"Well, fuck that." Ginny exclaimed and then faced the room. "Oi, you lot! All of you shut your gobs! I've got dirt on almost every one of you and those I don't I am sure Fred and George can provide!" the harpy shrieked over the din.

All laughing suddenly ceased.

"Don't worry, Mione, I'll make sure the gossips keep their traps shut." Ginny said.

Hermione knew she should admonish Ginny for her uncouth and immoral behavior, but she could not bring herself to do so. Just this one time, she turned her back on duty and walked through the portrait hole.

The library was only a corridor away when he caught up with her. The bushy haired Gryffindor stopped and sighed.

"Hello Ron." She uttered.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked, his voice, for once, was quiet.

"Well, you're the only person I know, who is that loud while trying to be quiet." She said, a smile forming on her lips.

Ron blushed, a nervous chuckle escaping past his lips. "Am I really that obvious?" he asked.

"Yes, but I like you obvious. It makes everything so much easier."

"Sorry bout the sheets." He mumbled, head down and fidgeting.

"That's okay. I…I just need to do a cleaning spell. I've just been under a lot of pressure lately. I should… well I should have better control of my anger. I am Head Girl. I need to set an example.

"We do already have one hot headed female Gryffindor. I don't think I could survive both you and Ginny if you go off the deep end."

"Don't worry, I was just having a bad day. It won't happen again." Hermione resolved. She had been acting irrationally and that was not like her; Hermione was never irrational…except for when it came to Ronald Weasley.

"I bet the rumors will be flying tomorrow." Ron said. " Ginny can be intimidating, but people slip and once they do it'll be all over."

"Most likely."

"So how bout we just go back to your rooms, have us a snog, then at least they won't be spreading lies about us." Ron said grinning cheekily.

"I thought we Gryffindors are supposed to be honorable."

"We are brave and courageous. No one ever said anything about being prudes," Ron said, a small lopsided grin on his face. "So… where're you headed?"

"The library."

"Umm, Hermione"

"Yes."

"The library is closed."

"Oh…I guess I'll just go to my dormitory then." she said while blushing. She could not believe in her agitated state she had not taken notice of the time. Apparently embarrassing situations took away all common sense.

"I'll walk you there." Ron offered, holding out arm for her to take.

Hermione's blush deepened as she looped her arm through his. She could feel her face growing hot; no matte that they had been in close proximity to each other for the past seven years.

Everything had gradually changed since the Yule Ball in fourth year; they had changed. She was a woman and he a man (alright they jury was still divided on that one), but they had not truly acknowledged that information to each other. They pretended nothing changed, that they were still best friends and that Ron didn't notice she was a girl. A part of Hermione wished they were not friends so that they could become more than friends.

The pair walked in silence towards Hermione's dormitory, both lost in thought. Eventually Ron snapped out of whatever trance he was in and opened his mouth.

"Jumping in the sheets with some chocolate frogs sounds like a good idea right about now."

"Ronald Bilius Weasley!" Hermione shrieked. Her face had gone as red as his hair and began sputtering. Ron just chuckled in response as she stomped onward, leaving him to his maniacal laughter.

Rounding the corner a gasp of horror escaped Hermione's throat. There on the floor, not ten feet away, lay the body of a boy, a very young boy.

"RON!"

Ron came jogging round the corner, his eyes filled with concern. He had not noticed the body yet, his eyes locked on Hermione. She pointed and he followed her movement. His eyes widened in shock as he stared at the prone form.

"Hermione go get Dumbledore, if you can't reach him then whatever professor you can find." Ron said calmly as he started toward the body.

Hermione quickly grabbed his hand, halting his progress. "Ron…" she murmured, tears forming in her eyes for the second time that night.

A tear trickled down her cheek of its own violation. Before Hermione could feel the salty taste of her own tear, Ron wiped it away with his thumb.

"Please don't cry, Hermione." He whispered. "I cannot stand to see you cry."

His soft and sweet words only made her cry more. She felt strong arms wrap around her. In spite of the boy lying dead on the floor and the horrific situation she found herself in, her heart fluttered. Hermione felt dirty for the leap of joy her heart made when he kissed the top of her head. It was wrong and it was selfish, but in that moment she felt like the world could be beautiful again, in spite of it all.