Written for: Charms OWL - Remember: The task is to write two stories with the same charm. One story where the charm helps, and another story where the charm hurts.


Hermione's Birds


Hermione stared at the floor, unable to think clearly. She had thought things were going so well with Ron; she thought that he was showing an interest in her.

But things were going downhill pretty quickly. After all, Ron had somehow chosen Lavender Brown over her. Sure, Lavender was pretty and fun. She was always giggling and laughing… but Hermione had thought Ron was the type of guy that saw past the shallow side of people. She had thought that Ron saw her and not Lavender.

Hermione thought that Ron felt the bond that she was so certain they shared. Clearly she was wrong about that. She was wrong about everything.

It wasn't long before Harry came and found her. She knew he had used the map and was grateful. The birds she had summoned to keep her company hadn't been nearly enough unfortunately.

Harry sat down with her, held her as the tears fell, talked to her softly, being every bit the friend that Ron failed to be, though Hermione struggled to hear the words he was saying. All she could think about was how Ron had stomped all over her feelings and wondering if it was her own fault. Was she not clear enough about them? Was he that blinded by Lavender?

Sure, she didn't know much about boys, but she was sure that he'd have worked it out. She had even invited him to the Slug-Club with her and he had agreed to go. That was out of the window.

Rage built up inside her as she recalled asking him and how he accepted. Did he not realise that was a date? What girl asked a guy somewhere and it not be a date?

As her anger built up ready to be released, Ron came into the room, his lips on Lavender's. Clearly they were looking for somewhere to be alone, and Hermione had to wonder what exactly they had planned on doing alone.

She saw red.

Lavender made a hasty retreat from the room, leaving Ron to talk to Hermione. The moment she saw him smile her way, she pointed her wand at his face.

The birds keeping her company stopped flying around above her head. They all flew towards Ron, pecking at him until he left, pulling the door behind him. She glanced at the remaining birds. Two were missing and she smirked. They had gotten out.

It served Ron right. She hoped the two birds got a few good pecks in before Ron managed to get rid of them. Maybe they'd knock some sense into his head.

She knew that this all had an impact on their friendship, but at that moment, she couldn't find it in herself to care. Ron had chosen someone else over her and she would never forget that. Even if she forgave him, he had lost something special. She would find someone else. Someone that wouldn't take her for granted.

Lavender was welcome to Ron, because Hermione didn't want him anymore.


Thanks to Firefly for betaing