The Houses Competition! Writing for Hufflepuff, Stand in Year 1.

Category: Short

Prompts: She/He/They had missed the last train and there was only one person she/he/they could think to talk to at three in the morning, too bad they broke up last week.

Word count: 514

Beta's: Pix, Aya, Zoe/Zetta

Summary: Ron was never good at time management.

He had missed the last train and there was only one person he could think to talk to at three in the morning, too bad they broke up last week. The worst thing was, Ron couldn't even blame her. Hermione, as always, had a very valid reason.

The 18-year-old sighed at how badly he had messed up his life. He thought that going up against the Darkest Wizard he'd ever meet was difficult, but keeping a relationship intact seemed just as problematic.

Ron contemplated apparating home but wasn't sure he wanted to risk Auror's arresting him. He couldn't believe he voted for the ban of apparating with prior consent unless you were on active duty as an Auror or Healer. Now he was completely stuck here, hours away from his house.

Would Hermione mind if he turned up and asked to use the Floo? They were still friends… at least that's what they agreed. Looking around, he couldn't help but feel that was the only option, unless he wanted to return to the ministry.

Ron shuddered at the thought of talking to Lavender again. How could a woman be that perky when working nights. And the constant flirting with him was extremely annoying.

Well then, Hermione it was.

The walk seemed longer and scarier than he remembered. He had always been so excited when he took this route, but now the ending wasn't a guaranteed happy one.

He slowed down when her house came into view. Maybe he should turn back… wait for the train in the morning, he wasn't working tomorrow anyway. Or face Lavender, she'd keep it a secret. Not that Hermione wouldn't keep it a secret.

Ron was almost walking backwards when he got to outside her door and lifted his hand to knock. She would already know he was here, she always did.

Letting out all of the air from his lungs, he knocked.

As the seconds ticked by with no reply, Ron felt himself getting worried and confused. Was she asleep? Surely her perimeter alarms would have woken her up if she had been? Maybe she wasn't here? Where would Hermione have gone? Would it be rude for her to let himself into her house? Hermione would definitely kill him if he did the latter. As he contemplated knocking again, the door opened.

"What is it, Ron?"

Ron froze as he looked up at her. She looked flawless. Her hair slightly frizzy, a dressing gown wrapped around her delicate body, her-

"Ron!"

"What? Oh… I missed the train."

Hermione rolled her eyes before opening her door to him. "Don't make it a habit. I have work tomorrow."

Ron nodded, ashamed as he trumped into her house. He didn't even know what her work schedule was like anymore. He made his way to her fireplace before turning to look at her.

"I'm sorry." They both knew his sorry was a lot more than just missing the train.

"I know. How about we meet up on Thursday to talk about it?"

Hopeful, Ron nodded. "Thanks, Hermione. Good night."

"Night, Ron."