It felt as though Christmas stretched out into two days. The day after Christmas, Hermione woke up bright and early still astounded by what happened not even twenty-four hours ago. As she dressed in her normal attire, the repetitive image of her and Ron in the Room of Requirement danced in her head. To her, it was a complete and unbelievable fantasy; it was a dream that she only imagined in her headâ”apart from the excessive singing and doves flying about everywhere.
She never dreamed of Ron doing anything so thoughtful, especially for her. Hermione couldnât believe that at the beginning of the term she assumed Ron would always be with Beatrix.
It makes sense. Theyâve obviously known each other their whole lives, and if she was a friend of the Weasley family, he was always comfortable around her. Maybe too comfortableâŚno, donât think too much into it, Hermione. He fancies you. Otherwise why would he kiss you?
âBut,â she murmured to herself, âwhat if it was a one time thing?â
You think too much! Just stop for once!
âRight.â
She walked down to the still common room, and passed the Fat Ladyâs portrait. After a few charming grins from her and a couple puzzled expressions from other students, Hermione strolled down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Suddenly, her mood changed entirely as she remembered one thing.
ViktorâŚoh what am I going to do about his gift? If I take Ron would get jealous, but if I donât, Viktor would be heartbroken.
âHerm-own-ninny!â a voice called out below her.
Bloodyâ”
âHerm-own-ninny, vot happened yesterday?â Krum asked as she hovered with one foot over the last stair as if debating whether to take the final plunge.
âIâ”got really sick. Sorry. Terribleâ”twenty-four hourâ”illness thatâs going around,â she responded rather quickly.
âOh, glad to see you are better.â She sent him a slender smile as he took her hand in his. âAre you going to have breakfast? I vos hoping if you vood care to take a stroll around the grounds.â
The two walked to the Great Hall doors, and Hermione scanned the room for Ron, responding, âActually Viktor, Iâ”â
A sudden spark of jealousy rapidly flooded her entire body as she saw who sat next to Ron with her arms around his waist.
BEATRIX!
The moment she screamed in her head, Ron looked over to see Hermione standing scarlet faced, and filled with much disappointment. Beatrix glanced over at her too, and cheerfully chimed, âOh, Hermione! Itâs so good to see you! How was your holiday?â
WHAT? You donât grope the one you know who fancies me, and ask me how my holiday is!
The smile upon Beatrixâs face faded, and Hermione eyed her and Ron continually, feeling a mass of tears forming and ready to burst out. Hermione took one last look at Ron, who evidently seemed gloomy, and stormed out of the Great Hall.
âHerm-own-ninny?â Krum asked, looking back at her. âVot is the matter?â
âThose two,â Ginny said sourly as Krum turned back around to see her finger pointed at Ron and Beatrix.
Ron sat staring out the doors, and abruptly stood up, leaving the room as well, shouting, âHermione!â
Lying on the crimson couch of the Gryffindor common room, Hermione silently wept in the shadowed corner. Deep confusion consumed Hermioneâs mind as to what she should do.
I canât believe she would actually continue to do this even after she most likely knows about Ron kissing me.
She heard the portrait swing open, and a familiar voice call her name.
âHermione?â Ron called. She quickly wiped her eyes, and stood to go up to her dormitory. Ron realised it was her, and shouted, âHermione, stop!â
Without looking back, she stopped in her tracks with the door in her grasp, and stared down at the shadowed corner of the staircase as she continued to wipe her eyes.
âWhat do youâ”hicâ”want?â she mumbled.
âIâŚwas just wondering if you were okay.â
Youâve got to be kidding me!
âYeah, Ron, Iâm perfectlyâ”hicâ”fine. Donât worry about me. I CRYâ”hicâ”LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME!â
She quickly looked back at Ron to see him cowering, and slammed the door behind her.
Ron slowly made his way to the girlsâ dormitories door while gazing at the floor, and muttered, âYou canât blame Beatrix for the way she is.â
âOh I canât?â she asked bitterly with her back against the door. âWhy not? Itâs her choice to be like that! Herâ”clingy self! Tell me one good reason why I shouldnât!â
He stood speechless for a moment, and then responded, âBecause thatâs her. She canât help being herself any more than you can help being you.â
âThanks, Ron. I feel a whole lot better now.â
She began climbing the staircase when she heard Ron shout, âWHY CANâT YOU JUST ACCEPT HER FOR WHAT SHE IS? YOU KEEP HIDING BEHIND THIS BLOODY DOOR, AND NOT EXPLAINING YOUSELF!â Hermione ran back down the steps, and swung open the door. She found Ron pulling back from the door with a startled expression. Ron calmly repeated, âWhy canât you accept her?â
Hermione lost herself in Ronâs eyes as she gazed morosely up at him, and answered, âHow do you expect me to accept her when you canât even accept Viktor?â
He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it as he watched a tear trickle down her cheek. She shook her head, and slowly closed the door. She didnât want to see Ron anymore, but to her dismay she knew she would.
As she lied under the covers of her bed, she heard the door creak open and close.
It better not be Beatrix.
âIt is,â she heard Beatrix say.
âCanât you go away?â she asked, gritting her teeth.
âNo.â
âThen Iâll go!â Hermione shouted, throwing the sheets off her.
âI donât think so, because you canât see through yourâŚhorribly-styled bushy hair of yours! Ron likes you! Why canât you see that?â
âIf he cares about me as much as you say, then he wouldnât allow you to hang all over him!â
Beatrix took in a deep breath, and sighed, âIâm sorry, all right? I have a bit of a confession to make.â Hermione moved away from Beatrix, interested in what she was about to say. âI may have someâŚfeelings for him.â
âOh, do you think?â
âWhat do you expect, Hermione? Weâve known each other our entire lives. Two people like that are supposed to be together.â She broke off, and turned to her bed. âBut then I hear what he says about you, and I see you two together and I know you two are meant for each other.â
âSo why donât you shove off?â
Beatrix took a deep breath and answered, âI guess I could tryâŚfor both your sakes. I know how much you both care for each other.â Hermione stood staring blankly at her. âRonâs waiting for you in the common room.â
Hermione wiped her eyes on her sleeves on last time, and hesitantly proceeded down to the girlsâ dormitory stairs.
Please let things work out. Please.
Hermione opened the door to the common room, and there sat Ron on the edge of the scarlet couch.
âHermione, Iâm really sorry, okay?â he cried as he stood up.
She took a deep breath, and sighed, âI guess I couldâveâŚbeen a little more understanding about you and Beatrixâs relationship. You two have known each other for quite some time, but youâve got to understand how I feel when I see her stuck to you like that.â
âI think I do understand.â
Hermione remembered about Krum and responded, âRight. Speaking of Krum, I suppose I better bid farewell to him. You donât mind if I keep those summer Quidditch tickets, do you?â
âAre you kidding? Heâs playing against the Chudley Cannons!â
A smile grew across her face as she wrapped her arms around him for a hug. Beatrix walked through the girlsâ dormitory door, and joked, âWell, if youâd both excuse me, thereâs a gorgeous Seeker in the Great Hall Iâm dying to meet.â
Hermione sniggered, and the three made their way down to the Great Hall entrance. Krum stood with Harry and Ginny, deep in conversation, when Ron, Hermione, and Beatrix walked up.
âHerm-own-ninny,â Krum began, âbefore I haff to go, I vant to giff this back to you.â
He placed a tiny, navy blue velvet box in her hands and smiled.
âThanks,â she replied, and smiled gratefully at him.
âI must go now.â
âIâll walk with you!â Beatrix quickly spoke, and hooked her arm around his. âBe back later,â she grinned back at them as they walked off.
Hermione smiled, and turned to Ron who had gone a little red in the face as he stared off in the direction Beatrix and Krum left.
âOh, donât tell me youâre still jealous?â she joked, and brought his attention to the light kiss she gave him on his cheek.
âMe? âCourse not,â he replied, looking over at her at Harry and Ginny. Both of them smiled back, and Harry added,
âAnd all is right in the world of Hermione and Ron once again.â Hermione gave him a jokingly cross look as Ginny elbowed him in the ribs. âOw,â he sniggered, âwhatâd I say?â
The four made their way back to Gryffindor Tower, unaware of the next adventuresâ”sentimental or horrificâ”that awaited them.
A/N: A great special thanks to my beta Daniela for helping with my ending!