And We End Up Here

"Ron, where's my Potions essay?" Hermione asked irritably.

"I'm almost done copying it." He was scribbling rapidly on a piece of parchment. "Just give me a second."

"Ron! It's midnight!" Harry said, yawning loudly. "Hurry up and finish copying so Hermione can go to sleep."

"What about you? Aren't you two going to sleep tonight?"

"Can't," they answered in unison. "We've got to finish an essay for Defence Against the Dark Arts," Harry added.

Hermione scoffed and glanced at the clock. Harry was right; it was chiming midnight, its vibrations echoing in the almost-empty room. Hermione could feel her eyelids drooping and turned to the boys.

"Alright," she said shortly. "I'm going to sleep. You've copied over half of the essay, I think you can finish the rest by yourself." She huffed loudly and snatched the essay out of Ron's hand.

"Hey!" Ron protested. "I was copying that."

Hermione stomped upstairs to the dormitory without giving him so much as a second glance, leaving Harry and Ron alone in the common room.

"Well," Ron said sourly. "she's not nearly as delightful as she thinks she is."

***

Hermione reached the door to her dormitory and turned the knob slowly. As soon as she entered the room, she heard a soft hooting sound coming from near the window; she rushed over to open it, letting in a small, snow-white owl. The owl was miniscule, barely the size of Hermione's hand, and seemed overjoyed to enter the warm dormitory.

"What have you got for me today?" Hermione whispered to it.

It hooted excitedly and landed in Hermione's palm, where it dropped a small rolled-up piece of parchment. Hermione could feel her heart racing as she slowly unrolled the scroll, her ears pounding loudly. Taking a deep breath, she read the letter, written in beautiful script.

I'm sorry if my owl has awoken you; I could not wait until morning to send this. A part of me thinks that you weren't sleeping either. The sky outside seems more friendly than usual, but that may be because I tend to look at it more now and it welcomes the attention. I often find myself, wide-awake at night, staring at the heavens, trying to picture what you might look like. Some nights, I see a familiar face hidden amongst the stars but I can never get a clear enough view to see who it is. I think it's time that I bid you goodnight. Give your eyes some rest.

Hermione heaved a sigh and reread the letter four more times. She smiled sweetly as she looked up at the stars herself, knowing that someone, somewhere in the castle was staring at them right now too.

***

When Hermione arrived at breakfast the next morning, she found herself sitting next to two boys who seemed to be nearly asleep. Harry and Ron looked awful - that was the only way to put it. Both of them had messy hair, and dark circles underneath their eyes. Ron had an ink spot on his face and Harry was pouring pumpkin juice onto his cereal.

"What's wrong with you two?" Hermione asked cheerfully.

"We were up all night," Ron said miserably, "doing that bloody essay that you wouldn't let me copy."

Harry interrupted, "Why are you so peppy?"

"No reason," Hermione lied. Her face was pink and she was dancing madly on the inside. She happily picked up a piece of toast, spreading butter liberally on it. Ginny sat down beside her.

She looked at Hermione with curiosity. "Why are you so happy?"

"What're you talking about?" Hermione replied, trying not to smile.

"You're pink, Hermione! You've got- Oh!" Ginny interrupted herself and smiled broadly at Hermione. "You got another letter, didn't you?"

Ron was too busy sleeping on the table to care what Hermione and Ginny were talking about, but Harry didn't fail to notice the girls giggling. "What letter?" he asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," Hermione said quickly. "Ginny just keeps blabbing stuff..."

Ginny nodded in affirmation. "Stop lying," Harry said. "Come on, tell me! What letter?"

"Oh, alright - but promise you won't say anything to anyone," Hermione whispered.

"Hermione's been getting these anonymous letters from a secret admirer," interjected Ginny.

"Well, he's not really a secret admirer, since neither of us know who the other is."

"How did this begin?" Harry asked, looking incredulous.

"It started two months ago - his owl got lost and ended up at my window. It was carrying a tiny package but it wasn't addressed to me, so I sent it back with a note saying that he got the directions wrong. The next day, he sent a letter of apology and things just kind of... continued from there."

"Wait... you've been owling someone for the past two months whom you've never seen before?"

"I know he's at Hogwarts," Hermione said defensively. "But we don't disclose what house we're in."

"So, he could be sitting right beside us?" Harry asked, turning to look at the seat next to him and finding Ron lying in bowl of cereal, grunting in his sleep.

"I guess not," he said, turning back to Hermione.

Hermione laughed as Ginny prodded Ron awake. "Ron, get up! You'll be late for class."

Ginny rose, giving Harry a quick peck on the cheek before leaving for her own classes. Hermione headed to her Ancient Runes class, smiling and feeling ecstatic, and so oblivious to the world around her that she didn't notice Draco Malfoy taking a piece of paper from a small white owl.

***

It amazes me how much you know about me, when you've never even met me; I sometimes wonder what I might think if we ever meet in person. I was reading a story the other day about a lone desert traveller meeting another and embarking on a journey through life. It reminds me of our relationship; two unknowing strangers meeting by accident - although we're embarking on the school year rather than our entire lives.

Draco folded the parchment slowly and placed it back into his pocket, smiling. Somewhere in the Great Hall sat the girl who had written the letter.

***

It was nearing dinnertime and Hermione found herself back in the Great Hall, having a whispered conversation with Ginny.

"Has he replied to you yet?" Ginny asked.

"No, not yet," Hermione said, shivering slightly. "Oh my god! Ginny!" Hermione pointed towards the ceiling of the Great Hall, at a small owl that was fluttering over to her, carrying yet another letter. Hermione tore the envelope open and eagerly read the letter within.

I guess you and I both feel the same way then; knowing so much about each other and yet never having met. However, I think I have found a way to resolve that problem.

Hermione looked in the envelope and saw another piece of paper. She withdrew it carefully and read it aloud as Ginny peered over her shoulder.

"A notice to all Hogwarts Students," she read. "You are cordially invited to one of the newer traditions of Hogwarts, the Christmas Ball. Before students leave for the holidays, the Great Hall will play host to a midnight Christmas Ball for all students to enjoy their last days before the holidays."

"What does this mean?" Ginny asked.

"Ginny, I think he wants me to meet him at the Christmas Ball!" Hermione took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.

"Well, are you going to?"

"Of course I am! This guy may be too good to be true, but I'll never find out if I don't meet him!"

"Well, the ball's tonight, let's go pick something out for you to wear!"

The two girls went up to their dormitories, giggling, as Ron and Harry sat down to dinner in the Great Hall. "Have you managed to find a date for the ruddy ball?" Ron asked Harry miserably.

Harry nodded. "Ah, right!" Ron said. "Ginny, of course!" Harry nodded again, chewing on a piece of chicken.

"Just ask Hermione out," he said. "You know you want to."

"Do you think I should?"

"Ron, you're not fooling anyone. You know you're in love with her - just take a risk."

Ron gazed pensively at his dinner. "I guess we'll see tonight."

***

Ron couldn't believe he hadn't managed to find a date. It seemed that every girl in Gryffindor - or for that matter, the entire school - had been taken. Ron knew that this was the moment. It was the moment that he would finally have to gather up the courage to tell Hermione how he really felt.

A series of gasps caused him to turn and look for the cause of the disturbance - descending the stairs was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Hermione was wearing a stunning white dress that just reached the tips of her toes, and her hair was slightly curled and held up with thin flowers.

"Hermione," Ron said haltingly, blushing furiously. "Um...I...was wondering if maybe you...wanted...to, you know...go to the ball with me?"

Hermione looked at Ron, an expression of disbelief and sadness on her face. "I'm sorry, Ron," she said softly.

"What?"

"Ron, I've already made plans...with someone else."

"With...someone else? Who?" Ron said, trying to keep control of his voice.

"That's none of your business!" Hermione said indignantly. She rolled her eyes. "This is just like the Yule Ball! You waited until the last possible moment to ask me, and even then it was only because you didn't have a date!"

"Are you going with someone you don't want me to know about? McLaggen or somebody?"

"You know what, Ron? Even if I was going with him, I wouldn't tell you, because you're a narrow-minded, insecure little brat!"

Ron turned red as Hermione stormed out of the room, then followed suit, turning and marching out in the opposite direction, leaving Harry and Ginny in the middle, not sure who to follow.

***

In the Great Hall, music was playing softly in the background. It was decorated with ice and numerous crystallized structures, much like it had been for the Yule Ball. Hermione paced the room, looking for her mysterious stranger, but she still couldn't keep her mind off a certain someone.

She turned to speak to Harry, who was stood behind her. "So, what's that impish fool doing right now?"

Harry gave Hermione a knowing look and answered, "He's near the lake. I saw him pacing around on my way here."

"He's such a fool, Harry," Hermione said. "And he's managed to ruin my beautiful night perfectly."

Ginny scanned the room, trying to find Hermione's stranger. "What did he say he would be holding?" she asked.

"The letter said that he would be holding a red rose and I should be holding a white rose," Hermione said, holding up the white flower she held in her hand.

"I'm going to go to the other side of the hall and check there," Ginny said.

"Are you sure he's okay?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Who?"

"Ron. You know how he gets when these things happen."

"He's fine, but not exactly happy." Hermione sighed.

"I would have gone with him, Harry," she said. "It's just that he always has me as his back up, in case he can't find a date."

"Alright, I agree with that," Harry said. "He's a bit of a prat. But he does love-"

"Hermione!" Ginny's voice squealed from behind them. Hermione turned quickly and saw the girl coming towards them, excitement all over her face.

"What is it?"

"I think I see him!" Ginny said, giggling. "He's over there by the punch bowl!"

"Well, who is it?" Harry asked.

"I only saw him from the back," Ginny said. "But I could see the red rose in his hand."

"Oh my gosh! Should I go talk to him?" Hermione squealed.

"Well, obviously! Go!"

Hermione walked towards the figure in black robes. He held himself very well and he was standing by himself in a corner; hopefully waiting for her. Hermione could feel her heart beating eagerly; she was so close to him...and yet she still couldn't get Ron out of her mind.

***

Harry and Ginny watched as Hermione made her way over to the stranger. Her white gown was sparkling under the dim lights and her hair was gently dancing in the breeze. She moved slowly and gracefully, yet Harry could see the eagerness in each step she took.

"This is so sweet!" Ginny whispered into Harry's ear. "I hope they end up dating."

"Yeah," Harry said absentmindedly. Something wasn't right about Hermione's steps. He had known Hermione for years now and he knew her well enough to see that something was wrong. She took another step towards her mystery date and then, when she was less than two feet away from her perfect stranger... she turned quickly away from him and made her way out of the Great Hall, running. She was gone so suddenly that Draco didn't even realise that there had been anybody behind him.

"What just happened?" Ginny asked, confused. "Did Hermione just leave?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah."

"Where'd she go?"

Harry gave Ginny a kiss on the cheek and smiled. "I think I know."

***

Ron paced around the lake slowly, kicking random pebbles. He looked at the castle in the distance and saw a small white figure running towards him. He couldn't quite make out who it was, but dismissed it as a being a ghost.

The figure drew nearer and nearer and Ron suddenly realized that it wasn't a ghost. It was Hermione. She stopped five feet away from him and they both stood staring at each other.

"Where's your date?" Ron asked sulkily.

Hermione smiled. "I'm looking at him right now."

Ron looked a little confused. "You mean me?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. "Of course I mean you."

Ron smiled back and blushed a little. "Oh," he said.

"You're terrible at speaking to girls though," Hermione said smiling. "You have really bad taste in clothes, and I seriously think you should reconsider the length of your hair... but I like you anyway - just as you are. And if I had the chance, I wouldn't change a freckle on your face."

"I like you too," Ron said shyly.

"Well, why didn't you just tell me?"

"I...I don't know... I guess I am just an idiot."

"You are... but you're my idiot."

"So..." Ron said a bit awkwardly. "Does this mean that you're not going out with...whoever that was?"

Hermione nodded. "I couldn't even meet him because of you."

They both smiled. Ron took a step closer to Hermione and kissed her gently, his hands stroking her hair. After they broke apart, Ron took Hermione's hand and whispered in her ear. "Do you want to dance?"

"Dance?" Hermione asked incredulously. "Out here?"

Ron nodded. "We never did get to dance at the Yule Ball."

Hermione grinned and moved in closer to Ron. The two danced slowly under the night sky as the stars fluttered merrily above. It had been the perfect night. There was a comfortable silence between the two as they moved harmoniously across the ground which was only interrupted when Ron asked, "Do you really think I should reconsider the length of my hair?"

***