Today, On This Most Ordinary Of Days

Today you said hello to me, and I realised how much your voice soothes me.

Ron ambled down the stairs into the Gryffindor Common Room, prodding Harry to go faster. As they stumbled into the Common Room, sandy-eyed, a cheery voice floated over from a crowded corner.

"Good morning, boys," said Hermione in an upbeat voice, getting up from her seat and placing parchment into her knapsack. "Oh my," she continued, a smile on her face. "Aren't you both just awake this morning?"

"Mrrph," mumbled Ron, massaging his neck. Hermione wandered over, and Ron wondered how she could be so... awake... in the morning.

In a move of surprising playfulness, Hermione reached up and ruffled Ron's already mussed hair. "Come on," she said, tugging on his and Harry's arms. "Breakfast is up; you can inhale your food there."

Laughing slightly, the boys let Hermione drag them towards the Main Hall, chuckling at her bright-eyed earnestness. Ron smiled inwardly at the feel of Hermione's small, warm hand on the crook of his arm. She chattered, and Ron enjoyed her stories as they made their way to breakfast.

Today I watched you as you defended me, and I saw how much you care for me.

Ron seethed in his seat. Malfoy was at it again, calling down the Weasley lack of money and saying all sorts of horrible things. Every time Malfoy opened his mouth, Ron wanted to crawl into a hole and die. He hated not being smart enough to defend himself properly, which Malfoy insisted on noting upon to. Even though he could bluster his way through it, part of him felt small, stupid, and insignificant.

A loud screech pierced through Draco's insults. "How DARE you!" shrieked Hermione, standing up and staring down at Malfoy's pointed face. "How dare you say such awful things! You're nothing but a spoiled brat who goes crying for your mummy every time something doesn't go your way! At least Ronald's family earns their money! At least they retain some sort of homour! At least Ron's father wasn't sent to AZKABAN for being a pompous, BIGOTED idiot who couldn't keep his mouth shut! The Weasleys are worth more than all the money in your vault! Ron's worth all the money and Gringotts, and more! He beat McGonagall's chess set! He's smart, and clever, and a good friend, which is more than YOU can say! You're nothing but a- a-"

Hermione was at a loss of words; her face was a flushed pink, and she was quivering with rage. "You're nothing but a low-life who rides on daddy's robes," she snarled. "And he can't help you now, Malfoy. Enough is enough. Leave Ron alone."

Harry was laughing riotously, unable to contain his mirth. Draco had slunk as far as he could in his seat, and his cronies looked confused. Hermione flipped her head and sat back down between Ron and Harry, embarrassment now overcoming her anger. She rarely lost self-control, but Ron enjoyed it when she did. Provided it wasn''t directed towards him, of course.

And his stomach did the smallest of flips when Hermione smiled ruefully at him. "Sorry," she whispered to him.

"You were brilliant," he whispered back. "I think Malfoy soiled himself." Hermione looked scandalised before dissolving into giggles.

Today I watched you help a stranger to his feet, and saw how compassionate you are.

The Trio walked down the halls, making their way to Defence Against The Dark Arts. A muffled 'oof!' and the noise of someone falling over caught their attention. A boy had tumbled head over heels and was sprawled on the ground, tears forming in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" asked Hermione anxiously, rushing over to the small boy. Ron watched as she helped him to his feet, kneeling and brushing off his robes. The boy looked somewhat taken aback, but nodded slowly. Hermione tutted for a little while longer, picking up the boy's scattered parchment papers and books and putting them into his already bulging bag.

"Here," she said kindly. She held out her wand, and muttered a spell. "It'll make your bag stronger; it looks like it's about to burst." The boy nodded, and smiled a little more, although he was obviously uncertain.

The boy strolled off, and Hermione joined Ron and Harry, picking up her own fallen bag. Ron looked over his shoulder, and he blinked. He recognised the boy; his name was Malcom Baddock. A second-year Slytherin.

"He's a Slytherin," muttered Ron. Hermione shrugged. "A Slytherin," repeated Ron, emphasising the slyth.

"So?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Ron opened his mouth, but then remembered Dumbledore's lecture.

"Nothing," he murmured. Hermione laughed, so richly, and put her hand back on his arm. "You're learning, Ron, you're learning." She kept her hand on his arm all the way to DADA, and Ron's heart skipped more than a few beats when she laughed with him.

Today I watched you ignore a thousand years of ignorance, and saw how really strong you are.

"Look at the Mudblood!"

"Who does she think she is?"

"Merlin, she's so boring. I don't know why Potter and Weasley put up with her."

"Probably for her brains."

Ron glared down more than one person who was whispering about Hermione. Instinctively, as he had done with Ginny years ago, he put his arm around her shoulders as they walked to the library.

Hermione walked on with her head held high, but Ron could feel her muscles tensing. He started when he realised he had put his arm around her, but she leaned into his side for support. The set of her jaw was as stubborn as it could go, and Ron pitied the idiot who got in her face.

And speak of the devil; Malfoy appeared again.

"Think you're smart, Mudblood?" he smirked, lowering his face to hers. "Not so strong now, are you, Mudblood. No teachers to watch over you, and only the Weasel to defend you. Your knight in dented armor. What're you going to do?"

Hermione sniffed and looked up at Malfoy defiantly. "I'd tell you, Malfoy," she said coolly, "but I'm afraid you wouldn't understand all the big words I'd use, like ignore or imbecile." She stalked off, leaving a gaping Malfoy in her wake. Ron smirked, and patted her shoulder with his hand.

Today I listened when you talked to me, and saw how much you believe in me.

"Ron!" cried Hermione in a desperate sort of voice. "You've got to finish your essay!"

"But it's nice outside," whined Ron. "I want to play Quidditch!"

"Ron!" exclaimed Hermione again, this time in frustration. "Argh!" She threw up her hands and walked away, mumbling to herself.

"Girls," said Harry, and he and Ron laughed. Harry ran up the stairs to get his broom, and Ron made to follow.

"You're going to fail if you don't get your work done," grumbled Hermione from across the room. He turned to retort, but she had her back to him. "You're going to fail., and then Malfoy will think that you really are stupid. And you're not, I know you're smart, but you've got to try. I know you can get good marks, you've got a good mind, but you have to work for it. I don't want to see you fail when I know you can succeed."

Ron considered her back for a moment, watching her head bob up and down as she got into the rhythm of studying. He looked out onto the Quidditch Pitch longingly for a moment, then trundled over and plopped down next to Hermione and opened up his Charms book.

Hermione smiled a little and leaned over, pointing out an error he had made. Harry spent the day on the Quidditch Pitch alone.

Today, on this most ordinary of days, I watched you as you smiled at me

"I'm stuffed," breathed Ron, patting his full belly. The Trio made their way up to the Common Room, and Harry laughed. Hermione just rolled her eyes and grinned.

"I'm going to bed," moaned Harry in mock-pain. "I think I'm going to have gravy pouring out of my ears by tomorrow morning."

"That's what you get for gorging yourself," chided Hermione, and it was Ron's turn to roll his eyes. Harry half-walked, half-waddled his way up to the boy's dorm, and suddenly it was just Ron and Hermione.

"I should be going to bed too," said Ron, yawning. "Herbology test in the morning... what a nightmare."

"You'll do fine," murmured Hermione, catching his forearm in her hands. "I know you will."

He looked at his arm, and then at Hermione's face. She looked up at him, and a large smile blossomed on her face, and she fairly glowed with confidence. "You'll do great, Ron. You always do, in the end."

and saw that you are beautiful.

Fin