Hermione's Mistake

Hermione's Mistake

Ron sat alone in Gryffindor Tower that night, racking his brain for another memory which could bring a smile to his face. No luck so far. He decided he'd try to take his mind of that one specific memory which wouldn't leave by playing a game of Exploding Snaps, alone. No such luck. So he sat back, remembering every detail of the malicious memory he could conjure up.

It had started on Christmas Eve in their fifth year, when Hermione had confessed her feeling for Ron, and he the same.

"Ron, I--I ne--need to--sp--speak--t--to you," Hermione had stuttered that late afternoon, after she had finished her lunch and been to Gryffindor Tower. Ron, getting extremely excited at the circumstances they would be in, (alone in Gryffindor Tower) conjured up a small yes.

"Sure Hermione," he had said to her only a minute later.

And so the two made their way to a small corner where Hermione stumbled a few times but stopped and stared at Ron.

"Ron, I love you," she had blurted a second later. Just before she could escape Ron had grabbed her arm and flung her around, catching her lips to stop their collision and feeling her shiver. The kiss hadn't been rejected nor had it been accepted, for Hermione was getting weak at the expense of kissing her long time crush and didn't know how to react to the situation.

At that memory Ron scoffed.

"As if she really meant it," was all he could say to it. The reminiscence couldn't leave his head; it was as though he had to think of it, to come up with a plan, to seek revenge. And so he thought...

At the beginning of year six, Hermione had begun acting strangely. On every occasion in front of Draco Malfoy, Hermione resisted Ron's kiss, as if not wanting to boast in front of the single Malfoy, that she had a boyfriend, and Ron, a girlfriend.

But that was when he had overheard a conversation with Harry.

"I don't know what to do. I really like him, but I really like Ron as well." A voice had been speaking to Harry, but it was easily decipherable. It was Hermione.

"I think you need to tell Ron, somebody's going to get hurt," Harry had started, acting quite prudish, "Well, not that I care for Malfoy much if he got hurt--"

"It's Draco," Hermione retorted.

"--Sure, I think Ron'll become worse in this situation and his wrath will be detectable, you do know that Hermione, don't you?" Harry asked, continuing his speech while dodging Hermione's retorting.

"Oh, I just don't want to pick one," Hermione squealed, scaring Harry a bit.

"I think you should leave Malfoy. He doesn't like you as much," Harry answered, as if it was the easiest choice in the world.

"DOES TOO, HE DOES," Hermione had snapped again, sounding oddly like a child.

Harry was taken aback by her immaturity and tried one last time to capture Hermione's good side, which he had failed to get on before.

"Look, Hermione," Harry began, sounding quite mean at that, "you've got to knock it off with Malfoy, he's worse than you expect."

"BUT HE HASN'T HURT ME YET," Hermione whined, making Harry feel obligated to slap her.

"HERMIONE! Tell Ron the truth or I will," he said as he walked out the room.

You were my sun

You were my earth

But you didn't know all the ways I loved you, no

So you took a chance

Made other plans

But I bet you didn't think that they'd come crashing down, no

Ron hadn't slept that night, and Harry's talking in his slumber was no help at that. What could he do? The girl of his dreams was cheating on him and with whom at that?

Draco Malfoy.

The name stuck like a post-it to a piece of paper, and Ron couldn't forget it.

Draco Malfoy. Ugh.

The correspondence Ron had heard the day before was of no use, for Harry had scuffled up to Ron the next day and after a few minutes of beating around the bush, Ron had forced Harry to say.

"Hermione's going out with Malfoy or so I hearsay."

The tone in Harry's voice was of hate, for the fact that Hermione hadn't told Ron yet. Disappointment lingered on his tongue. Ron could only stand there--Hermione would pay.

You don't have to say

What you did

I already know

As Ron scuffled past Harry in anger, he happened to collide with Draco Malfoy, who was wearing his usual grin, and not soon after, Hermione followed. Upon seeing Ron, she turned on her heel and ran away, not knowing where...she just did.

"If it isn't the wee fickle weasel. Why so angry?" Malfoy had asked, apparently not waiting for an answer and not paying attention to the fact that Hermione wasn't behind him.

"I'm not angry," Ron had said through gritted teeth.

"Hey Crabbe, look at him, he's a bit odd today isn't he? Goyle?" He asked as his two cohorts appeared out of nowhere behind him.

"Sod off Malfoy! SHOVE OFF," he said as he pushed him out of the way, hating what came out of his mouth next.

"I saw Hermione Granger in the library kissing a blond haired boy," he said in a sing-song sort of voice, "As a matter of fact...it was me! I guess the ickle weasel hasn't won the battle this time has he?"

I found out from him

Now there's just no chance

For you and me

There'll never be

Don't it make you sad about it?

Ron had lost it at those words, running to Gryffindor Tower and almost doing as Sirius had done to the Fat Lady in his third year.

"Watch it there boy," she'd yelled, but Ron had no time for her pitiful nonsense-filled comments.

This was beyond repair, Hermione had done it, and Ron knew she was going to pay. Some way, some how. The idea had stuck in his mind and entwined with his other thoughts, though there were none at the time.

Told me you loved me

Ron stopped his trip down memory lane at when he was about to break up with Hermione; the thought was too painful. Instead he plotted something. He conspired a plan. He hadn't fallen back on his word, but now that the thought was still fresh, it was payback time.

"I love you Ron...I love you..."

The taunt of her bittersweet voice was enough to make Ron go mad...but the voice wouldn't leave.

"We'll get married!"

Ron twitched.

"We'll have little Weasleys!"

He shook.

"Little Ronald Weasley! It'll be fantastic" (At this point, they were snogging, and Hermione's thoughts were cut off with the sensuality of teenage love.)

Ron continued scribbling on the parchment, hating her voice, her lies, her hypocrisy.

Why did you leave me

All alone

Now you tell me you need me

Then you call me

On the phone

Ron let his mind flashback to Hermione's first note...the note that had made him weak.

Ron, I think it's time. Meet me in the empty Charms classroom, nobody should be there, I've put an incantation on it so that whoever touches the door will have there memory erased. I'm such a rebel. With Love, Hermione.

He'd lost his virginity to her and her, him.

Girl I refuse

You must have me confused

With some other guy

The bridges were burned and now it's your turn

To cry

The plot was nearly finished, only a few more ideas begging to be incorporated. Only a few more choices left...it was now or never, Hermione Granger would reimburse.

So cry me a river

Cry me a river, girl

Cry me a river

Cry me a river, girl, yeah, yeah

As if planned, Seamus walked into the room, wearing a grin that suited him quite well.

"What's that about?" Ron pointed out his smile.

"She finally kissed me," he said quite light-headed.

"Parvati, huh?"

"It was heaven," Seamus pointed out, dignified, as though he'd just become a man.

There was no time for Seamus' pity little love sessions, Ron had work to do, but first, to Lavender Brown.

You know that they say that some things are better left unsaid

But he doesn't like it when you talk him and you know it

(Don't act like you don't know it)

All of these things people told me keep messing with my head

Ron flew down the corridor, bumping into quite a bit of people who had things to say after him like "Hermione's really hurt him" or "have you heard that Hermione is dating Draco Malfoy?"

He had no time for them; he had to get to Lavender quick if he'd go through with the plan. He'd found her in the library an hour later, hidden beneath a book titled "Runes." Ron stared at the book trying to see if Lavender had noticed his arrival.

When her head popped up, her eyes were red with exhaustion and she stared at Ron in utter loathing.

"What d'you want Ronald Weasley?" she asked, enunciating every vowel and still staring at Ron who was intently smiling.

"I've got a proposition for one, Lavender Brown, in Gryffindor house," Ron said smirking as Draco had done in the hallway only days ago and staring back at Lavender in an important way.

She was a bit skeptical. Ron, who noticed her stare absentmindedly, put a piece of parchment on the table in which the "Runes" book had been laid upon.

"What's this?" she asked, picking up the parchment and surveying it, expecting to find one of Fred and George Weasley's 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' upon the parchment.

"Just read it. Remember, if you can't make it I'll need to ask another." Ron smiled broadly and strode out of the room.

Twenty minutes later, Ron stood outside the library doors waiting to see if Lavender had accepted.

"RON," she called running into the hallway and looking around for the red haired boy.

"Here, Lavender." Ron said shortly.

Lavender flung herself around and stopped to gaze at Ron rigidly. After she grew out of her trance she smiled and said, "All this for Granger?"

"All this because of Hermione Granger," Ron replied, emphasizing on the 'because' and seemingly proud of himself, "so you'll do it?"

"It all seems a bit mean...are you bitter Ronald Weasley?" Lavender asked scratching her head in a manly manner, but smiling in a girlish sort of way.

"Just a bit...actually I'm better," he replied, gazing at the floor.

"I don't know about this. Didn't mean any harm, Hermione didn't," Lavender said, looking at the parchment.

"Sure she did, she said she loved me," Ron snapped full of wrath and vengeance.

Lavender stood there surprised at Ron's hostility. She was actually going to accept this proposal full of revenge as well. After a few moments of internal debating, she opted with yes and decided to side with Ron on this one. Hermione hadn't been so nice to her either, on account of the whole "Lavender-Parvati-Trelawney" situation. (A/N: The fact that she's so good at something Hermione is not.) So now, she supposed, was the only time to get back at her.

"I'll do it," she said to Ron as he grinned widely, winked and retreated to Gryffindor Tower. He did turn around and yell, "You won't regret this!"

You should've picked honesty

Then you may not have blown it

You don't have to say

What you did

I already know

I found out from him

Ron found himself skipping Potions the next day to make his date. He wasn't sure it would work but he knew he'd do it. He'd mapped it out on a piece of imaginary parchment the night preceding today. Thoughts of Draco and Hermione snogging at the seventh year ball a couple of days away flooded into his mind making no point of leaving so this was his drive.

Now there's just no chance

For you and me

There'll never be

Don't it make you sad about it?

Ron tip toed out of his bed and into the Common Room minutes later. It was deserted. Lessons had just begun.

"Now to find Lavender," he whispered to himself on the way down the stony, rough stairs.

"You're late," Lavender said to his whispered comment and stood up, holding the parchment he'd given her the day before.

"Excellent," Ron said as he sat in a large chair near the fire. He'd have an hour to do it. He'd only have to pray his Muggle Charm would work. It hadn't been tested, for his father had only given it to him days before, and he hadn't found an empty classroom to try it in. But it was now or never. He was thankful for having taken Muggle Studies in the beginning of fifth year; he had had two years of lessons, and with his knowledge of "electricity," the fact that he was going to conjure up a Muggle sort of form of recording things had to work perfectly.

Told me you loved me

Why did you leave me all alone

Now you tell me you need me

Then you call me on the phone

"D'you think Hermione'll catch us?" Lavender asked a bit reluctant to go through with the endeavour.

Ron scoffed, "I doubt it. She went mad after she missed a Charms lesson. No chance in her skipping Snape's class. Moreover, no chance Snape'll give her permission to come and get something. Besides, what could she need?"

He walked up the stairs to Hermione's dormitory and quickly tapped it before saying 'Alohomora' and letting it swing open.

Lavender on his tail, he slowly walked to Hermione's bed and sat on it, thinking hard and watching as the door was closed by Miss. Brown herself, who had begun looking extremely cautious.

"There's no need to worry Lavender. Even if she did walk in, she'd have a job proving anything, unless someone came with her," Ron began, "which I doubt," he said defiantly.

With that last defiant sentence, he took out his wand and coughed.

"What're you doing?" Lavender asked, watching him mutter words to himself.

Girl I refuse

You must have me confused

With some other guy

The bridges were burned

Now it's your turn

To cry

Every word Ron muttered, (We're safe...) he muttered with confidence, thinking of all the ways Hermione had done him wrong.

"We're strong."

Lavender looked at him befuddled but determined.

"We hide our ways."

She looked at Ron still, who had his eyes tightly shut and waited for him to finish his incantation.

"Inevitably we rule all forms of beings, but when push comes to shove we let down our guard." Ron opened his eyes, now being done with the spell and said quickly, "Cooperatatum Mugglus!"

"What did you do, Ron?" Lavender asked staring at the spot which was now looking quite odd at that. It was a lot clearer and distinct than the room around it.

"My father gave me that spell. It gives us a chance to use Muggle Devices within that area. I wasn't sure if Hogwarts would allow it! The spell is quite stupid, but dad says it's supposed to work," Ron said and pointed his wand at the spot again and said words distinctly so that Lavender could catch them.

"Are you attempting to summon a Muggle device here?" Lavender asked.

"NO! I got this spell in Muggle Studies. I'll be able to conjure up a Video Camera," he said excitedly.

Lavender watched, not knowing what a Video Camera was, but still excited, hoping Ron's spell had worked on Hogwarts grounds.

The tension was thick as Ron's garbled words lingering inaudibly around the room. Lavender was praying. Ron was praying.

And suddenly, out of thin air appeared a small sort of object.

"What is it?" Lavender asked, stepping close and sitting on the bed next to Ron...too close...

The entity was compact; having a small strap, as to wear it, attached to the side and protruding from the side of it was a small square, with a screen emitting a blue light onto their pale faces.

"It's a Video Camera! It worked," Ron squealed, looking at it as it floated in the air. Then, he mumbled some other words and out from his wand came a large shape.

"Is that a...Teelvison? Justin's been talking about them all year," Lavender asked, looking to Ron and then back the large flat screened thing.

"A television, silly."

Lavender quickly consulted the parchment in her hands and looked up, "I understand." Then she turned to Ron who had placed his wand on Hermione's desk and smiled.

He looked at her, hesitant to do what he was about to do and smiled. He reached toward the camera and pressed a large red button jutting from the side. The camera screen now read "Rec."

So Cry me a river (Go on and just)

Cry me a river (Baby go on and just)

Cry me a river (yeah yeah)

Lavender had turned a hue of red and was looking nervously at her fingers.

"I guess it's now or never," Ron said but stayed quite still and stared at her.

Lavender was twirling her hair, entwining her fingers in each strand. Ron couldn't stand it, flashbacks of Draco and Hermione filled his mind and he grabbed Lavender's chin and engulfed her in a most passionate kiss.

She did not regret his having done that, but only deepened the kiss. The camera now played the two, on Hermione's bed, snogging. Lavender looked to it and smiled at it as Ron led his lips to her neck. Lavender turned back and continued kissing Ron.

It was amazing, the best feeling in the world. She let him do whatever he wanted to her and he ended up ripping her blouse, trying to get the buttons off with frustrated hands. They both glanced at the camera more than expected, Lavender now atop Ron, who was smiling broadly, so glad his plan worked.

Their robes were thrown aside in a rush, as they were in the way and Ron's shirt had been torn off by Lavender, who was adoring his muscular body. The two stayed there, on Hermione's bed, making out, making love...but only for the feel.

Then Ron laughed.

"What's so funny? The...camera's...still...rolling..." Lavender had said through breaks of kissing him, but he continued his sniggering.

"I just thought of this song," was what came from his mouth, and he let his hands wander throughout her body. Up her skirt, over her now bare chest, letting her continue her work.

"What...song..." She asked, still kissing him all over, never wanting to stop. Never.

"Lets--get--it--on--" He said, and was hit with a fit of giggles.

Lavender had to laugh, it was quite funny, "That American Muggle, Marvin Gaye was it?"

"I--don't--know--just--" Then Lavender let out a loud moan.

The two were at it for a while, until Ron finally stopped them, and turned off the camera, glowing.

"It worked," he said as he stood up to look for his pants.

Hermione's bed was a catastrophe. There was no doubt that she'd be able to tell that someone was there. Yet, Ron had another thing coming.

"That was amazing, Ron," Lavender said, failing to fix her ripped blouse and torn skirt, but letting the Hogwarts robes drape over them.

Ron looked at her, feeling absolutely no affection towards her but accepting the compliment with a mediocre "thanks."

When all was set, and Ron had turned the gigantic TV to a portable one on Hermione's muddled bed, he had tidied himself up and left the room, making sure to clear the Muggle Charm from the area in the middle of the room and bringing it upon Hermione's bed.

Lavender was looking absolutely hideous; the robe hadn't done her justice. But she continued to walk down the stone steps after Ron.

Ron turned around, suddenly being hit with a stroke of reality of the deed he had just performed and felt like kissing Lavender again.

"Thank you," he repeated and decided he could let that bit loiter around for a while. He noticed she'd been staring down at the floor the whole time but chose not to ask what was wrong, mind, it was a bit odd for two to make love and then let the whole thing be grazed over.

He kept walking down the concrete stairs and to an empty chair near the burning embers.

"Ron, you don't think," Lavender began, taking a seat next to Ron, "that Hermione'll think we're really a couple." She finished, breathing deeply. Ron continued to stare into the burning flames as they crackled and spurted into the air but did respond to this.

"I doubt it. I mean, she's got nothing to back it up with...no proof, you know? Besides, she should know it's all in the likes of fun..."

"Or retribution," Lavender retorted, and the two laughed. Suddenly, the portrait whole burst open.

Oh (Oh)

The damage is done so I guess I'll be leaving

Oh (Oh)

The damage is done so I guess I'll be leaving

Oh (Oh)

The damage is done so I guess I'll be leaving

Oh (Oh)

The damage is done so I guess I'll be leaving

Hermione revealed herself, but paid no heed to the couple on the couch giving them the opportunity to switch seats, and Ron grabbed an open book which lay on the floor. When she turned around, she noticed Ron and smiled.

"Oh Ron, what're you doing? You don't take Ancient Runes. Besides, that's my book."

She walked over and snatched the book out of his hands. Then she turned towards the stairs and walked up them stopping at her door.

"Hermione?" Lavender asked. Ron knew he was putting Hermione off and had to stop her.

"Lavender! Come on, we've got to go receive detention from Snape, remember," he said, pointing toward the portrait whole, knowing when they saw Snape, he'd be sure to hand them a referral slip.

Lavender ignored them and ran up the stairs, "Hermione! I need some help with my... Care of Magical Creatures parchment," she said hastily, stopping as Hermione turned the knob to her dormitory.

"Oh don't be silly Brown, I've got no time for your homework," Hermione said nastily, pulling the door open and walking into her dorm.

"What's this?" she asked.

Ron grabbed Lavender's hand and flung her down the stairs, just in time to hear Hermione shriek, "RONALD WEASLEY, OUCH," and left the room, into the quiet of the corridor. It was obvious she'd tried to grab the camcorder, for one who stuck their hand in the Muggle Charms area and had not conjured it, would get a serious snap at their fingers from an invisible predator.

Lavender was shooting daggers at the Common Room, which was out of sight.

"That Hermione! You see, Ron, THIS is why I said yes to you...this is why..." But she stopped, as Ron listened fanatically for booming screams, objects being thrown down the stairs, but nothing. Finally, after minutes of debating whether the plan was successful, he heard a loud scream and about 5 books being flung down the stairs.

"I think we've got her," Ron said, before turning towards Lavender. She was gone.

"Lavender," Ron called, but no voice was heard and Ron was convinced she'd walked away, apparently done with the deed and having no use of being there. He shrugged and turned towards the Fat Lady, who was staring at him in dejection.

"Boy, you'd better go apologise," she roared, scaring Ron to death but not changing his attitude.

"I'd rather not," he said and turned again to go to lunch.

He could hear Hermione's shrieks and objects fly across the open air, and he smiled at the thought. That'd teach the Mudblood to be careful of her choices.

Ron smiled at the thought of calling Hermione a Mudblood. Never had he imagined the day, because he'd been so taken by her, her flaws were unnoticeable. He kept walking along the corridor to the Great Hall when Hermione called after him.

"RON," she was calling, running toward him, ripped Ancient Runes book in her hand.

Ron couldn't stand her pitiful cries, but Hermione paid no heed to the fact that he wasn't paying attention and continued talking to nothing.

"I understand your anger," she became out of breath, as Ron had begun running as well, "would you just stop? Ron, come on...would it help if I said I was sorry?"

You don't have to say

What you did

I already know

I found out from him

Now there's just no chance

For you and me

There'll never be

Ron sighed and stopped; Hermione nearly ran into him.

"Have you any idea what you've caused me? What ideas leak into my mind when I imagine you and Malfoy together?"

"He's got a name."

"I don't care! Point is, the thought of you and him is so disturbing, I figured, since you hate Lavender so much, that I'd show you what you were missing...what you'd left...the anger I held."

"But Ron--"

"NO! You may think I'm a bit dumb, a bit thick at that, but never will I forget the damage you've brought upon me. Sod off, Mudblood."

At this Hermione closed her mouth, impeccably wrathful, trying to restrain herself. She wouldn't slap Ron, even if he'd called her a derogatory term. Besides, he'd continued walking, forgetting Hermione's cries.

Don't it make you sad about it?

Her wrath turned into pain and she whispered, "Yes, it makes me sad to see you so hurt, I never thought it'd be this painful."

A tear trickled down her face.

Ron had heard her, yes, but had she meant it? She'd hurt him before, would she have the guts to do so again?

Cry me a river (Baby, Go on and just)

Cry me a river (You can go on and just)

Cry me a river (Go on and just)

Cry me a river (Stop, oh, baby, cry)

Ron could hear Hermione's sobs miles away but ignored her. She could cry him a river for all he cared. Ron'd continue his life at Hogwarts a pariah, endeavouring all sorts of cruel comments, but still talking to Harry for reference.

Cry me a river (You don't wanna cry no more, yeah, yeah)

Cry me, Cry me

Cry me, Cry me

Cry me, Cry me

Cry me, Cry me

"Go ahead Hermione," Ron said, turning ever so slightly, "just cry me a river." And he walked off, leaving all his memories, all his remembrances, behind and not knowing what life he'd just willingly stepped into.