I'm a Loser

I'm a loser
I'm a loser
And I'm not what I appear to be

Of all the love I have won or have lost
There is one love I should never have crossed
She was a girl in a million, my friend
I should have known she would win in the end

I'm a loser
And I lost someone who's near to me
I'm a loser
And I'm not what I appear to be

Although I laugh and I act like a clown
Beneath this mask I am wearing a frown
My tears are falling like rain from the sky
Is it for her or myself that I cry

I'm a loser
And I lost someone who's near to me
I'm a loser
And I'm not what I appear to be

What have I done to deserve such a fate
I realize I have left it too late
And so it's true, pride comes before a fall
I'm telling you so that you won't lose all

I'm a loser
And I lost someone who's near to me
I'm a loser
And I'm not what I appear to be

These words were running through Ron's head as he watched Hermione run away, tears streaming down her face. In an effort to kiss her between classes, he had accidentally hit her hard in the face when Malfoy had teased him about "dating a Mudblood". That word made his blood boil. He had swung around, bag in hand, and his bag had hit poor Hermione instead of Malfoy, who had dashed away, laughing his head off. And Ron had been so close, too....He had never kissed Hermione. Never. He had always been inches away, and then there had been an interruption...

But it was true that he and Hermione had been going out. Ever since the beginning of their seventh year. Every (or almost every) night they had gone out to the lake and roasted marshmallows.

"Hey, Ron."

Ron jumped and saw that it was Ginny. "Oh," he said, "it's you."

Ginny frowned. "Oh, that's nice," she said, and hurried off in a huff.

Ron nearly slapped himself for saying that to his little sister. He picked up his bag, which was lying on the floor after it had swung out of his hand, and hurried off to Transfiguration.

"Weasley!! What do you think you're doing?" Professor McGonagall barked.

Ron looked up, startled. He had been drawing pictures of what Hermione looked like in her underwear (more accurately, what he hoped she looked like) in his notebook, paying no attention whatsoever to the lesson, when Professor McGonagall just had to walk by. Ron reddened and hastily shut his notebook, but McGonagall put her finger on the paper, marking the page. She picked it up and looked at the drawings, then at Hermione, who frowned, and then back at Ron, whose face was as red as his hair. Harry was in between the two, and he kept looking from Ron to Hermione quizzically.

McGonagall shut the book after a minute (which seemed like a lifetime to Ron) and said curtly, "Weasley, Granger, in my office. Now." She turned on her heel and bustled over to her office.

Hermione gave Ron her now-what-did-you-do-this-time? look and followed McGonagall. Sighing, Ron slammed his text book shut (all the Slytherins smirked and made faces, pointing at him and Hermione) and followed Hermione. He swore under his breath. I really did it this time...nice job, Ronald. Think about 'Mione on your own time.

McGonagall ushered the couple (well, I didn't mean to...I dunno, it just sounds better!!) into her office, saying, "Sit down."

Ron looked around her office. It was small, with a desk, textbooks, a crackling fire, and two chairs adjacent the desk. He stared around stupidly. He sat next to Hermione, who was staring at him furiously. If we're in trouble, it's not my fault! her eyes, which burned with fire, seemed to say.

Don't blame me that I'm madly in love with you! Ron thought back. I - But Professor McGonagall silenced the telepathy with one furious glare.

"Ronald Weasley," McGonagall breathed, looking at him over the rim of her glasses.

Ron shifted uncomfortably in his sheet. Oh please don't let Hermione be in trouble, he prayed silently. Please, please, please. "Er..." he said to break the nasty silence that was hanging in the air.

Hermione looked at him. It was her what-did-you-do-now-will-somebody-please-tell-me? look. He shrugged as McGonagall continued.

"Weasley," she said quietly, shoving the notebook toward him, "show this to Miss Granger."

Uncomfortably, just to buy time, Ron opened it to a page filled with notes and showed it to Hermione, who was flabbergasted.

"What? You actually took notes, Ron?!?" she exclaimed. "Oh...I don't believe it...Ron!" She flung her arms around his neck and Ron, although he enjoyed it, whispered, "Not in front of her." Hermione blushed and pulled away from him. McGonagall could have been breathing fire.

"Mr. Weasley, show her this page." She took the notebook from Ron and flipped through it, handing it back to Ron.

Ron reddened and showed it to Hermione. When she saw herself just wearing her underwear, Hermione stared at him, her mouth open. "Ron..." she said weakly.

I know what she's gonna say, Ron thought, who was sweating slightly. She'll say, 'Oh Ron, I love these pictures!' and kiss me...I hope.

"Ron...I...Ron, I..." Hermione said again. "What is....Are you a....What the..." She stood up. "I thought you loved me," she said quietly, her eyes full of tears. "I...I...." With that she ran out of the room, sobbing.

Great, just great, Ron thought. I wonder what's for lunch.