The Unspoken Passion

"Hermione! Open the door this instant!" Ginny banged hard on the door to her and Hermione's bedroom.

"No! Go away, Ginny!" came Hermione's muffled sobs.

"Hermione, if you don't let me in I'll blow the door down!" Ginny was becoming furious.

"Alright then!" Hermione shouted. The door was flung open to reveal a red-eyed Hermione. Her hair was in complete disarray and she looked like she'd been trying to rip apart her robes.

"Just leave me alone!" she cried and ran over to her bed, throwing herself upon it and sobbing even more.

"Hermione," said Ginny, more softly now. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing!" she screamed. "Leave me alone!"

Ginny went over and sat down next to Hermione.

"Is it Ron?" she asked.

Hermione looked up at her. "How did you know?" she demanded.

"I heard you yelling at him. What happened?"

"Nothing," said Hermione, burying her head in her pillow once more. "Ron's just a stupid prat. He always has been. I was foolish to think..."

Her words faded away. Ginny put a hand on her shoulder.

"To think what?" Ginny inquired.

"Nothing, alright! It's no big deal."

Ginny sighed. "Usually, when someone says it's not big deal it's a very big deal."

Hermione gave her a funny look. "Quoting Dumbledore or something?" she asked.

"No," replied Ginny. "It was actually something Ron told me when I was feeling depressed once. He's actually pretty smart at times."

Hermione snorted. "When he's not being a git, you mean."

Ginny laughed. "Surely you don't think he's all bad?"

"No," said Hermione, sitting up. "He can actually be very sweet at times. I just wish..."

She began to cry again.

"Stop crying, Hermione," said Ginny. "I know something's bothering you. What is it?"

Hermione stared at her friend. "I...can't."

"Just tell me, please! I hate to see you in this state. You can trust me."

Hermione stuttered. "I-, I lo-,"

"WHAT?"

"I love him, okay!"

She threw herself back down and cried into the pillow.

"Merlin's beard, Hermione, why didn't you just tell him?"

"B-because I was scared he wouldn't love me back. And now I know it!"

"How?"

"Hell Ginny, didn't you hear the things he said to me?"

"No," she lied.

"Well, he insulted me and now I know he doesn't love me."

Ginny stood up. "Don't be so sure, Hermione."

She exited the room, leaving Hermione with a look of utter confusion on her face. Outside the door, Ginny smiled to herself. Everything had gone exactly as she had planned.

***

Harry followed Ron into their room, although he wasn't as prepared as Ginny probably was. Ron was looking positively downtrodden when Harry entered the room.

"What's up Ron?" he asked casually.

"Don't you know?" said Ron drearily.

"Know what?" Harry asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Hermione and I had another row. I accidentally insulted her and now she hates me. Dammit, why do I always have to argue with her?"

"Either you hate her or you're madly in love with her," was Harry's reply.

Ron looked at him apprehensively. Then he said in a mocking tone, "Very funny, Harry. But I'll tell you it's neither."

Harry smiled slightly. Ron was clearly trying to hide his feelings.

"If it bothers you that much just go say you're sorry," said Harry.

"I can't!" exclaimed Ron. "She won't talk to me!"

"There's no harm in trying."

Ron simply turned away. Harry decided he should leave.

***

Neither Ron nor Hermione showed up for breakfast the next morning. This was much to Harry and Ginny's advantage, for they were able to put their next plan into play.

Everyone had heard about Ron and Hermione's argument, but hadn't mentioned a word of it. Harry stirred his porridge slowly, when suddenly there was a loud noise and two large barn owls swooped in. One of them dropped four letters on the table in front of Harry and Ginny, and the other dropped a small roll of parchment into Bill Weasley's hand.

"Hogwarts letters," said Ginny.

Harry opened his to check the new list of books and equipment. However, what was written at the end was what caught his attention the most.

All students are required to have a new set of dress robes for this year's Anniversary Ball, in which we will be celebrating the 1100^th birthday of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a celebration held only every 100 years. Please take care to buy robes for this ball. It is an extremely important event and we wish for everyone to attend.

All Harry could do was groan. Oh great, he said, another one of these things,

But Ginny had seen it quite differently. "Harry, this is perfect!"

"What do you mean?" he asked, not seeing how another year of giggling girls and dancing could possibly be perfect.

"Don't you remember what Hermione said after the Yule Ball two years ago? That maybe Ron should ask her next time before someone else did? Harry, he's going to ask her to the ball. He has to!"

Harry remembered that night, and what Hermione had said, but he wasn't convinced.

"What makes you so sure?"

"Harry," said Ginny. "I know Ron. I know he's deeply in love with Hermione. And I know he's going to want to make up for last night."

Harry shook his head. "You might as well take Professor Trelawney's job, Ginny. You do a hell of a better job at predicting the future than her."

Ginny blushed. Just then, Ron entered the kitchen. Seeing his letter lying on the table, he picked it up and read it. When he reached the announcement about the ball, his reaction was similar to Harry's. Harry looked at Ginny, and she gave him a wink that said, "You'll see."

Sure enough, Ginny was right. For the next few days, Ron and Hermione were indifferent toward eachother, but the night before their return to Hogwarts, Ron asked Hermione to meet him in the study after dinner.

Grinning at eachother, Harry and Ginny snuck after them.

Listening from the doorway, they could hear Ron speaking to Hermione in a calm, sweet tone that was not his own.

"The reason I asked you up here," he said, "was to ask you a question."

"Yes?" Hermione replied.

"Do you remember in fourth year when I was arguing with you about Krum?"

"Yes."

"And do you remember what you said to me about asking you before someone else did?"

"I do," said Hermione, her voice getting more nervous.

"Well," continued Ron, taking a deep breath. "I was wondering if perhaps you would go with me to the Anniversary Ball? I wanted to ask you before anyone else had the chance."

There was a brief pause and then:

"Oh Ron, of course I will!"

Harry peered through the doorknob to see them hugging.

"I told you so," whispered Ginny.

Harry grinned.

"Phase One complete," she said.

"What do you mean 'Phase One'?" Harry asked, eying her.

"Our part is not over in this," replied Ginny. "We've got to get those two to spill their guts out at that ball or it's not good."

"How?" asked Harry. "I'm not supposed to know, remember?"

"Leave it to me," said Ginny. "I'll take care of Hermione. All you need to do is give Ron a push in the right direction. I think he's on the verge of confessing anyway."

"Right then," said Harry, and he and Ginny clapped hands.

***

Harry wasn't at all surprised to see Ron and Hermione sitting together at breakfast the next morning.