I just want to say thank you SO MUCH to everyone who’s commented on this story; you don’t know how much it means to me! It just completely makes my day! Also to everyone who has favourited or alerted this story, thank you! Oh yeah and to people who have read my one shot and reviewed and favourited on that too! (If you’re reading this that is.) Anyways I am so very sorry for not updating sooner; I planned for Friday last week. :( I was never good at planning… sorry! I’ve been very uninspired and I’m moving so there was a bunch of showings and I couldn’t be in my house… and I had to look at houses… and I’m just sorry! It’s been crazy! :( So anyways, here is chapter four, it’s the longest so far. I hope you enjoy it, it was hell to write!

Disclaimer: I obviously don’t own Harry Potter. If I did, I’d be on a private island somewhere… just me, a martini and a hot shirtless guy! ;)

Hermione woke up early the next morning, still feeling tired but she knew there was no use in trying to fall back to sleep. She looked over at Ginny who was still sound asleep and mumbling something about how Hippogriffs have feelings too. Hermione smiled to herself and got her stuff together quickly and quietly went into the bathroom to have a shower.

About 10 minutes later Hermione walked out from the bathroom to find Ginny up and ready to have a shower next. Hermione looked over at Ginny and smiled and said good morning. Ginny returned the greeting and went into the steamy bathroom. Soon after entering the bathroom, Ginny came out, to Hermione's surprise.

"That was quick," she commented.

Ginny shrugged, "I didn't want you to wait."

Hermione smiled, "Oh, okay. Are you ready to go down for breakfast now?"

"Yeah, just I wanted to talk to you about something," Ginny said looking up at Hermione to see her expression.

Hermione shrugged, "Okay... what about?"

"Erm... okay I know this isn't any of my business," Ginny stammered, "but... okay I'm just going to say it! Did you notice yesterday that Cormac was a little... different?"

Hermione laughed, "Yes! I definitely did! Who didn't though? I'm not sure what was going on with him though... maybe he could sense that we were trying to corrupt Ron's mind and he was happy to going along with it."

Ginny smiled weakly, "Yeah, maybe..."

Hermione's smile disappeared, "What is it Ginny?"

Ginny smiled, mostly to comfort Hermione, "Okay it is probably what you said... but I think Cormac likes you Hermione... like a lot. And he's trying to impress you by being... nice." Ginny looked up at Hermione while trying to hold in the laughter that was threatening to come out.

"Umm... do you really think?" Hermione said, pink in the face.

"Yeah, I do. I'm sorry I know you didn't want to hurt his feelings... even if he's a total... git."

Hermione looked up surprised, but with amusement in her eyes, "Ginny! That's not nice!" she said with a laugh, "even if it is true," she said with a quieter voice.

Ginny laughed, "It's okay, you didn't mean to play with the poor boy's heart..."

"I do feel bad..."

"Maybe if you just let him know nicely then he'll be okay... or just send him signals, like some friend vibes!" Ginny said chuckling.

Hermione smiled, "Oh well, I guess I'll deal with it when it comes to that..." she laughed, "And maybe I'll use your advice! It's oughta help!"

"Yeah," Ginny said more seriously, "hopefully." She looked back up at Hermione and smiled, "Okay let’s go down for breakfast! I'm starving!"

"Me too."

They walked down to the Great Hall while still chatting about the little Cormac situation. Ginny gasped, "Oh yeah I forgot to tell you! Okay you know how yesterday we had that Cormac thing and today we don't really have a plan?" Hermione nodded unsure of where Ginny was going with this, "Well, I was thinking that today you could act really distant to him, kinda make it seem like he did something wrong..." Ginny said with a smile and continued, "It would drive him crazy! Trying to figure out what he did wrong and he'd probably think that it was because of the way he acted yesterday."

Hermione raised her eyebrows in question and Ginny laughed, "Believe me, I know my brother! So then if he asks you straight up what's wrong? Then you should be like 'What do you mean? Nothing is!' with a sincere smile to make it seem like he's going mad!" Ginny finished looking pleased with herself and looked over at Hermione and lost her confidence, "But it doesn't really matter, it was just a thought..."

Hermione smiled huge, "A brilliant one!" she hugged Ginny unexpectedly.

Ginny laughed, "You're welcome... I guess."

"Thank you! Thank you so much! You're a great friend!"

Ginny smile and they kept walking. When they made it to the Gryffindor table they sat down -much like they did yesterday-with Ron and Lavender on one side and Harry, Hermione and Ginny on the other. The two girls sat down without a word and started dishing out food and eating silently. Ron and Harry didn't hide their confused faces and Lavender didn't hide her cheerful one.

Harry was the first to break the silence, "Er, good morning Ginny and Hermione."

"Good morning Harry," they both replied at the same time, making them laugh.

"Whoa, that was cool..." Ron said joining in on the laughter. Right when he did Hermione and Ginny stopped and continued eating. Ron looked taken back but said, "Good morning Hermione and Ginny."

Ginny scoffed and Hermione looked up at Ron and sighed, "Morning."

There was silence for a minute, awkward silence.

"Okay then..." Harry said, once again breaking the silence.

"Ugh, I can't believe it's Monday already... it feels like the weekend just started," Ginny complained, obviously better at making conversation then Harry.

"Yeah, it does... but at least Christmas break it going to come up soon," Harry said continuing what Ginny started.

"Not soon enough," she grumbled.

The two continued speaking as so, as Hermione ate silently beside them, glaring down at her food. Ron -being the only one that noticed- looked at her carefully and raised an eyebrow. He was about to comment on her rather odd behavior when Lavender spoke.

“Ron! I’m bored, are you almost done?” she said in a whiny voice.

Ron took one last glance at Hermione and replied, “Yeah, yeah I am. Do you wanna go?”

“Er, yeah!” she affirmed, as if it was the most obvious thing.

“Okay, well I’ll see you guys in class,” only really looking at Hermione.

Hermione didn’t acknowledge him, Ginny ignored him and Harry just looked up and nodded. Ron sighed and got up to go. Lavender jumped up excited and grabbed Ron’s hand -well whole arm actually- and skipped out the Great Hall, not even waiting to get the common room to place her mouth on his.

Hermione sighed as she watch then walk away. This is useless, she thought, there was not even at point to this. He doesn’t care if I don’t speak to him, he’s to busy with Lavender! She had a look of disgust on her face when she even thought that name and thinking about what they were doing right now.

Harry and Ginny looked over to Hermione and started laughing at the look on her face. She scowled at her, “Shut up!” she growled. She got up and stomp out towards the exit. Harry and Ginny were close behind her. Ginny ran up and caught her arm and spun her around.

Ginny face had a pleading look, but there was still laughter in her eyes, “You know we were only joking,” Ginny said in her sweet little voice she used on her Dad sometimes, “We’re sorry,” she said speaking for Harry and her, “we just couldn’t help it! The look on your face…” she trailed off, “it looked like you just failed a test or something!” she said lightly, “We never see that look!”

Hermione’s mouth turned up a little bit and said, “I know you were just joking… I just- I want-” she stuttered, “I don’t really know what I want…” she said aggravated.

Ginny looked at her remorseful, “I know sweetie, but what we really need to do, is get our books and go to class soon, the bell is bound to ring soon!”

Hermione smiled, “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” glad that she had class to distract her from the argument that she had going on in her head.

Class went by slowly, as Hermione knew it would. All she could concentrate on was how close Ron’s chair was seated to hers and how she was suppose to be ignoring him. But that was quite hard when he keep whispering in Lavender’s ear, making her laugh out loud loudly. She kept sending death glares his way, trying to make it obvious that she couldn’t hear.

One time during class he actually asked what the teacher was talking about. She scowled for the millionth time that day and told him that if he would listen and keep his big mouth shut maybe he’d know! The truth was though, is that she had no idea. But even if she did, he would the last person she’d tell.

Finally, the torture soon came to an end; like Hermione knew it would sooner or later (it chose later). Hermione and Harry -with Ron and Lavender behind them- walked down to the Great Hall to have supper. She was glad the day was over, it was a horrible one. She was disappointed that the plan Ginny had didn’t work, she was pretty excited to see Ron get worked up from it.

Maybe it wasn’t the plan that was the problem, she thought, maybe I’m the problem! Maybe I’m just not trying hard enough… maybe I need to put more into it. Afterall, all I’ve done today is ignore him at breakfast and insult him in class… that could be categorized as a normal day! Wow, I’m pathetic… I need to step it up a notch!

And she did. Or at least she tried. The four of them sat down at their usual spots and began filling there plates. Ginny walked by with Dean and whispered in Hermione’s ear, “I’m hanging out with Dean tonight, but you better make Ron cry! He doesn’t look moved at all! Try harder!!!” she smiled and winked at Hermione then kept walking to the end of the table and sat down.

Hermione smiled to herself, that’s exactly what I’m going to do! Well maybe not to that extent… but I want to make him worry about me and think about how he can make me feel better…

Just then she looked up to see Ron looking -more like staring- at her. She blushed but said in an annoyed voice, “What?”

Ron smiled, “What are you smiling about?”

Hermione sighed and frowned, “I’m not.”

“Hmmhm,” He said obviously unconvinced.

They ate their supper in silence but once in awhile Ron would look up at Hermione and by the fifth time she got annoyed and yelled, “Why do you keep looking at me?”

Harry looked up in surprise and Lavender scowled and looked angrily at Ron. Ron just smirked and said, “Why do you keep smiling? What are you thinking about in the pretty little head of yours?”

After Ron realized what said, or more like admitted, he gasped and had a shocked look on his face. Lavender looked even more angry and hit Ron over the head and Harry looked amused and was trying to hold in his laughter. Hermione however didn’t look phased, except for turning slightly pink in her face but no one noticed.

“Nothing,” she said simply, not giving Ron much to go on. Truth be told, she didn’t even realize she was smiling until Ron commented on it.

“Is something wrong? You’re acting… different today.”

Hermione looked right into Ron’s eyes and leaned in, “No, I’m entirely fine.”

Ron looked taken back but continued eating, trying to get Hermione’s closeness out of his head. After supper was over and the plates were cleared, everyone made their way up to the common room to relax.

Hermione sat on a chair with a big book in her lap. Harry was bored out of his mind so he started working on some homework he was just assigned today. Ron and Lavender were arguing quietly. Lavender looking hurt, yet angry and Ron looking like he couldn’t care less, but he was trying to reassure her with his words.

After reading three chapters of the book, Hermione had in her hands, she decided she was going to go upstairs. She wanted time alone with Ron, though she didn’t care if Harry was there. So she was going to pretend to go to bed, and then 15 minutes later she was going to come back down, hoping Lavender went off to bed too.

She looked up from her chair and saw everyone involved in their own thing still. She quickly got up and ran quietly up the stairs to her room. She sat down on her bed and started to read again. After five minutes of reading she got an idea and change into her pajamas, well actually her summer pajamas. She brushed her teeth and pretty much got ready for bed. After another five minutes of more reading and she couldn’t wait anymore, she snuck quietly down the stairs, hoping Lavender already went to bed.

She looked around the wall and saw Ron and Harry talking, Lavender no where to be seen, Hermione smiled brightly. She was about to walk up to them and sit down, when she heard them talking quietly.

“-I don’t know Harry, are you sure it’s worth the risk? Because I doubt she feels the same way…”

“Ron I’m positive she likes you too! If you tell her what you just told me, then I’m sure that everything will go brilliantly!”

Hermione was a little confused as where the conversation was going. Why was Ron worrying about Lavender liking him? She thought.

“But she’s so… smart and beautiful… she could get some many blokes, why would she want me?”

Smart? Lavender? Hermione thought bewildered.

“Because you’re kind to her… sometimes, and funny and… oh I don’t know! She just does!” Harry said, his voice rising in frustration.

“But what about Cormac? They seemed pretty friendly yesterday…” Hermione gasped. Ron- he just… he actually does like me! He just admitted it… sort of. Ginny was right! Hermione was never so happy to be wrong.

Before Harry could respond Hermione enter the room and sat down and smiled at Ron and Harry, “Hey guys, what are you talking about?”

Ron started at Hermione, shocked that she just came in and Harry said nonchalantly, “Oh nothing.”

Hermione smiled knowingly and looked over at Ron who was still looking at her. “Ron! What do you want? Why do you keep looking at me?” she said a little harsher then she intended.

“Whoa, what?”

“You. You’ve been looking at me all day, is there something you need to tell me?”

“Oh, uh no.”

Hermione sighed and started talking to Harry about homework. Ron still looked at Hermione but tried to not do it as much. I don’t want her to think I’m a stalker, Ron thought worriedly. The thing was, was that Ron couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, she looked she so beautiful in her pajamas she just had to wear. And they weren’t just any pajamas, oh no. They were shorts-shorts-and-tank-top kind of pajamas. They were summer pajamas… and it was winter!

Hermione looked up and saw Ron just look down quickly and this time Hermione smiled. She sighed -exaggerating it- and walked over to Ron and sat down on the seat beside him on the couch.

“Is it better if I sit beside you?” she said with amusement in her voice but an annoyed look in her eyes, “That way you don’t have to look across the whole room to stare.”

But it wasn’t better, not really. Now it was even more tempting to look to Hermione. Her brown, curly hair smell fantastic, it was all he could do to try to resist the urge to bend down closer.

Hermione notice Ron’s face expression when she sat down -rather close- beside him and smirk. That’s what he gets for trying to make me jealous, she thought satisfied. This isn’t working very well though, she thought worried. He doesn’t even notice that I’m mad at him… but that’s because I’m not acting like it! She was stressed at the little progress she had made and thought that maybe it will work better tomorrow. Yeah, yeah that’s what I’ll do. Right now I’ll just mess around with his emotions and tomorrow we can try again at the ‘annoyed plan’. She smiled content with the way she thought it out and put down her book.

“So…” she said trying to set up making Ron daft.

Harry was the one who spoke -most awkwardly-, “So?”

Hermione sighed, this is going nowhere! “I’m bored.”

To her surprise, Ron laughed, “But you’re reading.”

Hermione couldn’t hold back her grin, “I know…” she trailed off and thought now was her chance, “and I want to do something other than read.” She whispered -what she hoped was seductively- turning towards him and placing her hand on his arm lightly.

Ron’s breath caught in his throat glanced at her surprised. Hermione smiled and saw his eyes wander down to her lips.

She whispered again, “What do you want to do?”

Ron leaned in slightly and Hermione noticed and panicked, yet she was proud. She looked at Ron and grinned and then all of the sudden yawned and covered her mouth.

“Oh wow, I’m tired.” She said innocently, “Well good night you guys!”

She looked over at Harry who -before now, didn’t notice- was staring intently on his homework, trying to ignore other… things going on in the common room. He glanced up when she spoke; looking worried at what he would see. He seemed content with this.

She smiled at both of them, Ron still sitting on the couch with confusion on his face and a dazed look in his eyes. Hermione caught his eye and smiled and Ron blushed, but managed a weak grin.

Hermione fled to the girl’s dormitory and got into bed, not bothering changing into her winter pajamas. She thought about what just happened and smirked big. She turned over in her bed, and to her surprise she found Ginny already in bed. That’s odd, she thought, I didn’t remember seeing her…

“Did it work?” Ginny mumbled, “Does Ron think he did something wrong?”

Hermione thought over what Ginny asked and answered carefully, “Somewhat…”

Ginny sat up, “What do you mean? Did you ignore him?”

Hermione waited until Ginny laid back down, “Er, not exactly…” Hermione could just imagine the questioning look Ginny had on her face, even though it was dark. “Listen Gin, I’ll tell you in the morning, it’s not that exciting… you’ll probably fall asleep anyways,” she lied smoothly.

“Hmm,” she groaned, obviously not caring anymore.

Hermione sighed and turned over. Oh boy did she have some explaining to do…

And there’s you have it! The end of chapter four, nearly 9 pages! (Well I’m proud!) :P Anyways PLEEEEEEEASE REVIEW!!!!! Oh yeah and let me know if I should make titles for the chapters or not. And if you have any suggestions please tell me them! I’m not very good at that sort of thing… :( I’ll be sure to “chapter title” credit you! ;P So once again please review (it makes me happy!) and makes me write faster! No seriously it does, it makes me feel guilty for not updating! ;) Until next time, thank all lovely readers!