La Nuit
Subject: Harry Potter
Genre: Romance/Drama/Angst
Pairings: HP/HG, RW/LL, GW/DM
Summary: The night brings out a side of Hermione she at times regrets, and at times is grateful for above all things.
Rating: NC-17 Adult situations, strong language
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
La Nuit = The Night
Chapter one - Un
"Hermione!" Ron yelled, pounding on her bedroom door. "Hermione, let's go! We're gonna be late! Harry left an hour ago!"
"Alright!" she yelled back. "I'll be ready in five minutes! Hold your bloody knickers on!"
"Just hurry!" he responded, turning and walking back down the corridor.
Hermione let out a heavy sigh as she grabbed the bottle of water next to her bed and took a long drink. Hermione walked back across the room and rummaged around in her jewelry box until she found the twelve-carrot diamond choker that Harry had gotten her the previous year for her birthday. The choker was about an inch and a half wide and the diamonds were as clear as water. Harry had seen Hermione eyeing it at the shops one day and had decided to just get it for her. It was the most expensive and extravagant present she had ever received.
She clasped it behind her neck and let it hang away from her neck slightly. She adjusted the halter-top black dress that she was wearing that reached all the way to the floor and grazed it ever so slightly. Hermione scurried across her room to her closet and grabbed her black stilettos and slipped them onto her pantyhose-adorned feet. Tonight they were going to attend the 75th Annual International Quidditch Conference at the ultra-classy and ultra-posh Phoenix hotel just off of Diagon Alley. Harry had whined about going but Hermione, Ron, and Oliver had all forced him to go. He had relented, yet agreed when his girlfriend of two years, Cho Chang, told him that she would love nothing more than to attend with him.
Hermione couldn't stand that girl. She was a pure gold-digger in Hermione's opinion. She hadn't started being interested in Harry since he had started playing quidditch professionally and "raking in" the galleons. He had been one of Witch Weekly's Most Eligible Bachelors and at the top of their Hex Worthy Hotty list. She did whatever he wanted her to and she never argued with him or contradicted him about anything. Even when it seemed that Harry was being the thickest git in existence, Cho was there telling him how handsome and brilliant he was.
"She can be such a fucking pussy sometimes," Hermione murmured aloud as she inserted her half carrot diamond studs into her ears and grabbed her purse and stuffed her wand inside after charming her hair up and elegant.
She sprayed on a bit of the rose petal and lavender perfume that Harry said he thought smelled so nice. She hurried out of her bedroom and was halfway down the corridor before she realized she forgot the matching bracelet Harry had gotten her to go with the choker. It was just about a half an inch thick, but it was purely elegant. Sometimes he treated her too well; and she loved that about him.
She rushed back to her room, clipped it on, and then rushed back out the door and down the stairs. Hermione came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs when she saw Ron waiting patiently for her, staring at the clock in the kitchen. She smirked as she cleared her throat to draw his attention. His head snapped around and his mouth fell open at the sight of her.
"If that's what took you two hours, then you're forgiven," he said, walking over and offering Hermione her elegant black trench coat with the silk lining.
"Thank you," she said as he placed the coat around her shoulders and took her arm in his.
Ron did look quite handsome in his simple black tuxedo, white vest, and black silk tie. He had borrowed a pair of silver cuff links from Harry's collection and had on a pair of polished black leather shoes. He apparated them just outside of the hotel and he led her inside. They entered the slightly crowded lobby and were immediately met by a bright flashing of nearly a dozen flashbulbs. Hermione shielded her eyes slightly and continued with Ron through the crowd of photographers and to the entrance to the ballroom.
"Name, sir?" the witch at the hostess desk asked.
"We're with Mr Potter," Ron said smoothly.
"And what part of his party might you be?" she asked, skimming down a few names.
"Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger," he answered proudly.
"Of course," she said, finding their names and checking them off with an eagle feather quill. "I would be pleased to take your coats and you may go right in, Mr Weasley and Ms Granger. Have a brilliant time."
"Thank you very much," Ron said, nodding to her and leading Hermione through the tall oak doors that two bus-boys held open for them after disposing of their coats.
Inside elegant music played and idle conversation hummed amongst the enchanted instruments playing at the head of the party. Hermione sought out a familiar face, and immediately saw Oliver Wood and his wife standing with the head of International Quidditch Relations, Karlton Frederik Jamesson. Hermione tugged at Ron's arm gently and they walked over to the bright looking couple.
"Ron, ol' boy!" Oliver exclaimed as Ron and Hermione approached. "Ready for Russia next weekend?"
"Well, with the amount of practice you've been putting us through, we bloody well better be," Ron joked, eliciting a hearty laugh from the group.
"Hermione," Oliver's wife Emily said, "Harry's been asking about you for nearly an hour. He's over with Cornelius by the refreshment table I believe."
"Thank you," Hermione said, nodding to the group. "Pleasure to see you again Monsieur Jamesson," Hermione said, offering him her hand. He kissed the back of it dryly.
"The pleasure was mine, Ms Granger," he said, smiling to her as she kissed Ron on the cheek, thanked him, and wandered off towards the refreshments table.
She could see the back of his head, even from here. The black mane that was usually out of control had been oddly tamed tonight and Hermione couldn't help but think how much she liked his hair better when it was its own, haphazard self. He was talking with a man that she had never seen or met before and she could see Cho nowhere in sight. She approached him and gently tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and beamed when he saw her. She saw his eyes roam over her body, a hungry glint in his eyes, then return to the task at hand. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and hugged her gently. He drew away from her and turned her to face the man he had been talking to.
"Hermione," he said, motioning towards the man in front of her, "this is Harold Derriks. He's one of the managers of the England quidditch team. A very rich man, this one."
"Very pleased to meet you, Monsieur Derriks," Hermione said, holding out her hand. The man kissed it lingeringly and looked quizzically to Harry.
"This is the fiancé, I presume?" the man asked Harry.
"No, no," he said, waving it off. "Hermione is a very dear friend of mine," Harry said, placing his arm loosely around her waist. She smiled in his direction as the other man finally released her hand.
"Fiancé?" she asked suspiciously. "When did this happen?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Harry said, brushing the matter aside. "A simple misunderstanding is all it was," he tried to reassure her. "Hermione," he blurted out. "A few of the boys have requested a little performance, if you would be so kind."
"Performance?" she asked questioningly. "Oh!" she realized finally. "Well, I don't see why not," Hermione said. "But not now, dear," she said. "I'm talking with Monsieur Derriks."
"Oh, well," the timid man said. "I don't mean to be an inconvenience..."
"Not at all," Hermione reassured him. "So, what were you talking about before I interrupted?"
"Well..." Harold began, but was cut off by someone calling to the crowd from the stage.
Everyone turned their attention to the red faced Ron who was smiling wickedly in Hermione's direction. She narrowed her eyes at him. He cleared his throat as he cast a voice enhancing charm on himself.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he addressed the group. "I hope that you have all enjoyed your night thus far. It seems that this year the teams are looking better than ever!" He paused and everyone applauded willingly. He smiled. "Now, it seems that our entertainment is rather dull, wouldn't you agree?" Everyone whistled and chided at Ron's comment. Ron nodded to them all. "As I said. Now, there seems to be a rumor that has been flitting around, and I do believe it was on special request by a Mr Harry Potter," Ron said, a smile enveloping his face. "May I present to you, Ms Hermione Granger," Ron said, directing his hand towards Hermione.
She gaped as the rest of Harry's team cheered her on and whistled encouragingly. Harry let go of her and urged her forward. She stumbled a bit at first, but made her way up to the stage gracefully nonetheless. She looked to the floating instruments as she stood in the middle of the stage and the instruments all shook at her, as if they understood. She nodded to them and turned to the audience where a sea of people waited anxiously. She cast a glare in Ron's direction who raised his wine glass to her heartily. She took a deep breath and raised her hand, whispering, "Accio Violin". Her mahogany and cedar violin came floating gracefully into her hands and she took up her bow, beginning to play one of her favorite pieces. She noticed that some of the couples began to dance as she continued to play. One particular couple Hermione noticed happened to be Harry and Cho. She scowled slightly but turned her attention back to her music.
Hermione had played violin since she was a very small girl. It was her passion, aside from her reading and studying. It was her little escape that she loved to indulge in whenever she was home for vacation or break during her school days. Now that they were all out of school and Hermione had moved in with Ron and Harry, they had both taken notice to her outstanding talent, as she had taken to playing quite frequently in the house. She had become something of a celebrity in the wizarding world because of her skill with the instrument. She also enjoyed playing the piano, but the violin was undeniably her calling.
Hermione ended her performance and there was ferocious applause. She shook her head, a wild smile on her face as she wandered down the steps of the stage and into Ron's awaiting embrace. She could see Harry approaching from the other side of the room, Cho nowhere in sight. Once Ron had released her Harry took the opportunity to bring her tightly to his chest.
"That was brilliant, Hermione," Harry said, tears brimming in his eyes. He had been a bit on the emotionally unstable side ever since Sirius had died. He drew away from her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before climbing up the stairs himself and casting yet another charm. The crowd quieted as they witnessed the new arrival to the stage. Hermione placed her violin back in its case and placed the case on a nearby table as Harry cocked a silly grin and addressed the audience.
"That was bloody brilliant," he breathed. A few people chuckled and Harry took another deep breath. "Well, I know that everyone wants to get back to their festivities, but I would like to hold your attention for just a moment longer. If no one is aware, my name is Harry Potter. Now, I don't quite know how to say this, as it was hard enough just rehearsing it, so I might as well just come out and bloody say it."
Hermione's ears perked up. What the bloody hell had he rehearsed? She saw him shift nervously as he directed his speech to a specific person. Hermione looked over her shoulder and her eyes got wide as she realized whom Harry was talking to. Cho Chang stood by the side of the dance floor with a few other women and she was smiling wickedly, almost knowingly. Hermione scowled as she turned to face Harry once again.
"Cho, love, will you marry me?" he asked, holding his arms open.
She called out to him heartily. "Yes!"
She walked delicately up to the stage and was embraced and kissed lovingly by the man that Hermione had been pining over since she was sixteen. Harry dug around in his pockets and fished out a small box. He popped it open and they all saw Cho's hands fly to her face in utter surprise as Harry held out a rather large engagement ring to her and slipped it onto her left ring finger. They were both smiling madly and all Hermione could do was trace delicate shapes over the necklace she was wearing, trying to remember how brilliant it felt to get jewelry from that wonderful man. Her breath caught in her throat and a tear slid down her face as she felt her last hope for love slip away from her. Ron stood beside her, clapping madly along with everyone else.
Harry turned back to the crowd and looked to Hermione. "One last performance, Hermione?" he asked. Ron coaxed her forward and she was nearly forced back onto the stage. Harry led his new fiancé down the stairs and to the middle of the dance floor where a charmed spotlight found them. Hermione took up her instrument slowly, beginning a drawn out, enchanting melody that brought tears to her eyes as she put all of her emotion into it.
Ever since sixth year Hermione had had a hard time coping with Harry and the life he led. She had been incredibly withdrawn and almost closed off to Harry their sixth and the beginning of their seventh year. But with the coming of the final battle and the defeat of Voldemort, the trio had become closer than ever. It wasn't until it was too late that Hermione realized that the awkwardness she had felt around Harry ever since sixth year had been the effects of a very simple and elementary crush that had developed into an incredible feeling of love and protection. Her feelings had been revealed to her during the final battle, when Harry had protected her from a Death Eater who had tried to carry Hermione off amidst the fighting. Ever since that night she had been completely devoted and committed to keeping Harry safe and loved. What she hadn't anticipated was Cho Chang.
Hermione finished, letting a single tear fall down her face as she walked off of the stage with all of the pride she could muster. With her head held high she informed Ron that she was tired and that she was going to go back to the house early. She told him to tell Harry congratulations for her, since he and Cho were still a bit caught up in themselves and the applause was still thunderous. She didn't know if it was for her or for the happy couple, but she honestly didn't care. She walked out of the hall, putting up with a few hugs and 'thank yous' from various people before finally retrieving her coat and apparating home in a huff of anger and frustration.
She landed in the living room and threw her coat down on the floor. She quickly unclasped the necklace and snapped the bracelet off. The jewelry was thrown hastily onto a table next to the front door as she kicked her shoes about the entrance hall and hiked up her dress and stormed down the corridor, up the stairs, down the second floor corridor, and fell onto her bed. She didn't even bother shutting her door. She just collapsed into her pillows and sobbed uncontrollably, feeling her mascara run freely down her cheeks.
She didn't care. No, she took that back. She cared, but she didn't want to care. She didn't want to care about him. She didn't want to love him; but she did and there was no escaping it. Hermione loved him with all that she was worth, even if only a few years ago it had become deeper, more physical. Harry had always been a friend, The Boy Who Always Saved The Day. He had been that to her for years, but something had changed. Whether it was hormones or the simple fact that she had fallen head over arse for him near the end of seventh year, she was madly in love with her best friend, and she didn't regret it one bit. That was about the same time he had started dating Cho, or trying to date her. It had taken a while, but after a year, right after graduation, they announced that they were a couple. It had also been right after Harry had signed his forty million-galleon contract with the English quidditch team.
Hermione had almost thrown up. She had merely stared at them, gave Harry a pitying look, and then turned and walked off to face the realization alone. Then, to make matters worse, Ron and his long time girlfriend Luna Lovegood decided to get married about a year after Harry and Cho had been together. Hermione, Harry, and Ron had been sharing a house. They thought that it would become awkward after Ron was married, but it really hadn't. They were a happy little family, eating together and enjoying peaceful nights together simply talking and visiting with each other. Hermione had always felt a bit more secure about the whole situation because Harry was there to help her along. But now what would happen? Harry and Cho would be married, and no doubt, would decide to stay in the house. Hermione would curse herself before she would live with those two happy couples under the same damn roof.
She tried to muffle her cries in the pillow, but to no avail. She tore her face away from the make-up streaked sheets and angrily charmed them clean. Hermione huffed off of the bed and whisked across the room to her closet. She reached around to unclasp the dress but let her hands fall to the side as another flow of tears shook her slightly. She placed her hand on her mouth and sobbed uncontrollably into it. She wiped at her face to clear away the mussed make-up and turned to look at herself in the full-length mirror. She bent down and hiked the bottom of the dress up and tore her pantyhose off. Hermione reached up and took her hair out of its stylish bun and let it fall below her shoulders freely. She couldn't stand it curly like this. She charmed it straight and pulled her skirts up again as she walked to her bathroom to wash her face.
A tear found its way down her face and to the corner of her mouth. Hermione wiped it away, barely noticing it amongst the water that adorned her now clean face. She dried her face and returned to her room, almost shrieking at the sight of a bleak looking Harry Potter standing in her doorway. He stared at her, confusion evident in his gaze.
"Are you okay, Herms?" he asked, taking a step into her room. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes feverishly.
"Fine, fine. You should get back," Hermione said, waving a hand at him. "They'll be expecting you to make some type of acceptance speech for your award."
"I know, but are you sure you're all right?" he asked, coming to stand next to her.
"Yeah," she said, trying as hard as she could to keep her emotions under control. "Go," she commanded. "I'm just tired. Long day. I just need to get some sleep," she said, brushing past him and walking to her closet. She reached behind her to unzip the dress, but Harry's hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Leave it on," he coaxed. "Did I tell you how beautiful you looked tonight?"
"No," she said. "If you did I must have missed it," she said, unzipping the gown halfway. She had no problem changing in front of Harry under the circumstances. She was adequately covered underneath. Her black silk whalebone corset covered her entire stomach and her black panties covered her behind and her front, so what was there to be ashamed of?
"I think that you look beautiful just like this," he said, hugging her from behind. She shrugged him off and finished unzipping the dress. She pulled it down and stepped out of it, picking it up and shaking it out, walking over to the closet and finding the hanger that it had occupied earlier. Harry just stood there, stunned at how willing she was to unveil herself to him.
"You don't look half bad this way though, either," he commented as she walked over to her dresser and pulled out a pair of loose gray sweatpants and a plain white tank top. She smirked at him as she retrieved a white sports bra and walked behind the changing screen in the corner of her room. It's not as if she felt uncomfortable changing in her own room when she was alone, but it did seem nice sometimes to have the screen there.
She pulled at the strings at the back of the corset and it immediately unlaced itself and loosened away from her body. She loved magical corsets. They laced themselves up and they knew just how tight to do it so you weren't suffocated. Hermione put her bra on and pulled the sweatpants on before quickly tugging on the tight white wife-beater. Hermione stalked out from behind the screen and walked over to her vanity, beginning to brush her hair out. Harry stared at her from the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. Hermione sighed.
"You might as well just leave," she said, tugging the round brush through her long, now straight chestnut hair. "I'm sure Cho is wondering where you are," Hermione added, tugging the brush a bit harder with her next stroke.
"Hermione..." Harry started, confused. "What's wrong? You seem a bit cross."
No shit, she thought to herself. She wanted to slam the brush down, but refrained from doing so. Hermione set the brush down on the vanity gently and turned to face Harry who was still in the exact same position as before.
"What do you want?" she asked angrily.
"I want to know what's wrong, that's what," Harry explained, taking a step towards her. She backed away quickly.
"Nothing is wrong, thank you very much," Hermione spat. "Now, if you don't mind," she said, walking towards him and pushing him out of the door, "kindly sod off," Hermione said, shutting the door in Harry's face, still an awed expression on it.
She was halfway back to her bed when she heard a rapping on her door. She sighed agitatedly and walked back to the door, flinging it open to reveal a determined Harry. Hermione opened her mouth to say something but Harry stopped her with a hand over her mouth. He pushed his way back into the room and shut the door behind him. He released her mouth and cut her off with his own words before she could say anything.
"Something is wrong and don't try to tell me otherwise, Hermione," he stated fiercely. "Now, either you tell me what is wrong or I'll have to force it out of you," he said with a sly grin.
"I doubt that you could force anything out of me," she spat back at him.
"Oh, really?" he asked.
"Yeah, really," she replied bitterly.
"I bet that I could force a laugh out of you," he said, closing the distance between them to come within inches of her face.
"You think?" she asked skeptically. "Try me."
He grinned wickedly and dove in, tickling her right in the spot where he knew she was the weakest. He attacked her stomach and the backs of her knees. She writhed beneath him, doubled over in laughter, the joy lighting up her face. She was breathless as Harry sat up, straddling her waist as they had long since fallen to the floor. Hermione smirked, then hooked her heel behind his knee and flipped them over so that she was on top. She giggled and went right for his sides, up his ribcage and across his stomach. He was hopeless. He was done for. Harry was laughing breathlessly as Hermione abruptly stopped and slumped over to lie beside him, laughing hysterically. He rolled over onto his side once he caught his breath and propped himself up on one elbow to gaze at her.
"What?" she asked suspiciously.
"I win," he muttered silently, a wicked smile overtaking his face.
Hermione started to laugh, but then remembering what had happened earlier that night, pushed him to the side and got up off of the floor in a fury and stalked off down the corridor, down the stairs and into the kitchen where she began to rummage around in search of coffee. She heard Harry trudging after her and she immediately charmed herself a cup of steaming coffee and scurried up the stairs, right past his unsuspecting form. He turned around just as she jogged by and began after her as she slammed her bedroom door shut behind her. He pounded on her door for what seemed like hours; but Hermione merely wept silently into her pillows, leaving the coffee on her bedside table, cold and forgotten in her anger.
As time passed by, she heard him finally give up and walk back downstairs. A few moments later, she heard the front door open and the familiar sounds of Ron tossing his keys onto the table by the door and throwing his coat carelessly into the front closet for either her or Luna to pick up later. Hermione sat up slowly, wiping at her face once again with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, easing the stress out of her body. She pushed herself up from the bed and walked slowly to her door. She rested a trembling hand on the doorknob and forced herself to turn it. The door made an echoing squeak as the hinges strained in their old age. She cursed the door as she walked down the corridor and to the door of Ron's study. Hermione raised her arm and knocked quickly on the door.
"Come in," echoed from inside of the room.
Hermione turned the knob and pushed the door open, letting it swing to the side and hit the wall with a slight bang. Ron looked up from his work and straightened his glasses as he looked strangely at her.
"What is it, Hermione?" he asked as she walked quickly to his side. He stood to meet her as she gave him a pleading look, then flung herself into his arms, weeping freely into his chest. He stood stock still for as moment, then slowly brought his arms around her and held her tightly to him, rubbing her back gently to soothe her. He calmed her as best he could, then drew her away from him so that she could look him in the face.
"What's wrong?" he asked lightly, placing a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. She shook her head in denial, but Ron wouldn't take it. "Come on, Hermione. I know you better than that. Something is wrong. Tell me what it is. I want to help," Ron pleaded, an aching tone in his voice.
Hermione took a deep breath in and turned to look at the open door behind her. She walked to it and shut it silently, hearing the click of the lock echo in the room. Her shoulders dropped as she turned back to him and walked to an available chair in front of his desk. He sat across from her, folding his hands in front of him tightly, ready to listen.
Hermione cleared her throat and wiped underneath her eye to clear away the trail of moisture left behind by a stray tear. She looked directly at him and said as calmly as she could, "I love him."
Ron looked almost relieved at her explanation. "Thank Merlin that's all it is," Ron said, loosening the grip he had on his hands. "You know, Hermione," Ron said, "he felt the same way about you for...Merlin I forget how long. I'd say seventh year. You intimidated him, and then Cho finally came around and he took what he could get."
Hermione gaped at him. "He what?" she asked.
"I don't know if he still does, but there was a time when he was bloody nutters about you. Fancied you to death, he did. Got quite annoying actually," Ron said, leaning back and placing his hands behind his head, reminiscing. "Harry talking about you all the rime and what not. Non-stop. Not that you're not an interesting person and all, Hermione," he interjected, seeing the glazed look that passed over her eyes, "it's just that there was only so much that I could take before I became completely fed up with the thick git."
"He really felt that way?" Hermione asked again, hope reflected in her eyes.
Ron nodded. "I would actually be quite surprised if he didn't still feel the same way."
"Really?" she challenged.
He shrugged. "Possibly; but with this engagement, it would be difficult. I'm not saying you should give up, I'm just saying, maybe you should give him time to come around. Drop some more hints, and if all else fails, jump him."
"Ron!" Hermione gasped, surprised at the suggestion.
"What? I doubt that any bloke with half a brain wouldn't register what a witch meant if she bloody raped him."
"I would never!" she exclaimed loudly. "Ronald Weasley," she started, "you've got some nerve just assuming that I am so desperate that I would resort to jumping one of my best friends just to get him to realize that I fancy him. And he being engaged for Merlin's sake!"
"Hermione," Ron said knowingly, "you came in here practically in pieces because the bloke you fancy is going to marry someone else. If that doesn't hint at desperate, or at least crushed beyond recognition, then I don't know what does."
Hermione sighed, kneading her forehead with her left hand. "Maybe you're right," she muttered.
"About what?" he asked.
"Everything," she admitted tiredly. "I just don't want to lose whatever chance I might have with him."
"Then just tell him," Ron rationalized sleepily, letting out a long yawn.
"It's not that simple!" she exclaimed, jumping from her chair enthusiastically. "You think that if I just go up to him and confess my undying love for him that he will just drop Cho and come to my rescue? Christ, Ron. Didn't think you were that thick."
"Trust me," he said, leaning forward in his chair, "I'm not being rash. Honest. I have no doubt in my mind that if you would simply tell him that he would come around."
Hermione stared at him for a moment, then let out a long and heavy sigh. She slumped back into her chair and placed her head flatly in her hands. She mumbled something inaudible into her hands.
"What?" Ron asked intently.
Hermione looked up at him, sorrow in her eyes. "Maybe I should just give up."
"Hermione..." Ron started, only to be silenced by her hand in the air.
"How is it my place to just intrude on his life and break up what could be a true and meaningful love?" Hermione asked, emotion hanging on her every word.
"Trust me, Hermione. This isn't love. What you feel for him and what he feels for you, that's love. What he feels for Cho, it's just desperation. He's afraid that if he doesn't take advantage of this opportunity that he'll be alone forever."
"I just don't see how it's worth it."
Ron shrugged. "I can't make up your mind for you, Hermione. I'm simply saying, you would be bloody nutters to not at least give it a go. Who knows, you may be wrong."
"And if I'm right?" she asked, standing to leave.
Ron shrugged. "Then for the millionth time you would prove me wrong. But, Hermione," Ron said, "be honest with yourself. You're always right. Do you want to be right this time?"
Hermione stared at him, then let out a deep sigh through her nose and shook her head, closing her eyes and dropping her chin to her chest. She mumbled a quiet thank you to Ron as she turned to leave the office.
"Think about it, Hermione!" he called after her as she shut the door with an audible click and turned back to the corridor. As she began to walk back to her room, her head still hung low, she could hear heavy footstep coming up the stairs. She turned frightfully, expecting to see Harry, but let out a breath of relief when she saw Luna in all of her tired glory ascend the stairs. She worked herself to death at the Ministry every night and they all sympathized her greatly. Hermione knew that with just one look Luna could tell that something was wrong. As Luna opened her mouth to speak Hermione called a quick "G'night, Luna!" and darted off to her room. Sleep overtook her quickly that evening and she barely gave a thought to Harry as she drifted off into an exhausted, dreamless sleep.