Oh, Ronald.... [ickleronikins & aweasley_twin]

[most_amazing]

Hermione had this all planned out in her head. She would just walk into the common room, and Harry should still be up - likely worrying over his task. She would tell Harry about Fred, and he would take it well, she hoped. Then together they would tell Ron. Or, maybe Harry would just go upstairs and tell Ron for her. It was a really awful row they'd

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[ickleronikins]

Ronald was still sulking, thank-you-very-much. The night hadn't really gotten any better, and Harry had gone off to bed. But Ronald was on the sofa in the common room, still stewing over the ball. It wasn't that he'd really wanted to go with Hermione; not like that. He'd just assumed that since they were friends and (so he'd assumed) equally date-less that they'd go together. The fact that she'd had the gall to actually get asked out by someone, and not just anyone, like Neville or Seamus, but Viktor Krum just made it so much worse. He'd somehow thought they were equal in terms of being social misfits; he apparently guessed wrong.

His mouth opened, and he was about to say something when he turned at the call of his name, recognizing her voice, and was about to say something, largely in line with their row from earlier. But then he saw Fred, his brother at her side, their hands linked in a way that seemed to suggest they hadn't just bumped into one another in the hall. The way she declared that they needed to talk just confirmed his suspicions, and turned his expression a little more sour. It seemed cheap, somehow, unfair. Going from dancing all night to swinging off his brother, like she was one of the popular girls. He got to his feet, trying to pretend he wasn't still in robes that looked like his great-aunt's curtains, and adorned with some of the ugliest bits of lace (not that he really had an opinion about lace).

"Oh, yeah? About what?" His arms were crossed over his chest and he was looking between them, his expression seeming rather put out. This likely wasn't going to end well.

[most_amazing]

She took in a deep breath. There were lots of ways this could go - most of them bad, but still. And truly, just the sight of him there with his arms crossed made her just as cross - perhaps even moreso - than she was before. Honestly, he had the audacity to make her cry after the Yule Ball, for what? For sport, maybe? She felt her grip on Fred's hand tighten.

She let out the breath and tried to be positive about this. He was her best friend after-all. A complete git, yes, but her best friend nonetheless. And while this may not go well, it would work out because of that simple fact. She hoped, anyway.

"You don't need to be cross about Vik- about Krum. He's just a friend, that's all there is to it. I'm still cross with you, and I'm trying very hard not to be.... But honestly, Ronald..." She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes again. "I realize the timing isn't great, after we just had a row... but I didn't want you to find out in the Great Hall or something. That wouldn't be right."

She looked up at Fred, unsure of how to get the rest of the words out. There was proper terminology for this sort of thing, wasn't there? But this was very sudden, so did it have proper terms yet? She furrowed her brow. "Fred and I are...together."

[ickleronikins]

"Oh, right, just a friend," he quipped, his tone vaguely mocking as his shoulders pulled up, tensed as he scowled. Somehow, that was just worse. He wasn't exactly sure what part of it -- that Victor wanted her and she wasn't interested, or that she was hanging onto his older brother. He had to swallow as she started to talk about not wanting him to find out in the great hall, and he knew what was coming, but Merlin, it didn't make it any easier. Because then she said it, and he blinked, found it hard to speak for a moment.

"Don't see why you wanted to tell me. It's not like I care who you're snogging," he says with a shrug that jostles his violently red hair. He's lying of course, through his teeth, and it's as obvious as anything that he does care. Not because he's in love with her or any of that rubbish gossip that goes around. But somehow, it just makes him feel more alone. Harry's Harry, celebrity now more than ever with the Triwizard Cup, and Hermione and even Neville have someone. And then there's Ron, Harry's awkward best friend, alone in the sodding corner. What was wrong with him? He was an alright bloke most of the time, wasn't he?

It's worse, somehow, because Fred is his brother. One of the only people he's ever been really close to, and he wouldn't say it, but he feels like she's stealing him away (as if the twins would ever stop giving him Hell).

[aweasley_twin]

Fred rolled his eyes. Somehow he knew Ron was going to behave like this. "This more than just snogging," Fred informed his little brother. "As if Hermione would enter into a relationship like that? Don't be daft. I care about her. She cares about me."

Fred's tone was harsh but he actually felt really guilty. Ron looked fairly defeated. The kid was being a prat these days but he was still his little brother and they had always been close. He felt like a terrible older brother. Hermione might not want Ron romantically but Fred still felt like he was stealing his Ron's girlfriend.

He tightened his grip on Hermione's delicate hand. "It was important for Hermione to tell you because she cares about you. You are her best friend. So, just be happy for her, please? She deserves that." He paused and softened his tone, "Don't say anything you are going to regret, ok?"

[ickleronikins]

"You're the daft one," Ron snapped defensively. "You think she goes from hanging over Krum to in love with you? And you say you're the smart one." Which was entirely unfair, and, of course, completely ignored that Ron had been completely starry-eyed over the quidditch player, panting for an autograph until Hermione had shown up with him to the ball.

He shifted a little uncomfortably. He was out of line, and he knew it. But it wasn't as if he could admit it, back down. He was hurting, he was so desperately trying to avoid showing it that lashing out was all he had to hold onto. The way Fred said she deserved to be happy crawled under his skin, made his fingers curl. Maybe she did. But didn't he? Why was he always the one alone? It was rubbish, was what it was. His eyes were stinging, but he ignored it, focused on the anger because it was easier.

And Ron always took the easy way out.

[aweasley_twin]

Fred did exactly what he promised himself he wouldn't do. He lashed out. "Jealous that Krum didn't ask you, then?"

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wasn't going to do this. Truth was, Ron struck a nerve. He was just as bothered by Krum as Ron seemed to be. But he wasn't going to admit that to his little brother especially right in front of Hermione. Fred opened his eyes and said, "Hermione and Krum are just friends. Just friends." He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince Ron or himself. "This thing with us...it's new...and I want to do it right. I want you to be ok with this. I don't expect you to jump for joy but I would appreciate you wiping that look off your face. We're going to be together with or without you approval. We are just trying to do the right thing."

Fred squeezed Hermione's hand. She was being quiet which made him nervous. She was going to explode soon. Once she and Ron started their shrieking all of Gryffindor tower would come down to watch the show.

[most_amazing]

Hermione didn't want to cry again, but the tears were already there - they had just barely gone away from the first row, and now here they were, falling again. She wiped at her cheeks as they bickered.

"Ronald Weasley... do you honestly think I would be hanging all over Krum and then jump right to your brother? Do you honestly believe that's how I am? Because if you do, you are sadly mistaken and not the friend I thought you were." She sniffled. "Krum needed a date for the ball. It's no different than how Harry had to have a date. I danced with him, and it was fun. That's all."

She sighed. Part of her wanted to slap him - she shouldn't have to justify her actions to her best friend. He should know her better than this - in fact, she was certain that he did and was just choosing to be daft. But that's why she didn't slap him, because she didn't know what was wrong with him lately.

"I care about Fred. If you believe nothing else, then believe that."

[aweasley_twin]

He was tired of seeing Hermione cry tonight. Especially over his brother.

He felt silly but it was a relief to hear Hermione say that thing Krum wasn't big deal. Fred knew of course Hermione wouldn't play two boys against one another but it was nice to hear that Krum didn't matter. It was nice to know she chose him, Fred Weasley, over an international Quidditch player.

He wanted to tell Hermione he cared about her too but with Ron watching him it was probably and bad idea so he squeezed her hand instead.

"I think it's time the two of you made up," Fred said aloud. "Harry needs his mates right now. So, do it for him. If for no other reason."

Fred ducked his head, "I am sorry Ron. Believe that I am."

[ickleronikins]

Maybe he was. At least someone would have asked him, wanted him. He was doing his best to be there for Harry, seeing how dangerous the challenges were, but he still felt alone, put out on the sidelines. He shrugged as Hermione spoke, his shoulders tense and his hands in fists as he looked at her, but didn't meet her eyes, not really. "Sure looked like it from where I'm standing," he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

He wasn't okay with it. He should be, he supposed. This should be easier than seeing someone with his little sister, but it wasn't. Fred and George had been the only people he'd felt like he had left on his side these days. "You don't deserve him," he snapped. So much for Fred's warning about not saying something he was probably going to regret later.

He swallowed. "I'm going upstairs." He turned and headed to do exactly that... hopefully before Fred could box his ears in.

[aweasley_twin]

Ok, he was seriously confused. It seemed like Ron was angrier at Hermione than at him. He didnt expect that. He was Ron's brother and he had betrayed him, hadn't he?

Fred let go of Hermione's hand for the first time since they came upstairs. He missed the feeling. He moved toward his brother. "Ron, come on. Don't do this. If you want to be mad at someone be mad at me. I started this. Don't be mad at Hermione. "

[ickleronikins]

Fred hadn't betrayed him because he really didn't think of Hermione like that, not that even their mother believed him on that count. But, in one night, Hermione had gone from being his compatriot in loneliness, to where he'd just assumed they'd go together, both with no one else to go with. And hearing that she claimed to not even like Krum. If she'd just gone with him as a 'friend' (which he still wasn't sure he believed) then why'd she made such a point in snubbing him? He didn't get it. Maybe it was some girl thing.

"Why would I be mad at you?" It was harder to stay mad talking to Fred, but he was trying. He couldn't deal with being hurt, not now, not like this, so he was clinging to his anger as best as he could. His arms were crossed, and he was eying Fred as if he still half expected to get his ears boxed for being a git.

[aweasley_twin]

"Because...Because..." Fred faltered. "Because I started this with her. I could have walked away and not pursued this. I did it anyway. I did it knowing it would bother you. I hate that it bothers you, I do." Her dropped his voice. "You didn't ask her to the ball. You didn't make a move. Someone was going to at some point."

Fred groaned in frustration. "Don't do this to her. You didn't see how upset she was after the ball. She was so sad." No matter how much of a git Ron was being right now he knew he was a good person and hoped he could make him see reason.

[ickleronikins]

"Have you lot ever even bloody well bothered to ask if I like her? Because I don't, you know. I never have." He yelled the first question, out of frustration more than anything, before managing to rein in his tone. He took a breath, tried to calm down, his face flushed under the freckles and he settled for looking cross. There was a shake to his shoulders, the flicker of anger briefly fading, but he was clinging to it like a landline. Not like they'd understand.

"She gets all in a paddy because I didn't ask her to the ball when she pushed me off for her other 'friend', and it's my fault? Hardly seems fair."

[aweasley_twin]

Fred was getting angry now. "Ok, so then what is this nonsense about then?" he demanded. "Because I have been feeling like a git all night because I thought I was stealing the love of your life. So, if you're not in love with Hermione then what is it? Just being a prat for the sake of being a prat?"

Fred ran a hand through his hair and said, "You have been mad at someone all year long, You were mad at mum about the dress robes. You were mad at Harry about the tournament. And you're mad at Hermione because...I don't get it. You're going to have to explain this."

[ickleronikins]

This was getting dangerous now. Because now he was running out of excuses. Oh, sure, he was mad at Hermione for throwing a fit over the fact that he hadn't asked her to the ball, and taking his brother like this (rotten timing, really), but he was being a git, he was out of line. And he didn't want to talk about it. He didn't want to breakdown and like like an idiot in from of his brother, but it was harder to run away from Fred.

"There's nothing to talk about, forget it. Do what you like, it doesn't matter to me." Maybe it did.

[aweasley_twin]

Fred threw his hands up, "Fine. Want to be a git. Be a git. Do not blame me when you lose your best friend."

Fred sighs sadly. "This is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I wish you could be happy for me." Fred walks back over to Hermione and takes her hand.He kisses her cheek,"I am sorry Mione." he whispers in her ear.