Contort

Hermione tilted her head, standing at the top of the stairs leading to the Gryffindor dormitories. A faint laugh could be heard from the common room, the obvious owner, Karas. Hermione saw how Ron had been affected by this new girl during the beginning weeks of school. And now that he wasn’t on speaking terms with Harry, it had become even worse. Harry never slept because of worry, but mostly because of the nightmares. Ron had hardly said a word to Hermione, even, let alone Harry, since the Goblet had chosen the champions. But Hermione could see the dark rings under his eyes, the signs of insomnia.

Hermione quickly descended the stairs, cringing at the sight of Ron and Karas sitting too closely on the red velvet couch. Karas leaned in, brushing her lips against Ron’s, smirking as if she knew Hermione were watching. Hermione cleared her throat, looking at the floor awkwardly. Ron pulled back and looked at her, a hard glare on his face, while Karas had the same knowing smile. Hermione’s cheeks burned red. She had never really liked Karas, only tolerated her, but her dislike for this girl had just doubled within only a few seconds.

“Ron”, Hermione spoke, trying to keep her voice level and calm but failing miserably. “Can I speak to you alone, please?”

Just when Ron opened his mouth, about to protest, Karas stood, shaking his arm from her shoulder.

“I’m tired anyway”, she said, though it was an obvious lie. Her eyes were wide and full of malice as she looked Hermione up and down. Hermione couldn’t help but feel as if she were being stalked by some wild animal. But the feeling quickly passed as Karas left the room, walking slowly up the stairs.

“Do you see what you’ve done, Hermione?” Ron asked, sending a look of pure hatred in her direction.

Hermione frowned. He had never looked at her this way before. Not once. And just as soon as the look had appeared, it was gone, and a look of regret was left in its wake. Ron covered his face with his hands, groaning.

“Oh Hermione, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be like that. It’s just that I haven’t spent a lot of time with Karas lately.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, walking around to stand in front of the fireplace.

“Yeah, Ron. You’ve only spent every second of every day drooling over her, carrying her books for her. Next thing you know, she’ll be asking you to chew her food for her. You just don’t see what’s happening to you, do you?”

Ron shook his head.

“Being with her all day isn’t enough time. There’ll never be enough time, don’t you see that?”

“Ron!”

Ron jumped at Hermione’s sudden loudness. She never usually had outbursts like this.

“Hermione, what’s wrong? Tell me what I can do.”

Hermione looked up from the fire, staring hard at his face. In his eyes, she saw a look that had all but disappeared since Karas had come to Hogwarts. They weren’t so glassy as she looked into them now. It was as if he was back to the old Ron. Back to the Ron that she knew.

“Don’t you see what’s happened Ron? Karas is bad for you. She’s ruining you! You’re not the same. Harry needs your help, now more than ever, and you’re completely ignoring him. You have to choose, Ron. You either help your friends, the ones who have been there for you no matter what the situation was, the ones who love you…. Or Karas, the one who wants to toy around with your heart, the one who will never be able to make you happy.”

Ron opened his mouth as if to speak, but said nothing. He simply stared at the girl in front of him, a kind of fire in her eyes. He couldn’t help but think that, though she must be truly unhappy, she must also have something worth fighting for. She saw something in Ron worth fighting for. Ron buried his face in his hands, confused as to what he should say, what he should think. He didn’t know what he wanted or which side he wanted to choose. He looked up to Hermione again, suddenly knowing what he wanted to say to her. Because in that one moment, his mind was clear as if a veil had been lifted and he could see everything clearly again.

And then another figure was before him, standing between Hermione and himself.

“Is everything okay?” Karas asked, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I heard someone shouting.”

Karas looked over her shoulder and glared at Hermione. Hermione stiffened, once again feeling as if she were prey to a bigger and more sinister being.

“Ron?” Hermione insisted, waiting for him to give her an answer, the answer he had been about to give her only moments before.

Ron shook his head, a numb feeling overcoming him once again as he looked at Karas. Hermione watched as a glaze took over his eyes, turning them into glass, shiny and unfeeling.

“Hemione was just leaving”, Ron said quietly.

And with those words, Ron had chosen which side he truly wanted to be on.