The fifth annual Victory Day Ball was kicking up a storm. The jazz band resounded cheerfully around the Great Hall as some couples danced their way around the room. Other guests mingled and made merry with the seemingly endless supply of champagne.

Hermione threw her head back and laughed as George cracked another of his famous jokes, enjoying the joyful mood radiated throughout the room.

"Honestly, 'Mione. You've never heard that joke before? Mind you, humour has never really been you strong point. It's a shame the library is not open this evening for you."

The smile from the joke vanished off her face, and was instead filled with complete and utter mortification. Well, there goes what was another pleasant evening down the drain. Then, without a glance in her fiancée's direction, she slipped away and lent against the cool smooth surface of a nearby wall.

She had tried so hard to keep Ron happy all evening, and yet, he did nothing but put her down. She'd even chosen a different outfit in order to stop him from complaining about other men looking her way despite the fact she was pretty sure they thought she was an honorary man anyway.

Her dress was simple but elegant. It was a navy dress with cap lace sleeves and crystals bleeding down the corset into the skirt, which was an array of purple and white with a hint of yellow like the petals of a pink lily. She felt beautiful in this dress. She had spent hours in the dress shop with a very pregnant Ginny and she hadn't even needed to try it on to know it was perfect. Ron had still somehow managed to make a disparaging comment about it though.

Hermione shot down her glass of champagne and made her way to the doors, anxious to get away as quickly as possible. As she weaved her way around the array of people she collided with a hard chest. She would've toppled backwards were it not for the hands, which quickly held her close.

Her heart stopped as she saw a long line of small black buttons.

"This is most…unexpected, Miss Granger. I didn't realise you were so eager to see me."

"I...uh…well..." Professor Snape smirked at her reaction and handed her a glass of champagne.

"Here. I believe you just dispensed of your previous glass and you look like you need it with the all the dunderheads you're surrounded by."

Hermione couldn't resist a smile and replied,

"Well, sir, as you could probably tell, I was trying to remedy that situation by leaving."

It was at this point Hermione was sure Professor Snape was trying to give her a heart attack as he threw his head back and laughed at her comment. He quickly recovered and said,

"I'm not sure merely leaving this event will save you forever. However, I know for a fact that younger dunderheads are much more predictable and easier to…deal with. So, the offer of transfiguration professor is still on the table if you want it."

"It is quite possibly my dream job but, I have just gotten engaged and well, I'm not sure coming back to Hogwarts would be amenable to Ron. I'm sure you've heard that he didn't make the Chudley Cannons team this year and a new job for me right now might cause problems seeing as he just lost his."

Professor Snape took a sip of his champagne and commented,

"Any decent man would never hold back his partner's dreams for the sake of his ego. Just keep that in mind, Miss Granger. "

And with that, he disappeared into the crowd. Then, a hot clammy hand closed around her arms, and Ron hissed into her ear,

"I think you and I need a little chat outside, don't you?"

Ron marched along the corridor away from the Great Hall, seemingly oblivious to Hermione's cries and screams of frustration as he dragged her along.

"Let go of me, Ronald, this instant!"

Hermione dug her heels into the stone floor, using her body weight to slow him down. She silently cursed herself for having her wand in her clutch, which was currently in the hanging off the wrist, which Ron was attempting to dislocate her shoulder from. As she jerked backwards once more, Ron whirled around the face her, dropping his grip on her arm and yelled,

"How could you talk to that man?! After everything he did, he's a Deatheater! He killed Dumbledore!"

Hermione just managed to contain her sigh of exasperation and as calmly as she could manage, she replied,

"He was a spy for the Order and he has redeemed himself a hundred times over since then. The War was five years ago, Ron, why can't you accept that what happened is in the past?"

This was an age-old conversation between them now. Don't talk to them. Listen to me. Do this. Don't do that. Hermione's patience ran only so far, she wanted to be his equal, not his maid.

Ron's face now surpassed the red of his hair, his fists were clenched white and he towered over Hermione's petite frame. This was the final straw in his mind. How could she defend him?

"Now listen, Hermione. As my fiancée, you're supposed to share my views. So, next time we bump into Snape, leave the talking to me, yeah?"

This time it was Hermione's term to grow red with anger.

"Share your views?! I am not some simpering girl who will giggle at every obtuse comment you make. I have my own opinions and if this is what you expect of a wife then I am not sure I want to marry you."

Ron just smirked at her, "Oh, Hermione. Are you sure you don't want to marry me? I mean, this is the only way you're ever going to get a husband cause as birds go you're not pretty at all."

The slap rang out in the empty corridor, Hermione's glare was like a thousand needles poised ready to strike like her wand, which was pointing at Ron's face. Her hair, which was once tamed into an elegant French twist, was now in a state of disarray as sparks of magic crackled through the loose curls framing her face.

"I wasn't sure before, Ronald, but now I am. Ever since we got engaged you have done nothing be patronise me and insult me. I don't need nor want you anymore. And quite frankly, looks aren't everything. Goodbye Ron, here's your pathetic ring."

The tiny diamond ring clattered to the ground as Hermione rushed away towards Hogwarts' apparition point, silent tears streaming down her face. She didn't notice the dark shadow in a nearby alcove silently plotting Ron Weasley's demise; he needed his ego knocking down a peg or four.

So this is my first ever fanfiction, be gentle! Please review!