"Er... Mione..."
Lavender's shoulders fell as she watched Hermione turn to Ronald, surprise on her face. So... So it didn't work. It never worked.
God, it was a stupid idea. She didn't know why she'd thought it would work. She was just desperate. So many years and her attempts at even just making friends had failed completely and utterly. And now...
She felt tears slide down her face and whirled, running away. She couldn't let them see her cry. Let her think she was just a heartbroken girlfriend. A stupid teenage 'bimbo' who wasn't wanted.
Why? Why did she have to like someone that so clearly didn't care about her? Why did she have to try so hard for that person's attention? Why did she have to fall so very hard?
She didn't go far. She went to the nearest classroom, found a seat, and dropped in it so she could cry. She was a mess in seconds. Tears streamed down her red face, contorted with pain and heartbreak. Her dusky blonde curls fell around her face like a curtain.
This was it. She'd lost. Hermione and Ron would get together, and she'd be alone. Heartbroken and with only a couple friends who'd know she wasn't just some stupid boy-stealing homewrecker.
She was in love. Maybe she hadn't made the best decisions, but so what? Love made people do stupid things.
She heard footsteps and looked up. When she saw the mane of bushy brown curls, she froze.
Hermione had followed her. Why? What did she want? Was...
"Here to gloat?" Lavender asked, unable to help herself. She'd deserve it. She'd been a bitch to the other girl. She was so awful at conveying her feelings, in reality.
"Lavender, I-"
"Just go! I know you want him, and now he wants you, too!" Lavender shouted, half-sobbing her words. "God, I was so stupid, thinking I had a chance. Why choose me? I'm just a 'dumb bimbo', right?" She gave a bitter laugh in spite of herself.
"No, I... Lavender, I'm sorry. I was wrong," Hermione pleaded as she stepped closer. She sounded scared, for some reason. Worried.
"Wrong? For what? Choosing the boy you like?" Lavender said miserably. "It's fine. It's whatever. I know I'm nobody's first choice. You hate me. I know it."
"No, Lavender, I don't. You've got it all wrong!" Hermione insisted.
"What in the world could I possibly have wrong?!" She shouted back, looking at Hermione with defiant eyes.
A second later, their lips met. Lavender froze, stunned as she felt the awkward click of teeth. Their noses bumped together. It was wet from her tears, and also from Hermione's.
A bubble of warmth exploded inside her. An overwhelming torrent of happiness that washed out the melancholy. The confusion remained as she tried to process what was happening.
When Hermione pulled back, she met Lavender's eyes. Brown to hazel. "It was never about Ron," Hermione whispered.
Different tears slid down Lavender's face as she wrapped her arms around Hermione's neck. "It was never about Ron," she agreed quietly, pulling the girl she loved close to share their second kiss.