Advanced Transfiguration Class

"As you saw, she was furious. Because Ron suddenly broke up with her that night, she wanted nothing more than to throw dozens of Explosion Curses at his face and burn that awful face...

"At the same time, she felt grateful. Many girls at school were in the same situation as her—the boys they liked did not like them back, and some had barely exchanged a few words before getting together. She knew perfectly well that those boys had gotten together with the girls for other reasons.

"So she was grateful to you. You respected her. You did not string her along for amusement, to show off, or to pass the time. That gratitude made her like you even more."

Speaking of that silly roommate, Hermione sighed.

"..."

Ron was stunned, his expression blank. "How can one person have so many feelings at once? Their head would break."

"You're so good at guessing what other people are thinking. You should know that not everyone is like you, with only a teaspoon of emotion," Harry said with a complicated expression, his tone rather wistful.

He had truly experienced that kind of inner conflict. Back when he had fallen for Cho Chang, he could get distracted during Quidditch matches, even while chasing the Golden Snitch, thinking about all sorts of nonsense. When Cho Chang smiled at him, he had even thought up names for their children. Then, in the next moment, he saw Cho Chang embracing Cedric...

Harry suddenly shuddered and shook those chaotic memories from his mind. "Two people don't have to be together just because they get along. Why not try being friends first?"

Ron said nothing, staring silently at the candy wrappers on the table.

Late December, Friday afternoon.

Hermione sat on the right side of the second