"Should've known better than to come."
Ron was in low spirits. He wasn't stupid; he could naturally tell that Hermione only saw him as a close friend.
But Ron wanted to be more than Hermione's good friend. After having his advances politely turned down several times, even Ron could clearly sense that Hermione was deliberately keeping her distance, refusing to give him even the slightest hope. It hurt him deeply, and he even began to suspect that Hermione liked someone else.
"Who could it be?"
Ron drank his sorrows away as he pondered the question.
"Albert? Probably not. Albert's already married, and he and his wife are very much in love. That isn't an act."
"Could it be Krum?" Another suspect came to mind, but he quickly ruled him out. Hermione might exchange letters with Krum, but there was no way they could have gotten together so quickly.
"Could she know that Lavender is still writing to me, so she's deliberately avoiding me?"
The thought of Lavender made Ron's expression grow even gloomier.
He had originally planned to follow Percy's example, gradually distancing himself from her to sever his connection with Lavender. But he had never expected Lavender to seem to anticipate it, clinging to him more and more tightly.
"That must be it."
Had Ginny secretly told Hermione?
After going in circles and realizing the problem was himself, Ron's face darkened further. He began using alcohol to numb himself and ease the frustration in his heart.
Meanwhile, Harry had just sat down, intending to whisper something to Ginny, when Albert called him over.
"What were you just talking about?"
Perhaps noticing the change in Harry's expression, Ginny, who had just been learning childcare tips from Isobel, finally could not help asking.
"Nothing!" Harry tried to change the subject. "What