Hermione Granger rushed into the ramshackle hut, slamming the door. "What is with boys? They are so dense!" Without waiting for a response from the large Groundskeeper she plopped into a chair.

"Would ye like a cup of tea, Hermione?" His huge hands held a delicate cup carefully. She nodded and he poured amber liquid into the container, indicated the small pitcher and bowl on the table. "Sugar and cream; help yourself." He poured himself a cup and sat. "Tell me, what did Ron do?"

Her voice high-pitched, she exclaimed, "He is such a boy." Shaking her head she added, "And not a very bright one, at that." Bringing the cup to her lips she sipped. "Unfortunately I've fallen for the git, but he makes me so frustrated. He actually forgot our second anniversary. Which I didn't realize until Charms, when he finally cast that memory spell correctly � the one for dates and such. Suddenly he looked really guilty and I knew."

A rumbling chuckle emerged from Hagrid. "You remind me of a girl I used to know. She got so upset at me for forgetting things like that."

"Oh?" Hermione perked up. "You had a girlfriend? When?"

He shrugged, his entire body taking part, moving and settling back. "Jus' because I live in a shack on Hogwarts doesn't mean that I've never had a girl." From a nearby drawer he pulled out a picture and handed it over.

"She's very pretty," the witch observed. "Tell me about her."

Hagrid stared at the photo. The girl was laughing and smiling. Quietly, he muttered, "Woman much missed, how you call to me..."

"Hm?"

"Oh, nothin'. Odd the way things work out sometimes, eh?" He tossed the picture back into the drawer and shut it soundly. "I made too many mistakes and never realized. I should have a talk with Ron sometime." His eyes darkened. "He's lucky to hav' you."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you, Hagrid. And it's not that bad. Ron usually makes it up. I expect something really nice once I get back."

"Maybe even before." Hagrid pointed out the window where a redheaded blur was flying towards the hut.

"Hermione! I am so sorry! Please forgive me!" There was a thud outside and the broom continued on, riderless. After a series of stomping noises, the door opened. Ron Weasley dragged himself inside and collapsed on the floor. "I try not to forget, Hermione. I do. I love you." He crawled to her feet. "Forgive me?"

"You're rather pathetic, Ron," Hagrid noted, eyes twinkling. "Begging at her feet, are ye?"

Ron glared. "Fred and George said it was a good idea. Mum agreed." He looked at Hermione, pleadingly. "Is it working?"

Hermione tapped her chin. "I suppose... what else are you going to do to make up for it?"

"Oh! I'm going to take you out to a great dinner and I have a present waiting for you back in the dorms, assuming Harry brings it back in time..." A grin split his face as he jumped to his feet and took Hermione's hand. He kept talking as he dragged her from Hagrid's. Hermione waved good-bye as she left.

The half-giant watched them wander in the direction of the castle. His eyes darkened again and he saw a different couple: A large, awkward boy with bushy hair accompanying a slight girl. Both were laughing. Hagrid blinked. The image was gone; it was Ron and Hermione again � they had paused and were engaged in a very intense kiss. He chuckled and turned back into his house, shutting the door softly behind him.

"Woman much missed, how you call to me." The Voice, Thomas Hardy