It wasn't that Ron was the bad guy in Hermione's eyes. Contrary to what he seemed to think, she did understand where he was coming from. But this was another case of Hermione really believing in Draco and his ability to change. Like several people had said already, he'd become her "project," much as she'd protested use of that word.

"I know, Ron," she pleaded, looking as though this was tearing her up inside. "I had to go through that, too, when I first got here." She glanced at Harry, silently telling him that she appreciated the back up. His words were exactly what she'd been trying to get through Ron's head. "No one can be around you and Harry all the time and not change!" Something she knew quite well from personal experience.

"Please, Ron. I'm not asking you to be automatic friends with him. Just don't go out of your way to hex him." Or make idiots of both of them.