After Hermione rejects Harry in the fanfic, it might create some tension in their friendship group. Ron could be caught in the middle, trying to support both of his friends. Meanwhile, Hermione might feel guilty for hurting Harry and try to make it up to him in other ways, like helping him with his studies or his battles against evil.
Well, it could lead to Harry feeling a bit heartbroken at first. But then he might focus more on his fight against the dark forces. He realizes that their friendship is more important than a romantic relationship that wasn't meant to be.
Another way the plot could develop is that Harry's rejection of Hogwarts causes a rift in the wizarding world. Some support his decision, seeing it as a brave step towards change, while others condemn him. This leads to a power struggle between different factions. Harry then has to navigate through this complex political situation, trying to prove that his way is better while also facing the challenges of being an outcast from the traditional Hogwarts - centered wizarding society.
Well, in fanfic, Hermione rejecting Harry at the Yule Ball could also be a way to show Hermione's independence. She's a strong - willed character. She might not want to go to the ball with Harry just because he's her friend. She could be waiting for someone who truly understands her on a deeper level, or she may simply not be in the mood for a romantic relationship with him at all.
One possible reason could be that Hermione has a different romantic vision. In the original series, she might see Harry more as a friend. In the fanfic, her character could be written as being focused on her own personal growth and goals, which don't align with a romantic relationship with Harry.
One consequence could be a strain on their friendship. Harry might feel embarrassed or hurt, which could lead to some distance between them. For example, he might avoid Hermione for a while.
It could also develop in a way that Hermione realizes she made a mistake after Harry leaves. She then sets out on a journey to find him, and along the way, she discovers more about herself and her feelings for Harry. Meanwhile, Harry is going through his own trials and tribulations, and when they finally meet again, they have both changed so much that they need to re - evaluate their relationship from a whole new perspective.
One possible reason could be that Hermione sees Harry more as a friend. She has a deep, platonic bond with him and doesn't want to risk ruining that friendship by turning it into a romantic relationship. In the original story, they have been through so much together as comrades in the fight against Voldemort, and she may value that camaraderie above all else.
He might be initially heartbroken. Harry has deep feelings for Hermione, so the rejection could come as a shock. He could withdraw into himself for a while, feeling sad and confused about why she doesn't feel the same way.
She could be rejecting Harry's proposal because she's still dealing with past traumas or unresolved issues. For example, she might be worried about how the public would view their relationship, especially given Harry's status as 'the boy who lived'. She also might not be ready for such a big commitment due to the instability in the wizarding world at that time. There could be a lot of political and social unrest, and she might feel that getting engaged is not a priority in such a situation.
It can completely change the direction of the story. For example, Ron might become more withdrawn and focus on self - improvement. His friendship with Harry could also be affected as he might be too preoccupied with his broken heart. Or he could start to resent Hermione, leading to a lot of tension between them.
In this kind of fanfiction, it could be that the author wants to explore a different dynamic. Hermione and Ron have a long - built relationship in the original series. Maybe the author feels that Ron and Hermione have a more 'grounded' connection compared to Harry and Hermione. It could also be about showing Ron's growth and how he becomes more worthy in Hermione's eyes over Harry.