Prologue:

Hermione sat alone in the owlery, holding a tear-streaked letter between her two small hands. The owl that had brought the note was buzzing annoyingly around her head, making her dizzy.

"Knock it off Pig! I can't deal with you being a nuisance right now!" Hermione shouted. The owl disregarded her and continued fluttering around her head. "I've got nothing to say to Ronald so you can just leave. I do not wish to respond to this note." Her words were overtaken with a sob. She attempted to bite back the tears but it was getting harder and harder. She thought of all the times that Pigwidgeon had brought her such lovely letters from Ron; how she had treasured those precious words he wrote to her during their 2 year long-distance relationship. Ron was away at auror training and Hermione had been working at Hogwarts as the replacement Transfiguration professor for McGonagall. It had put a significant strain on their relationship, as they rarely saw one another, their schedules being quite different. They had gotten to spend the occasional weekend and holiday together at the burrow, but for the most part they had spent the duration of their relationship apart. She had not thought it a significant problem until today when she received Ron's note. It wasn't as if there was anything either of them could do about the separation. Both of their careers were important to them. She refocused her attention to the letter once more.

Dear Hermione,

I have tried writing this about ten times now and haven't really found a nice way of putting it so I'm just going to say it. This isn't working for me. I'm sorry but I can't do this long distance thing anymore. It's just not good for us to be apart so much and I can't see this carrying on for much longer. Things have progressed a bit further than I meant them to. I've been seeing Lavender again for a few months. She was placed with our group of trainees as our resident nurse and I couldn't stay away. It's not fair to either of you to keep it a secret any longer. I think it's best if we just go our separate ways. I really hope that we can still remain friends. You know I'll always be there for you when you really need it. Hope to see you soon at the Burrow for Christmas. Best,

Ron

The letter fell between her fingers and fluttered to the stone floor. She began fumbling around in her robes for her wand. "Incendio!" she cast at the parchment. The words began to melt away along with the parchment in a small flame. Hermione clambered to her feet and brushed herself off; there was no use sitting in the cold and smelly owlery any longer. She had gotten the letter from Ron that she had been eagerly anticipating all week. Not as uplifting as she had hoped, but she had finally gotten it. She ran a hand over her hair in an attempt to smooth it and wiped her watery eyes on the sleeve of her robe. No need for any of the students to see their professor looking this haggard.

After taking a deep breath, Hermione grabbed her beaded bag from the ground and began the long trek back to her quarters. Her mind was spinning, thinking about the words that she had just read. She needed to talk with someone about this or she might explode. But who? Harry was out of the question as he was in training with Ron. How could he have not said anything about Ron and Lavender carrying on behind her back? She would be writing him a very angry letter come morning. Ginny was one of Hermione's best friends but she was also Ron's sister, she didn't really feel like discussing this with her, as it would most likely make her uncomfortable. Hermione usually tried to not discuss her relationship with Ron in great detail with Ginny. McGonagall? No. She wouldn't understand, she had been single as long as Hermione had known her and they had never once discussed previous relationships, it could be very awkward.

Hermione walked past the library and decided not to stop in. She usually liked to read in the evenings, relishing in the fact that, as a professor, she could go in whenever she wanted, unlike when she was a student and had to sneak in. But before she got much past the doors, she thought she heard someone call out her name. It was a soft voice, calling out "Hermione?" the voice had sounded surprised to see her. But when she turned around, she could see no one. She shivered and pulled her cloak around her tighter, but kept on her way wondering whose voice she had heard. Mostly likely it was just Peeves, trying to get on her nerves.

When she finally reached the portrait leading to her rooms she felt exhausted, emotionally and physically. "Hopscotch" she said to the painting of Merlin that protected her living quarters.

"Are you quite alright my lady?" Merlin asked, noting her puffy red eyes and disheveled appearance

"Yes, thank you Merlin. I've just received an unhappy letter. Tomorrow will be a better day." With that, the painting swung open and revealed her chambers. She practically threw herself onto her striped maroon and gold couch, breaking into another round of tears. As she wept, Hermione felt something warm snuggle up next to her. Crookshanks always knew how to comfort her when she was upset.

"Crookshanks, why can't you be a man? You'd be a much more agreeable boyfriend than Ronald. Whenever I'm upset, you know just how to make me feel better. And I bet you'd never cheat on me with that ridiculous girl. You'd be understanding about my busy schedule lately with lessons and grading. Not to mention the new spell that I have to create by the end of spring term." Feeling overwhelmed Hermione sighed loudly. "I think it's best we go to bed now Crooky. I'm feeling a bit peaked." Hermione gathered Crookshanks in her arms and trudged slowly to her bedroom. After setting her cat on her bed, she changed into her flannel nightgown, cleaned her teeth, and fashioned her hair into a semi-manageable plait down her back. She climbed into bed and with a flick of her wrist, extinguished the lights in her bedroom and drifted into a troubled slumber.