"Shut up, Ronald, just –shut up!"
Hermione stood outside the Room of Requirement with tears streaming down her face. How could she have been so stupid –so blind? How could she have failed to detect Ron's growing disinterest and link it to his "Quidditch practice," his suddenly being friendly to Lavender Brown? She had thought it was just her, all her, her not being affectionate enough and always studying and being disappointed in him for slacking off… And tonight. Tonight she had just been lonely. She'd come up to the Room of Requirement for some comforts, maybe a good book or a nice long bath she could have in peace. But as she'd been walking back and forth in front of the wall, Ron had entered her thoughts, and the Room had given her what it thought she needed. The sight of Ron snogging Lavender. She wheeled around in hurt and anger.
"How long?" She glared at Ron, willing her voice not to rise above a cold whisper.
"I- I don't know! A few months?" Ron stammered, as he looked beseechingly at her. Behind him, Lavender was deciding if she should leave them alone or wait until they finished so she could "comfort" Ron in the RoR.
Hermione sat down. A few months. What had happened a few months ago? She cast her mind around. The Gryffindor game versus Slytherin. Ron hadn't let in any of the shots. The victory party after. Hermione leaving early because she had an exam the next day, and Ron's disappointed face…
With a sickening flash, Hermione remembered. The pitying look Malfoy had given her the day after. The whispering at the Gryffindor table. Ron telling her not to worry, to ignore them, and Ginny's refusing to sit by him, and Harry's angry look… Really, how could she have been so stupid? She, Hermione. The cleverest witch of their age.
"How could you?" It came out as barely more than a whisper. How could he? After all they'd been through, all she had given him… She looked up at Ron. Stood up. Said it louder. "How. Could. You?"
"I…" Ron trailed off. He looked back at Lavender, then back to Hermione. "I don't know, 'Mione. But please. Please. I love you. You have to believe me."
"Oh please, Weasel. How can you have the nerve to say that after she caught you and the Gryffindor skank in the Room of Requirement?" A new, cold voice came out from the shadows behind Hermione. Hermione spun around and her eyes widened in shock, for in front of her stood the Slytherin Prince.