JK Rowling owns everything, including my soul.

Chapter 2

Ron mumbled something like "fine" as he brushed past the sobbing girl and made his way up to the boy's dormitory.

It was over. And he didn't even know it.

Each thud made by the boy's feet hitting the stairs felt like a punch in the stomach, each blow becoming progressively more painful. All Hermione could do was sob. She liked Ron, she really did, but he made it so hard. She curled her knees up to her chest and buried her head into them. She continued to cry until a distinct snore came from up the stairs. Ron had already fallen asleep. It made her chuckle for a second, remembering the familiar sound, and the comfort it once brought her. Hermione had always found his immediate slumber and subsequent snoring so, for lack of a better word, cute. A memory began to snake its way into her thoughts, showing her flashes of an afternoon picnic by the Black Lake. They had had a real full lunch and, while laying and watching the giant squid flaunt its tentacles, Ron had fallen asleep and began to snore.

Hermione shook the memory from her mind and it brought her back to the present. How could he possibly be sleeping already, after what just happened? she thought. Here I am crying, unable to even feel tired, and he's already in a deep sleep. This angered her beyond belief as she started punch the pillows on the common room couch. Her punches slowed, as the hot tears of anger and sadness welled up in her eyes again, and she was back where she started. Upset and alone.

* * *

"Hermione… Hermione, wake up!"

Someone was calling her, though she couldn't quite pinpoint the identity. It was familiar, nonetheless.

"Hermione! We have Herbology in 20 minutes!"

She awoke in the same place where she had ended it all, in her mind at least - there was still the issue of telling Ron. Her eyes fluttered open to the face of Parvati Patil, urgently shaking her, attempting to wake her up.

"Finally. Let's go, Herbology starts in 15 minutes."

Hermione sat up violently, confused of her surroundings for just a minute. Why am I in the common room? Comprehension washed over her, as she realized that she had fallen asleep in the same position that she had been crying in. She never made it up to the girl's dormitory.

"Meet you in the greenhouse…" Hermione managed to mumble to Parvati as she stood up and ran up the stairs quickly to brush her teeth. Why didn't Harry wake me? Of course, he must have taken Ron's side. She clenched her jaw as she put her toiletries away, now angry at both boys instead of just the one. Still keeping the anger in the front of her mind, Hermione began to run down the flights of stairs to the grounds, silently cursing each one that decided to move right before she was able to step on it. She arrived in the greenhouse five minutes late, and was greeted by several pairs of staring eyes, both Gryffindor and Slytherin. It was not like Hermione to be late to anything academic related.

"You're late, Miss Granger. Five points from Gryffindor."

Hermione turned red, and slipped into her spot next to Harry, whispering an apology for her lateness.

"As I was saying, today's lesson is on Venomous Tentacula. Now I want you all to be careful, the vines are…"

During the lesson the students identified the parts of the plant, uses, dangers, etc., all of which Hermione knew already. She had read ahead in the textbook weeks ago. Harry and Ron made fun of her for being so eager. She had been angry for a minute, but had to chuckle since she knew they were only joking. Plus, a small kiss from Ron helped…

Snapping out of her daydream, Hermione noticed she was walking out of the greenhouse with Harry and Ron. She made a mental note to stop with the blackouts.

She knew what she had to do. She already made up her mind about breaking up with Ron. How to not make it awkward was going to be very difficult.

"Hey, Ron? Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"

"Uh, sure Hermione. Harry, I'll meet up with you in the common room, okay?"

"Sure." Harry turned and made his way back up to the castle. He knew what she was doing, and he was glad not to have to witness it.

"So what's up?" Ron could really be oblivious sometimes. It had once been charming, but now it was just ignorant and annoying.

"I…we…" How could she word it? She was breaking up with him, and she knew he would be completely and totally confused. But it had to be done.

"Ron. We have to break up. We can't be together anymore." Better to be clear and frank. "The constant fighting, your knack for being awfully blind to my needs and desires and likes and-"

"Wait a minute. Is this about S.P.E.W.? Because I try to listen, I do, but I just get so bored."

"It's not only about that. I just can't handle the stress and heartbreak anymore. It's over."

"No, you can't just end our relationship like that, you can't-"

"I can, and I just have. I'm sorry."

"Hermione, don't do this. I can try harder, I can put up flyers about S.P.E.W., I'll wear the badge you gave me, I'll-"

"It's no use, Ron. I've made up my mind." Hermione started to turn away.

"But-" Ron grabbed her arm, attempting to stop her from leaving.

"I'm sorry…"

She left Ron standing at the lake, dumbfounded. She didn't want to extend the break up any longer than was needed. The next month or two were going to be really awkward. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were the best of friends, they did everything together. They were the trio. Inseparable since the troll incident in their first year. She held it together until she got to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and then broke down, remembering the good times. This was going to be harder than she thought, breaking up with Ron. Especially since she would have to see him everyday.

"What's wrong with you?" Moaning Myrtle floated over to Hermione, who was sitting pressed up against the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.

"Just leave me alone, Myrtle."

"I just wanted to help! No one ever wants my- my-" Myrtle stammered and began to cry, feeling hopeless and unloved. As usual.

"I'm sorry, Myrtle. I…just broke up with Ron."

"Oh? Well it's about time, that git has the emotional range of a teaspoon."

Hermione laughed. She remembered telling him that the previous year, after Harry's first kiss with Cho. Her laughter turned to a soft cry.

"So… does that mean you'll get together with Harry?" There was a jealous edge to Myrtle's tone, but Hermione ignored that and instead focused on the absurd notion that had just been brought up.

"Our relationship is strictly platonic. What are you, delusional?"

The two laughed, bonding for the first time since their encounter in her second year. Hermione said goodbye to the ghostly girl, and made her way to the Gryffindor common room. She was grateful to not see Ron, it would be too soon. She made her way over to the fireplace where Harry was sitting, talking to Dobby.

"Harry Potter sir said Miss broke up with her Wheezy. Dobby is so sorry, Miss, so very sorry." Dobby squeeked as he hugged his tiny arms around her knees.

"Thanks, Dobby."

Dobby always made Hermione feel better. He had this…this…incredible energy about him. He was always happy, knitting Harry crazy socks almost every week as a thanks for freeing him from slavery at the Malfoy Manor. She spent a lot of time working with Dobby, trying to get the Hogwarts kitchen elves to stand up for their rights they had as living beings. She really enjoyed his company. He had the brightest, biggest green eyes she had seen, even more incredible than Harry's. She found herself staring into Dobby's eyes a little longer than normal, entranced by the effect they had on her. She wasn't exactly happy, but she felt more cheerful than she had earlier. She smiled at the little creature, then went up to the girl's dormitory to get her books for Arithmancy.

Thanks to my Beta readers, Jasmine and Nishat. And everyone else that read it. Please review! Thanks!