Disclaimer: (Honestly, why do we have to write these stupid things? I mean, first of all, I'm not sure that JKR can be considered a "fan" if it's her own work. And secondly, she wouldn't NEED to write fanfictions, she could have just made her story that way in the first place. So it should just be assumed that, if you're writing these, you don't own the story.) *sigh* I don't own Harry Potter (as if it wasn't already obvious.)

A/N: Ron may seem a bit OOC in this chapter, but just bear with it. I swear, he's bipolar. But just keep reading, it'll make sense later. Also, swearword warning, don't say I didn't tell you.

Chapter 3

The 5th year girls Gryffindor dormitory was empty save for one girl, twisted in her comforter with a serene smile on her sleeping features. Soft morning light haloed her smooth complexion and she rolled in her sleep… only to be jolted awake when she fell bodily to the floor. A moment too late, her hands jerked uselessly to cover her face and her eyes darted frantically around the room.

Hermione took a moment to orient herself, and when her heartbeat had resumed a semi-normal pace, she glanced at the digital alarm clock her parents had given her for her last birthday. When her eyes focused on the luminescent numbers, her heart rate shot back up again and she scrambled through her pristine trunk for a set of robes. Cursing, she pulled on the first one that her hand alighted upon. She performed a quick spell to rid herself of bedhead and morning breath and sprinted out the door. In the now-empty room, the clock announced 7:54 a.m.

Hermione dashed through the halls toward the History of Magic classroom, praying that she could run quickly enough. When she was three classrooms away, Hermione was feeling a wave of conviction that she would make it. No sooner had the satisfaction warmed her than Ron unexpectedly reached out from seemingly nowhere and grabbed Hermione's arm, almost yanking it from its socket.

"Ron, what are you doing? We'll be late!" Hermione shrieked.

"Um, Hermione, I really need to talk to you."

"Does it have to be now?!"

Ron looked heartbroken and said, "Hermione, it's important."

Hermione huffed and looked toward the classroom, so close. Just then, the bell rang. "Fine. But we could be missing crucial information for the exam!"

"Could you please think about something other than school for just five minutes?!" Ron said, a shadow of his customary anger forming on his face.

This is it, Hermione thought, this is when I'll break up with him. She gulped and prayed for courage. "Okay," she said, a bit feebly. Ron pulled her into the empty classroom to their right.

Once they were settled, they each looked at each other expectantly, then both began talking at once. There was an awkward silence, after which Hermione insisted that Ron go first, trying to prolong what she knew had to be done.

"Look, Hermione," Ron said, wringing his hands, "I'm really sorry about how I've been treating you lately. O.W.L. pressure is a lot, from mum, and I'm just afraid of someone else taking you away from me. I know I was never good enough for you from the start. Just… when you agreed to go out with me, I honestly believed that I had died and gone to Heaven. Because there is no more perfect girl in the world than you. And I… I love you, Hermione, and I would die without you."

Hermione was utterly shocked and grasped for words but, for once, could find none. She shamefully looked at the floor, feeling guilty for ever doubting that he cared for her. That didn't change the fact that she had no feelings for him, though. But after that confession, even though it was a bit too clingy for her comfort, she couldn't bring herself to say what she knew she had to.

"That-that's very flattering, Ronald."

He smiled quietly, and held the door open for her, so they could get to class, albeit several minutes late. This is so unlike him, Hermione thought, a feeling of foreboding brewing in her gut. She ignored it and stepped through the door. Ron tentatively reached for her hand, and she wondered if she could pretend not to see it. After a moment of internal crisis, she took it as they walked the short distance to the classroom.

They silently pushed open the door to the History of Magic classroom, so as not to disturb the class. Professor Binns did not so much as look up from his monotonous note-reading as they slid into empty seats, uncaught. Ron pulled the uncomfortable Hermione closer as Seamus whispered, "Hey, where've you been?"

Ron grinned mischievously, all hints of his loving self gone. "Oh, you know," he said back, "doing a little something in an empty classroom."

Hermione flushed bright crimson, and opened her mouth to vehemently deny it when Seamus cut her off.

"Woah, dude, that's awesome, I wish Parvati were that willing," Seamus said. Then he saw Hermione's angry red cheeks. "Hey, no need to be ashamed of it, guys like a girl that gives herself away. I might just have to see if I can pop one in you, too," he winked.

Ron furiously pulled her out of Seamus's sight and whispered threateningly, "If you so much as think about putting your microscopic dick anywhere near my girl, you will live to regret it."

All of the while, Professor Binns remained oblivious to the conversation. Hermione's mind was a painful whirlwind of confusion as she compared the Ron of a few minutes past to the Ron of the present.

Ron attempted to pull Hermione closer, but she broke away in order to write detailed notes on Professor Binns' lecture. She threw all of her focus into that, trying to block out the hyper speed merry-go-round of thoughts threatening to take over her.

The rest of the period passed quickly, much to Hermione's relief. The second the bell rang, Hermione grabbed her books and bolted out the door, only pausing long enough to say "Library," by way of explanation to Ron. He didn't even have time to complain.

Hermione sped toward the library, her comforting constant. Her next class didn't start for 15 minutes, and she figured she could at least have enough time to read the History lesson over again, since she had to miss the first part of the lecture. She lingered at the doorway for a second longer than necessary, breathing in the musky book smell and feeling her nerves melt into a more manageable, and less prominent, form. She walked to the corner table, setting her books more or less reverently on the smooth wood.

Hermione knew that she should have acted when she had the chance, and that she should still break up with him, no matter how he was like on his good… minutes. And what about her feelings for Ginny? Being gay was taboo, her own parents would never support her. They were devoutly into their Catholic faith, and homosexuals were worse than street whores in their book. And Mrs. Weasley wouldn't very well appreciate Hermione taking her only daughter away from her.

Hermione was shocked back into consciousness when something large and furry pressed up against her arm, which was supported by the table.

"Crookshanks!" Hermione hissed, "You know you're not allowed in here!" She picked up the ginger cat and swiftly gathered her books. She smuggled him out of the library, deciding to take him somewhere far away, so that he couldn't wander back in and face the wrath of Madam Pince. She dropped Crookshanks by an empty classroom, the door slightly ajar. He stared up at her with large, luminous eyes, not moving. She gently pushed the cat a few inches down the hall, saying "Go catch a mouse or something." He went slowly, giving her an annoyed look, and finally scampered around the corner.

Hermione turned to head back to the library, but then realized that she might as well head to her next class, since she would have to head there as soon as she got to the library, anyway. With a sigh, she pivoted back the way she had sent Crookshanks, but stopped in her tracks when a movement caught her eye, coming from the presumably empty classroom. She quietly opened the door a bit farther, peeking in, but knowing that she shouldn't. It was only her first year being a prefect, but she had already seen enough to last her for a lifetime and to start her own unique dirty magazine. Shuddering those images from her mind, she forced her vision to penetrate more into the darkness. And then… she saw what had caught her eye. She plastered her hand over her mouth to keep from gasping. She tried to tear herself away, but her eyes were glued.

She forced her legs to back away from the doorway, in spite of the fact that they seemed to have turned into jell-o, but were shaking like jackhammers. Jackhammers filled with jell-o, Hermione thought incomprehensibly.

Finally, Hermione gained enough control of her legs to push her in the right direction. She built her speed, hoping that if she could run fast enough, it would be as if it had never happened. She skidded to a halt outside of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, successfully thinking about the incident minimally and only focusing on her burning legs.

As she was the first to arrive, Hermione sat in a partially obscured row by the wall (so that Ron would hopefully overlook her when he came) and just allowed herself to think.

First of all, why? I need to answer that. She thought long and hard. Probably to get back at Seamus. But if that's the case, why do it that way? Do I really have that bad of taste? Would I really be convinced by mere acting?

She waited as the students trickled in, surreptitiously watching the door. The last two people to enter were just the two she had feared. They were giggling about some private joke, and seemed flushed. A whisper ran through the whole room as it took in this new development:

Ron and Parvati.

A/N: Sorry about the kinda-cliffhanger. Just FYI, I most likely won't be able to update next week, because I have the Ohio Graduation Test all week, plus a GINORMOUS essay, the biggest of my life, not to mention track season starts.

Reviews are greatly appreciated, you know the drill: no reviews, no update. (It sounds like I'm blackmailing, but I don't want to continue if no one likes my story.) You may not know it, but your feedback really helps. I don't have the story planned out, I just make it up as I go, so suggestions work as well. Thanks again to reviewers! Until next time, ttfn!