Haha, sorry about that cliffie, I just thought that this chapter (which was originally one chapter) should be by itself. Any who, as always; read, review, and enjoy!

She took a deep breath. "More than a month ago I was raped."

Ginny was silent for a few moments. Hermione closed her eyes, fearing for the worst outcome; Ginny would think it was all Hermione's fault. She would freak out and call her stupid.

She heard Ginny take a shuddering breath and opened her eyes to look at the younger girl. Ginny's eyes were closed, her face contorted with barely controlled rage.

"Who?" She asked finally, her jaw clenched tight.

"What?" Hermione replied.

"Who!" Ginny yelled, her eyes flying open. "Who the hell did it? Merlin, Hermione, tell me. I swear on my wand that I'll kill him for it." Her hair was blowing around her face from an angry whirlwind of power.

Hermione hesitated. She wasn't sure what the outcome of telling Ginny would be. Maybe if she was a bit calmer, but right now didn't seem like the best time.

"Dammit, Hermione! Tell me, please. If you're worried I won't do anything – immediately. Besides, I though I was your best friend. Now you're telling that loathsome ferret all your secrets. I bet he knows who it was!"

Hermione took a deep breath. "Ginny," she pleaded. "It's not as though I told Draco about what happened – he stole my diary and read it. And if you must know it was –"

Ginny cut her off, "C'mon, then! Out with it, 'Mione."

Hermione shot her the shadow of a glare before continuing. "It was a professor."

Ginny gasped. "It was Snape, wasn't it?" Hermione just looked down at her lap. She could feel her wall trying to go back up. She wouldn't let it this time. She'd tried to tell Ginny numerous times, and she wasn't about to close up after finally getting this far. A spot of wetness hit her hand, and she touched her cheek, only to find that she was crying.

She sniffled and Ginny put her arms around her tightly. "He's a bastard, Hermione. We all knew that, but this," she shook her head, trying to keep her fiery temper at bay, if not for her own sake, for Hermione's. "This is going too far. He's going to pay for what he's done to you."

Hermione didn't doubt that Ginny would do something dreadful to Snape, and for once, she didn't care that it would be breaking school rules, or even Ministry rules. All she cared about was that Ginny knew – and didn't blame her for what Snape had done.

"Have you told Harry or Ron?" Ginny asked after a few moments of silence.

Hermione shook her head. "N – no. I haven't. I don't know how they'd react. And what it they blame me for what happened?"

Ginny turned to the older girl, her eyes flashing. "Never," she said through a clenched jaw, "say that ever again. Hear me?"

Hermione nodded silently. "It's just that, maybe if I hadn't gone to that 'detention' then none of this would have ever happened."

"You can't think that way, Hermione," Ginny told her somberly. "If you think that way, he wins. If you think positively, even through these terrible times, then you will always be triumphant. Oh, and 'Mione?"

"Yeah?" She asked.

"Try to tell Harry and Ronald sometime soon. The longer you wait, the more in the dark they'll feel. Besides, they already know something is seriously wrong with you, and they're sure to stop pestering you about your sanity and health if you stop keeping such a huge secret from them. Plus, 'Mione, they can help you. How long've you three been the 'Golden Trio'? People don't call you that for nothing."

Hermione managed a miniscule smile at that one. "You know, Gin, you're not the first person to tell me that today. Draco and you really are more alike than you would believe."

Ginny wrinkled her nose. "I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or an insult. Although, considering how much you two have been together and trusting, and talking, I'll take it as a compliment."

"Yes, Gin. It's a compliment, don't worry."

Ginny looked at her best friend with a most serious look on her face. "The sorting hat was right this year; there really is a huge connection that is joining rival houses."

"Oh?" Hermione asked her. "What might that be?"

"Love," Ginny replied simply. "Love is connecting our houses through you and Mal – Draco."

"Love? But Draco and I aren't in love. We're just friends."

Hermione thought for a few seconds. She couldn't be in love with Draco, could she? Especially not after what a man had done to her. How could she love? But you do love him, Hermione; a small voice in the back of her consciousness told her.

Ginny smiled. "You two just can't see it yet, but I saw it in his eyes, and I saw it in yours. You two will make a spectacular couple. Don't worry. Besides, as you're best friend, it's my duty to bat-bogey hex any person who discriminates on your relationship."

"Ginny, Draco and I don't have a relationship."

Ginny smiled coyly, a plan formulating in her mind already. It would be great for revenge on the man who had broken her best friend, and it would also be great for Hermione's recovery. "Not yet you don't any way," she mumbled under her breath.

"What was that, Gin?" Hermione asked. "I didn't hear you properly."

She laughed, "Nothing, 'Mione. Just talking to myself." With that she stood up, holding out her hand to pull Hermione up with her. "C'mon," she said. "Let's get off to class before we're in too much trouble."

All right, sorry for a bit of a delay. I've had it written, but I went to the mall Thursday night, a dance/friends house Friday night, and tonight I had 5 crazy people playing DDR in my living room. Haha, anyways, review and you shall receive. (;