Oh, hell. As long as I'm here, may as well just put up this next chapter. I'm almost at 6,000 words, this one should bring it up to that.

She was woken by someone's footsteps moving across her room. Opening her eyes, the first thing she saw was long, flaming-red hair.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked blearily.

"Hi Hermione. I got your owl. I came as soon as I got home. You've been out cold since I got here."

"How long have you been here?"

"About two hours. But don't worry, I didn't mind. I wanted to be there as soon as you woke up," Ginny said kindly with a smile on her face. "So what happened? You had a row with my brother."

"Well, as I said, Ron and I had a huge argument. I was just telling him about my day when he told me to 'Stop talking about Draco.' He said all I ever talk about is Draco. He said... He said I care about Draco more than I do him." Tears were now welling up in her brown eyes, but she continued. "I told him that it wasn't true, and it's not. At least, I think it's not. But I also said I needed a break and... And left."

"And you've been here since then?"

"Well... Not exactly."

"What do you mean?" Ginny raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Well... I kind of... Wenttodraco'sflat" she mumbled and slurred the last bit embarrassedly.

"Sorry? Didn't quite catch that."

"I said I went to Draco's flat." She hung her he'd ashamedly.

"Hermione!"

"I know, I know. But nothing happened! Sort of. Well, we talked. And... Well..."

"What? Did he do something? He don't kiss you did he?" The look on Hermione's face said it all. "Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. Hermione! Please tell me you don't kiss back!"

"Not- Not at first, but then I kind of did for a second, and then I realized what I was doing! I didn't mean to..."

"Hermione. You are going to be married. To a man who loves you dearly. Don't hurt him. I will be your friend whatever happens, but please don't hurt him. He's my brother. And I know mum wouldn't like it."

"I know, I know, I just... Don't know..."

"What don't you know?"

"I don't know what to think. I love Ron, but then Draco kissed me and now I'm all confused."

"Well, did you like the kiss?"

"No. Yes. Maybe? I haven't the slightest idea."

"Here. How about this. How did you feel when Draco kissed you?"

"I guess I was shocked at first. But then I kind of liked it. I think. I felt little sparks inside me. But then I processed what was going on and I was really surprised and sort of angry and relieved all at the same time."

"Okay. Let's go back. The first time you kissed Ron, you described it to me as sparks inside you. You said that happened every time for a while. And now you say that you felt sparks when you kissed Draco. Okay. How do you feel when you're around him? Happy? Upset? Calm?"

"Well... Satisfied, now I think about it. Relaxed." Hermione admitted.

"How do you feel around Ron?"

"Oh. Um, tense. Like something isn't right. Not like I used to feel."

Ginny was silent for a moment, which worried Hermione. A minute passed. Then she spoke. Quietly. "Hermione... I think you might like Draco."

"But... But... Oh. Oh my gosh. Ginny. I think... I think you're right. What do I do? I can't stay with Ron, but I don't want to hurt him, or have your family hate me. I practically grew up with you guys."

"Hermione, my family loves you. They'll be upset, of course. I'm sure Ron will come before you, especially if you're leaving him for Draco, no offense. But even if they do never talk to you, I will, because you're my best friend, and Harry's best friend. You won't be left alone. Do what's right for you, not what's right for my family."

"Thanks, Gin. You're an awesome friend." Hermione stood up to give Ginny a hug. "Now, I have to go talk to Ron."

Hermione said good-bye to her best friend, and, heart pounding like a drum, she apparated to Ron's flat. She knew Ron would be home, because she knew that he wouldn't be able to face work and would want to wait for her to come home. She was just sad that this was how it had to be. She walked in the door to find Ron sitting on the couch, staring into space. As soon as he saw her, he jumped up.

"Hermione! Listen, I'm so sorry for what I said. I was just jealous and being a git and I know how hard you worked and it was stupid of me to think that you loved him and please forgive me!" He was practically begging on his knees, words tumbling out of his mouth. Hermione looked down and saw sheer regret and sorrow and sadness in his eyes. She couldn't take that and tore her eyes away, guilt starting to build inside her, for she knew she wouldn't be able to look in those eyes for a long, long time.

"Ron. You- you were stupid. Everything you said was stupid. I forgive you for saying it. But there was one thing that wasn't as stupid. Ron... You were right," all she could do was stare at the detailed carpet. She couldn't even look at him.

"Right? Oh no. No. No no no no no. You can't mean it. Hermione, please say you're joking! No! I love you! I thought you loved me! No! Hermione, last night I-" Hermione interrupted his babbling.

"Ron. I really am truly sorry to have to do this. But we just aren't the way we used to be. I can't take it. Please, try not to hate me forever. We just weren't meant to be. You'll find someone else. I know it. You are a great person. Just not the one for me." Tears streaked her face, and she was whispering by the end of her little speech.

"You're the only one for me. I know it. I can't live without you. I need you. I love you." He had tears falling fast and free down his freckled face.

"I'm so, so sorry Ron. But this just isn't working. Good-bye." And with that, she disapparated, leaving Ron to stand there, shocked, until he could actually think again.

Hermione had apparated to Malfoy's flat now. She was almost afraid to go in. But she had to. If she didn't do it now, she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to. She went up and knocked. A pale face promptly appeared on the other side of the door.

"Yes? Oh. Hi Hermione. Listen, I'm sorry about last night. I wasn't thinking. It was stupid, you just wanted to be friends and I messed everything up. If you want to just stop working with me, go ahead. We had a deal."

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. It's just... That kiss changed everything. I've- I've just come from Ron's flat. I ended it with him. Last night made me realize that I'm happy with you. When we kissed, everything was different. I was shocked at first. But I worked through my feelings. And what I found at the very bottom was you." With that, she reached her head up and kissed him. It was everything she wanted. With that one kiss, she knew she'd found her soulmate.