I've been SO busy recently! NO TIME AT ALL. But that is still no excuse to neglect my story and I apologise deeply. Please review!

'Rubeus, I've had an argument with Ginny and it's horrible… I'm so cross and she sounded so snooty, and the worst thing is I think she's right but I really, really, don't want her to be!' Hermione wailed, so fast that her words all tangled in her mouth and she had to say it again, very slowly, before Rubeus understood.

'Wha' did yeh argue abou'?' he asked, and his mouth contorted. Hermione thought for a second that it seemed as though he was forcing himself to ask, as if he didn't want to know the answer. Hermione took a couple of deep breaths and steeled herself. Ginny was certainly right about one thing – if she was going to continue having sex with Justin she needed to be able to at least say the words.

'I had sex with Justin, Rubeus, and Ginny thinks that we're moving too fast and that it won't last, and… I think she thinks I'm a slut.' Hermione rushed over it again, and again she made no sense and had to slow down and say it all again. Rubeus looked as though he was going to be sick, but he stood up and gave her a long hug. He gestured for her to sit down again, and did the same himself.

'Yer not a slag, 'Mione, yer a very nice girl – woman – who's made a mistake with a man she loves very much, and yer gonna be okay. If yeh wan' the relationship to las', though, yer gonna have to stop. It migh' still work out, bu' yer gonna have to exercise complete self-restrain'. It's gonna be hard, now, no' to let yerself do it again, cos yeh've done it before, and cos yeh enjoyed it.' Hermione nodded. In her first year she'd have had trouble understanding his thick accent but it was as natural now as any other. She was so grateful that Rubeus wasn't judging her, like most of her peers would, and wasn't telling her off or patronising her, as most adults would. He truly was a blessing. She jumped up from her chair and squished herself beside him on the sofa. She leaned against him and cried a little into his arm, which he lifted and patted her shoulder. It felt more like a massage, the way Rubeus patted, but it felt good. They had another chat, about school, about Care of Magical Creatures and about Hermione's NEWTs, and suddenly it was almost time for dinner. Rubeus offered to walk her to the Great Hall and they climbed the hill together. They arrived in the Hall and Hermione gave Rubeus one last quick hug, and, deciding his cheek was far too high for her to reach, pecked the inside of his wrist instead. Blushing slightly, she hurried to sit down. Ginny was sitting with Harry and Ron, and glared when she noticed Hermione. Harry looked at her questioningly and Hermione felt a rush of relief that Ginny was so… moral; she'd never give away anyone's secrets. Hermione settled next to Neville who was also wondering why Ginny was in such a foul mood. Hermione, used to it now, reeled off the whole story almost comfortably. Neville tried to hide his reaction but he was clearly shocked. He muttered something incoherent and Hermione smiled warmly at him.

'You don't have to say anything, Neville. I'd rather you didn't. I still want to be friends with you and I don't want to come between you and Ginny either. I think we're all too mature for that. Now, when are you going to ask Luna out?' Neville almost spat out his mouthful of pumpkin juice.

'What?'

'You heard me. You should invite her to Hogsmeade.'

'But 'Mione, what if she says no? She's one of my best friends, I don't want to make it awkward if she doesn't, you know, like me back…'

'Neville, it's ok, she's mad about you. Really, she is. Go on, go and ask her now. She'll say yes. I promise.' Hermione watched as Neville crossed the Hall and nervously tapped Luna on the shoulder. She smiled up at him and Neville just stuttered. He looked helplessly back at the Gryffindor table and everyone grinned and gave him the thumbs up. He nodded, gulped and turned back to Luna. Hermione could see that she was nodding and saying yes and Neville almost bounced back to his seat. Hermione beamed and gave him a high 5.

'Are you going with Justin?'

'Well, I keep expecting him to ask me, but he hasn't yet…'

'Don't worry. He will.'

The next week was all a blur for Hermione. The exams were really tough. She revised like mad, though, and it paid off – she did brilliantly. She did the best in the year. On the Thursday, upon finding out her results, she ran all the way down to Hagrid's hut. Her heart pounding with adrenaline and the effort of running so far, she banged on the door, only now wondering why she hadn't told Justin first, or gone for a celebratory snogathon, or anything. The date had gone well – they'd talked for ages, and Hermione really felt like they had connected. Throughout the week they'd been revising together every evening, sending owls to and from their common rooms. Hermione had that feeling again, like she was on top of the world… elation. She hadn't realised it had gone until it had come back again, and now that it was back… Rubeus opened the door, grinning broadly.

'How'd yeh do, 'Mione?' he asked, already knowing the answer. She repeated her results to him and slapped both of his outstretched (and vast) palms with her own. Rubeus helped her up into her usual seat at his dining table and brought out a huge and (thankfully) elf-made cake, bearing the words 'Congratulations, Hermione!' He stood behind her, and, his enormous hand guiding hers, they cut the cake together. After filling herself beyond belief, she clambered up onto his sofa, for a well-earned rest. She'd filled every waking moment with revision and studied long into the depths of the night, still refusing to lie in every morning despite her exhaustion.

I don't know if anyone's actually reading this any more, so if you could just review even if it's only saying 'I'm reading your Herbeus fanfic' I'd greatly appreciate it, because otherwise I'll stop uploading.

THANKS :D

xx