AN: it has been a such a long time since i've uploaded! i'm sorry. i'm sorry. i'm sorry. thank you so much for all of the reviews. i honestly haven't written because the story wasn't coming to me anymore. oh, and..you know..i grew up. graduated high school. and college. i still love harry potter (and draco/hermione of course.) i promise if the story still continues to come out, i will continue to write it.

Disclaimer: thank you jkr, author and owner of the hp universe, for reminding me that these characters will always be around. thank you for allowing me to borrow them and call hogwarts "home."

chapter 11 - The Next Morning

The next morning, Hermione woke up to the sound of pounding on the bedroom door. Disoriented, it took a moment for her to remember the conversations with Harry, Ron and Ginny the night before.

Suddenly it all came rushing back, as another burst of noise jostled her memory. Sitting up, she called out "Hang on, I'm coming!" As she got out of bed, she glanced over at Ginny's, which was nicely made, without a trace of the redhead in sight.

The mirror on the back of Ginny's door showed a puffy-eyed, tangled-hair Hermione. Oh well, she thought, nothing the boys haven't seen before.

Pulling the door open, she was slightly surprised to see an equally haggard-looking Ron at the door.

Sheepishly, Ron scratched his head, "Er... Hey 'Mione." Noticing her flinch once more at the nickname, he tried again, looking straight into her eyes.

"Hermione, I'm sorry about last night. You caught me completely off guard, it was the last thing I expected. To hear you say that.. that Malfoy was the boy you've been snogging? For over a month and not even knowing?"

This was not what Hermione wanted to hear. She turned a ghostly white and broke his gaze, stumbling backwards into the room and collapsing on her bed in a heap of sorrow and self-blame.

Ron followed a few seconds later, cautiously sitting next to her on the cot, reaching to put a tentative hand on her shoulder and clearing his throat.

"Are you all right?" He asked, not realizing how he sounded like an idiot.

"I'm sorry too, Ron." Came her muffled voice, buried under arm and pillow and guilt. "I didn't want this. I can't believe how much danger I put Harry in. I can't believe I was so near Death Eaters and didn't even have my guard up. I can't believe I lov-"

But she stopped, completely aware of Ron's hand tensing on her shoulder, adding even more weight to her already struggling shoulders. They were both silent and neither moved, or dared to breath.

Then there was a light knock on the door frame and the two friends jumped, then turned to see Mrs. Weasley standing there.

"What are you two doing? You'll be leaving for school via Floo powder tomorrow and your things are still scattered in every corner of the house." Mrs. Weasley frowned at the sight of them both.

"Sorry Mum," Ron said, quickly removing his hand from Hermione's shoulder and straightening up. "Hermione wasn't feeling well so I was trying to cheer her up by bringing her letter."

"Letter?" Hermione managed to sound curious. "What letter?"

Mrs. Weasley shot her son a warning look. "Ron, that came for her last week. Give Hermione her letter and get cleaned up." She turned and headed back down to the kitchen.

Hermione was still looking at Ron. He carefully reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled letter, still in it's envelope, the Hogwarts Crest clearly visible. "I think I know what it is 'Mione. I'm sorry I took it, but you were acting so distant and upset I didn't want to lose you even more."

Hermione bit her lip as he handed her the letter. "Where's Harry?"

"He went for a walk with Ginny. She's been acting really weird and he thought it might get her to talk."

Without looking at Ron, Hermione snorted, knowing Ginny would never tell her long time crush and adopted "brother" that she was dating a Slytherin.

Ron, aware that the snort was Hermione's first sign of her old sarcastic self, jumped at the chance to have it continue. "Come on, open it!"

The worn letter was in Dumbledore's handwriting:

Dear Ms. Granger,

As you have performed exceptionally well as both a student and a prefect, it is my great pleasure to inform you that you have been chosen as Head Girl for your final school year.

I know you are arriving under special circumstances, but please report to my office immediately upon your return. Leave your luggage, it will be sent to your new room. We have some items to discuss concerning both the responsibilities of being Head Girl, and your trip to Italy this summer.

I hope you are well,

A.D.

Ron read the letter over Hermione's shoulder, and at the last words he watched her crumple the parchment paper into a tight ball. Unable to handle any more feelings for the morning, he abruptly patted her back, muttered "congratulations" and headed for the door. Before exiting he turned around, seeing his best friend frozen into the same spot, the piece of paper barely visible in her fist, just as the information about the Basilisk had been when she was petrified in their second year.

"I-I'll send Harry." He stammered. "Or-"

"Ginny." Hermione cut him off. "Please get Ginny."

"Right" Ron said, and was gone before Hermione could look up.

Head Girl. At the end of last year she had an idea that it would happen. But summer and...and Draco had changed everything. Did she still want it? Did she have a choice? And what was she supposed to say or do when she saw him?