I know I said I was going to wait a while before I posted this chapter, but I'm anxious for your reactions, so, here you go. Remember, this is the last update before December. Enjoy!

xXxXxXxXx

Hermione's Doubt

xXxXxXxXx

"Can you believe they're still together?"

"Not even in the slightest. She must be amazing in bed."

"That little prude? Obviously, the bookworm's got him under a love potion."

Hermione's heart dropped into her stomach. They were talking about her. She pressed herself tighter against the doorway to the girl's bathroom, desperate not to be seen.

"He dated Patricia Stimpson, didn't he? How does he go from her to that mousy little freak?"

The other girl giggled. "I don't think you can call shagging like rabbits dating, Mandy."

Mandy Brocklehurst. Which meant the other girl must be Lisa Turpin. She's never liked either of the nosy gossips, Ravenclaws or not.

Not able to listen to more, Hermione entered the bathroom, fighting to keep her features uninterested, as if she hadn't just head anything the two girls had said. Lisa and Mandy froze at the sight of Hermione, and quickly left.

Washing her hands, Hermione glanced at her tired reflection in the mirror. She was already stressing about her OWLs, her hair had been extra frizzy as of late, and Mandy was right…she was mousy.

It was common knowledge that Patricia Stimpson had 'been around' the Gryffindor tower, as well as the other houses. Nausea filled Hermione's stomach. Her mind flashed back to her conversation with Fred and George about her upcoming O.W.L.s. George's wink when he mentioned Stimpson, and Fred's obvious discomfort afterward all made sense now. He'd been with her.

How did she compete with that?

xXxXxXxXx

Hermione couldn't focus on anything for the rest of the day. She didn't raise her hand to answer questions in class, throwing her classmates and professors off. Ron and Harry sent her questioning glances throughout their classes and meals and breaks, but didn't press for information or conversation. They were worried, she knew, but she couldn't bring herself to speak up.

That night, after dinner, Ron and Harry had snuck in a game of chess when Hermione would usually be scolding them to study. Instead, she sat at the end of the couch, curled up in herself as her mind traveled to a million different thoughts.

She heard the portrait hole door swing open, and matching laughs filled the common room as Fred and George joined their fellow Gryffindors. Hermione didn't look up, or make any sign that she wanted to say hello. They headed towards her, oblivious to the way she had cut off the rest of her house.

Fred sat down next to her and leaned in to get a kiss. Hermione turned her head, and his lips grazed her ear. Fred frowned for a moment, sharing a confused glance with George, who shrugged in response.

"How were your classes today, Mi?" Fred asked lightly.

"Fine."

His frowned deepened. "Anything exciting happen?"

Hermione looked like she might have something to say for a moment, before she settled with shaking her head. She didn't want to talk to him, didn't want to share her day. She wanted to be left alone, to sit with her thoughts until they made more sense to her.

Fred turned towards her, leaning close to talk with her; Hermione jerked suddenly, pushing him away. Fred practically scowled. "Are you alright love?"

"You were with Patricia Stimpson?"

Her voice was louder than she had meant for it to be, the hurt tone spiking the sound; her corner of the room fell silent, intrigued by the accusing tone in her voice. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Harry and Ron look away from their chess game, the concerned looks from earlier returning to grace their features.

Fred swallowed audibly. "Uh, yes, I was, for a bit last year…"

"Right. How was she?" The sharp tone in Hermione's voice worried Fred. To be honest, it worried herself.

"I'm not sure what you me –"

"How was she Fred? I've heard other's opinions, of course¸ but my curiosity has never been so peaked."

"Well H-Hermione, if you liked-d her –"

"Don't joke," she snapped.

"What else would you like me to do?" Fred had raised his voice as well by now, and most of the students around them glanced over from time to time. "You're asking me about something that happened a year ago Hermione. What does it matter?"

"What matters is that you had a go on the Hogwarts broomstick Fred!"

The common room fell completely silent.

"You were with her, and now you're with me. You were with her, and suddenly I have no idea who you are! I thought you were better than that, better than a mindless shag!"

"It didn't mean anything Hermione!"

"But I do?" Hermione's voice had dropped to a whisper, but everyone could hear her. "How do I live up to that? How do I know that this isn't just some game for you, that I'm not just some quest? Why else would you be with a prudish, mousy bookworm?"

"Hermione, I'm not like that any…"

"Anymore," Hermione interrupted, her voice now void of any emotion. "You're not like that anymore." Hermione took a deep, shuddering breath and stood up from the couch, heading for the stairs.

"Hermione!"

"I think I need a break," she said softly, looking up at Fred, her brown eyes brimming with unshed tears.

"Are you…are you breaking up with me?"

She thought she might vomit. Break up with Fred? After everything, the crushes and the yule ball and…everything? He was everything.

She couldn't look him in the eye. Not anymore. Not when all she could think of was him, and Patricia, and her heart felt like it was breaking in her chest. "Yeah, I think I am." Hermione spun around quickly and took the steps two at a time, not looking back.

All eyes shifted to watch Fred, who angrily shoved off George's comforting hand and wiped at his sniffling nose, storming up the stairs to the boys dormitory. George looked around awkwardly. "Nothing to see here…go back to your knitting," he muttered, before going to sit by his youngest brother and Harry, both of who were staring after Hermione's retreating figure.

"Bullocks," George cursed. "What do we do?"

xXxXxXxXx

Please don't hate me.