Chapter 18

As Hermione shouldered her bag, she saw Ron waiting for her at the door. She caught up with him and gave him a small smile.

"You alright Hermione? I noticed Harry giving you strange looks all morning"

She nodded her head and wondered if this was the moment that would destroy their friendship forever.

He looked a little uncomfortable as we walked with her to go to the a great Hall for lunch. "I'm sorry Mione" he finally muttered rubbing the back of his neck. Hermione felt color rush to her cheeks. After every thing that she had done Ron should not have to apologise. For anything.

"Sorry for what Ron?"

"Harry told me you haven't been keeping too well since you know… the other night. He said you wanted to be alone. But I wish you'd told me instead of him that you aren't feeling good. Maybe I could help?"

Hermione watched him in shock as he shuffled uncomfortably refusing to meet her eyes. His heart was so kind and pure. She felt like scum. Lower than scum.

"That was quite alright. I just needed to catch up on some rest. Harry happened to stop by the Heads room that evening. I'm fine now so don't worry about it." Hermione gave him a quick hug hoping he wouldn't bring up the last conversation they had all over again. She fidgeted nervously with the pendant around her neck.

"I've never seen that…" Ron's voice cut through her thoughts.

"What?"

"The necklace"

"Oh. It's nothing. Just an old piece of jewellery"

Ron touched it, "Looks really expensive" he said softly.

"It's nothing. Really" Hermione tucked the pendant under her blouse and gave Ron a quick smile, "Let's grab lunch?"

"You read my mind"

He grinned at her and put an arm around her and Hermione involuntarily winced. This felt wrong at so many levels to her. She had to put an end to it.

Leading Ron on this way was extremely selfish of her.

She turned to face him. "Ron – we need to talk. Can we meet after we finish all classes today in the Heads common room?"

Ron wiggled his eyebrows at her "what do you have in mind Mione? Should I come to your room?"

Hermione grimaced. She had never been intimate with Ron but she knew it was something he deeply longed for.

She turned red, "No no of course not". She said it too fast and she saw Ron looked hurt but he recovered quickly, "Sure thing Mione. Now let's get some lunch. I'm starved."

Hermione allowed him to steer her to the Great Hall. Even though she had skipped breakfast she didn't feel like eating anything. Her head felt like it was about to explode under the stress of breaking up with Ron. She had been by his side since the first day she met him. Even when he thought she was a "nightmare" she had been around to help him. To make sure he was learning things right. To ensure he didn't fall into any trouble. In retrospect she felt she had always invested more in maintaining her relationship with him than he ever had. But that doesn't mean you can break his heart now a small voice reminded her sternly.

When they entered the Great Hall she saw Harry watching them and guiltily shifted out of Ron's arm that was still around her. She gave Harry a slight nod as if to say "yes I am going to tell him" and sat down between Him and Ron. Not to attract too much attention she grabbed a small egg roll and glass of pumpkin juice. She nibbled on it and watched Ron with glazed eyes as he piled his plate with food and started a conversation with Ginny and Harry about Quidditch.

Harry kept glancing her way but she was too distracted to notice. He felt for her. Hermione was a soft hearted woman. She had never intentionally hurt anyone and Harry knew it was destroying her to break up with Ron.

He tapped her shoulder gently, "Penny for your thoughts?"

She smiled weakly at him and didn't say anything.

Harry stood up and grabbing Hermione's hand he pulled her up with him, "Oi Ron I've just remembered I haven't completed the essay McGonagall asked for. Hermione can you help me?"

Hermione forgot all about her drama, "Harry how could you! You know we cannot slack – " she cut off as she realised Harry was only making excuses.

"Of course I'll help you. See you later Ron?"

She thought she saw a slight frown on Ron's face when he saw Harry holding Hermione's hand before he nodded at both of them. His eyes locked with Hermjone's for a split second and she looked away – unable to face him.

Harry pulled Hermione out of the Great Hall but he didn't notice the two sets of eyes that followed them.

It was only when he had dragged Hermione all the way to the corridor that he finally let go of her hand.

"Want to tell me what's going on?" He demanded

"Oh Harry I feel terrible. Ron is amazing and I hate myself for leading him on. I decided to let him go today. I can't toy with him"

"Hermione, you know there's another way right? You could always reconsider le-"

"She could reconsider what Potter?" Draco's voice harshly interrupted them.

Harry groaned inwardly. Looked like the Head Boy had promptly followed them out of the great hall. "Nothing Malfoy"

Draco glared at him. "She's mine Potter. And nothing is going to change that"

Harry opened his mouth to retort but Hermione cut him off, "Draco - he's only helping. You need to stop arguing with my friends now that you and me are.." she trailed off.

Draco smirked, "Are?"

Hermione blushed, "Now that we are together" she finished hurriedly.

Draco smiled widely, "Well Po – Harry, as my queen desires I apologise for my rudeness." He gave him an exaggerated bow and Harry laughed at the ridiculousness.

"Mia?",Draco turned to Hermione now," I'm going to go now – I know you were in the middle of a conversation with Harry. You gonna be ok love?"

Hermione smiled at him, "Yes Draco. Tonight I'm telling Ron" Hermione was positive she had never seen Draco this happy. At the same time she noticed Harry's face fall a little. "But I need my best friend now"

Draco winked at her, Gave Harry an awkward smile (his brain was programmed to sneer very time he say Harry) and sauntered towards the Library.

Hermione turned to Harry. "I know it's hard. But I meant what I said earlier. I love Draco and I have made up my mind about breaking up with Ron. God knows I have hidden this from him long enough"

Harry nodded at her. He didn't expect otherwise after he had caught her with Malfoy 2 days ago. He hugged her tight. "Ron is family to me. I would hate to see him in pain. When you tell him the truth tonight…Let him down easy ok? And no matter how he reacts once it's over, know that I will always be there for you"

Hermione nodded fervently into his shoulder. She pulled back slightly and kissed his cheek, "Thanks Harry" Before she could say anything else a booming voice interrupted her, " What the bloody hell is going on here?"

Hermione pulled away from Harry to look at Ron's angry face.

"Ron – what?" Harry looked bewildered.

"Doesn't look like homework to me"

Hermione noticed the small group of people whose attention Ron had caught. She stared perplexed at Ron not sure why he was so angry.

"I understand now. 'Let Ron down easy?' You want to dump me don't you Hermione?"

Hermione lowered her eyes in shame. She had no idea how much Ron had heard and she opened her mouth to try to tell Ron that they could discuss this is private but Ron was well… Ron.

Ears going red he shot an accusing look at both of them, "I understand it all now. It's him isn't it? He's the reason you didn't say you love me back the other day."

Hermione winced, and noticed that quite a few students were now watching the dream team drama.

She wanted to say something but had no clue where to begin. Not when about everyone was watching them.

"Did he give you that expensive necklace as well?" Ron barked.

Unable to say anything, Hermione nodded weakly. She could see how Ron's face fell. She saw how he emphasised on the expensive and her heart went out to him, "Ron I can explain"

"Shut up you slut." Tears welled you in Hermione's eyes and she saw a few people gasp. Some sniggered openly as he broke the perfect little Head Girl.

Agitated by Ron's words, Harry tried to put his hands on Ron's shoulder to calm him,"Ron! Mind your language. Let's talk about this privately. "

But Ron shoved Harry so hard that he fell to the floor surprised.

"How dare you touch me after having an affair with my girlfriend behind my back Potter?"

A/N: That's chapter 18 for now! Let me know if you liked it in your comments!