A/N: Here is the first of the two promised chapters for this weekend. The next one will be graduation and purely Snape and Hermione interaction. It will also be much longer. Enjoy
The week of NEWTS dawned brightly. Snape and Draco were hopeful that their fears of Ronald taking action against Hermione were wrong. The red head had stayed far away from her since the Great Hall incident. Harry and Hermione had been together most evenings studying so there were no chances for the Weasel to pull anything.
"Can you believe it, Harry? In a few days we will be graduates beginning our lives in the Wizarding World." Hermione said as they left their charms exam.
"I know! A few years ago, I didn't even think we were going to make it to this point. If I'm being honest, I didn't expect to survive the war." Harry replied.
Hermione put her hand on his shoulder. "But we did it, Harry. You don't have to worry about it anymore. Think about your future as an Auror with you gorgeous red head girlfriend."
"Speaking of, Ginny, I'm going to propose to her after graduation." Harry said.
"Oh, Harry! That's great!" Hermione squealed. She gave Harry a hug. "I can't believe you're going to get married!"
"Only if she says yes." Harry said.
"Harry, of course she will say yes! She would never say no to that! She loves you." She squealed. "Anyway, I've got my ancient runes NEWT so I'll see you later." Hermione made her way towards the classroom, meeting up with Draco halfway there.
"What has you so happy? You look like you're floating on…cloud 9?" Draco said. He had been trying to learn muggle phrases from Hermione.
"Yes, Draco, that's the right phrase. Harry is going to propose to Ginny!" Hermione said with another squeal causing Draco to cringe.
"Very dignified noises there, Granger. Please spare my ears." Draco said.
They took their exam and headed to lunch. Hermione was a normal occupant of the Slytherin table by now. She had a group of friends now. Blaise, Theo, even Pansy was nice to her. It was fun to sit and converse with the Slytherins. She felt bad about ever being rude to them. She appreciated their loyalty to their own and the friends of their own. Lunch was a fun affair for her now. At least, she thought it was.
The doors to the Great Hall burst open and Ron ran into the room. "Hermione!" He yelled. Draco and Snape were on alert immediately. "Listen, I know that I was a jerk. I'm sorry, but I've come to a decision." He dropped to the floor. "Hermione, I love you. You have always known that. I want you to marry me. We can live at the Burrow and I'll become an Auror and you can make potions for our family instead of the potions mistress thing. That way you can take care of our kids and spend time with mum. Just say yes, Hermione."
Everyone in the Great Hall held their breath in anticipation. Hermione looked at Ron enraged. "How dare you, Ronald Weasley! Have you not listened to a word I have said! I want to be a potions mistress! You have this stupid fantasy in your head where I am going to stay home with kids and be just like your mother! I AM NOT YOUR MOTHER! In case you haven't figured this out, my answer is no! Now leave me alone!" She stood and stormed out of the Great Hall. Ron followed on her heels as well as Harry. Snape nodded to Draco and he followed them.
McGonagall leaned over to Snape. "What has gotten into Ronald Weasley lately? He used to be such a good boy."
"He is delusional, Minerva. He doesn't like not receiving what he wants." Snape said. "Excuse me, while I make sure no deaths occur."
"Hermione, you aren't thinking straight. Think about it, this is the most logical course of action." Ron said. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to look at him. "Just say yes, Hermione. We are meant to be together, you just don't see it."
"Let me go, Ronald! You aren't listening to me!" Hermione said, trying to pull her arm away.
"You are being selfish, 'Mione! Why do you have to ruin a good thing we had going!" He shoved her against the wall. "Let go of your selfish delusions and stay with me."
"Let her go, Ron!" Harry yelled.
"No! Harry, she's our friend! How can you not support me on this?" Ron said.
"Because I don't think its very friendly to force a friend to do something or to hurt her." Harry said. "I don't even see you as my friend anymore. Not if you are going to do this."
"Get away from her, Weaselbey!" Draco said, pointing his wand at him. "Granger, are you ok?"
A tear ran down her face. "Let me go, please."
Harry and Draco grabbed Ron and stunned him. Hermione dropped to the floor crying. "Potter, can you handle Weasley alone?" Draco asked as he crouched down to examine Hermione.
"Yes. I'll take him straight to Professor Dumbledore." Harry said as he levitated Ron.
Draco helped Hermione up. He noticed the bruise on her arm and wrist. There was a small gash on the back of her head from being slammed against the wall. She was shaking like a leaf. "Let's get you to Uncle Sev." He began to walk her to the dungeons.
"We used to be best friends, Draco. I don't know where it went wrong." Hermione said quietly.
"The war affected a lot of people differently. He could just be coping with change and grief in a negative way, but that is no excuse to hurt you or even Harry." Draco said. He knew Severus was going to be angry at the state of Hermione. He knew Severus cared for her a lot. He let her into the office of his uncle. "Severus, Hermione needs some medical attention. I brought her to you instead of Madam Pomfrey so that she isn't more of a spectacle than she already was."
Snape looked up. Anger filled his eyes. "Was Weasley apprehended?"
Draco nodded. "Potter took him to the Headmaster. I'm going as well to give him my memories of the event." He touched Hermione's shoulder. "I'll see you later, Granger."