A/n: Wow! Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing! I love you guys so much! And for future reference.... The more you review, the more inclined I'll be to get chapters up faster.
Okay, as Emily Aine can tell you, these chapters will get juicier. Especially this one.
WARNING! This chapter is extremely long. It can get pretty wild. It's also very "drama-ish and angsty" (those are my new words). Do not read if you have a short attention span or hate soap operas.

Quick Re-Cap: While waiting for Hermione to come up to the common room, Harry and Ron had to encounter the rest of Gryffindor house. Just has Ron had exploded and told the common room off, someone came in...... Action!

Chapter 11: The Fight

Everyone turned to see Hermione walking into the common room, glaring and with her arms crossed. Nervously, Harry stood up next to Ron, who was biting his lip. Both of them still weren't too sure on how Hermione was going to deal with them. Though right now, her focus seemed to be on everyone else.

"You want to know what happened today? Fine. You come and ask me. But right now, I need to talk with Harry and Ron. Alone." She glanced around at the staring faces before continuing. "So, I want the rest of you to go to your dormitories and stay there. And if you don't, and I catch you, I'll put you in detention."

Several jaws were dropped, a good amount of people gasped, and some started towards the staircases.

"Detention?!" Shouted Fred.
"What for?!" Yelled George.

"For disobeying a prefect! You two can be first if you like!" Hermione snapped.

Fred and George stared at Hermione in disbelief. Hermione stared back, narrowing her eyes dangerously. The twins looked at each other, then turned and started for the staircase. They weren't sure if Hermione was telling the truth or not...but they weren't going to take any chances.

"Well," said Hermione, turning to the rest of the crowd, "go on."

One by one, the other Gryffindors began to go to their dormitories. Some were grumbling about not being able to catch the action. Others whispered about why Hermione was so mad at Harry and Ron. Most just wanted to clear the way. As he watched them go, Harry found himself wishing they would stay. After all, as long as they were there, Hermione wouldn't be able to get at him and Ron.

When the last group of students began to climb the stairs, Hermione faced Ron and Harry. She didn't say anything, just looked at them. Then she sighed and walked over to a chair across from where Ron and Harry were standing. The two boys glanced at each other, not quite sure what to say or where to start.

Hermione flopped down into the chair, ran her hand through her hair, looked at Harry and Ron and said, "well. Let's have it."

Harry felt terrible. He would've given anything to erase the tone from Hermione's voice. She still sounded angry, but there was something else with it. Sadness? Disappointment? Disbelief? All three? Harry looked at Ron and knew immediately that Ron had noticed it too- the look on his face said it all.

"Hermione," Ron said quietly, sitting down across from her. "I am so sorry."

"Yeah, so am I. I'm really sorry." Harry added has he sat by Ron on the couch.

Hermione shook her head. "I just don't understand what happened. I don't understand why you guys decided to spy on me. I don't get why you guys don't trust me."

"We trust you!" Harry exclaimed.

"No you don't!" Said Hermione. "You obviously don't trust me if you felt that you had to come spy on me!"

"Okay, don't get mad at Harry," Ron started. "This wasn't his fault. I made him come with me. And it wasn't spying. We were just keeping an eye on you. Too make sure that nothing bad would happen."

Hermione eyed Ron curiously.

"What exactly did you think would happen?" She asked slowly.

Ron fell silent. Even Harry had to turn and look at him. Hermione had made a point. Why did Ron want to spy on the in the first place? What did he think would happen if Hermione went out with Krum? What was he so worried about?

When Ron didn't answer, Hermione shook her head again.

"I just can't believe you two," she said.

They sat there, none of them knowing what to say. Hermione sat back in her chair, arms folded, and head turned towards the fire. Ron rested his head in his hand, his resting his arm on the arm of the couch. Harry just sat there running his hand through his Harry. The silence was so loud that Harry couldn't take it much longer.

"Look Hermione," he said and she turned to look at him, "I know that what we did was wrong and that we never should've done it, but we're trying to apologize. We're both really sorry and-"

"-And what?! I should just accept your apologies and let it go? Is that what you want?"

Hermione interrupted. "You just say sorry and I pretend that nothing happened? Pretend that you didn't mistrust me and pretend that you never betrayed our friendship?! Well, it's not going to help! 'Sorry' won't fix anything this time!"

"Oh c'mon Hermione!" Harry said, getting angry. "We're trying to fix this but how can we if you don't let us?!"

"Why should I?! Why should I let you?! You haven't exactly given me reason to try to 'fix this!'" Hermione shouted back.

"We're sorry okay?! We said sorry! What else do you want?!"

"I want you to realize that sorry isn't going to help you out of this one! What you did isn't going to be erased by a little sorry!"

"Well, what more do you want from us?!" Harry yelled, getting to his feet.

Hermione stood up too. She may have been a bit shorter than Harry, but she seemed to be towering over him in her rage.

"I want you both to know what idiots you've been and to understand why it will take some time for me to get over what you did!"

"Okay, stop it both of you," Ron said stepping between Harry and Hermione. "You're acting like first years."

"Me?! She's the one who can't accept an apology until she's bloody ready!" Harry said glaring at Hermione.

"And he's the one only saying sorry just to get the matter dropped and pretend nothing happened. How big of a prat do you think I am?! Hermione shouted back.

"I never said you were a prat! You're just acting like one because you're being so unreasonable!"

"I'm unreasonable?! You're the one who-"

"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP?!" Ron yelled at the top of his lungs.

They fell silent, but mostly out of shock.

"Scary as it is," Ron said, "I'm the only one here who is behaving like an adult."

"Don't even get me started on acting like adults, Ron. As if you and Harry acted grown-up today." Hermione said coldly.

Ron turned to her. "You know," he said, "Harry's right. Why won't you accept our apologies?"

"I don't want apologies! I want explanations! I don't even know what you're sorry for!"

"What do you mean?! We're sorry we spied on you!"

"But are you sorry you spied, or sorry you got caught?" Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.

Harry and Ron's jaws dropped.

"How can you say something like that?!" Harry shouted in disbelief.

How can I not?! That's how I feel! You're sorry you got caught and that I'm mad at you! And if that's not it, then please tell me what it is!" Hermione shot back.

"Geez, Hermione. I'm sorry that I decided to spy on you with Ron. I was curious to on what was going to happen without me or Ron there. I'm sorry that I didn't stay here and I'm sorry I didn't stop Ron. I hope you can forgive me, because I truly am sorry," said Harry, in one long breath. "Okay? Is that all right? I s my apology acceptable?"

Hermione looked at him, wanting desperately to believe him, but still seemed to be a bit apprehensive. To bide time, she turned to Ron. Harry let out a small sigh. He thought he had done it, but now...it was all up to Ron.

With a look of pure determination, Ron took a deep breath, and said, "Hermione, I'm sorry I made Harry spy on me. You're mad at him too and it's not his fault. I'm sorry I spied on you. And most off all..." Ron closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and said fiercely, "I'm sorry you went on that date with Krum!"

It was so quiet that the crackling fire sounded like bursting bombs. Harry stared at Ron in utter devastation. He couldn't believe what he had just said. Glancing at Hermione, Harry felt even worse to see her with that look on her face. It was as though Ron had struck her.

"C'mon, Ron," Harry aid timidly, "you don't mean that."
"Please," he thought desperately, "please, don't mean that. Don't complicate this more than you already have."

"Yes I do," said Ron, glaring at Hermione.

Not knowing how she'd react, Harry cautiously put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. She didn't respond, whether out of not noticing or not caring, Harry wasn't sure. But one thing he noticed worried him. Hermione was shaking uncontrollably; eyes focused directly on Ron. And because they were by the fire, Harry was sure it wasn't coldness making her shake...it was anger.

"So," Hermione said slowly to Ron, "you're sorry I was with Viktor."

"Yes. I'm sorry you guys' met last year in that ruddy library. I'm sorry he took you to the Yule Ball-"

"Ron, please-" Harry, tried to say, but Ron kept going with his ears going pink.

"I'm sorry you two wrote those letters to each other and I'm sorry he took you on a date."

"Why?! Because it wasn't you?! Is that it Ron? Are you jealous?!" Hermione yelled face flushed.

Ron laughed making Hermione's eyes narrow and Harry's widen. "Oh-no," Harry thought.

"Me?! Jealous?!"

"Yeah. That's it isn't it?" Hermione said. "You always have been, haven't you?" And all last year as well. Now I finally understand."

"No, you don't," Ron said laughing again.

"Ron-" Harry said nervously.
"Don't what?" Shot Hermione.

"You don't understand. Why would I be jealous of him? He's just one dumb-"

"Ron, please-" Harry tried again.

"-Ugly...pathetic-"

"Ron, shut up!" Harry said frantically, seeing Hermione's face go crimson and eyes narrow.

"-And uncoordinated-"

"Ron!"

"-Great stupid prat!"

"Ron!"

SMACK!
Hermione slapped Ron with so much force that he fell back on the couch. Harry was so taken back that he had leapt back a few feet. Hermione stood there, glaring at Ron, fists clenched and breathing hard.
"You know Ron, maybe you're right," Hermione said, every word dripping with fury. "Maybe Viktor is just a great stupid prat-"

She stepped forward and put her face so close to Ron's that their noses were almost touching.

"-But at least he's not you," she hissed.

Hermione whirled around and started waling to the staircase.

Harry tore his eyes from Ron, who had a hand to his cheek, and sprung after her.

"Hermione, wait!" He said, grabbing her arm.

"Get off, Harry!" Hermione yelled, shoving him so hard that he hit the wall behind him.

"Just stay away from me okay?!" Hermione said, tears in her eyes. "Just leave me alone!"

Harry watched her stomp up the staircase. He listened to every pounding step, and flinched when he heard a door slam.

"She's gone," he thought weakly, sliding to the floor, "and so is four full years of friendship."

Harry had never felt this way before. It was beyond all guilt and beyond all regret. Leaning back against the wall, Harry closed his eyes and began to breathe deeply.

Suddenly, he heard a sudden movement. Opening his eyes he saw Ron standing above him. His eyes were filled with sadness and his cheek showed a livid imprint of Hermione's hand. Ron reached down and helped Harry to his feet. They looked at each other, both unsure of what to say. Not that they need words. They knew what they had done. And what they had lost.

"You-you know, if-if-I" Ron stammered quietly, looking down at his feet, "if I h-had known, I-I w-wouldn't have done this."

"Known what?"

Ron looked up, and Harry was horrified to see a tear fall down his best friend's cheek.

"Known that it would hurt this much" whispered Ron.

"I know, Ron," Harry said back, leading him over to the stairs to their dormitory. "I know."

A/N: Whew! Okay, now's the time for you to lean back and take some deep breaths.
In fact, I hope you had as hard a time reading this as I had writing it. I was going to shorten it and leave more cliffhangers and stuff, but then I decided to just get it all out there.
Oh, and don't any of you think that Ron was acting like a wuss. Boys can cry too! And he has a heck of a reason to. After all, how would you feel if one of your best friends slapped you? I don't know about you, but I know I'd never stop crying.
Well, I hope to get more chapters up soon...I can't leave you guys waiting too long now!

And please keep reviewing!
Tune in next time!