A/N: After only 4 very threatening reviews I started on the next, much longer chapter only a few hours after this was published…Thank u, u guys…Reviews mean so much 2 me…*sob*…how much lamer can a girl get??!!
The next morning Hermione woke up in an unfamiliar room. She blinked as the sunlight streamed in from the windows. For a moment, she didn't remember where she was or what had happened. And then the memories came flooding back all to quickly. She remembered sitting in Viktor's living room, the fire burning. She remembered her feelings of dread and fear when the formerly sweet, innocent Viktor turned aggressive, forcing her down on the couch. She remembered cursing him and using his Floo powder to get to The Burrow- the first place she thought of. The tears began to flow again. But the memory that stood out the most were here friends, comforting her. Ron's protectiveness, Harry's concern. And Ron's arms around her, so unlike Viktor's rough grasp.
Hermione frantically tried to wipe her tears when there was a knock on the door of Ginny's room. Ron and Harry opened it and came inside, both smiling awkwardly. Hermione tried to return the smiles, but couldn't bring herself too. All she felt at the moment was hurt, embarrassment and pain when she thought how Viktor had deceived her. She couldn't believe that she of all people would fall for such an idiotic disguise. How could she have fallen for him?? Wasn't she as smart, as intelligent as people said she was? How could he have done this to her? Ron was right all along about him.
"Hey, Hermione. Mom's getting worried. She thinks your sick or something," Ron said, attempting to sound cheerful. Hermione nodded and got out of bed.
"I'll see you downstairs. Don't worry about me," she said, plastering a smile on her face. Ron looked as if he wanted to do something, say something but he didn't. But he doesn't have to say anything, Hermione thought. It was plain to see in both their eyes that they wanted to help somehow. But there really wasn't anyway they could do so. She just needed time to get her life together again, forget Viktor. One thing was for certain, though- she would never trust any man again, at least not romantically.
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"Did you see her? I can't stand it, Harry! I have an irresistible urge to go and kill Krum. Who cares if he's the best Quidditch player ever? Who cares if his millions of foolish fans come after me if I do? I swear, I'll kill him if I ever see him," Ron said, almost yelling. His face was so contorted with anger he almost scared Harry.
"Calm down, Ron!" Harry said, "There's nothing to do. Viktor's a stupid jerk who doesn't have the right to live but that doesn't mean we can just go kill him!"
"Oh, look who's talking! It's alright for you to go plunging into danger when its about Voldermort, but when it concerns your own friend, your not bloody interested!" Ron said angrily. He stalked off, leaving Harry dumbfounded and not realizing that for once he had called the Dark Lord by his name and not You-Know-Who.
******
Breakfast was a solemn affair at the Burrow. There was no reason for the whole household to be upset, really, but being miserable seemed to be infectious. Harry, Ron and Hermione were upset for their own reasons so they didn't contribute to the conversation at the table. This in turn left the others puzzled and wondering what on earth had happened to the trio.
The mood seemed to drag on all day. Hermione was too depressed to do anything. Ron was upset that she was depressed and Harry was mad at Ron for accusing him of not caring for Hermione. Just because he wasn't so loud and emotional about it, it didn't mean that he wasn't worried for her.
Fred and George tried to lighten things up the whole day with their tricks and jokes but that only seemed to irritate everyone. "What's the bloody matter with everyone today," Fred asked, exasperatedly. Mrs Weasley, who had heard him from the kitchen yelled back at him to watch his language.
Matters between Ron and Harry only began to resolve as the boys were in their beds that night. Harry had trouble falling asleep and apparently Ron did too judging by the tossing and turning he was making. Suddenly Ron shrieked.
"What, what is it?" Harry asked, concerned, standing up. Ron had flicked on the lights and was standing as far away from his bed as possible.
"Sp..Spider..," Ron whispered pointing to the spider on his bed. Harry tried hard not to laugh, but a trace of a smile was on his face. He went to the bed, picked the spider up, and threw it out the window. He was used to spiders as they shared the old closet he used to live in.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks," he said gratefully as he switched of the light and climbed back into bed. A few minute passed before they both simultaneously said, "Look".
"You go first," Harry said.
"I'm sorry I was so…unreasonable earlier. I was just really …upset about Hermione," Ron said the last three words so softly Harry could barely catch it. A smile formed on Harry's face. Still in denial, I bet, Harry thought. "I know, Ron. I know"
A/N: sorry the plot isn't that good now…but I promise it'll get better!!!
