Ron's PoV

Chapter twelve- SHASH

I ended up in our dormitory, though I'm not sure how exactly. I know I kept bumping into things on the way. And that the Fat Lady asked me what was wrong and I ignored her. And that my cheek was *really* hurting. But other than that, nothing.

All I could think was how right *Vicky* had been. There wasn't even any indecision when I told her; she didn't even think 'hey, this is my best friend, maybe he's telling the truth'. Not for a second did she even *want* to believe me. She sided with that *scum* straight away.

I sat down on my bed, thinking about the argument. What I'd said had been pretty clear. How hard is 'he's cheating on you' to understand? So, if she understood me, and she didn't think for a second that I was telling the truth, then there was only one logical answer left- *Vicky* was right. I mean, why would she believe me anyway? Who am I? Would she really be my best friend if it were just me, and not Harry as well? Really? I don't think so.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter towards Harry or anything- it's just a simple statement of the truth. Today she had proved that she wasn't really my friend, and she trusted someone she had met under a year ago, and spoke to hardly ever, more than me. Isn't that *nice* of her?

And to tell you the truth, I doubted that even Harry, her *best friend* could get through to her at that moment in time. She would be so wound up by my *lies* that she wouldn't listen to anyone. Except *Vicky* of course. You see, I know Hermione well, though she doesn't seem to know me at all.

I wasn't going to brood over it, mind you. It was her problem, not mine. I mean, if I wasn't even her *friend*, then I wasn't going to worry about it at all. AT ALL. From now on, I was no longer a part of Hermione Granger's life. If she thought that little of me, than I didn't want to be. That was my new policy.

Nodding to no one in particular (there was no one there), I opened my trunk and pulled out my Transfiguration and Charms books that I needed for that afternoon. I was just stuffing them in my bag and NOT thinking about Hermione when the door opened and Harry walked in, looking quite flushed. He looked relieved to see me.

"I've been looking everywhere for you- where've you, what the hell is *that*?" He said, his eyes wide. I realised that he was staring at my cheek, and glanced towards the mirror. The side of my face was bright red and had several finger marks on it. No wonder it was hurting.

"Hermione slapped me round the face." I told him tonelessly, zipping up my bag and hoisting it onto my bed. I then started putting my Potions and History of Magic books into my trunk. Harry was still staring at me.

"Hermione?" He said in disbelief. "But, er, why?"

I shrugged. "I told her what was going on, she didn't believe me and got quite angry." I told him, shutting my trunk a lot louder than I'd intended. I stood up and faced Harry.

"She didn't believe you?" He asked, sounding like *he* didn't believe me as well. Bloody hell. What it is about me? Do people think I'm a natural liar or something? I'm a terrible liar! My stupid ears give me away. Remembering how *Vicky's* ears had gone red, I started to get angry again.

"Yes. Alright? She didn't believe me." I said, trying not to shout. I failed miserably.

Harry looked taken aback, but I knew it wasn't from me shouting. It was from what I'd actually said. "Why didn't she believe you?" He asked, after a moment's silence.

I shrugged again, managing this time to restrain my voice to speaking level. "Well, who's she going to believe?" I said sarcastically. "Her boyfriend, who she looks up to and respects, or, well, me?"

I picked up my bag and started to walk past Harry, but he threw out an arm to stop me, suddenly looking angry himself.

"Why would you say something like that?" He asked severely. I rolled my eyes. "I didn't," I told him, "it's what *Vicky* said in the library when I told him I'd tell her."

Harry's eyes flashed. "He said *what*?" He demanded.

"You heard."

"No wonder you went for him." He said, looking thoughtful.

"He was right though, wasn't he?" I said trying not to sound bitter. I failed again.

Harry sighed. "Ron, I'm sure she'll come round-" He started, but I cut him off.

"Save it Harry. I'm not interested anymore. Like I said yesterday- it's her problem, not mine." I said flatly, trying to leave again.

"Ron-"

"No! I've thought about it, and decided that it's not up to us anymore. There's nothing we can do. My new policy is to keep away from Hermione and all the trouble she causes." I told him even more flatly. "I even named the policy- Sod Hermione And Sod *Him*, or SHASH for short."

Harry stared at me. "You worry me." He said in disbelief. I shrugged and tried to walk round him.

Harry moved to block me again. "I don't care about SHASH Ron. We can't just let him get away with this!" He said indignantly. "He has to pay!"

I nodded. "He will. Eventually. He can't keep it up forever." I said.

Harry straightened up. "I'm gonna go knock some sense into her." He said, starting to walk out the door.

"She won't listen." I told him. "Honestly, she won't. She's beyond reason. We've tried, OK, but she's dug this hole for herself and she's gonna have to dig herself out. I'm through with her."

Harry looked at me. "I have to try." He said. "You know, give her a shovel at least."

I knew he was going to say that. I mean, he wouldn't be Harry Potter if he didn't try. (I wasn't expecting the shovel quip though). I felt sorry for him already, knowing it wouldn't work.

I shrugged. "Do what you want." I told him. "But you should get your books first." I nodded to his trunk.

We got to Transfiguration quite late; the rest of the class had already arrived. Hermione was sitting in her usual seat and looking like she was preparing for war. She gave me an extremely hate-filled look as I walked in, which I ignored as I sat down next to Harry. After all, why would I care if she suddenly hated me? She was never my *friend* to begin with.

Harry sat down in between us, and turned to Hermione straight away. "Hermione-" He started. As predicted, Hermione blew her top before Harry could say another word. (The inner eye can be such a burden).

"Don't Harry! I don't care what you have to say! You know, I used to think that you were my *friend*, both of you," I was treated to another look, "but it just goes to show doesn't it? I mean if I can't even trust my own friends to be straight with me, what can I do? Why can't you two just let me be *happy*? Because I am, you know. I'm *happy*." She hissed, not quite loud enough for anyone else to hear.

Harry's cheeks had gone quite red, and I wasn't sure whether it was anger, embarrassment or just let-me-explain-God-damn-it!-ness. I think it was a mixture of all three. Anyway, Professor McGonagall walked in then, so Harry couldn't say anything back and Hermione turned to face the front determinedly.

I sat there, trying to concentrate for a couple of minutes, and definitely NOT thinking about Hermione, when a folded piece of parchment dropped on my desk. It was not from Harry and said:

'I think the policy is a good idea. I'm still not sure about the name."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The deep, dark, sometimes-sarcastic thoughts of Harry Potter-

What the hell is going on here? Why is she acting like this? I never thought Hermione would refuse to listen to someone, least of all me and Ron. Ron was right- there's nothing we can do. We'll just have to let her find out for herself. Tell me what though- I'm so annoyed with her right now!

Dear Diary, Mina just told me she likes Colin! Can you believe that? I mean, he's nice and everything, but I never thought he'd be Mina's type! Ha! Hang on, oh crap- that means I owe Natalie a sickle. Keeps your pages crossed- she might not remember that bet. Ginny xxx