Chapter twenty two- I don't care

Ron's PoV

One thousand and twenty, one thousand and twenty one, one thousand and twenty two, one thousand and, oh, this is so stupid. Who's bright idea was it to count sheep anyway?

Why is it that the tireder you are, the longer it takes to get to sleep? All the time it happens to me, and it's SO ANNOYING!

And I tell you what else is annoying- Deatheaters. I hate them, but at least we got Wormtail. He deserves whatever he gets. And, now that we have him, it means that Sirius will be free. And that's really, really good. But I was still really annoyed. And I knew that real reason.

Hermione.

Today, earlier, I'm pretty sure she and Viktor broke up. It was all over her face. But instead of feeling good about it, I feel worse, somehow. Because I don't know *why*.

So what now?

Do I act happy, sympathetic, what? Of course, earlier, during the attack, I wasn't thinking about any of this stuff. All I could think about was the present.

Merlin, when I saw that Greenhouse about to fall on top of Hermione, I thought I was too late. I really did. I was halfway towards her before I'd even realised I'd moved, and the moment I pushed her out of the way I felt such a sense of relief I could hardly breath. Of course, that might have been because I was winded by the fall. Anyway..

I felt the same when she was under the Cruciatus as well, and all the way up to the Hospital Wing. It wasn't until Madam Pomfrey said she was going to be OK that it hit me- why the hell did I care so much?

I know I've been thinking, um, *differently* this week, but Hermione's my best friend, and I care whether she gets hurt or not. Just like I care about Harry.

But, the point is, Hermione's behaviour towards me has been, well, excuse the big word and all, but *inexcusable*. I mean, first she didn't believe me, then she set me up for endless torment by *Vicky* and his cronies, not to mention the fact that she's managed to ignore me and still have sent plenty of evil looks my way all week.

It hit me in the Hospital Wing that I didn't have to act concerned, or helpful, or try and comfort her because she's split up with her boyfriend. I didn't owe her anything. And so I just left the Hospital Wing without saying anything, much to Ginny's obvious surprise. But I didn't care. I really didn't.

I punched my pillow and buried my head under my quilt. I didn't care.

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

Was that Ron punching something? Yep, definitely more hurt than I thought.

Dear Diary, I can't sleep, but I really want to. I'm so worried still. What if- sorry, I've just woken up Lisa. See ya. Love Ginny xxx