A/N: hello again. I'm in one of those moods, the mood where all you wanna do is update. I gotta tell you guys something: on Sunday, I am leaving and I wont be back for a month. I can probably still update but they wont be as close together or as often because I wont have a lot of time. But I will try to update as much as I can. Anyway thanks for reviewing the last chapter it really really helps to read them and they make me very happy so good job on the reviewing front. Special thanks to EuphoniumGurl0 and oreo69not96 for all the really good ideas they have really helped me write this fic. Well enjoy the chapter
Disclaimer: still dry right now but I might as well say I don't own hp yadda yadda yadda on with the show
Days passed. Hermione still wasn't talking to Harry or Ginny. She sat with Ron during meals, if she went to them. Hermione started to go to the library during meals. It was hard enough for her to see Harry in classes, so she tried to avoid seeing him when she didn't have to. She still couldn't understand how two people she really cared about could do that to her. She felt even more betrayed knowing that they probably wouldn't have told her if she hadn't coincidentally been there that night. She would probably still be going out with Harry because he obviously hadn't planned on telling her. He hadn't been man enough to tell it to her face that he didn't want to see her anymore, and Hermione was revolted. She realized now that Ron was the only person who had ever truly been her friend. She had forced Ron to talk to Harry and Ginny and not be mad at them. She would be damned if she was the cause of Harry and Ron not being friends, let alone Ron not being able to talk to his own sister. Even if Harry and Ginny were capable of betraying her like this. Besides the feelings of anger and sorrow, Hermione was mostly confused. She felt so many things about Harry and Ginny that she couldn't think straight half the time. Sometimes she was angry and she would tell them off when they would try to talk to her; other times she was depressed and she would go without food or sleep for days and just stay in the library; and a lot of the time she would just feel so disgusted that she had considered Harry and Ginny friends (A/N: props to EuphoniumGurl0). Halloween was the next day, and Hermione was going through the depressed phase of her and harry's breakup-aftermath. She had always loved Halloween and she had been particularly excited this year because it would have been her and Harry's first Halloween as a couple. As much as she hated to admit it, Hermione was still in love with Harry. Even though he had hurt her beyond anything she had ever thought possible, she couldn't just fall out of love, as much as she wanted to. Hermione was in her favorite part of the library as she thought about this. She was in a window seat where she could see the lake, and the top of the Forbidden Forest. Or what seemed like the millionth time this year, Hermione was lost in her thoughts. Too lost to notice Harry watching her from his table.
"What do you think she's thinking about?" Harry asked Ron as they did their Transfiguration essay.
"Oh, I don't know what broken-hearted people think about Harry. None of my girlfriends have ever been horrible enough to cheat on me."
"Ron, you said you weren't mad anymore. So stop acting like it."
"I know Harry, and I'm not mad. I'm disgusted. I'm disgusted because you and Ginny have done basically nothing to fix this relationship."
"Of course we've done something. We've tried talking to her but she won't listen."
"She has every right to not listen. Harry, you didn't hear her. I was talking to her last night, and she just vented on me. Harry, she was in love with you."
"I didn't know that. If only I had known I never would have…"
"Wouldn't have what? Cheated on her? You shouldn't have cheated on her even if she wasn't in love with you. And are you stupid? Anybody who had even looked at her looking at you would have known she loved you. And you fucked it up."
"Look, Ron, I'm sorry, okay?"
"What are you apologizing to me for? You didn't cheat on me!"
"Shhh! This is the library!" Madam Pince shrieked as she walked over to Harry and Ron's table. Hermione looked in their direction, locking eyes with Harry. she quickly turned away, hoping he wouldn't walk over. But, with her unbelievable bad luck, Harry got up from his seat and walked right over.
"Uh, hey Hermione" Harry said nervously, looking at the ground.
"Hi, Harry" Hermione replied, looking at her book, acting completely uninterested.
"Look, Hermione, I know you're mad…" Harry started. He had no idea that he had just made the situation worse.
"Mad?! You think I'm mad?! Then you really don't know me at all Harry. I have tried my very best to try and be calm about this. But you keep on making it worse. You have no idea how it feels to see the one person you have ever loved with another girl, especially when the girl is your best friend. And the fact that you didn't even know that I loved you makes me sick. Absolutely sick." Hermione took a deep breath. She hadn't meant to blow up at Harry. Yes, she was furious and she was hurt, but she had never been one to get overdramatic over boys.
"Hermione, I know I hurt you, but I want to say I'm sorry."
"Harry, get away from me."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, Harry. You are not helping your situation."
"Hermione, I can't believe you're acting like this. I'm trying to be grown up about this and you're throwing it back in my face."
"Yeah, well, Harry, I've been acting grown up my entire life. And do you really think now is a good time to be insulting me? And who in the hell do you think you are asking me why I'm acting like this? Who the hell do you think you are? Have you forgotten that you fucked my best friend? Have you forgotten that you broke me heart? Well I'm sorry, Harry, that I haven't forgotten that quickly. I don't go through boyfriends as quickly as you do girlfriends."
"That's not fair…"
"That's not fair?!" Hermione shouted, causing the whole library to look at her. Hermione was lucky that Madam Pince was too busy telling off some Slytherins to notice her. "I'll tell you what's not fair, you fucking bastard. It's not fair to have to HEAR your boyfriend sleeping with someone else. It's not fair to have to pretend like it's okay and pretend like you're not hurt. Don't you dare tell me what you have been through is not fair." Hermione was glowing and she didn't care. She gathered her things and left the library. She stopped, turned back to Harry and punched him (A/N: props to oreo69not96). 'Damn, that felt good' Hermione thought as she could already see the black eye forming on Harry's right eye. She started for the exit again, some students gawking at her, other students glaring at the Boy-Who-Lived. Almost immediately after Hermione left the library, her glow died down but she could see Ginny not too far away. 'Crap' Hermione thought. Hermione instantly changed directions but she knew Ginny's bright blue eyes had already spotted her.
"Hermione!" Ginny called after her for the second time since the 'incident'.
"Can I not catch a break?" Hermione asked the ceiling as she stopped and waited for Ginny to catch up to her.
"You stopped this time" Ginny said, facing Hermione.
"Clearly" Hermione answered nonchalantly.
"Well, Hermione please don't stay mad. I know what I did was awful and I would take it back if it meant you wouldn't be mad at me anymore."
"Is that true? Would you rather have never stolen Harry from me, if it meant that we would still be friends? Can you honestly say you would rather have ugly, buck-toothed Hermione Granger over the famous-fucking-Boy-Who-Lived?"
"Hermione, you know I don't think about you that way. I didn't do this just to hurt you."
"We've been through this, Ginny, and I don't give a damn if you didn't do it to hurt me. The point is, you did it. Ginny, I am going to tell you what I told Harry. I have been trying and trying to be calm; to not be angry or hate you. But there's only one problem. I do. I hate you for what you did and I am angry at both you and Harry. There is nothing you can do or say to make me forgive you. You may think it sounds petty or pathetic or selfish. But you two were selfish first. Harry was selfish for thinking he could have us both. You in his arms, and me on a pedestal; the perfect plan for you and Harry. That's what's selfish. And you were selfish, too, Ginny, for thinking you could be my friend and fuck around with my boyfriend at the same time."
"Hermione, I'm sorry! Ok? What do you want me to do? What can I do so we're friends again?"
"Have you not heard a single goddam thing I've said Virginia Weasley?!" Hermione screamed. "I want you to leave me alone! But there is one thing I want you to tell me. When did Harry first cheat on me with you? You owe me at least that much."
Ginny looked very uneasy; it was obvious she didn't want to answer this question. "Harry and I first…well, kissed…the day before you woke up."
"You mean…when I was in the hospital? When I was unconscious and people thought I was going to die?" Hermione's voice started to rise again.
"Oh, Hermione, I'm so sorry."
"You bitch! You no-good-for-nothing whore!" Hermione yelled. "I was lying in a hospital bed, unconscious I might add, and you kissed my fucking boyfriend!"
"Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall yelled, making her way over to the feuding duo. "You must calm yourself! You cannot risk what will happen" Professor McGonagall said suggestively. Hermione had forgotten that Ginny didn't know anything about her condition.
"I'm leaving, Professor. I feel sick anyway" Hermione said, looking at Ginny. Hermione walked back to her dorms and took a very deep breath. She only knew of one thing that would make her calm down. She walked across the hall and pounded on Malfoy's door.
"Draco Malfoy, open up!" Hermione shouted.
"Granger, what the hell…" He didn't get to finish, because Hermione had pushed past him and walked straight to a bottle of firewhiskey. She found a shot glass and poured the hard liquor in.
"Hermione, stop!" Draco said making his way over to the frazzled Gryffindor. "Hermione, what the hell is the matter with you?" Draco yelled as she finished her shot. He quickly took the glass away, as she tried to pour another shot.
"I just needed some help calming down, okay? Is that so wrong?" Hermione asked exasperatedly.
"Umm…it is when you throw up afterwards. Come on, what's wrong?" Draco asked, actually interested in what could make Hermione Granger drink alcohol willingly.
"What's wrong?! What's WRONG?!" Hermione shouted, her eyes flashing angrily.
"Whoa, whoa, relax. Let me guess, Harry/Ginny troubles."
"What the hell do you think?"
"What's up your ass?" Draco asked; he was obviously annoyed.
"I'm sorry" Hermione said in a defeated tone. "It's just…why won't they just leave me alone? I mean, Harry wanted me out of the picture, right? He has Ginny, why can't they just leave me alone? Ginny's had a crush on Harry, now she has him and doesn't need me. And I wasn't a good enough girlfriend for Harry, now, he has a good girlfriend. So you would think that they would both just leave me alone." Hermione could feel the tears coming up. She had hidden her pain with anger, thinking anger would make it seem like she didn't feel as sad as she did.
"Hermione, you cannot beat yourself up about this."
"I'm not beating myself up, it's just that if I had been a better girlfriend, then maybe…"
"No, maybe nothing. Harry is an ass for doing what he did to you. And that Weasley-girl is just as bad for pretending to be your friend and sleep with your boyfriend. Hermione this is not you fault."
"You're right. I don't have time to wallow over Harry. I have NEWTs and I have to beat you, don't I?" Hermione said, feeling much better.
"You wish, Granger" Draco said playfully in response.
"Well, thanks, Draco. I think I'm going to take a very long bath; having to blow up twice in ten minutes is hard work."
"Wait, when did you blow up?"
"Just now. That's why I needed a drink. To calm down. Professor MacGonagall couldn't have me hexing Harry Potter, now could she?"
"You glowed at him?"
"Yeah, it was awful. Everyone in the library was looking at us, and now everyone knows Harry cheated on me with Ginny."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who gets hexed by you."
"Yes, lucky for you."
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"It wasn't your fault."
"Thanks. I'm well aware of that now. I think I'm just angry, now. Enough pining away and not eating. I am going to be happy, just to spite Harry."
"No, you should be happy for yourself. Harry shouldn't have anything to do with it anymore."
"You know what? I never thought I would ever in a million years say this, but you're absolutely right."
"Trust me, I know" Draco said, his smirk in place.
"I am allowed to be angry, though. Harry's going to have to pull a miracle to get me to forgive him."
"Just what I like to hear; something Potty can't do."
"Well, I can hear a beautiful bathtub calling my name, so I'll see you later" Hermione said after a few moments of silence. She left Draco's room, feeling much better than she had before. She wouldn't let herself be sad anymore; no, Hermione Granger was stronger than that. As she laid in the bath, Hermione thought about how weird it was that she was furious with Harry, her best friend of seven years, and boyfriend of some of that time; and that she was becoming friends with Draco Malfoy, her former worst enemy. It was like they had switched places.
The next day, Halloween, Hermione felt refreshed and energized. Being angry was a lot easier than being heart broken. She was planning on spending the day with Ron in Hogsmeade, as far away from Harry as possible. Ron still cared about her, which was a lot of comfort to Hermione. She had been afraid that since Ron and Harry had been like brothers for years, Ron would take Harry's side and Hermione wouldn't have anybody. But it seemed like the red head was determined to be mad at Harry. Hermione didn't know why, but it seemed like Ron was almost giddy about being mad at Harry. And he was starting to flirt with her a little bit. She knew that Ron had liked her in the beginning of sixth year, before she and Harry started going out, but she knew she was never going to see him that way.
After Hermione had showered and dressed, she went to the Great Hall for the first time in a while. She would rarely go down to eat meals; she would either not eat at all, and study in the library, or she would snack on food from her magic cabinets. When she entered the hall, once again, Ron came towards her, and walked her down to the end of the table. He looked rather pale and his brilliant red hair in comparison, only made him seem whiter.
"Ron, what's wrong? Are you okay? You don't look too well" Hermione said worriedly, while feeling his head for a temperature.
"No, I'm, uh, fine, Hermione. No worries" Ron answered unconvincingly, shaking off Hermione's small hand.
"Okay. Ready to go to Hogsmeade today?"
"You bet. We are going to do a whole lot of stuff together" Ron said, getting some of his color back.
"Ron, promise me we won't spend most of the day in a Quidditch shop."
"As long as you promise we won't spend most of the day in a book shop."
Hermione laughed; Ron had always been able to make her do that. "Agreed."
After breakfast, Hermione and Ron got bundled up in their Gryffindor robes and started on their way to Hogsmeade. It didn't take that long to get there, so before Hermione knew it, she was being dragged around a Quidditch store.
"Ron, I thought we agreed that we wouldn't spend most of the day in a book store OR a Quidditch store?" Hermione said, after Ron finished a detailed history of the Chudley Cannons Quidditch team.
"Oh, sorry, 'Mione."
"It's amazing how you can remember every bloody thing about the history of a Quidditch team, and you can pour over their magazines day and night, but you can't study for a Transfiguration test for more than an hour."
"Hermione, don't start. Let's go before you talk to death."
"Me? Talk to death?" Hermione asked playfully, pretending to be offended. "Wasn't it you, sir, who just talked for twenty minutes straight about a Quidditch team?"
"Come on, Hermione" Ron said, laughing, while leading Hermione out of his favorite shop.
The two walked into The Three Broomsticks and found a table near the back of the room. They talked and drank for about an hour, before they saw Harry and Ginny enter.
'Oh, great' Hermione thought. 'Right when I'm having a good time, they have to come and remind me of what they did.' It made Hermione sick how Harry and Ginny were being so affectionate. It looked like they didn't feel guilty about being together and that it didn't matter that they were hurt their friend of seven years.
"Hermione? Are you okay?" Ron asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine" Hermione replied, tearing her eyes away from the sickeningly in love couple.
"Oh, they are here" Ron said, feeling equally disgusted. "Hermione, I know this might not mean much, but I am sorry for what Ginny did. She's my sister and I can't believe that after everything we've been taught as kids would mean nothing to her. We aren't all like that, 'Mione."
"Oh, I know, Ron" Hermione said, giving Ron a quick hug. "You don't have to apologize for her, or Harry. We are all at an age where we have to be accountable for our actions and our choices; we can't try to make other people do the right thing all the time."
"Come on, let's get out of here" Ron said, getting up and pulling Hermione with him. They were going to have to walk right past Harry and Ginny and they had almost made it when Hermione heard an all too familiar voice.
"Hey, Hermione" Ginny said hopefully. Each time Hermione looked at Ginny, all she saw was a naked slut who had slept with her boyfriend. It made Hermione sicker and sicker every time. Hermione mutely nodded at Ginny, grabbed Ron's hand and walked out of the Three Broomsticks with her head held very high.
Not even a mile away, Draco was in front of the Shrieking Shack with Pansy.
"Ooh, Drakie, this is so romantic."
'Yeah, sitting in front of a broken-down house wanting to snog you is very romantic' Draco thought to himself.
"Drakie, when are we going to tell everybody about us?"
"Soon, Pansy" Draco said annoyed. He realized that he wouldn't be getting any right now; Pansy was in one of her 'cuddling' moods. One of the moods Draco considered to be his enemy. After a few minutes of silence, Draco felt a sharp pain in his left forearm. He had forgotten; tonight was the Deatheater revel. He was being called for the first time. It felt like someone was holding a lit torch to his right arm. He immediately let go of Pansy and apparated on the spot to Malfoy Manor. He had learned how to apparate earlier than most people because of his status as a Deatheater and his father pulled a few strings at the Ministry. Draco had left so fast that he didn't notice Pansy crying on the ground or that a certain Gryffindor red head had also grabbed his arm in pain.
A/N: and that's what I like to call a cliffie. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have since I am leaving soon but never fear. I will try to update again soon. You know what to do now, the button is staring you right in the eye, calling to you. Answer the button, go on answer it. If there are a lot of mistakes in here please tell me and I'll fix it later. I didn't have time to really proof read but I wanted to give you guys a chapter before I left.