As Hermione strolled down the halls of Hogwarts, she noticed people giving her strange looks and glances. Everywhere she went, people would turn around and look her in the eye.

Most of the glances were of sympathy. Others were of disgust. But all of them contained a hint of unbelieving and surprise. It was very unnerving.

Hermione was relieved when she finally reached the Great Hall. It was very draining to have to avoid stares the whole morning. A little relaxation time with Harry and Ron was just what she needed. She didn't even mind if Ron bothered her. At least she could count on them to not act weird. How wrong she was.

"Hermione!"

She spun around and saw a blur of red and black hair running towards her.

"Ron! Harry! Good morning, you gu-"

"Thank God you're okay!" And before Hermione could finish her sentence, Ron had leaped up and LATCHED himself onto her, his arms (toned from Quidditch) squeezing the air out of her lungs.

"R-Ron? What in the world-"

"I'm so, so, so sorry." Ron sobbed into her shoulder.

"Ron? What the-Are you crying??"

"I've been such a stupid git!"

"Well, I can't argue with that..." she muttered. "But you haven't done anything THAT horrible."

"YES I HAVE! I've been horrid. Always pestering you about homework and arguing with you. I'm so SORRY. You don't know how sorry I am!"

"What? I don't know what-"

"Hermione," spoke a voice.

"Harry! Oh thank goodness. Ron is acting completely-"

"I just want you to know that I COMPLETELY appreciate you for everything you've done. You're my BEST FRIEND AND I APPRECIATE IT! And I'm really sorry for being so horrid last year. Really sorry!" And before Hermione could react, Harry had also wrapped his arms tightly around both her and Ron.

"Don't do it, Hermione! It's not worth it!" shouted Neville who was sprinting towards the trio.

"Hermione, you're a really brilliant prefect! Don't throw it away. I need you!" Ernie MacMillian cried.

"Hermione, you're like the sister I never had!" Ginny exclaimed.

"You're smart!"

"You're talented!"

"You have a really nice ars-"

"EVERBODY STOP!" The entire Great Hall quieted down.

"Now as much as I appreciate everyone showering me with compliments, I need to know: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?" Hermione's face was red from frustration and also from being gripped tightly by Ron and Harry.

"C-can you guys let go?" She asked them.

"Oh, oh, sorry." They both said. Ron's face was completely red when he let her go. It was also a bit shiny from his tears.

"Now can someone PLEASE explain what's wrong?"

"Well...um...you see, er..." Harry stumbled over his words. "We heard a rumor that you were going to commit suicide..."

"WWWWHHHHHAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!"

The entire Great Hall flinched.

"AND YOU BELIEVED THAT RUBBISH?"

"We didn't know what to think! We were too worried by the fact that one of our best friends might die!"

That subdued Hermione for a short while but not for long.

"Who started the rumor?" She asked in an eerily calm way.

"Erm...Malfoy?" Neville squeaked. Hermione's eyes narrowed and flashed bright amber.

"Malfoy..." she hissed and stalked towards the Slytherin table.

"Oh! Is she gonna yell at him? Is he in trouble? Can I tape it?" Colin Creevy cheerily asked. That earned him a slap from Ginny.

A/N: Malfoy's gonna get it! Malfoy's gonna get it! Whhheeeeee! waves flag