I'm back and very sunburnt. (

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Warning: Hermione is a bit of a btch in this chapter. It was necessary. (

Chapter 2 – Break up

After that very interesting discussion, I went in search of Ron. I didn't have to look too far because he and Harry came noisily through the portrait hole after (I presume) a game of Quidditch.

"What a great fly!" exclaimed Ron.

"Yeah," said Harry vaguely. I saw his eyes wander over to Ginny, who was peacefully reading. There is definitely something going on there. Well, I think it's great if they would get together, but I don't know what Ron would think. He's so protective of her and cares about whom she dates and cares about whom I date for that matter…and I'm not even his sister. Why does he care who I date? I have every right to date Viktor Krum if I want to…not that I do.

"Hey Hermione," Ron said, smiling.

I felt an odd stirring in my stomach. I once read in a book that a fluttering feeling in your stomach was the first sign of love. No. It couldn't be. It must be the food from lunch…

"Ron," I said sharply.

He looked startled at my sharp tone and a bit wary. I suppose I sounded like I was going to lecture him.

"Yeah?" he said cautiously.

See, we're just friends, I mentally told all those people who believed in that mad rumour. If I felt any attraction towards Ron or had any feelings other than platonic I would have noticed how you could see his toned muscles through that ridiculously clingy white shirt and how his hair was quite longish but not too long as to cover up his adorable face and that he hadn't shaved because you could see some stubble and how when he smiled at me he had a slight dimple and how cute he looked just after playing Quidditch all sweaty and dirty…

"I didn't notice any of those things." I murmured to myself. "I don't like him!"

"What did you say Hermione?" asked Ron.

"Did you know there is a rumour going around about us?" I demanded.

"Which one?"

"What?" I gaped at him. That was not at all the answer I expected. I expected him to be surprised, stunned, shocked or maybe even angry but not indifferent. "How many are there?"

"Well let's see," he said. "There's the one where we're dating; the one that you dumped Viktor Krum for me; the one that you dumped me for Harry; the one that you dumped Harry for me; the one where I broke your heart by sleeping with some girl. I think that's about it."

Ron started laughing.

I just stared at him. What was so funny? Those rumours were stupid and completely untrue. How come there were so many rumours about me and I hadn't even heard any of them? Do people actually believe this rubbish?

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded.

"I thought you knew," said Ron. He still had that adorable grin on his face. That feeling in my stomach came back.

"Well I don't," I snapped back.

"Well now you do."

I felt so angry. I don't know why but the fact that Ron knew all this and it didn't bother him just frustrated me. Why didn't he care?

"Don't you care that there are all these ridiculous rumours going around?" I cried.

"No not really," he shrugged.

That small gesture just made me even more furious.

"People are going around thinking that we're dating! Doesn't that bother you at all?" I asked, or more like screamed.

"Don't sound so offended. What would be wrong with dating me?"

Nothing.

But I didn't say that. For some reason, I felt hurtful today. It was that rumour.

"A lot."

Ron looked genuinely hurt. Usually when this happens, he'll retort with a biting comment and I'll retaliate with an equally cutting remark. But Ron didn't go according to our habit.

"I don't know why you are so bothered about this. It's only a rumour. Everybody knows that rumours are rubbish."

"But they don't! They think it's true." I was screaming now and I could see we had gathered an audience. I could see people whispering to each other. Another rumour is going to start tomorrow and I felt myself going livid.

"Why do you care? You don't usually give a shit what other people think. Why do you care so much now?" Ron asked.

Why did I care so much? It didn't bother me when everybody thought I was Harry's girlfriend. Why did I care so much now? Ron was right. I don't usually care, but for some reason, this rumour was just getting on my nerves and the fact that it didn't bother Ron just infuriated me more. I don't know why it does but it just does. He should care. He's the one who usually cares what other people think, so why was I the one who was annoyed now? It was so illogical. Why does it bother me so much what other people think? I didn't know why but all I knew was I was incensed. That's why I took it out on Ron.

"Because I don't want anybody thinking I would go out with you," I snarled.

It wasn't true. I knew it wasn't true but I said it anyway. I felt bad. I felt terrible when I saw Ron's hurt face. I felt the tears ready to spill and I was ready to beg for his forgiveness and vow I would never be cruel to him again but I was too late.

"Well I wouldn't want anybody thinking I would go out with you!" he snarled right back.

That hurt. I knew I deserved it but nevertheless it still hurt. I could feel a knife stabbing me again and again. But I didn't show it; I just bit right back. I couldn't help it. It was like I was possessed. It was like a demon had taken over Hermione Granger. It was like that rumour had spread through my insides, making me nasty and angry.

"Who would even consider dating you?" I asked. The words felt like poison.

"Same with you," Ron snarled. "You're just a bloody know-it-all who thinks she's better than everybody else."

Is that what he thought of me? I should have stopped right there before it got really ugly but my pride or spitefulness pushed me on.

"I don't know where people are getting these ideas because I can't stand you!" I spat.

"I can't stand you either," he spat back.

The hateful remarks just kept spilling out of my mouth. The lies just kept pouring out. I blame those blasted rumours.

"Then why are you here? I certainly don't want you here," Ron said looking me straight in the eyes.

I could see cold fury reflected in those eyes but the disturbing thing was that feeling in my stomach increased. It was like there was a thousand butterflies in my stomach all wanting to get out and that scared me. So I left before anything else could happen. Before I ruined my friendship with one of the best things that ever happened to me.

"Fine. I'm leaving."

And off I went, struggling through a crowd of Gryffindors who had gathered around us.

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