Thanks for all y'all's reviews…I seriously love the reviews, they keep me motivated. lol y'all are funny. No that's not the end. Will Hermione go after Ron? Will Ginny get with Harry? Duh-duh-dun! And btw, the name Desdemona means 'Of the Devil' and was the wife of Othello in Shakespeare's play. Thanks again to my readers and please r & r. –Summer : )

Chapter 6 She-Devil

Hermione woke up, her head pounding. She stretched out and, sighing, turned on her side. After a few moments, she pulled herself out of bed. The bright sunshine streaming in through the window indicated that it was still morning. She sat at the vanity and brushed her thick hair. Then, she sat and contemplated her reflection for a minute. She didn't really give Ron a chance to tell his side of the story this morning. Maybe he didn't feel obligated to be with her—maybe there was more to it than that. Hermione applied a little face powder and lip gloss, just enough to make a nice effect. She coated her lashes with a little mascara and then walked over to her closet.

From the outside, it looked like an ordinary closet. On the inside, however, it was obvious that it had been magically expanded. A nice variety of clothing and accessories, other necessities and, of course, shelves and shelves of her favorite books filled the closet. She picked though all of it to pull out a silky summer dress. It was blue with white lace trim and wasn't much more than a wisp. She changed out of her running clothes and into the dress. She sprayed on a little perfume and stepped into a pair of strappy sandals. Surveying herself in front of a long mirror, she was satisfied.

'I'm going to let myself be happy.' She promised herself. 'I'm going to be with Ron.'

She smiled and went downstairs.

When she got to parlor, Ron looked in her direction. His goofy smile left his face, replaced by a look of awe.

"Hermione…you look…really beautiful…"

Hermione smiled, but before she could say anything, a silky voice cut her off.

"Yes, you look nice." Mona smiled icily at Hermione, her arm looped around Ron's.

Hermione must have looked very confused, because Mona laughed. Hermione noticed for the first time that her laugh was very cold.

Ron laughed a little uneasily.

"Yeah, I bet this looks weird…it's a strange story, actually…ya see…"

Mona cut Ron off.

"George and I….well…we didn't work out…"

"So, you're with his brother now, the same week, in the same house with George."

Ron laughed nervously at Hermione's scalding tone.

"Actually," Mona continued, "George left this morning. And Ron and I are not together, we're just going out to lunch together."

"Well, in that case, I'd love lunch!" said Hermione, with a fake smile.

"Oh, it's more of a private thing" replied Mona. "You know, very intimate."

Her lips curled into a thin, false smile and she pulled Ron by his arm out the front door.

Hermione just stood at the foot of the stairs, dumbfounded.

"It's strange, isn't it?" said Ginny from the dining room. She was setting the table for the midday meal. Hermione just began to help Ginny set out the silverware.

"I mean, Ron is crazy about you for years and then, all of a sudden, he's casually going out to lunch with Mona."

"Well, maybe—" Hermione paused. The fork she was holding clattered on a plate. "Ron's crazy about me!"

"Well, yeah. Has been for as long as I can remember. Well, I'd known for years before he finally told me. He told me that he didn't think he could be with anyone besides you. That's why he's never dated an awful lot."

Hermione just stared, mouth open.

"Wow…" said Ginny. "You really didn't know! I thought it was pretty obvious."

"Well…" replied Hermione, gaining composure. "You're just as oblivious as I am, Ginny. Harry's crazy about you and you never seem to notice."

This time, Ginny dropped a spoon, which flew across the long table. "Really!"

"Yes! It's so obvious, Gin! You need to go after him, let him know you feel the same way."

Ginny blushed. "Is it that obvious that I feel that way?"

Hermione laughed. "Yeah, it is."

"Well, if you really want me to go after Harry, you have to meet the challenge. You have to go after Ron! Now!" She yelled, pushing Hermione.

"Wow, Gin. You're really aggressive today. You're kind of a bitch. It's awesome."

Ginny laughed and her cheeks slightly tinged rose. "Well, true love is important."

"Yeah, it is!" Hermione set the remaining forks and spoons on the table. "Ok! I'm going after him now!"

A few seconds later, Hermione returned to the dining room. "I don't know where he is!" she yelled.

"I know." laughed Ginny. "I was just waiting for you to realize that!"

"Ok," said Hermione more to herself than Ginny. "New game plan. I'll get ready to go after him when he gets back. You, however, can go after Harry right now."

She pulled Ginny roughly by her arm. "Ow!" yelped Ginny. "Who's the bitch now?"

"Me!" proclaimed Hermione proudly. She pushed Ginny up the stairs toward the direction of Harry's room. After she left Ginny outside his door, Hermione returned to her room to prepare for her own confrontation with Ron.