A/N-- The "skipping chapter 2 part" is intentional. It was absolutely ridiculous, but what happened is, they were on the train, and Ernie raped Hermione. Very OOC I know. Well here I go and sorry for the long update... it's my writing night.

Chapter 7 – Hermione's Journey

She peered across the lake, trying to see who was skipping rocks. Sheepishly, she walked around the side and found it was Ginny.

"Oh thank Merlin, it's just you Ginny" Hermione exclaimed gratefully.

"Hey 'Mione, I really can't sleep, how about you?" Ginny inquired.

"Sure… I can't sleep either. I have a lot of things on my mind. Just with Ernie and Ron. I don't know what to do you know? I just have so much globally gook in my mind I can't get rid of." Hermione hurriedly replied.

Ginny stood and gazed upward. She glanced at Hermione, only to find she was stargazing as well. (A/N THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE SLASH PART…. NOT ROMANTIC)

"I just don't know…" Hermione mumbled mostly to herself.

"'Mione, you've been through a lot. You have coped tremendously. I look up to you for that courage you have. But, unfortunately, these things probably will never go away. Ron is a great guy and you can trust him as much-if not more-than you can trust me. Once you're ready, give him a chance." Ginny's words sank deep into Hermione.

"Gin, you gave me the courage to do what I need to do. Only two weeks until The Midnight Ball. I need to go, thanks Ginny, take care." Hermione readily said to Ginny.

Hermione ran off into the darkness to the castle. She didn't go inside, but instead sat once again in the Owlrey, which was now her new place to sit and think.

As she gazed once more at the shining night sky, her mind wandered to thoughts about Ron.

'He is so gentle, funny and kind. He would never hurt me. But then again, I thought Ernie was a safe guy too. No, Don't think about him. He isn't even a man. He is a piece of dung lying on the ground. He is nothing. Worse than nothing.'

'Ron, he has always been there for me, all my life. I love him dearly, and have always longed for him. My heart belongs to him, yet I can't fully trust myself. I don't know… I just don't know…'

Hermione set off to bed with these thoughts reeling in her mind. She tossed and turned in her bed but finally feel into a deep sleep.

"Saturday, what a nice day, eh Harry?" Ron lay in his bed awaiting Harry.

"Great Ron, just wonderful." Harry replied grumpily.

They dressed and went for breakfast. They saw Hermione as the entered the Great Hall waving them over. They glanced at each other, gave a small smile, and gallantly walked over to her.

"Felling better, 'Mione?" Ron asked gently.

"Yes, I am thank you. I did a lot of thinking last night." She was interrupted by Ron sitting next to Harry, on the other side of Hermione.

"Oh, Ron, could you sit next to me?" Hermione pleaded.

Harry looked at Ron with a sly smile. Ron jut shrugged and switched spots with Harry.

"'Mione, are you sure you're ready, because I could wait a –err very long time. For you." Ron spoke embarrassed.

Hermione Grinned, "Yes, I am ready Ron." As she took his arm in hers, she was silently pleading for him to ask her to the Ball.

A/N – Sorry for the short chapter, I know the year went mighty fast, but the next chapter is the Ball, eNjOy! And review please! Flames are welcome!

JilLian