The whispering felt like knives. Knives piercing through her head. Hermione opened her eyes, to immediately close them against the blinding light spilling through the window. But there was no question of her returning to sleep, she was extremely hot and uncomfortable, and her throat felt like sand paper. And then there were them damn whispering roommates of hers.

"Will you lot shut up?" she grumbled in a sort of crispy voice.

The whispers stopped immediately, so Hermione knew they must be about her. She dared crack open another eye and saw Lavender, Parvati and Ginny gathered on Lavender's bed, and all three were staring over, obviously alarmed in case she'd heard.

"I don't care," she muttered. "Gin…water? Please?"

"Sure." Ginny nervously ran over to her bed with a clear glass of life-saving water. Hermione sat up, with effort, to drink it. It eased her throat and her eyes were beginning to adjust to the terrible brightness. Her head wasn't painful, but there was a dull-like pressure between her two eyebrows.

Hermione knew this was her first hangover, and disliked it immensely.

"What're you lot gossiping about?" she said in a grouchy voice, slamming the water down on the counter a bit unnecessarily and frowning at them.

"Last night," Lavender supplied quickly.

And then Hermione remembered everything, and let out a long, audible groan.

"You have a lot to say for yourself, Hermione," Ginny said, and frowned right back at her. "It isn't funny! You kissed Fred! I didn't even know you liked him!"

"I didn't! I don't! I-I dunno!" The roles were reversed now, and Hermione was the nervous one now, and Ginny the grumpy one.

"You were drunk," Parvati accused lightly.

Sulkily, Hermione nodded, and wished it were not true.

"Ha!" Ginny pointed a triumphant finger at her, but seemed unable to say more.

"So were you!" Lavender said to that finger and it dropped uncertainly. "And you lot are all missing the point! What kind of kisser is Fred? I say he's so skilled at this state. You know, because he's so old…"

"I so don't want to hear this!" Ginny screeched and put two delicate hands over her ears.

Hermione's face flushed, and she didn't want to answer with anything more than a nod. Lavender sighed, Parvati smirked, and Ginny, seeing the nod, squealed. Then the three girls burst into simultaneous laughter about how they'd converted Hermione Granger, and Hermione, after a hesitation, joined in also. Because it was funny, and because Hermione decided she couldn't beat herself up about such things anymore. She was who she was and whom she wanted to change into, and if anyone didn't like it, then they could shove off.

Everything wasn't so funny when Hermione came downstairs and saw Ron's furious face. Parvati, as good at Potions as Hermione was, had made them all up a Refreshment Potion which helped, but she still felt slightly nauseous and felt as if she had never slept last night. Ron's face, however, made her feel as if she hadn't slept for a dozen nights. She didn't want to hear him shout – her dull ache in her forehead might return.

"What did you think you were playing at last night, Hermione?" Ron bellowed, and everyone in the Grand Hall turned to face them, and to listen.

"We'll talk about this later, Ron," she murmured to him before passing him and sitting beside Lavender.

"Sit down here!" Ron continued. In that echoing tone, and pointed angrily at the seat in between him and Harry. "Sit down here like you always used to! I don't know what's been going on with you, but you've been completely ignoring us lately and it's not fair! What did we do, Hermione? And what's been up with you? You were pissed last night! You, Hermione Granger! It's like I don't even know who you are anymore!"

Anger rose in her chest. "What's wrong," she said coldly. "Having to do your Transfiguration essays on your own now, is it?"

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, and she turned away from him on her seat. She was aware of all the eyes still on them.

"You kissed my brother!" he exclaimed suddenly and seriously. "You kissed Fred! Do you deny it?"

"I know what I did," she replied in the same freezing voice, eyes on him again but narrowed. "I went out last night and had a couple of drinks. I had fun. Yes, I'm sorry, Ron, that I had fun. I have changed, and I'm sorry if you can't keep up. Fred was being nice to me, he knew I was a girl, and yeah we kissed! I don't even see what it has to do with you!"

"You're my best friend," he tried to argue.

She threw up her hands in frustration.

"It hasn't felt like it lately," he continued and his voice was lower now, and just for her. "I know. And I know I should make more of an effort with you, Hermione. I'm sorry. I know you're a girl…Merlin, I know you're a girl!"

"What are you talking about, Ron?" Anger faded away to confusion.

"Don't you know yet? I'm crazy about you, Hermione. I have been for so long now."

"Ron…?"

"Be…be my girlfriend, Hermione." His innocent blue eyes poured into hers. "Please?"

"It'd never work," she said but she was smiling now. "We'd kill each other!"

"It's worth a try though, isn't it?" he persisted.

Hermione looked at him. She'd been so unsatisfied, so unhappy. She had wanted to live life fully again. So maybe she didn't really feel that way about Ron…it was time she lived her life, without hesitation and without regret. She had passed so many chances and opportunities over, just for the sake of her morals and her books, and look at how unhappy and bored that had left her. No, it was time she made some proper choices, and let herself just have fun.

"Why not?" she shrugged still smiling and, after seeing the delight flood over Ron's face, she let him pull her into a kiss, right in front of the whole watching Grand Hall.

Just a little chapter to keep things moving. What you think? Ron/Hermione will not be the final ship although they're going to be together for one or two chapters, while other stuff happens. I know who the final ship will be but Hermione needs to grow up a bit before being able to handle him.

This story's more about the development of Hermione, rather than anything else, and about growing up. This story will hopefully be relatable and, although this chapter wasn't too realistic, some of the stuff explored on this chapter will be.

Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter: Seghen, illyria-light, sakuya-kaleido, fool-of-shadows.