So here's chapter 2. I'm sorry if it's not good, it's 4 in the morning right now, and I'm somewhat delirious. Review please.

Chapter 2: When It All Falls Apart

For the next couple of days, Ron completely ignored Harry. Even though they sat next to each other in most classes, and slept in the same room, Ron barely looked at Harry. Every time he did, Harry was with Hermione, and Ron's face would get hot with anger. Harry had tried several times to talk to Ron, but Ron would turn away and start talking to someone else, asking them if they thought the room was drafty and if they were hearing things too.

Everyone seemed to notice that Ron had no longer been talking to Harry and Hermione. Some people were worried and asked Ron about it, who just shrugged and said he had never heard of a "Harry Potter" in his life. However, when Draco Malfoy realized this, it seemed like Christmas had come early for the pale blond boy. Everyday he would make snide remarks to Ron, asking him why he wasn't carrying Harry's book bag that day, or polishing his broomstick.

In Potions class, two weeks after Ron had his blow up in the dormitory, Malfoy swaggered over to Ron's cauldron. Ron was nervously prodding his potion with his wand, trying to make it turn from a murky yellow color to the deep red it was supposed to be. Malfoy snatched Ron's wand right out of his hand and was twirling it in his fingers.

"Give it back. Now," Ron demanded. Malfoy's gray eyes glittered.

"No I don't think I will. I'd never take orders from a Weasley," Malfoy smirked.

"What do you want?" Ron said, sounding tired. He didn't get much sleep these days.

"I'm just curious as to why you aren't attached to Potter's side as usual," Malfoy said watching his hand as he waved Ron's wand in the air, small red sparks shooting out of it.

"None of your business!" Ron snapped as he snatched for the sparking wand. Malfoy yanked it out of reach, despite Ron's long gangly arms.

"Ah-ah, manners Weasley. But I should have known you have never learned proper manners from your embarrassment of a family," Malfoy ignored the way Ron's eyes flamed and went on, "I am glad that you stopped associating with that Granger mudblood. She's bad news, that's what she is. Always getting in the way, such an annoying know-it-all. I just want to gag her and stuff her into a broom closet," Malfoy said, smiling. He looked absolutely pleased at this idea as he slipped Ron's wand into the front pocket on his robes. Ron's face had turned the same bright red color of his hair, and his whole body seemed to be shaking with anger. He was wishing he had his wand back so he could hex Malfoy into oblivion.

The Slytherin laughed to himself. He could see he was getting to Ron.

"What are you getting so worked up about Weasel? You're not even friends with the girl anymore. Unless…" Malfoy's eyes glinted maliciously, "you still want to be friends with her. Or perhaps even more than friends…?" Ron grimaced from the pain of his fingernails digging into his palms. His face was hot and he had never had a stronger feeling to hit Malfoy before. Malfoy's smile grew wider.

"Ha, it seems I have been right all along," Malfoy said with a loud laugh. He raised his voice so everyone in the class could hear. "Little Weasel here has had feelings for Granger all along!"

Ron looked around the class in horror as people all around the room looked up from their cauldrons to stare curiously at Ron and Malfoy. Ron looked over his shoulder and saw Hermione looking at them, gaping at what she had just heard. Hermione's eyes met Ron's for a split second, and she hastily went back to pouring things into her cauldron. Ron returned his attention to Malfoy.

"I. Never. Liked. Her," he growled through clenched teeth. Malfoy chuckled. The whole class seemed to be staring at them in rapt attention.

"It's not a secret. I'm not surprised, judging by your father, everyone here knows you like nothing less than trash," the blond boy sneered, fingering Ron's wand in his pocket.

And then, before Ron even knew what was happening, he was on top of him, trying to punch every bit of him he could reach. Ron couldn't even see clearly, all he knew was that he had to hurt the smug git for what he just said. Ron felt two strong hands pull him upwards, away from Malfoy. Malfoy was lying on the ground with his hands over his nose, blood gushing freely through the gaps in his fingers.

Ron was twirled around and face to face with Professor Snape. Ron's eyes widened in shock as the realization of what he just did settled in. All of sudden he felt very sick and had the impulse to make a break for the door. But of course, Snape would probably curse him if he so much as took a step, and his feet felt like they were nailed to the floor anyways.

Snape's beady black eyes bored into Ron, calculating, as if he was searching for something.

"What the hell has gotten into you Mr. Weasley?" Snape spoke in a low undertone. Ron glanced around the room and noticed that everyone had gotten up from their cauldrons and was gathered around them.

Malfoy jumped to his feet and covered his nose, trying not to get blood on his immaculate robes.

"He attacked me for no reason Professor!" Malfoy yelled indignantly, even though it was hard to hear with his hands over his face.

"I can handle this myself, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said coolly. He looked Ron up and down as if Ron was something nasty stuck on the bottom of his shoe. "So Mr. Weasley, starting fights for no reason, are we?" Snape pressed his face no further than a couple inches from Ron's. Ron felt the anger rising in him again.

"I just wanted to get my wand back from him, Professor," Ron said, trying hard to keep his voice steady. He knew he didn't want to give Snape more of a reason to throw him out of class. Snape's eyes never left Ron's as his upper lip curled unpleasantly into a dark smile.

"Well then, why didn't you just ask for it back nicely? That's what someone with proper manners would've done," Snape said, putting emphasis on the phrase ' proper manners', just as Malfoy had done. Ron glared at the potions master. Snape had heard everything Draco said earlier. He didn't do anything about it until Ron had pounced on Malfoy. It was like they both waited until Ron snapped. It was as if they planned it. The unfairness of it all only made Ron bold.

"Speak for yourself," Ron snapped. Snape's eyes widened in shock. "Sir," Ron added smugly in mockery. Snape's smile disappeared. Ron could hear some people in the crowd watching whispering amongst themselves. Snape reached forward and grabbed Ron's arm in a tight grip.

"What did you just say to me Weasley?" he growled, gripping Ron's arm even harder. Ron stared at Snape's features for a second before answering. He was so angry, every vein in his head was pronounced and seemed to be throbbing. His black greasy hair was cast all about his head, and he looked as though he was going to have a heart attack.

"I'm sorry sir," Ron said, hanging his head. Snape let go of his arm.

"That's more like it. I'm sending you straight to McGonagall and then she can deal with you," he said, angrily, turning around and starting to walk to his desk.

"You didn't let me finish," Ron said, still looking at the ground. Snape whirled around, his robes knocking over some vials on his desk. Ron raised his head and looked determinedly at the professor. "I'm sorry that you're such a git and you have to pick on your own students for enjoyment. And I'm sorry that you'd rather favor a prat like Malfoy than someone like Hermione who actually knows what she's doing in this class," Ron paused for a second, and then went on, "But I'm not sorry that practically everyone in this school hates you, Professor. You are the one that has no manners, not me. And excuse me for saying this sir, but I think you should go burn in hell."

The silence in the room was unbearable. Ron could hardly believe that those words had just come out of his mouth, but he strangely didn't feel scared at all. He was done with being afraid. And he was sick of putting up with everyone's crap. Snape stood there, staring at Ron with a kind of loathing Ron had never before seen in his eyes.

Ron looked around the room and everyone was just standing there in shock. Hermione looked like she was going to cry, and Harry mouth was hanging wide open. Neville looked the same, but had a little bit of drool coming down his chin. Malfoy had forgotten all about his bleeding nose, and was staring at Ron in awe.

"How dare you?" Snape breathed so that Ron could barely hear him. Ron shrugged.

"I'm just saying what everyone thinks Professor." Snape's face was mask-like, as it was so screwed up with anger.

"MR. WEASLEY, I WANT NOTHING MORE TO CURSE YOU AT THIS MOMENT AND TURN YOU INTO A WORM THAT I CAN STEP ON!" Snape screamed, advancing on Ron and stopping right before him. Ron could feel his breath on his face. The professor seemed to gain some of his composure back. He straightened his robes and ran a pale hand through his lank hair. "Are you done insulting me?"

"Yeah, I think I proved my point," Ron replied savagely.

"Good. I'm sick of this disrespect. I'm taking you straight to the headmaster. He can deal with you," Snape said sweeping past Ron. For the first time, Ron regretted what he had said. Snape was bringing him straight to Dumbledore? Can you get expelled for telling a teacher to go to hell? At least he didn't hex Snape. But then again… he didn't have his wand.

"The rest of you finish your potions and leave a sample for me on my desk. If I hear that any of you put so much as a toe out of line, you will be joining Mr. Weasley here," Snape roared to the rest of the class. Instantly everyone scattered and went back to their cauldrons, talking in excited whispers… everyone except Malfoy. He walked right up to Ron and pressed Ron's wand into his chest.

"You're going to pay for this one, Weasel," Malfoy said under his breath so only Ron could hear, "I doubt Dumbledore's going to keep you around after this. But don't worry about it, I'll keep Potter and Granger safe after you're gone," he raised his eyebrows and smirked. Ron bristled.

"Clean off your face Malfoy, you look disgusting," Ron growled. Malfoy's smirk faltered and he skulked off.

"Come now, Weasley. Follow me," Snape said, opening the door as Ron followed. Ron followed at a distance as Snape led him down a series of corridors and staircases.

He wasn't even paying attention to where he was going. Ron knew he was done for. Malfoy was right, there was no way he wasn't going to get expelled after this. Ron was silently cursing himself for acting so recklessly the whole time he glumly followed Snape. He felt as though his stomach was tied in knots, and he was sweating profusely from his nerves.

In a matter of no time they arrived at a statue of an ugly goblin. Snape looked down his nose at Ron and said, "This will be your last day here, Weasley. I'm sure of it."

Ron looked at the entrance to Dumbledore's office and gulped.

He had thought he couldn't live without Harry and Hermione… how could he live if he wasn't even allowed to come back to Hogwarts?