(A/N: WOO! Another new FF! cheers well, cuz I got rid of a cliffhanger and am trying to figure out how to fix a cliffhanger, and two others are unpopular, I've decided to put this lil thing in! I read a fan fict my friend sent me and found myself influence. I still haven't finished the 6th book… so I'm just kinda basing it off of any old time… k? k!)
Hermione felt rage serge through her as she read a small piece of paper. This stupid rumor was never going to end! She had figured Harry had sorted it out once he had managed to stop Rita Skeeter from spreading it, but now this! Standing abruptly, Hermione tried to ignore the paper and paced around the room; but to no avail. She turned on her heel and glared at the paper, then tore it into many tiny pieces, only to find that it reassembled itself. Hermione shouted a curse and crumpled the paper up and threw it at the door, only to find it flew right back at her, hitting her in the head and straightening out, only to mock her more. Hermione felt her face grow hot as she drew her wand and shot a spark of fire at it. She never wanted to see that damned paper again! The flames licked the paper and destroyed it very effectively. She looked at the ashes and felt slightly pleased at solving the curse on the damned paper. The nerve of some people! All of the rumors! The ridicule! And what was she supposed to do! Play couples with Harry Potter! No! Not this little witch.
Brushing a lock of hair behind her shoulder, Hermione put her wand away angrily. If only she could set fire to the rumors as easily as that paper, then they would think twice. She walked out of her room and stormed down the hall, shouting to her parents, "I'm going for a walk." She tried to ignore their shocked expressions at her abrupt anger. She walked out the door and slammed it with more strength than she knew she possessed. Stalking down the street, Hermione looked up at the sky, hoping it would calm her. She found that all of the clouds looked like little hearts, trying to mock her more. "DAMNIT!" Hermione shouted as she focused her attention onto the sidewalk and broke into a run. Hearts in the sky, only to a person currently suffering from romance withdrawal.
With a deep sigh, Hermione plopped onto a swing in the park that she had unconsciously walked to. Swinging back and forth, Hermione looked ahead at nothingness. If Ron, or any of the Weasleys for that matter, got a hold on that little clipet of news, all of her efforts would be down the drain. The rumors of Hermione sneaking away to see her precious Harry not only made Hermione want to vomit, but would lead many people to get the wrong idea. Although, that was no doubt the point of the little paper; destroying not just Hermione's reputation, but her sanity as well. She stopped the swing abruptly and jumped from it, finding she was too restless to be stationary.
Hermione continued to walk around the small neighborhood. She hadn't been this angry in a long time; it was new to her, but it felt good for her to be able to let off a little steam. Walking at a speedy pace, Hermione looked down at the sidewalk, almost afraid to see more haunting pictures of her imagination if she looked around too much. Then, Hermione stopped abruptly. A bug. She looked down at a small bug crossing the huge sidewalk; it walked slowly, seemingly unaware of Hermione. She looked down at the bug and found herself repulsed to find it greatly resembled the bug that the gossiping Rita Skeeter changed into. "You damn little bitch." Hermione spat at the bug, watching it walk slowly down the sidewalk, "I'll show you to destroy the dignity I've gathered for myself." She then stuck her foot out and smashed it down like a huge boulder onto the small, disgusting bug. That would show the horrible witch… now if only that had been her…
Ron paced his room, hand trembling, gripping onto a small piece of paper. He crumpled it up and threw it at the floor, but found himself taken back as it bounced from the floor and flew right back at him. Ron ducked just in time, and the paper soared across the room and bounced off of the wall and landed neatly on the floor, completely opened and straight, as if Ron had never wrinkled it. "Bloody hell?" Ron said in a whisper, unable to find more suitable words.
"Must be jinxed." Fred said knowledgeably as he leaned casually against the door frame.
"I figured that." Ron said angrily to his brother. He had found Fred, now where was the twin? Planning some trick to play on him, maybe? Or was he just working tirelessly at the ever popular joke shop.
"It's not that bad, mate?" Fred consoled his brother, "Not like any of its true."
"Why the hell does it have to come in now?" Ron asked in a depressed tone as he settled down onto his bed and put his head in his hands.
"There, there, little brother." Fred said comfortingly as he sauntered over to his brother and sat besides him. "Don't let it get you down. You know the chances of Harry and Hermione going out is slim to nothing." Ron didn't reply, he only sat on his bed, head in his hands. Fred continued, knowing there was a time to joke and a time to be a good big brother, "Besides, Harry's not Hermione's type."
"No, Viktor Krum is." Ron countered miserably.
"Come off it." Fred ordered his little brother, trying not to be too harsh, "If Hermione was interested in him they would have gotten together long ago. But no. She stayed with you and Harry… didn't she? … ever wonder why, little brother?" Fred asked, tousling Ron's hair, but Ron only shook his head, still in despair. "It's because there's something better that you and Harry have to offer her. Something better than Krum or any of the other blokes that think they can claim her. She's a smart girl, Hermione knows what she's got going for her; and you know what she's going for. So cheer up." Fred concluded.
Ron looked up at Fred, clearly shocked that his big brother could be so caring and helpful at times like this. Ron had never felt so down before, and obviously, Fred had noticed and taken the pleasure of helping Ron feel better. But one little sentiment wasn't about to make Ron feel one hundred percent better. "I guess so." He said, still a little glum.
"C'mon!" Fred said suddenly, deciding now was the time to joke around. "Come to the Joke Shop with me and help us test out some of the new products!" He jumped to his feet and pulled Ron up with him. "No more moping or you'll never hear the end of it from me and George." He picked a muggle shirt off the ground and threw it at the shirtless Ron. "Get dressed, we're leaving soon." Then Fred walked out of the room hurriedly, getting some supplies ready for the Joke Shop.
Ron smiled to himself as he pulled on the shirt and checked in the mirror that he looked okay. Fred could be a good brother, when the time was needed. Ron straightened his hair a little, still messy from when Fred had messed it up. Although he joked around a lot, he had common sense and knew just the things to say at a time like this. He pulled on his trainers and jogged down the stairs, happy he had brothers like Fred and George around.