Chapter 8: A Starlit and Moon-stuck Night

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Ms. Rowling

Hermione stiffened as he pulled her closer. She wanted to smack him for being an insensitive prick. It would have been better if he were insulting her, calling her a mudblood, or whore even. Being hit on after being cheated on by your abusive boyfriend isn't something she wanted, it isn't something many females would want. She stood up in front of him. She smoothed out her robes, and then bent down gave him a small kiss on the cheek.

"I know that wasn't what you had in mind, but I'm not on the rebound yet."

As she walked towards the door he said, "You'll let me know when you are, right?"

She shook her head and quietly walked down the dark corridor. She tried to walk as quietly as possible. Technically, she should have been back in the Commons twenty minutes ago. If she got caught, she could get in a lot of trouble. But even with that knowledge she still didn't feel up to going back to her bedroom. She stealthy made her way out to the lake. It was a warm night out tonight. Pleasant, with a light breeze.

Taking a spot by a large boulder to conceal her she sat down. She quickly removed her socks and shoes and dipped her toes into the luke warm water. Leaning back on the palms she looked up to the sky. It was starlit and moonstruck night. The epitome of beauty, if you were to ask some. Hermione stared at the sky, maybe she was hoping for answers, or maybe she was looking for questions. She didn't know what was going on anymore. She felt lost, and Hermione was not one to feel lost. She never felt lost before. Before her eyes her life was spinning out of control. Harry was mad at her because of a crush she never even spoke of; Ron was being even more of a bastard than usual; Malfoy, well no one knows what ever goes on with him; and Ginny, well she was gone leaving Hermione to deal with this all by herself.

"Ginny, where the hell are you when I need you? All these boys are off their rockers. I'm less concerned about Harry, Gin. But Merlin knows he misses you. He really does. He really did love you. I admit sometimes I was jealous. Really jealous, but you made him happy. I wouldn't have stood in the way of that. But now, I just don't know any more.

"And Ron, well, I need someone to keep him in line, Ginny. I know you said he'd be good for me, but you were wrong. So wrong. I hate him. He's horrible to me. I kept thinking that he was just having a rough time dealing with it. But this is ridiculous. You lied to me, he was an asshole. He's a selfish, self-indulgent pig." By now there were streams of tears falling freely down her face. She couldn't help it. With Ginny gone, Hermione had no one to confide in. "Ginny, I think I hate him. I really hate him. I have scars from him, everywhere. And he took the one thing that I held close to me. I thought I was helping him, I thought he needed it. Merlin, I was so stupid."

She allowed herself to fall back onto the grass surrounding her. Her feet were still in the lake. Quietly she muttered, "It's not fair. Please come back." Hermione closed her heavy eyelids, feeling as though she just needed to rest them before she made her way to the Common Room. So after though she fell asleep. Sleep usually failed her, and when it didn't it brought her dreams. Not the dreams that most teenage girl hope for. Hermione's dreams were her living nightmare's that she could never escape.

This is the dream that has been haunting her for the past 3 months. It was a vivid memory of what she did not miss. No one ever would.

Ron loved his sister, so it was obvious when she pasted he was upset. Hermione was there as much as she could be for him, as much as he would let her be. That night they were just sitting on the couch. Hermione was holding Ron close to her, hoping she was making him feel better. He hadn't spoken to anyone in days. And everyone was starting to get worried. Sure everyone was having a hard time dealing, but Ron just seemed almost worst than Mrs. Weasley.

Hermione held him in the most loving way. Wiping away the few stray tears that actually fell from the bloodshot, tired eyes that once held such beauty. Sometimes he wouldn't let her touch him though. She was confused and almost as helpless as the boy that lay in her arms. That night he did something unexpected. Quietly Ron turned to Hermione and looked her in the eye, "I love you." It was a quiet confession, but to Hermione, she could have sworn he was screaming it at her.

"I'm sorry, what? I don't think I heard you."

Ron sat up and moved her so she was looking directly at him, "I love you. I always have, I was just afraid that you wouldn't feel the same. She told me to tell you before it was too late. And now I'm scared it might be too late. Hermione, I love you."

Hermione was at a loss for words. "I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything." He leaned forward and captured her lips. Hermione was in too much shock to respond. When she didn't respond, he became rough and forceful. Hermione tried to push him away but let's face it she failed in size and strength compared to Ron. He pushed her down on the couch and attempted to go up her shirt.

With all her strength she pushed him, it broke his continuing action, "What are you doing?"

"I just told you I loved you, what do you think I'm doing?" She tried to sit up, but his body was still covering hers.

"Ron. I…I love you, but not like this. You're my brother, my best fri-" he cut her off.

"Don't say it, don't you dare say it." He removed himself from being on top of her. Standing in front of her, "I deserve better than that Hermione and you know it. What because I'm not as popular as Harry, I'm not a good looking, I'm not as intelligent. Fuck that, he doesn't even spare you a glance Hermione and we both know he never will."

She was crying now. She stood to face him, "That's not fair Ron. Harry's got nothing to do with any of this. I…I…I just don't love you like that."

"I could make you love me. Please, Hermione?" He slowly backed her against a wall, trapping her with his body. She tried pushing him away, but he didn't budge. He started kissing her, and nipping at her neck. She started to yell, but by sixth year Ron had learned how to use a silencing charm. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Quietly carrying her to his room, safe from anyone waking in the middle of the night.

Hermione was trying her hardest to fight. But her body was weak from the past few nights of staying up and crying. She pushed and pulled and kicked and scratched. And then he slapped her. "Stop it, love, it will only make it hurt more."

She looked at him, he had lust in his eyes. Hermione cried harder than she had ever in her life. She begged him in silence. But Ron just continued to undress her and fondle where he pleased. The more she struggled the more violent he became. He had removed her shirt and bra, and while he was teasing her nipple she attempted to throw him off. It angered him so that he almost bit her nipple off. Had she not been silenced some one would have surely heard her pain and came to her aid. But after each struggle that was met with pain, Hermione gave up hope of saving herself. She watched as Ron removed his clothes with vigor and excitement. When she could no longer stand it, she turned her head to the window and stared at the bright moon. She wished that she were anywhere but here. And as he prepared to lower himself into her, he whispered, "I will make you love me."

Hermione woke with a start. She was covered in sweat and crying hysterically. When she finally was able to calm herself she realized that she was no longer by the lake, but in the comfort of her own Common Room. She searched around and after a quick moment terrified hazel eyes met curious silver ones.

A/N: I'm sad that I had such a cliché ending. But hey it had to end somewhere. So yes, this is me demanding a review! Okay, no I'll ask nicely, please review? Please, I only got 2 last chapter and that made me kind if sad.

Okay…next chapter should be within the next week.

Jenn