I'm really sorry for not updating sooner, but I lost my train of thought. I had no idea what to write, as it usually comes to me in a dream. And since I haven't dreamed for quite a while, what with school and everything, I did have that dilemma. Plus I'm running a Harry Potter fan club. It's tough. However, this is my longest chapter yet!

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own nothin', although I wish I did…

Perplexing Departures:

The next week was rough, and every day it seemed to worsen. Hermione acted like she was practically married to Malfoy, or even just his slave. Harry didn't know what to do; he was at a dilemma, what with finding the horcruxes and having his best friend going out with his worst enemy. He still couldn't believe Malfoy was allowed back to Hogwarts, even if he was under strict supervision. Malfoy himself was enjoying his new slave. It was quite fun, having her feed him and everything. He barely let her go. As for Ginny, she refused to give up on Hermione, and talked to her in long sessions when Malfoy let her go.

And there was Ron; every time Malfoy let her go, Hermione would pursue Harry and Ron, attempting to talk with them. Ron never let her say a thing. He just sent her off with insults like 'get your arse outta here, you slut' and 'stop trying to bloody talk to us'. Ron would stalk off, dragging Harry behind him, leaving her there to cry.

One day, that all changed.

"Will all students please return to their common rooms immediately!" bellowed the loud, thunderous voice of Rubius Hagrid.

"Students, please, quiet down," scolded McGonagall. After the Gryffindor common room was silent, she continued.

"Draco Malfoy, I'm afraid, has disappeared from Hogwarts. The Ministry Aurors are on the case right now, but I must warn you that he is quite dangerous. He should not be able to assault you in your dormitories, but nonetheless, please be aware. Thank you." She said in her authorized voice.

Whispering ran throughout the common room, and Harry turned to Ron,

"I'll bet he's already joined up with Voldemort. They should have sent him to Azkaban, instead of back here."

"I know, what were they thinking! Now we've got one more death eater to deal with. And look at Hermione, she's smiling! She's glad Malfoy escaped! She's turned bloody evil!"

"Yeah, I guess."

(&)

The next day, the entire school seemed to be in an uproar, with the gossip about Malfoy spreading like a wile fire through a forest. Harry spent even more time than he had ever before in the library, searching for any famous items belonging to one of the Hogwarts Founders that could possibly be a horcrux.

Ron, still fuming over Hermione, was overly snappish at everyone who approached him. He spent most of his time practicing for upcoming Quidditch matches.

One day, Ginny tried speaking to him.

"Ron, I know…"

"Shut it, Gin. I don't want to here that shit. No matter how much you try to prove she's in the right, she'll still be in the wrong. Just face it; we've lost her for good."

"Fine! If that's what you want to believe, then believe it! But just remember this, Ronald Weasley: it's hard to find it in your heart to forgive when someone you love hurts you!"

"You're bloody right, it is!"

"Who said I was talking about you?"

(&)

"So, apparently, there are many possible objects Voldemort could have stolen and made into horcruxes." Harry droned on about the possibilities he had to sort through. Ron pretended that he was listening, but his mind was on one thing and one thing only: Hermione.

"You guys," said a questioning voice from behind them.

Ron and Harry turned on their heels, only to face the one person they would not like to meet, besides, perhaps, Voldemort or Malfoy; Hermione.

"You guys, please; I need to tell you guys something important. I found…"

"Shut your trap, you worthless slut!" Ron yelled, infuriated that she had even attempted to speak to them.

"No! You need to know what I…"

"No, we don't. Now if you please, Harry and I must be on our way. Lots of things to do, people to see, and you're not one of them!"

"Please, just listen to me. I don't care if you hate me, but I have to tell you…"

"Just scram!"

"You always were quite thick, Ronald."

"Are you calling me thick!"

"Why, yes, I believe I am."

"You guys, you should stop," Harry attempted to butt in.

"No, Harry! This is between her and me!" Ron screamed, gesturing to himself and Hermione.

"We're getting off track! I was saying that while I was in the library, I found…"

"You called me thick!"

"Yes, I know. But it is rather annoying when you interrupt me, I have something important to say, unlike you." She said coolly.

"…"

"And to add to that, you're a prat, Ronald Weasley."

"You…how dare you…call me…a thick prat!"

By now, a large group of student had surrounded them, forming a circle around the fight.

"Just…just…just disappear, or something!"

"Why ever would you want me to do that?" she asked calmly, though her eyes were filled with tears.

"Because you're a worthless, slutty, Mudblood bitch, that's why!"

Silence filled the corridor, until a single sob cracked the quietness.

"'Slutty' isn't a word, Ronald."

Hermione ran through the halls, weeping bitterly by herself. Only Ginny knew where she was going, and followed her there.

(&)

As soon as Hermione was gone, different emotions surged through everyone in the room, while Ron stood, dumbfounded at what he had just said.

Parvati came up to Ron and stood before him.

"Just because she chose to go out with your worst enemy, doesn't mean she deserved that, especially when she's been trying to apologize over the past week and a half!" She shrieked, slapping him hard on the cheek.

As if on cue, everyone else that thought Hermione didn't deserve that started throwing insults at him, and shaking their heads in disappointment, the crowd dispersed. The only people who congratulated him were the Slytherins.

Just then, Ginny rushed back to the place where Ron and Harry still stood.

"Guys, I went to follow Hermione, but…she's disappeared!" She wailed in despair. Harry moved forward to comfort her.

It had begun.