Chapter 5 – The morning after

The next morning Hermione woke up. She had had restless night thinking about Draco. Were there a couple now? Yeah they had had sex but Ginny had been there too. She had been happy to have her there at the time but she didn't want to share a boyfriend.

She walked down to breakfast with Harry, Ron and Ginny. She had no intention of telling the boys of what had happened yet and she hoped Ginny would have the sense to keep quiet.

They passed a group of boys who all leered at her and one of them licked his lips at her. They all laughed. Soon they had passed two more groups of boys, all of whom laughed when she approached. What was gong on?

They walked down the marble staircase and into the entrance hall where a group of Slytherins stood. Pansy Parkinson walked up to the girls and slapped both Hermione and Ginny around their faces.

'Hey,' shouted Harry and Ron in unison and pulled her off them.

'You filthy little slappers,' Pansy screamed. 'You stole my boyfriend.'

'What are you talking about?' demanded Ron.

'Don't tell me you don't know Weasley?' came a slow drawl. The crowd parted and Draco Malfoy came into view.

'You're looking at my latest conquests. The mudblood and the mudbloods friend. Things got a little steamy last night didn't they girls? In that cosy bathroom. And there was I thinking you both hated me, but I guess scrubbers can't be choosers.'

'Bitches,' screamed Pansy, trying to break free of Ron and Harry's grip.

'Oh don't worry Pansy, 'I'll take you back. Neither of them were up to much. I thought Weasley might have picked up a few tips since she's been around the block so much but I was mistaken. AS for Granger, I never expected any more of a mudblood.'

'Tell me it isn't true,' said Ron, turning to Hermione, looking hurt.

Harry looked on in disbelief.

Hermione let out a sob and ran back up the marble staircase to her dormitory, followed by the jeers and catcalls of the crowd.

Hermione didn't come out of her dormitory all day. In the evening Ginny came in.

'Look why don't you just come down to the common room. None of the Gryffindors will bother you,' she said.

'I'm never going to show my face again. How could I have been so stupid?'

'Give yourself a break. He's just a good liar. People will forget about this in a couple of days, don't let it get to you.'

'That's easy for you to say!'

'If you hadn't noticed I was in that bathroom too! They're all calling me names and laughing. You've just got to ignore them. How many times have you told Harry and Ron to ignore the insults that they get throw at them? You're ignoring your own good advice!'

Hermione sighed, 'You're right I'm being silly. I'm really sorry Ginny.'

'What for?'

'I dragged you into all of this.'

'Forget about it,' she smiled, come on lets go downstairs.'

They walked to the common room and took their usual seats by the fire next to Harry and Ron. Many people turned to stare at them but no one laughed or called them names.

'Hi Hermione,' said Harry, 'Listen I'm really sorry about what happened to you.'

'Thanks Harry. I'm sorry for no believing you when you told me I was being stupid.'

'Don't worry about it. Let's just forget it yeah?'

Harry, Hermione and Ginny had been talking about quidditch and school work for over and hour when Hermione realised Ron hadn't spoken a word.

'Are you alright Ron?' she asked.

'Alright?' he said, looking at her incredulously,' Of course I'm not! Would you be alright if you just found out that your little sister and the girl you fancy had a threesome with your worst enemy?'

He got up and ran up the stairs to his dormitory.

'Did he just say……the girl he fancies?' asked Hermione.

'Yeah, he's really into you. He's been pretty cut up about all of this.' said Harry.

'I never knew,' she said, 'I've always fancied Ron I just didn't think he liked me back. That's the only reason I went for that dick cheese Malfoy. He was only ever second best.

'Go after him then!' said Ginny.

Hermione got up and climbed the boy's staircase. She knocked on the door.

'Ron? It's me, can I come in?' she said.

There was no answer so she pushed open the door and peered around it. Ron was on his bed, his back to her.

'Ron, I need to talk to you,' she said softly.

Still he gave no answer so she walked around his bed and sat on the edge. He turned away from her.

'Please. I can't bear you not talking to me Ron. I'm so sorry for everything that happened but I thought you didn't like me, and then Malfoy was so nice to me. I was so convinced that he'd changed but you were right he was only using me. I can understand why you might not be able to forgive me but it would break my heart.'

He was silent. Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes. She had cried so much today that she didn't know how it was possible that she had any tears left, but still they fell. She got up and was about to leave.

'Mione,' said Ron's voice quietly, 'don't go.'

She walked back over to where he lay and climbed onto his bed next to him. She stroked his hair as they sat in silence, tears pouring down both of their faces.

'At least there's one good thing that's come out of all this,' said Hermione.

'What?' asked Ron.

'It's made me realise how much I love you.'

'You love me?'

'Yes,' she said, blushing.

He kissed her lightly on her lips, then pulled away and brushed away her tears before rolling on top of her and kissing her deeply, exploring her forbidden curves with his hands.

'Wait,' she said, pushing him off gently, 'I've been hurt too many times. Maybe this isn't a good idea.'

'Don't worry,' he whispered, 'you're safe with me, and I'll protect you. I love you and my life isn't worth living without you in it.'

'But how can I be sure that you won't change your mind?'

'Because my dad once told me that once I'd found the right girl I would do anything for her. If she asked me to, I would catch all the stars in the night's sky and give them to her in a box. I know that I would do that for you Hermione, if the stars weren't already in your eyes.'