As Ron took his seat at the bench next to Hermione, he realized just how much the awkward silence was killing him. He knew that they had been fighting more in the last month that they had in their whole five years at Hogwarts, and it was really getting out of control, as he very well demonstrated tonight in the hallway. Sure, Hermione and himself had always called each other inappropriate names, but they were always said with a smile on their faces, so they each knew that the manner in which it was said was all in good humor. He knew, however, that the things he had said tonight were not in good humor and he, at the time, had meant them. Of course, after he saw the pained hurt written all over her face, he realized that expressing his rash emotions just weren't worth it and he wished that he could take it back. He wished-

Ron' thoughts were interrupted by the door opening and slamming shut. He then heard a brisk walk, the feet belonging to the person doing the walking, making small 'clanking' sounds on the stone floor. He then heard a swishing of a cloak, which grew louder as the person made their way to the front of the room. It sounded like the person had taken a seat right behind Hermione. 'There is someone else that McGonagall decided to give detention to?' thought Ron, 'Maybe this awkwardness between Hermione and me won't be as bad with a third person in here. Maybe things will be less tense and we won't have to talk to each other'. Ron turned around to see who this savior in disguise was.

"No bloody way!" he bellowed.

Sitting behind Hermione was none other than the person that he hated most in the whole entire world- Draco "World's Biggest Git" Malfoy.

"What the hell are you doing in here, Malfoy?" he said in disgust.

With a smirk spreading across his face, he drawled: "The same thing you are Weasel."

Malfoy's gaze left Ron and trailed to Hermione.

"Well, well, Granger, never thought I'd see you in detention- and with him. What happened? Did you two get caught in a broom closet? You know Granger, you must be pretty damn easy to go fooling around with this-"

Before Malfoy could get out the rest of his degrading insult towards Hermione, Ron had sprang out of his chair and had his hands pulling at Malfoy's shirt collar so tight, he thought that it might rip clear off. Ron was absolutely seething with anger. Hermione was already really hacked off at Ron, and now she had to deal with Malfoy insulting her virtue and insinuations of something that neither had, nor will ever happen.

"Don't YOU EVER say anything about Hermione like that again, and if you are thick enough to try it I'll-"

"Ron", Hermione suddenly said as she turned around and looked at him, "leave it. He's not worth another detention."

She turned back around just as soon as the words left her mouth. If truth be told, she was a little happy that Ron had stood up to Malfoy like that, especially since she had just decided no less than ten minutes ago that maybe Ron didn't think of her as a good of friend as she thought he did. However, she also didn't want McGonagall to walk in and see this display that was being acted out.

"Bloody prat", Ron whispered, giving him a "go to hell" look as he let go of Malfoy and walked back to his chair.

Malfoy was a little shocked at Ron's attack…but not too shocked. He actually was hoping it would continue a little longer- long enough for McGonagall to see, cop Weasley for fighting (there was a reason that he wasn't trying to fight Ron off of him), that is. He straightened up his collar and smoothed back his hair back to its perfect form and grace.

The three of them continued to sit there for a few more minutes. Ron, breathing hard from anger, Malfoy smirking, and Hermione, still crying, but smiling slightly on the inside.

Just then, Professor McGonagall entered the room. She walked briskly up to the front of the room and stood behind her desk. She stared at all three of them over the top of her glasses; she could tell that she had just missed some sort of mishap between the three of them, and you could cut the tension with a knife. She continued to stare them all down before she cleared her throat and began to talk:

"Before I explain your detention, I would just like to say how disappointed I am in all three of you. You are all prefects and landing yourselves in detention DOES NOT set an example to the students that you are supposed to be a model for- they look up to you!"

At this last comment, Ron snorted under his breath. He felt sorry for the poor soul who looked up to the Amazing Bouncing Ferret.

McGonagall eyed Ron sharply before she continued:

"All three of you know what you did to deserve this punishment and I expect it not to happen again."

McGonagall stopped her little speech, pursed her lips in her all too familiar way, and put her head down and shook it in disbelief and then continued:

"NEVER, in all my time at Hogwarts have I had three prefects in the same detention and I hope I never will again. Therefore, as punishment for your actions, you will be cleaning out the animal cages that we use for Transfiguration. The second-years are preparing to start that lesson on Monday and all the cages are in a right state. You will be doing this without the use of your wands; merely using the Scouring Charm will not help you in the least to learn your lesson."

She then walked around her desk and headed for the Ron, Hermione and Draco and handed them each a muggle face mask, which would cover their mouth and their nose.

Draco eyed the one in his hand with confusion.

"What are these?" he drawled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Of course he wouldn't know what they were, they were used by muggles. She knew exactly what they were; her parents sometimes used them in their dentist practice. Her parents used them when they were treating a patient and sometimes people used them to…..cover up their nose and mouth…to keep bad smells out! Oh no, this was going to be down right disgusting! She had a feeling that this detention was going to be very manky, and she dreaded the next three hours.

'These", Professor McGonagall said, now handing one to Ron, "are face masks." Trust me; you will need them, unless you want to get the collywobbles. Those cages haven't been cleaned out since the start of term and the smell is enough to make you sick to your stomach. They will cover up your noses and your mouths, to help alleviate the stench."

Draco looked horror stricken.

"That's disgusting!" he said. "Why can't we just use a smell vanishing charm?"

"Don't get cheeky with me, Mr. Malfoy. I told you that you will be doing this without the use of your wands, even if it is to get rid of the smell permeating from the cages. I suggest you put it on or you may end up in the Hospital Wing with an upset stomach."

Ron tried his best to hold in a laugh that desperately wanted to escape his lips- all high and mighty Draco Malfoy, pure-blooded git, and sole heir to the Malfoy fortune, cleaning out animal dung. Even though he knew that he had to share the misfortune, he couldn't help but be happy at this punishment…but not for Hermione.

He knew that Hermione really didn't deserve to be in here at all (although he definitely had tried to blame it on her), but he did deserve it. He was sure that they would not escape another lecture from professor McGonagall before going back to Gryffindor tower.

Then there was Draco. 'Wonder what Malfoy did to get his sorry arse in here? 'he thought. 'Probably got caught trying to sneak into the prefect's girls bathroom again, slimy peaky prat.' As, much as Ron hated to admit it, the girls at Hogwarts (mainly Slytherins) had taken a fancy to him at the start of their sixth year, although, by the love of all things, he had no idea why!

"If you three will please follow me and I will show you the cages that are in dire need of attention" instructed Professor McGonagall in a stiff tone.

As Ron, Hermione and Draco slowly rose from their seats and followed McGonagall, into the room that held their horrid fate, Ron tried to sneak another glimpse at Hermione in an effort to make some sort of apology by the means of his facial expression, but to no avail, but he held his gaze, not breaking it.

Hermione could feel Ron's eyes boring into her, but she adamantly refused to look at him. There was no way that she even WANTED to look in his direction right now and give into to him, and even if she did…she didn't think that she could.

A/N: Thank-you so much for those of you who reviewed. You really have no idea how wonderful it makes me feel to know that you all liked it. The next chapter should be up in a few days and we will find out why Hermione and Ron were given detention (although by now, it should be a little obvious :D) Another thing that will be revealed in future chapters is: Why was Draco given detention…..

ALSO: Thank-you so much to Emily, for your help and your ideas! You are amazing!