Title: Outcast

Summary: Love is like riding a broomstick. Some people are addicted to it and others just can't seem to get the hang of it.

Disclaimer: I own the plot, which makes me very happy.

A/N: I'm thinking of disabling anonymous reviews because of the nasty comments I've been getting. If you want to flame me, or call me a disgusting bitch as Anne called me so kindly, at least have the guts to leave your email address behind.

A/N2: More of Ginny's perspective, but don't worry, I'll switch back to Hermione's soon.

His eyes lit up as I spoke these words. He stepped closer to me, reaching out his hand before letting it drop to his side, almost as if he were planning to take my hand in his. I don't know what I would have done if he had really taken my hand. Part of me wanted to touch him; wanted to be in his arms like I had been on many occasions, but I feared that doing so right now would destroy everything there was.

"Let's see what the Room of Requirement has in store for us"

I said quietly, making sure that he knew that I wanted him there. That I wanted him to be with me. We needed to talk, yes, but right now I wasn't sure what to say. The most important thing had already been said. He loved me. And I was sorry. Wait. That wasn't exactly what he was hoping to hear, right? I mean...he blurts out that he loves me and I merely acknowledge that part of it was my fault? I should have said that I loved him too! How can I be this stupid!

"I...I mean...you know...uh..."

Damn. Damn my pale skin that turned fiery red as I tried to force those words out. Damn that good-looking boy in front of me that made it so hard, especially as he was smiling at me. Smiling. Huh. Why would he be smiling if I had just turned him down, and was currently acting like an idiot with a language problem?

"You're so cute when you're confused."

"What I'm trying to say"

I started again, wondering if my second attempt would be any better than my first.

"I think I already know"

He said softly, placing a finger on my lips for a second. A very intimate second that was filled with so many emotions that I had to cast my eyes downwards. Something began to flutter in my stomach as his finger slowly brushed my lip in a caressing manner. I tried to smile, tried to regain my composure. Why did this boy still have so much effect? Well, cause I was dead crazy about him for one, that much was sure. I had tried telling myself that I was over him for the better part of last year, and one little caress just turned my whole world upside down. Guess me lying to myself doesn't make it the truth.

"I couldn't remember to forget you"

I croaked, quoting one of my all-time favourite movies. One I saw with Harry at the Muggle cinema. I felt like an idiot. Or I just am an idiot, you choose. Anyway, I felt awful and awfully good at the same time. When was the last time we had been this close? Had an actual conversation? I couldn't remember. I couldn't remember anything right now except that he used to be a terribly good kisser. Would he still be the same?

Okay. Stop now Ginny. You've been fighting with him for like, forever, and now you're thinking about kissing him? Bad idea! Very very bad idea. So what that his eyes invite me to do exactly that? So what he seems to step just a little bit closer? So what that my body reacts as his arm snakes around my waist and he pulls me close? So what that my hand suddenly touches his chest? It doesn't mean that I can just kiss him...it doesn't mean that he wants me to do that. It doesn't mean that we can just go back to where we...

Or maybe it means exactly that. Maybe his lips – that are currently touching mine in a very gentle way – want us to be together again. Maybe his tongue that darts out to meet mine is trying to persuade me to give him another chance. Maybe my hands that are firmly entangled in his hair are telling him the same thing. That we already have taken that chance. That we need to do this cause...well there's not really a good reason except for the fact that I've missed this and it feels so fucking good...

He gasps as he pulls away from me, watching me for a second like I am the most beautiful thing in the world he has ever laid eyes on. His hand still caresses my waist and I am thankful for that because I don't think I would be standing if it weren't for his support. How had we ended up like this when I had been telling myself that there would be no kissing? Was he asking himself the same thing? Did he regret this? Oh god I hope he doesn't.

And then he smiles and everything is okay. He pushes open the door to the Room of Requirement and takes the time to softly squeeze my hand before he holds the door open for me. I step inside, looking around to find a clue why we're here. There's a big videoscreen and a huge soft red couch. I look questioningly at Harry but he shakes his head, telling me that he too has no idea what's in store.

I sit down on the couch, leaving enough room for Harry so that he doesn't have to sit close to me if he doesn't want to. He sits down next to me, hesitates for a second, but then puts his arm around me and holds me close, whispering something like that he has missed me quite long enough and that he doesn't want to feel that distance between us anymore. I agree and my hand somehow ends up on his leg as we watch the screen curiously.

Hermione shows up. I feel Harry flinch beside me and I'm not too happy either. What's this? More tricks? More of her 'look how pathetic I am please feel sorry for me'? I really don't want this right now. I want to cuddle up with Harry and fall asleep in his arms and…but well I guess we can't now, can we?

The Hermione that shows up is dressed the way I used to know her. Robes, her hair in a plaid, no make-up. Her face isn't quite as pale and skinny as it is now. I wonder why I haven't noticed that before. Harry obviously notices the same, because his eyes kinda squint which they always do when he's worried about someone. My hand caresses his leg.

Hermione is looking at something. She's walking in the hallway, passing something and her eyes narrow. I almost feel sorry for her when I see what she's looking at. I see tears glistening in her eyes as she hurries past.

Next scene. Hermione sitting on her bed. She has a bottle of firewhiskey in her hand. Guess that's the night she ended up drunk and kissing Harry. I feel a little uneasy, not quite sure that I do want to see this again. I know myself; I'll probably start feeling sorry for her. Somehow I don't think that's too good an idea.

Instead of seeing the Great Hall, when the scene skips we end up the next morning. Hermione is lying on her bed, still dressed in those awful clothes, and with the firewhiskey clutched in her hands. I guess she's been drinking even after kissing Harry. Suddenly someone else enters the room. Lavender. She watches Hermione with a mingle of pity and disgust in her eyes.

"You'll never have him Hermione"

She whispers softly and I think she's talking about Harry until she speaks again.

"Ron is mine. I'll have to make him stop thinking about you. I'll have to."

She waves her wand and I'm thinking that she's like...hexing Hermione or something, but then I see her clothes changing back to the robes she's been wearing all the time. Her lipstick vanishes and the bottles of firewhiskey dissapear as well. Lavender watches the scene for another moment, smiling faintly.

"You won't remember a thing. I'm sorry."

She waves her wand another time, not looking like she's sorry at all.

Review please!

A/N: I just wanted to thank all the reviewers who have said that they liked my story or who have mentioned that I have helped them somehow. I'm so glad that this story actually does something to you. And I just wish each and every one of you so much happiness!