I have no choice but to apologize a million times over. I absolutely hate it when people are getting lots of reviews and have a good story and just take too long to update or worse, when they don't update at all so I'm a total hypocrite! But you also should know that when I began this story I was home for a week sick so I had lots of time. I also am almost always involved in plays (the current one I have 3 roles and am directing a portion) and am writing a novel. Excuses, excuses, and I know you've heard enough about my life. So anyways hope you enjoy it, and I'm totally thrilled that you guys are still interested after so long… A few recent (and very pushy) set of reviews have inspired me to continue on!

So here's your update, and I hope you don't mind it being a little different.

R&R as always Love, Jenny Konkin

Solo Hunts

Hermione awoke abruptly as a stream of sunlight poured in over her sleepy eyes. She raked her fingers through her untamed, coarse hair allowing herself to utter a tired, frustrated moan. Shading her eyes from the light she peeked up at the figure standing in front of the newly opened curtains a few feet from her.

Lavender was looking out the window, presumably at the grounds, her eyes scanning outside quickly. She then closed the curtains, quickly ran a brush through her hair, and let the room without another sound.

Hermione sat up staring at the door her room mate had just disapeared out of. She frowned, rubbing her eyes before glancing at the grandfather clock across from her bed. Four-thirty? If she hadn't known any better Hermione would have assumed that she had slept in until four-thirty pm... but by the intensity of the light, the fact that all the other girls were sleeping, and that it would just be that crazy for her to sleep in that late she knew that it was definetely dawn. What the hell was Lavender doing up this early?

Hermione considered going back to sleep like a normal person, but something just wasn't clicking for her... She finally decided on just peeking out the window... not so nosy- right? She was free to do as she pleased...

Hermione crawled out of bed, tiptoed over to the window, and peeked out of the window onto the grounds.

Nothing... "Hmm...", Hermione wondered out loud, craning her neck to see all the angles of the grounds in full view. Finally after straining her eyes for a few moments she saw a figure walking around the lake, alone. As it grew closer she saw it was Lavender, a very solo Lavender walking the lake.

"Seems innocent enough", Hermione concluded considering that it wasn't so weird for girls to be seen alone, jogging in the morning. But even from that distance she couldn't help but wonder if Lavender's lips were moving as she talked to herself or if there was someone there that just wasn't visible to Hermione.

Hermione jogged through the halls and corridors in an attempt to reach the Great Hall before breakfast commenced. After the incedent at dawn she had overslept, and wasted time waiting around the common room for Ron until she realized that everyone was already at breakfast.

Lost in thought, Hermione was awoken a few seconds later on the floor after running straight into... a wall. A real stone, grey, and very solid wall.

Hermione glanced around quickly realizing someone had actually seen her crash, she brush herself off muttering "That was retarded", as Harry helped her up onto her feet. She blushed while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding his gaze.

He smiled, "I was wondering where you had got to", Harry said as they strolled in the direction of the Great Hall. "You weren't at breakfast and I haven't been seeing you much out of class. I was beginning to wonder if you were pissed at me or something."

"Oh course not Harry! I've just been a little... overwhelmed." she told him looking at her hands. He nodded as they continued walking on. "Harry?" Hermione asked in a nervous sort of voice.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering... was Ron there this morning when you woke up?" Hermione spat out rather quickly.

Harry hesitated then answered truthfully, "No".

Hermione bit her lip before continueing, "Alright... because Lavender left early and I've been worried about how much time he-"

"Hermione", Harry said suddenly stopping, his tone causing her to jump slightly. "It may seem weird but I promise you Ron loves you and-"

Hermione took her turn cutting him off with, "So he has been with her? Doing what? Does everyone know but me? Have they been-"

"No," he answered shortly,"Nothing like that, he would never cheat on you."

"Then what exactly is he doing then?"

"Hermione, if he was I would tell you, I would never allow that to go on. The last thing I want is to hurt you."

"Just tell me," she said in a light voice, attempting to sound casual, "If its no big deal why can't you say?"

"Because I promised, and I stay faithful to friends."

"Well, your not being a very good friend to me right now," she smiled coyly, deciding to use a different approach.

He stared at her for a moment before responding. "I don't know what has happend to you lately, but if I were you I'd try spending more time trusting the ones I love and less time out with those I don't." He pushed open the doors to the Great Hall and left her standing quite alone.

Hermiones face screwed up in confusion trying to work out exactly what he just said. He couldn't know about Malfoy? No, she decided if they knew they would confront her about it, not just suggest it stopped.

Hermione didn't go into the Great Hall but instead followed the corridors to the entrance of the school where she went outside for a breath of fresh air. She was furious with Harry for not telling her about Ron... He must be doing something at least slightly wrong or he would have told her about it. He was just protecting Ron like he always does,

"Why can't someone protect me?", she wondered. At the verge of tears she slumped down against a tree, staring out at the lake. After taking a few deep breaths she was able to rationalize the scenario a bit better, and decided that the tears weren't really those of Ron but guilt of the fact that in a few hours time she'd be down in the dungeons with the obvious enemy of those she's always loved.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Short, I know, but it really seemed like an appropriate place to stop... I will update again as soon as possible!

Jenny