Chapter 5

AUTHORS Note: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING!!! Just using my imagination for my own entertainment (and hopefully, yours too).

As Hermione made her way to the Gryffindor table, she was wondering where Harry and Ron were. It was almost time for The Sorting Ritual, and as this was their last year, they had all agreed to watch it for the last time as students. While walking down the aisle to the table, Hermione glanced at the Slytherin table and caught Malfoy's eye. She simply winked at him and kept walking.

Just as she sat down, she heard Harry and Ron running into the Great Hall. As they sat down, panting for air, Ron asked, "Are we late? Did we miss it?". Hermione turned to look at Harry rather than Ron.
"No, Harry. You didn't miss it, but you're cutting it close, seeing as they're bringing the hat out now," replied Hermione and obviously ignoring Ron.

"Come on, 'Mione. Don't tell me you're still mad at me for that comment I made on the train! I mean, honestly, I didn't mean anything by it. It just sort of came out!" said Ron while looking at Hermione as if she had grown 2 heads.

"Well, it meant something to me, Ronald Weasley!" yelled Hermione, "You can't just say things like that and expect people not to take it the wrong way!"
"You know how I am, Hermione. You knew when you started dating me, and now you expect me to be different? I'm sorry if I'm not the star Quidditch player like Harry, or the perfect student like you, but I never have been have I? I make no pretense of it either, do I? Now, could you please calm down so we can talk quietly? Please?" asked Ron, looking as if he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him.

"I don't think this is going to work, Ron," whispered Hermione while struggling to hide tears. "We are just too different, and we always have been. You're right. I always knew who and what you are, and while you're perfect as a friend, I don't think we should date anymore." she said now visibly crying.
"I just don't want to lose our friendship, Hermione. Could we just forget what I said and go back to how things were?" Ron asked.

"We could try, Ron, but it might take a little bit of time. You really hurt me when you said that I was just someone to do your homework for you. That's all anybody seems to think I'm good for," Hermione replied. "I'm going up to my room now to think things out. It's been a LONG day," said Hermione, "'Night, Harry. 'Night, Ron."
"'Night, 'Mione," replied Harry and Ron together.

As Hermione left the Great Hall Harry said, "That was worse than a howler, mate."
"I know. I just want to know why that made her so mad! I know why she said it did, but that can't be the only reason. I've said stupid things like that before, and it never set her off like that," said Ron.
"I don't know why, Ron. It was the straw that broke the camels back, I suppose," replied Harry.

"You two really don't know much about women, do you?" they heard from a familiar drawling voice behind them.
"Bugger off, Malfoy," said Ron.
"Make me, weasel!" replied Malfoy, "If you knew how to treat women, and that's a big IF, you wouldn't be in this predicament, now would you, Weasley?" asked Malfoy with his usual smirk on his face.
"Leave Hermione out of this, Malfoy!" yelled Ron.
"What are going to do if I don't? Look at me to death? Oh, I'm sooooo scared!" replied Malfoy. "Is there trouble in paradise? Is that what this is all about? Did the mudblood break up with you, Weasley?" Malfoy asked not noticing Harry and Ron looking over his shoulder.

"Well, isn't this nice," they heard Hermione say with her arms crossed over her chest looking ready to pounce on any one of them.
"Uh oh," said Ron.
"Big uh oh," corrected Harry.

Authors Note: Thank You Every One Who Has Read ,Reviewed Or Both!!!