Chapter 3

Hermione frowned at Ron. Why was he with Lavender? He knew completely how she felt about her after the school years! And why was he drunk? He was never drunk.

"Ron? What's going on?" asked Hermione.

"You don't know yet?" asked Ron looking quite amused.

"Know what?" she asked feeling her heart drop. She had a feeling she knew exactly what was happening.

"I'm surprised no one has told you yet. This is what's going on!" said Ron as he swept Lavender into his arms and gave her a deep kiss.

Hermione stood frozen as she watched Lavender giggle like the idiot she was. She couldn't believe that this was happening… first at all and second again! How could she have let this happen?

"Pretty big shocker huh?" asked Ron looking pretty pleased with himself.

"Ron, why are you doing this?" asked Hermione trying to remain in control. The last thing she wanted to do now was cry in front of him and give him exactly what he was looking for in this 'show.'

"Isn't it obvious? I don't love you anymore. In fact after being with Lavender I realized I never really loved you in the first place. You're too plain and boring, Hermione. You practically drove me to this," said Ron.

Hermione felt the tears prick her eyes. She couldn't take it anymore… and she ran out the door. Ron and Lavender laughed as they watched her leave.

"Oh Won Won! You're so brave for doing that just so we could be together!" said Lavender.

"Ok that's it! I've just about had enough of this… Ron get out of my house!" yelled Ginny.

"No. You can't kick me out. You didn't invite me… Harry did. I'm not going anywhere," said Ron in a drunken slur, "And why is Malfoy here? Just because everyone is nice to your face doesn't mean we actually feel that way outside of work. If anyone should leave it should be him. Death Eater."

Draco clenched his hands. It took all of his control not to physically hurt him or hurt him with magic, which he completely deserved.

"Ron. Ginny is right. You need to leave. What you did to Hermione wasn't right and leave Draco out of this," said Harry.

"What I did to Hermione? I did nothing to her! I'm the victim here! I put up with her for all these years waiting for her to become more interesting! I wasted so much time with her!" yelled Ron.

"Ron! I mean it! Leave now! You can come back when you're not drunk and saying things you don't mean," said Harry.

"Fine. I don't need you anyways," said Ron. He grabbed Lavender and they apparated themselves out of the house.

"I can't believe that just happened," said Ginny, "Poor Hermione!"

"Yeah. Speaking of Hermione, we need to find her. Ginny you stay here, I'll go search her house. Draco you can leave if you want," said Harry.

"No. It's ok. It will help if two of us go out looking for her," said Draco.

"Thanks," said Harry and he left himself.

Draco didn't tell anyone, but he had spotted Hermione's wand on the table. She couldn't have gone far.

"I'll just search around outside first," said Draco.

Ginny nodded and Draco left.

He was right. She hadn't gone far at all… she was leaning on the gateposts just staring off into the distance.

"You ok?" asked Draco as he approached her.

"Like you really care. Just leave me alone! I don't need you here to make me feel worse than I already am like you always do," said Hermione harshly.

Draco felt a stab of pain. Unfortunately she was right. In the past that's exactly what he would have done.

"I'm not… " he started.

"Save it! Don't make me hex you! I will! No one is around to see and who would they believe… me or you?" asked Hermione.

Draco felt another stab of pain, but ignored it. She was in a delicate state right now. Of course she would be saying these kinds of things… but it's not like he cared anyways. But then why would what she was saying hurt? He steeled himself and kept going.

"I'm sure you would if you could but I happen to know you're missing something very vital for a hex," said Draco.

Hermione just glared at him and said, "Give it to me."

"After you just threatened me when I've done nothing wrong? I don't think so. But I didn't take it out here with me anyways," said Draco.

"Then just leave me alone," said Hermione.

"No. Listen to what I have to say. I know you hate me still but I don't hate you. In fact I never really did. And I don't really care but I know how you feel. I've been cheated on so many times I can't even count anymore. I just want you to know there's someone out here who knows exactly what you're going through," said Draco.

The tears fell silently down Hermione's face. She wasn't planning on listening but the tone in his voice made her curious.

"Who knew Draco Malfoy was capable of feelings?" asked Hermione sarcastically and then she winced, "I'm sorry. That was completely uncalled for. Just like everything else I've said out here tonight. I'm sorry I judged you wrong. That wasn't very fair of me."

"It's ok. I might have done the same if the situation had been reversed," said Draco.

"Thanks," said Hermione quietly.

"Anyways I'll leave you. I just wanted to let you know there was someone to talk to other than Harry and someone who sided with you instead of a middle man," said Draco. He turned around to leave, but only got halfway when he heard her call.

"Wait," she said.

Draco turned around to look at her.

"What do you mean you're siding with me?" she asked.

Draco walked in a slow pace back to her and said, "Exactly what I said. I'm siding with you on this but Harry will have to remain in the middle and can't take sides. It's not in his nature. I can only imagine how irritating it might be to talk to someone who's trying to remain neutral."

Hermione couldn't help but nod at that one.

"Well, thanks but Ron was right. I brought this upon myself. If I could have just changed for him it wouldn't be like this," said Hermione.

"What? Are you really hearing yourself speak? You can't possibly believe that," said Draco.

"Do I look like I was kidding?" she asked, "It's true! I'm boring and I know it He doesn't deserve to be with someone like that."

"No he doesn't deserve to be with someone like you. You're better than him. He was lucky to be with you," said Draco.

Draco wasn't entirely sure where these comments were coming from. He didn't really care but he couldn't help but say these things. She couldn't see the real her.

Hermione was ignoring him at this point.

"You didn't deserve this at all. Weasley was completely out of line. No one deserves to be cheated on," said Draco.

Hermione felt the tears in her eyes again. She didn't really believe him but she didn't want to argue with him either so she just nodded and kept her mouth shut.

"Come on. Let's go back. I'm sure Potter is freaking out by now that he hasn't found you," said Draco.

So I just got into a minor car accident and am on lots of crazy medications because of it. I can't really do my homework and concentrate well with the medications but I could write! lol. But just a warning... I didn't really feel like checking this for errors so if you see stupid mistakes let me know haha. And also letting you know because I am behind on homework now it might be another week before I get a new chapter up. Sorry!

Anyways hope you enjoyed it!