Chapter 18: Secrets Are Revealed

AN: Very mild sexual scene

Nearly a month went by as February was about to dawn with a change in the weather. It was rather nice out, the air warming to a comfortable 18 degrees Celsius in the afternoons. The trio and Ginny were spending a beautiful Saturday afternoon with some of the other seventh years alongside the lake: Parvarti and Neville, and Draco and Luna (the only 6th year student in the party).

Parvarti and Neville had been together since Halloween, quickly becoming the school's favorite couple. They still were, everyone enchanted (well, except Lavender) by the tall, beauty going with the boy once considered the clumsiest to ever walk the halls of Hogwarts.

Draco and Luna were taking things more slowly. Hermione still couldn't get over how she found out.

Flashback

Hermione was shocked when, after hearing the knock on the door to the Head's Common Room, opened it to see Luna on the other side.

"Luna?" She barely knew the girl, and wondered why the girl would be coming to see her.

"I'm here to see Draco. We have a date."

Hermione's mouth opened, but she couldn't find an intelligible response. Just then Draco came out of his room, smiling. "Luna! I was going to come get you."

Luna laughed. "Not sure what my housemates would have said to that, so I came here."

"Fair point." He had been, until recently, the evil jerk everyone loved to hate. And with all the rumors Pansy and two of his other ex's spreading, he figured she did the right thing.

"Shall we?" He said taking Luna's arm. He turned at the last minute before heading out the door with her. "Don't wait up, Granger. And don't let the Weasel mess my things up." He added jokingly.

Her mouth still open, Hermione held still until the door snapped and she shook herself from the surprise. Then she grabbed her cloak and ran off to find Ginny before she was supposed to meet up with Ron. I can't wait to tell her this!

End Flashback

And while Harry and Ginny were still seeking shy kisses from one another, Ron and Hermione's relationship grew more intense.

One evening, when they were alone in her common room (Draco was out with Luna on their second 'date') Ron found his hand slowly sneaking inside the bottom of Hermione's shirt. She hadn't minded, had even moaned and arched for his touch. He brazenly brought it up a couple of inches, caressing her smooth, silky skin and kissed her more deeply. He decided for more, but when he hit the bottom of her bra Hermione flinched.

"Ron…"

"Sorry, was it too far?"

She shook her head. "No, I was just surprised." She leaned up again and kissed him. They went a bit further that night, and Ron saw more of her than he had with Lavender. Not that he was thinking of the b. But that was all, and when Ron finally left (well after curfew, but he had Harry's cloak and map) Hermione was left rather frustrated – in a good way. She had finally felt their skins touch, and it left her aching for more.

Little did she know that when Ron finally made it back to his dorm room and was lying on his bed, he couldn't get her out of his mind. He kept thinking what if next time we go further? Should I start studying those blasted contraception charms? After scolding himself for his own inner language, the boy finally drifted off to sleep.

Ginny squealed with glee when she came across a patch of snow near the side of the lake. The others were still off in the distance, except Harry, who looked at her with an amused smile. He watched as she rolled up a handful of snow and then did the same.

Whack!

Ron nearly fell over when the snowball hit him. He looked over and saw Ginny laughing at him, her hands still wet from the snowball.

Whack!

Draco never saw it coming. He sneered then saw Potter looking amused. He smirked. "Oh, that's it! Come on, Ron, let's go!"

Soon all eight of them were over by the snow patch, and, after Hermione found another, a full war was on. The teens all laughed an hour later as they packed up their things to go back to the school.

Dumbledore smiled as he watched the entire scene from his window. Just as they were heading back, he heard someone enter his room. It was Severus.

"Headmaster, I've just heard news. Lord Voldemort is planning his attack. He apparently feels strong enough to rid of Potter and end this war with his victory."

Dumbledore sighed. "At least we're ready. Send Harry up here after dinner Monday night. We'll need to increase his trainings again. Have Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger join them as well."

"What about the others? Draco? The Dark Lord is still convinced of the locket's power."

Dumbledore nodded. "Might as well. How long do we have?"

"Friday, the day before Valentines day." Severus told him.

"And Friday the thirteenth. A muggle superstition."

"And just a day before these hormonal teenagers prepare for the most anticipated holiday to spend with their sweethearts."

Dumbledore shook his heads. "They'll have their minds on something else."

"Do we tell them? Harry, and the others?"

"Yes. We must."

The next day Hermione and Ron were once again in a passionate snog, but this time they had progressed to her room. Their shirts had already been discarded, and both had a feeling that this was to be the day they finally consummated their relationship.

Like she had before, Hermione stopped him. "Ron…"

"You…you've changed your mind, haven't you?"

"No, it's just that I need to tell you."

"Now?"

"Yes, now…if we're going to do this, I have to tell you." She then started to cry and Ron brought her into a tight hug.

"You can tell me, love."

And so she told him of the attack. How the Durmstrang boys had come across her alone, how they wanted to 'play' with her. She sobbed when she described how the one had forced her down.

"They…they didn't…"

"No, I kneed him…well, there, and then got my wand back and ran. I found some of Victor's friends, and they protected me the rest of the year. They even confronted the boys and threatened them for me.

"So then you didn't…I mean, you haven't, you're still a virgin, right?" He asked hopefully.

Hermione was silent. Then she started to cry again.

"You…you…"

"I told Victor I didn't want to risk that happening again. I…"

"So you slept with him? I'm sure he didn't refuse you!" Ron yelled and was soon standing, putting his shirt back on.

"Ron, it wasn't like that!"

"So he refused? I find that hard to believe!"

"He did at first!" She yelled, then cringed at the revelation (of sorts).

"So you did then! I can't believe you! You're a slut! You slept with him for no good reason!"

"I loved him! Not like I love you!"

"Well, guess what Hermione! I loved you too!" He then stormed out of her room, not minding that he left her bedroom door open. A few seconds later, she heard the main door slam shut behind him. She turned over on her pillow and began sobbing.

When Draco returned that evening he noticed that Hermione's door was shut. Figuring she was either asleep or with Weasley, he went to his own room and went to bed, never thinking that something might be wrong.

The next morning neither Hermione or Ron made it down for breakfast. While Harry and Ginny were curious, neither suspected anything was wrong.

It wasn't until classes started that Harry realized something was indeed wrong. Both looked like hell, and neither spoke to one another. When given the choice to pair up, Ron immediately asked Harry. Hermione was left to accept Seamus' offer to pair with her.

"Why didn't you and Ron pair up?" He asked her.

"Argument." She simply replied.

Seamus looked over to Ron, who was scowling at him. He decided to send Ron a little smirk. While over his crush on Hermione, Seamus still wanted to make Ron pay for stealing her from him.

At lunch Harry asked what was going on with the two.

"Nothing. Just don't feel like spending time with the scarlet woman over there!" Ron answered.

A few gasps were heard from around the table, but Harry leaned over to Ron. "We'll talk later."

"Nothing to talk about." Ron grumbled.

Later that day, once classes were over, Harry and Ginny pulled Hermione aside. Ron had gone off to practice quidditch, and they knew Hermione was more likely to tell them as Ron could still be the stubborn git when mad at something.

"So what happened?" Harry asked once the three were alone with no other students about.

"We had a fight."

"What about?" Ginny pleaded.

"We…we, well, you know how we went to my room last night?"

"Oh, don't tell me Ron's upset because you wouldn't put out!" Ginny cried out.

"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed. "Now, what happened? I mean, well, don't tell me…"

"We didn't do anything. We…I think we were about to, but I had to tell him about my past."

"What did you say?"

This time is was Ginny who yelled "Harry! Let her tell us what she needs to."

Hermione looked at the two strangely, but then sighed. She might as well tell them. They were, after all, her two closest friends. "I told him how some boys tried to attack me at Durmstrang…I think they were going to rape me. It was after Victor and I started dating, and soon after he graduated. I stopped them, but I was so sure that it might happen again, and I didn't want to lose my virginity to rape, so I slept with Victor."

"You what?" Harry cried out. "I mean, why? Just because…"

"Harry, it wasn't just a spur of the moment thing…I thought long and hard about it. And Victor and I were really close, I trusted him…and if not him, even if I could escape the other situation again, I didn't want some other boy sleeping with me after proclaiming love, just to get into my pants!"

Ginny and Harry were speechless. Neither had gone that far themselves, the two had managed a bit of fondling, but that was only recently.

Suddenly Hermione broke into a fit of sobs. Ginny put her arms around the girl in comfort. "It's alright, I know my brother is a git and all, but he loves you. He's probably just jealous that he won't get to be your first."

"I love him, Ginny…I'm in love with him. I don't think I was ever in love with Victor, but he someone I still would trust with my life. What have I done?"

"You were honest." Harry whispered in understanding, "You had to be…I mean, with being…" he stopped himself.

"I already know, Harry." Ginny whispered as Hermione continued to cry.

"You do? I thought…"

Hermione brought her head up from Ginny's chest. "I told her, Harry. I had to tell someone, and Dumbledore only made me vow never to tell you or Ron."

"Hermione, I did something stupid this morning."

"What?" She asked.

"I was writing something down that Dumbledore told me last night…you know how he wants to meet with us after dinner?"

Hermione nodded, as did Ginny. They'd all gotten notes from Snape after their classes with him.

"I couldn't tell him it had to do with tonight, and said I was writing to 'Maria'. He then ran back up to our dorms, I think to write one to you…I mean, you as in Maria." He said the last part stumbling.

"Did he send it?" Ginny asked.

Harry nodded. "I saw him go up to the owlery just before lunch."

"Well, then I guess I can expect the letter soon enough. Wait…if you didn't send me a letter, did he use Hedwig?"

All three were silent. If Ron saw Hedwig, not out carrying Harry's letter, wouldn't he become suspicious that she was still there?

"I don't know." Harry whispered.

An hour later Hermione was tucked in her favorite spot in the library while Harry and Ginny were studying in the Gryffindor common room, hoping to see Ron when he came back. Luckily students were scarce, the only ones in there were Dean, who was drawing, and a few younger years. Most everyone else had already gone to dinner.

Ron came in looking fierce yet tired after practicing for over two hours by himself. He was sweaty and his clothes were drenched. Harry was immediately on him and pulled him into a secluded corner.

"How could you!" Harry whispered as loud as he dared. Ginny kept "guard" for anyone trying to listen in.

"You don't know what you're on about," Ron answered.

"Hermione told us everything! I can't believe you're such a git!

"She deserved it! She slept with Vicky Bloody Krum!" Luckily Ginny has sense enough to have already cast a silencing charm in the corner, so no one heard his outburst, except for Ginny and Harry.

"So what? Is that all that bothers you? That you didn't get to her first!" Harry said menacingly. He had now grabbed Ron by the shirt and threw him against the wall.

Ron balked. "Is that what you think of me? I…I love her, Harry! But she lied to me!"

"Did she? When? Or yet, did she ever try to tell you before?"

Ron paused. She had. He threw Harry off of him and then ran out of the common room. He headed toward the front door and then ran outside toward the quidditch pitch.

An hour later while Harry and Ginny comforted Hermione at dinner, Ron was still sulking at the quidditch pitch. A sultry voice was heard behind him. "What wrong, Won Won?"

Later that evening Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Draco, Neville, Parvati, and a few other trusted students were sitting in Dumbledore's office.

The Headmaster waited for a few minutes, likely for Ron, but then started the meeting without him. He told them about Voldemort's plans, and how they all needed to be prepared. To help other students prepare without scaring them. At least, not too much.

They were given new schedules to train with Professor Snape, Lupin, Tonks, Bill and Charlie Weasley, as well as the Weasley twins.

Hermione and Harry kept hoping the door would open, and would occasionally glance at it, as if expecting Ron to suddenly burst through and apologize for being late. He never showed.

It was when Hermione was safe inside her own Head Girl's room that she heard Hedwig pecking at her window. She walked over to let the bird in, her disappointment showing.

"I'm sorry, Hedwig. I was hoping Ron would have used another bird. Not because I don't love you, I just…" Tears ran down her face and the owl cooed as if understanding as Hermione took her letter from Ron.

She went to fetch Hedwig a treat, and then let her go.

Hermione carefully opened the letter.

Dear Maria,

I know this may seem sudden, but I was wondering if we could finally meet. Could you perhaps find your way to Hogwarts on Valentines Day? I really need to see you in person.

Love,

Ron

To be continued...Oh, what will happen with Ron? Will he do something rash and stupid? In a sense...well, just wait to find out ;) Let me know what you think in your reviews. Thanks for reading! And all my readers/reviews...big extra thanks!