First of all, I would like to apologize for my not updating this story. For perhaps a month, was down and I was busy, so I wasn't able to upload my new story about Hermione's wedding (check it out! I just wrote it on a whim but I'm pretty pleased with it), nor was I able to write for and update this one. I didn't know about the hack that went around the server crash until a few days ago. I sincerely apologize, and hope it does not affect your enthusiasm for my story.

Now I present you with the next update! I'm on summer vacation now so hopefully I'll be able to write more. :D Review please!

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When Hermione entered the Great Hall the next morning she knew something was up. On her way to the doors she had heard the buzz of Hogwarts students talking and gossiping amongst themselves, but as soon as she had entered, the buzz had stopped. Every eye in the Great Hall (including a few teachers) turned to look at her. A few heads came together to whisper some more, and then more people started talking, until the buzz filled the Great Hall once more.

What on earth are they talking about? Hermione wondered as she made her way to the Gryffindor table. She looked around. As her eyes passed over the Slytherin table she caught Malfoy's eye and paused. Something about his expression was different this morning. Something had always been different about his expression when he looked at her, ever since the night of the Yule Ball, but today was different. It hit her as he looked away, down at his breakfast. Pity. Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince, was looking at her with pity.

Are they talking…about me? Hermione frowned as she finally reached her seat. What of her? She certainly hadn't done anything of note these past few days, unless you counted acing the History of Magic test again, but people were so used to that happening that they didn't bother remarking on it anymore. She had left the Gryffindor victory party early, but that didn't merit this much attention. She sat down and sent a questioning look at Ron, who just blushed and put his arm around her. The whispering in the Gryffindor table suddenly increased.

Hermione was starting to worry a little. She turned to Ron and opened her mouth, ready to ask him what was going on here. But Ron just squeezed her shoulders, smiled and said "Don't worry about it, 'Mione." She smiled uncertainly back at him. Then she noticed he was staring at something behind her. She glanced back and saw Harry glaring at them… no, glaring at Ron. Before she could react, however, Ron turned her head back quickly and kissed her. She sighed into the kiss. You worry too much, she told herself. Still, she couldn't shake off the feeling of anxiety that Harry's look was giving her. He looked like he very much wanted to curse Ron into oblivion.

A flash of red hair made her look up from Ron's embrace. Ginny was standing there, paler than usual and shaking, her fists clenched. She, too, was glaring at Ron. Hermione looked from Ron to Ginny and decided to smooth over the tension just a little.

"Good morning, Ginny. Why don't you sit down and join us?" Hermione smiled up at her. But instead of the usual friendly reply, Ginny flinched. She took one look at Hermione, glared at Ron again, and stalked off to the other end of the table. Hermione watched her go with confusion written all over her face, and then turned back to Ron, who was poking around his oatmeal with all the enthusiasm he mustered for a Potions final. He hadn't even looked at her for more than a few seconds all morning.

Malfoy, Ron, Harry Ginny… What on earth was going on this morning?

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Malfoy watched Hermione enter the Great Hall amidst all the muttering, then allowed himself a small smile as the muttering ceased abruptly. If there was one thing all Houses had in common, it was a penchant for gossip. But his smile faded as the muttering picked up again and Hermione looked around the Great Hall with a very lost expression on her face. It looked so out of place on her, the know-it-all girl who never got thrown off. Malfoy knew very well that the whole school by now had heard rumors about the Weasel's infidelity, but only the Gryffindor house would know for sure. He both admired and shook his head at their refusal to let the facts spread beyond their house; he felt they were being cruel to Hermione for not letting her know. She deserved better than that sneaking Weasel, always had, and now she had an iron-clad excuse to leave him flat on his cheating arse. Maybe those stupid Gryffindors felt they were protecting her. Suddenly he felt quite sorry for Hermione. She deserved to know. But he couldn't tell her. Despite the change in his behavior towards her ever since the Yule Ball, he still hadn't been able to shake off his reputation for hating her. If he told her, people would just think he was being mean again.

He froze as suddenly Hermione caught his eye. He could feel his pity still etched on his face. He looked at her for a long moment, then looked down at his breakfast. He picked up a forkful of ham but didn't eat it. Instead, out of the corner of his eye, he watched Hermione sit down at the Gryffindor table as the drama unfolded.

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Harry could barely contain his anger. How the bloody hell could Ron do that to Hermione, of all people? Hermione! Hermione, who had loved him unconditionally throughout the years; who had always helped him when he needed it; who had supported both of them, who had faced all those hardships with them, who had provided them with good sense and some responsibility. He hadn't wanted to believe it when Parvati had approached him in the common room, asking him if he knew where Ron was, then taking him aside and confiding her suspicions to him. They had raced to the Room of Requirement just in time to see Ron and Lavender slipping out, clothes in slight disarray and holding hands. Parvati had run back to the common room, but Harry had stayed there in shock, staring at the spot where Lavender had buttoned up Ron's shirt.

How the bloody hell could he?

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Ginny could barely suppress her rage. She knew Ron wasn't the brightest, but honestly. For Ron to cheat on Hermione was unforgivable. Hermione was such a sweet girl. The only thing she'd probably cheat on Ron with was a book. She was so infuriated she was shaking, just like she had been when she'd overheard Parvati telling Harry where she thought Ron and Lavender were. That bloody arse. She couldn't even bring herself to act normal when she'd come to the Gryffindor table and seen them together. She couldn't bear sitting near those two, knowing how much of an arse her brother was, knowing that Hermione was clueless.

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Author's note: so… was this any good? I've been gone for a while so I'm scared that I've lost the mood of the story, maybe made the characters too weird or something. Suggestions and comments are very welcome! Just so I know how to continue. Or if I should quit while I'm ahead. Please and thank you!