Next chapter, here we go! I've been getting lots of nice reviews lately, so I guess that means you guys are happy with my story –which makes me happy! :D Thanks so much for the support. I hope I don't disappoint, and if ever I do, tell me at once so I can fix things!

I'd also just like to note that if you don't ship Dramione or if you can't tolerate the pairing, please just don't read and don't send me complaints about Hermione ending up with Draco. They are my het OTP and I am entitled to my own opinions. I know you are too, but really. If you don't like it, don't read. Thanks!

xxxxx

Having eaten her breakfast, Hermione exited the Great Hall in a state of great consternation. It hadn't escaped her notice how the Gryffindors kept looking at her with pity or disappointment; how Harry and Ginny had both seemed positively outraged at Ron; how Ron had seemed a little off; how Lavender Brown had kept looking in their direction with resentment on her face. And it really hadn't escaped her notice (and it was bothering her incessantly) how Lavender Brown seemed to have just a touch of smugness on her face as Hermione finally left Ron picking at his ham and eggs.

So what was going on?

Hermione sighed in frustration and stopped on the stairs. She turned on her heel and headed up a different set of stairs, this time heading to one of her favorite places in Hogwarts –the Library.

Once Hermione set foot in the Library, she felt herself relax. Nothing bad had ever reached her here (though a Basilisk had caught her outside… but she didn't dwell on that). She headed to the potion books and began to look for potential sources for their latest Potions homework. She knew it wasn't due until next week, but she wanted to get a head start. And besides, she thought, smiling, Ron and Harry will probably ask me to "help" them the day before it's due, anyway.

She found a book on the topic they were on, and sat down at the nearest table. Pretty soon she was lost in the book and had forgotten her anxiety. She only looked up when Ginny dropped her bag on the table and sat opposite her. The rage was gone from her face, but she still looked a little grim.

"What's wrong, Ginny?" Hermione inquired, lowering her book a little.

Ginny opened and closed her mouth several times. She looked torn. Finally she sighed and took out some parchment.

"I was wondering if you could help me research for this Defense Against the Dark Arts essay we were assigned." She hesitated, then pushed the paper toward Hermione. "Something about grindylows."

"Oh. Of course, Ginny." Hermione slowly reached for the paper, feeling a little… cut off. Something about Ginny's tone and her actions told her that this wasn't want Ginny had wanted to say earlier. Ginny was usually quite forthright about asking for help, no matter how simple the subject matter. Still, she glanced over the questions, wanting to help.

"All right. Let's see if we can't find some books."

xxxxx

Hermione looked up from the book she'd been reading as Harry stumbled into the common room with the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, looking exhausted and mud-soaked. She watched as one by one they shuffled off to their rooms, all except Harry, who came to sit by the fire with her. She looked around, frowning. Turning to Harry, she asked, "Where's Ron?"

Harry seemed dazed as he turned to look at her. "Ron? Er… Oh. Ron stayed behind to practice his Keeping skills."

"And how does Ron propose to manage that when the entire team is now sitting in their beds?" Hermione laughed.

Harry had to laugh with her. "Probably through his incredible Summoning skills."

They both laughed at the thought of Ron trying to charm Quaffles to speed at him, then glanced up when the portrait hole opened again and in came Ron himself, looking harried. He looked around the room, then saw them and paused.

"Thought you were staying down at the pitch, Ron?" Harry asked, sitting up.

"Yeah… yeah I was. I just, uh… I just came back for something." Ron looked from Harry to Hermione and back, then took a few steps toward the stairs to the boy's dormitory, and then stopped and looked back. "Don't wait up for me, mate." He hesitated. "You too, Hermione."

Hermione bit her lip in dismay, but nodded. She looked over at Harry, who was once again staring at Ron with a peculiarly angry expression on his face. She glanced at Ron, who was now trying to avoid Harry's eyes. She opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but Ron just turned and walked to his room. When she looked back at Harry, she was a little surprised to find him shaking his head at Ron's retreating figure.

"Harry…," Hermione put her book down and caught his eye. "What in Merlin's name is going on between you and Ron?"

A strange mixture of pity, guilt and frustration crossed Harry's face as he opened his mouth, then closed it. Sighing, he stood up and turned away. "Nothing," he said, and he followed Ron up to the boy's dormitory.

xxxxx

"Keeper practice… again?" Hermione frowned.

"I know, I'm sorry. But you know I'm not brilliant," Ron pleaded, holding her hand. "You've seen me play. It's Slytherin versus Gryffindor game soon and I don't want to mess up again. I can't take another chorus of that bloody Weasely is Our King song from the snakes." He took his hand from hers and ran it through his hair, looking miserable.

Hermione sighed. She knew, she knew. "Fine. But don't expect me to do your homework for you again when you start lagging behind."

"Thanks, Hermione." Ron gave her a quick hug then sped out of the common room. Hermione sat back down and smiled, returning to her History of Magic essay. Soon she became so absorbed in it that she didn't notice Lavender Brown hesitate, then scurry past her and out the portrait hole.

xxxxx

So… what do you think? Am I managing to maintain your interest? Is my story starting to get weird? I'm starting to return to the normal timeline, so I kind of don't know what to do next –particularly after I finally get back to the night Hermione finds Ron and Lavender. Should I add a real romance for Hermione and Draco? Do you guys want to know what happened at the Yule Ball, the night Draco realized his feelings for Hermione? Let me know! :D And don't forget to check out "Hermione's Wedding," my other (complete) fic. I'm also planning on starting another short fic soon.

Please and thank you!