Over the next few weeks, Harry and Cho divided their time between being together and being with their friends. Hermione had relayed Ginny's views of boys who give their girlfriends anything to Harry, so he had a bit more time to spare. But, while Harry and Cho's relationship was still going strong, Ron and Hermione's was going downhill. About three weeks after the meeting in the Three Broomsticks, Hermione knew that it just wasn't good enough to maintain. It wasn't that they had gotten into more fights than usual, but to Hermione, the kisses and touches between her and Ron felt more like habit than real passion or comfort. It simply wasn't working.

After lunch that day, Garry and Cho went to the library to work on a History of Magic essay, but Hermione led Ron to and empty corridor near a portrait of three monks.

"Ron," she began, "I… This isn't working." Ron didn't look surprised at this, but he did look upset.

"Yeah."

"So," continued Hermione, her voice catching, " I'm really sorry, but I think it's time to… break up."

Ron looked even unhappier at this. "I guess you're right," he said sadly. " But we'll still be friends, right?"

Hermione liked at him oddly for a moment. "Ron," she said finally, " that is so cliché."

" I know, " he grinned a little. " But…" the question was still in his eyes.

" Of course," she reassured him.

They both looked like they were about to cry. "Well," Ron said, trying to be consoling, "it was fun while it lasted, right?"

"Right." He hugged her.

Later that day, Hermione sat on a desk in an empty classroom on the third floor, gloomily twirling her wand. It made rippling patterns on the surface of the desk.

"Hello, Mudblood." Hermione looked up. It was Malfoy, of course. "Looking a bit down on your luck, Granger," he commented nastily.

"Yep."

"I heard that you and the Weasel broke up. Looks like mudbloods aren't good enough even for blood traitors, now."

"Guess so." Hermione wasn't in the mood for fighting. Who cared what Malfoy thought?

The fight suddenly seemed to go out of him as well. "Guess we're even. Then. Pans broke up with me today."

"Maybe she has more sense than I thought." Hermione muttered. She thought of the pug-faced Slytherin girl and questioned why anyone would want to go out with her, even a low-life like Malfoy.

"Dunno." Hermione wondered why he was telling her this. Why did he care if she knew why would she care?

"Tell me," she said musingly, "Was Pansy born with a face like that or did she run into the barrier at the train station a few times before making it through to the Hogwart's Express?" Malfoy smirked. Hermione kept going. "With the amount of magical talent she has, I'm surprised she made it through at all."She stood, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "Well, bye."

"See you around, Granger."

What was that? She wondered as she walked off. The first part, the remarks on her bloodline, had been pure Malfoy. But the rest? A real conversation between a Slytherin and a Gryffindor was practically unheard of. She had no idea what to make of it.

When Hermione got back to the common room after classes that day, Harry liked like he knew about Hermione and Ron's break up, but he didn't say anything about it, for which Hermione was grateful. They did their homework in silence, except for the occasional time when Ron of Harry would ask of clarification of a small detail or the spelling of a word. When dinner came, they packed up and quietly headed to the Great Hall. Cho came over to sit by Hermione while they ate. The girls had become good friends over the last few weeks.

" I heard you and Ron broke up," the Ravenclaw said softly. "I'm so sorry!"

"Thanks, Cho," Hermione replied sincerely. "It was only a matter of time. I'll get over it." Cho hugged her around the shoulders and, sensing that her friend would rather not talk just then, turned to Harry and started up a conversation about Quidditch.

That night, Hermione lay in her bed, but didn't sleep. Around two in the morning, she felt her bed bounce as someone sat down on it.

"When Harry broke up with me, I cried every night for two weeks," Ginny's voice said quietly out of the darkness.

Amazed , Hermione asked, "How did you know I was awake?"

"I kind of figured. Breaking up sucks."

Hermione buried her face in her hands. "It was my fault. I broke up with him." Ginny didn't say anything. "What if I made the wrong choice?" Hermione continued. "What if I shouldn't have?"

"Give it time," Ginny consoled her. "Once again, breaking up sucks. You'll be able to see why you broke up in the first place later. Maybe you'll even be grateful."

Hermione snorted.

"Really."

"'K. Thanks."

"Night."

"Night."

The next morning, Hermione, after very little sleep, dragged herself out of bed, into her robes, and down to breakfast, where her friends had already started eating.

"'Morning, Hermione." Harry and Cho said, while Ron mumbled something that sounded like "Morning," as well.

"'Morning," she yawned back, sitting down and buttering a piece of toast. The rest of them talded about classes and work, while Hermione tuned it out and liked around the Great Hall. She noticed that Ron was looking tired, and that he didn't really join in the morning conversation, either. She also saw that Malfoy was sitting between Crabbe and Goyle, looking sullen. Pansy was at the other end of the Slytherin table, next to Blaise Zabini and Millicent Bullstrode, action for all the world like nothing had happened, especially a break-up with her precious Malfoy.

Harry followed her line of sight, and looked startled. "Looks like Pansy and Malfoy split up," he commented.

"Yeah," supplied Hermione, "I heard they had."

Cho cut in. "That's odd. Pansy practically worships the ground Malfoy walks on."

"I was wondering about that, too," Hermione said. She was, but she was more curious about the fact that it was Malfoy himself who had told her.

Ron joined in. "I heard Malfoy telling her that she followed him around too much, and they couldn't spend every minute together. I couldn't hear what she said back, but he looked really annoyed."

Hermione tilted her head. "From what I heard, she broke up with him."

"Did they break up?" asked Cho, "or are they just taking a break? She looks awfully cheerful for someone who lost a boyfriend." She cast a subtle look at the dark circles under Hermione's eyes.

"No, I'm pretty sure they broke up," Hermione said firmly.

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A/N: Please review! Sorry this chapter took so long, but I've been so busy writing I never have time to type. Also, my ancient computer doesn't have a USB port, so I can't type at school. I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as I can.