~Chapter 5~

The room was cozy and romantic. The windows were open, rippling the soft white curtains in the breeze. There was a crisp clean white bedspread over the rich wood bed. The fire crackled merrily emitting a nice golden glow over the room. And in the middle of the room, Ron was there. But he wasn't alone. Astoria Greengrass was kissing the life out of him. Hermione looked at the pair in shock. Ron's hands crawled over her back and tangled in her luscious brown hair. Astoria let out a small moan and played with his red hair that rimmed his neck. Hermione, unable to see more, cleared her throat. Astoria looked up and let out a squeal. Ron's eyes widened. "H- Her- 'Mione! I can explain! It isn't what it looks like-!" Hermione's eyes were cold.

"I think I saw enough, Ronald. How long were you two together?" Ron looked around nervously.

"Um… a month…" Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"So you proposed to me while you were dating her? Or did you tell everybody that we broke up?" Astoria's eyes widened. She whirled around to glare at Ron.

"Ron! You said that you guys broke up! You PROPOSED?!" Ron looked sheepish.

"Well… I can explain!" Ron looked pleadingly at Hermione. She scoffed and looked the other way.

"No way am I helping you on this one Ron. Climb out of the hole you dug yourself. I'm sure Astoria agrees with me." Astoria firmly nodded and stood next to Hermione. Ron sighed.

"Okay, okay. Um, I'm not really sure this is the best time, but here it is. Hermione, I never really loved you. I mean I did love you, but as a sister. But with Astoria, I'm really happy. I only proposed because well, I was scared. I was scared that I would be left alone. I mean, look at Daphne and Harry! They're so happy! I'm sorry, 'Mione. I really am… but I think I want to call off this engagement and stick with Astoria if she'll have me." Hermione sighed, her usually warm brown eyes turning icy cold.

"So that's it? After all we've been through? You're dumping me?" Hermione turned to Astoria and glared at her. Then her eyes softened. "Oh, Astoria. I'm sorry you're stuck with Ron. I mean you can dump him…but whatever you do, I'll stick through. Especially since my best friend's dating your sister, I don't really have a choice…" Astoria sighed in relief.

"Oh thank you, Hermione!" She got up and hugged Hermione. She stiffened in the hug, and awkwardly patted her back. Then Hermione whirled around and glared at Ron. He cowered.

"YOU JERK. I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY AFTER DESTROYING YOUR BEST FRIEND'S HAPPINESS." She spat out. Hermione took off the ring and threw it at him. He easily caught it and looked at her with sad eyes. Hermione sneered at him once more and ran out of the room. Ron turned around and looked at Astoria.

"Astoria…?" She turned her head.

"What?"

"Will you go out with me?"

Astoria scoffed. "I'll have to think about it. Until then, don't even bother trying to contact me." She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room as well. Ron sighed and put his head in his hands.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER." Hermione shouted into the common room. Harry looked up, let out a very girlish squeal, and hid behind Daphne. Daphne looked at her with scared, widened eyes.

"Hermione? Calm down…" Hermione's eyes blazed with fury.

"HARRY POTTER. YOU KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY FIANCE AND YOU NEVER BOTHERED TO TELL ME?! WOULD YOU CARE TO EXPLAIN HERE?" Hermione yelled at Harry.

Harry sighed and held out his hand for Hermione. She didn't take it, and continued glaring at Harry. He sighed again and began talking. "Hermione, I honestly had no idea. He told us as well that he broke up with you. And we all believed him. It was until today that you were wearing an engagement ring and said that you were engaged to Ron when we all got suspicious. You know how rumors spread in Hogwarts. In three minutes, everyone knew that Ron was lying. I'm honestly not even sure how you found him. How did you find him?" Harry looked at her in confusion. Hermione thought for a minute, her anger cooling.

"Hm… Oh! It was Parkinson; he found me and told me to go look for Ron in the Room of Requirements. Malfoy was with her." Hermione said.

"Huh. Malfoy and Parkinson… I wonder why they helped you…" Harry thought out loud. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to Daphne. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her face was splotchy from crying. Daphne looked up at her and looked away in embarrassment. Hermione nodded slowly.

"So that's what you were talking about earlier…" Daphne nodded as well. Harry looked at the pair.

"What? What's going on?" Hermione smirked and rolled her eyes again.

"None of your business, Potter." She emphasized the use of his last name. Harry sighed.

"I'm really sorry. I just didn't want to hurt you."

"Harry. I think we all know by now that I am more than capable of looking after myself. You should know better than anyone." She said sternly. Harry nodded silently.

Daphne leapt up and grabbed Hermione's arm. "Harry, wait here for a minute. I need to talk to Hermione." Harry shrugged.

"What did you want to talk about, Daphne?" Hermione said, genuinely curious. Daphne sighed.

"I honestly don't want to be the one to tell this to you, but Harry would freak out, even more than you. Ron would freak out even more, and honestly she didn't know who else to ask. So here I am!" Daphne said. Hermione eyed her, confused.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Professor McGonagall."