Okay, so this is the second installment of the story. My friend and beta Ruthie loves this story for some reason, so here goes. This chapter's for her. =) R&R please.

I had finally gotten to her. The expression on her face showed nothing but hurt, and betrayal.

"You… hate me?"

"Sometimes, I do."

"Why?" she whispered, tears filling her beautiful brown eyes.

"Because all you do is hurt me, Hermione! You said you loved me, you told me you loved me and that… that we were meant to be together, and now it's all about Ron? I'll be damned if I let my brother get the girl that I love!"

"Ginny, I…I'm not gay, I'm not… like you. I like men. I love Ron."

"Well then this conversation's over."

Tears spilled over her cheeks and I rolled over, even though it was killing me to see her cry. I pretended I didn't care and closed my eyes. The weight on the bed lifted a bit, and I heard her trying to set out the cot mum had gotten for her. I heard the scraping of the cot's legs and I tried to swallow the ever-returning lump in my throat.

"Hermione?" a voice said by the door.

Damn, I didn't hear any footsteps.

"Yes, Harry?"

Her voice was higher than it should have been, and hoarse.

"What… why are you crying? Did you and Ginny have a falling out?"

"No, I'm just stressed out with High Stone work," she lied, and I wondered if she had ever lied to me so easily.

"Are… are you sure?" Harry asked awkwardly. "Nothing you want to talk about?"

"Yes, Harry, I'm sure… I'm… I'm going to take a nap now. Can you just go?" she sniffled.

"Sure… I'm here if you need, Hermione. You're my best friend, don't forget that."

She must have nodded, for there was silence, footsteps, and the door shut softly. I heard Hermione sniffle a few times, and then there was silence again. I knew Hermione was crying as silently as she could, but it was pointless to be quiet since I knew she was crying anyway.

I fell into a restless, dreamless sleep for what must have been 3 or 4 hours. When I woke up, it was to Pigwidgeon pecking me with his beak. I groaned sleepily and opened one eye.

"What is it, Pig?"

He hooted and stuck his leg out. There was a rolled up parchment tied to his leg. It must have been Luna's response. I untied the parchment, and rubbed his head softly.

"Thanks, Pig."

I unrolled the parchment after Pig nipped me affectionately and flew back out of the open window.

Dearest Ginny,

My summer's been rather boring. Father has discovered a new breed of Nargles, but they're rather ugly. Though it isn't Christmas, Father has decided on getting mistletoe for exploring the lives of Nargles. How is the situation with your secret love going? I hope all is well. Would you like to come visit for a week or so? I'm rather lonely with just Father to keep me company, and he's off all the time doing research on this new breed. Write back soon.

Love, Luna

I smiled down at the letter. Luna really was one of a kind, but a wonderful friend. I rummaged in my drawer next to my bed for parchment, a quill and some ink. Pulling what I needed out of the drawer, I looked over to Hermione's cot. It was empty.

Damn.

I rolled out of bed and padded out of the room and down the stairs.

"Mum? Dad?" I called.

"We're in here, dear," Mum called from the living room.

I made my way there and stood in front of them.

"Ginny, aren't you hungry yet?"

"A bit, maybe. Can I spend a week over at Luna's house? She's just invited me by owl."

I pointed to my room where you could clearly hear Pig hooting and flapping his wings excitedly.

"Of course, love. When are you planning to go?"

"As soon as I can," I said casually. "I really miss her."

"Well, pack your things, and we'll floo you over there, dear," dad said.

"Thanks mum, thanks dad."

I ran up the stairs and into my room, where I found Ron reading the parchment Luna had sent. My heart dropped.

"Ooh, Ginny's got a secret love," he said upon seeing me.

"Piss off. And what the hell are you doing reading my private things?"

"I came in here to ask you if you wanted to play a bit of quidditch, but you weren't here, and it was just there. So who is he? Your secret love, I mean."

"Oh, piss off, and get out. I have to pack."

"Where are you going?"

"Obviously, you didn't read the whole thing. I'm going to Luna's for a week or so."

"Oh. Why?" he asked stupidly.

"Just get out!"

I had lost my patience.

"Okay, okay… sheesh, sorry…"

Ron made his way out of my room, and I began scribbling on the clean side of the parchment.

Dear Luna,

I just asked mum and dad if I can go. They said yes. I'll be flooing over before this even gets to your house. As you can see, my situation's horrid. See you soon.

Love, Ginny

"Oh, damn, Pig's gone. Pig!" I yelled out the window.

I heard distant hooting, and then Pig came into view. Luckily he hadn't flown too far. He flew into the window and sat at the ledge.

"I need you to take this to Luna, as fast as you can okay?"

He hooted once and stuck out his leg. I tied the parchment with a bit of string to his leg and he flew off. Immediately I began shoving things into a nearby duffel bag that Hermione's parents had given to me as a gift one time. Odd birthday gift, really, but at that moment I was grateful that they had given it to me.

I threw in random clothes, books, my diary, some quills and ink, everything I needed. I took my wand from my bedside and tucked it behind my ear, not unlike how Luna did. Zipping up the duffel bag, I threw it over my shoulder and ran to my mum and dad.

"Can I go now?"

"That was rather fast," dad smiled.

"I really want to go. Can I? Please?"

"Don't you want to say goodbye to the others?"

"Where's Charlie?" I asked.

"He's in the twins' room," mum said.

"Okay," I said, dropped the duffel bag and ran up the stairs to the twins' room. I knocked on the door.

"Charlie? You in there?" I called.

"Yeah, Gin, come on in," he said from inside.

I pushed the door open slowly and walked in. Charlie was sitting on the floor, writing on a bit of parchment.

"I'm going to Luna's house for a week. Just wanted to say goodbye and all."

"Oh. How are you feeling?" he asked me, getting to his feet.

"Miserable. That's why I'm leaving. I haven't said 'bye to anyone but you so far and I think that's how it's going to stay."

"Well, all right. Have fun, be safe and write if you need anything."

"Okay, I will."

I padded over to him softly and gave him a hug.

"See you soon, then," he said, hugging back.

We let go and I smiled up at him.

"Bye, then," I said, and ran back down to Mum and Dad.

"All right, you're off," dad smiled, and hugged me. "Have fun, dear."

"Bye mum, bye dad," I said, hugging them both.

I stepped into the fireplace, grabbed a handful of floo powder, and threw it down into the fireplace. Green flames roared in my ears.

"Ottery St. Catchpole!" I said clearly.