A/N- All praise for the characters goes to the ALL POWERFUL ROWLING

Chapter 3-

As previously planned, Hermione m the rowdy red-head at Honeydukes. They went first to Zonkos, to grab a few things to pass onto the twins, then to Gladrags Wizardwear, and, after much pestering, Hermione talked Ginny into going to Diagon Ally to finish their shopping trip.

She was beginning to regret that decision.

Hermione glanced again at her watch. It was only one, and she already had the itch to go back home. Sighing for the fifth time in the last ten minutes, she waited for Ginny to emerge from the dressing room in Madam Malkin's.

"I hear you, I hear you, now shush." came a yell from inside the small fitting room. A split moment later, the girl emerged, dressed in her original white sweater and dark jeans. Hermione glanced down at her own attire and considered the difference. Where Ginny had almost a glow around her, Hermione was dull, dressed in a black long sleeve and jeans.

Her attention was snapped back up as she felt a hand on her arm. "'Mione, is everything alright?" came her friends voice, no louder than a whisper. She hesitantly shook her head. Ginny nodded, pulling her out of the shop and straight to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, stopping to get Hermione her choice of ice cream before taking a slow walk through the streets.

"Tell me what's wrong?" Ginny said finally, a calm expression on her face.

Hermione nodded slowly before starting her story.

"I went to have lunch with Ronald about a month ago. A-and I get to his office, pleased to finally get a break, to be able to see him. I went there everyday to see him. Except this time, when I got there-" her voice broke and she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself; trying to summon her Gryffindor courage once again. Ginny gave an encouraging nod, prompting her to finish her story. "When I got there, Ronald was already busy doing something... Or more properly phrased, someone. The entire office was empty except for these two. He had one of the woman he worked with pinned against the wall, kissing her. I couldn't see his hands and I'm not sure I want to know what he was doing to her. Unsurprisingly, I screamed, and he only looked up long enough to tell me that I was interrupting and that I should leave." Hermione stopped walking, looking down, tears prickling her eyes, while Ginny stood for a moment, completely silent. After a moment however, the thoughts processed through her mind and she let her temper loose.

"I'M GOING TO HEX HIM UNTIL HE BEGS FOR DEATH THAT POMPOUS, IGNORANT, ARROGANT, STUPID BLOODY PRICK I-" Hermione cut her off with a hand over her mouth. And for the first time in weeks, Hermione Granger actually laughed.

Still steaming, the Weasley glanced at Hermione's laughing form. "It's funny that you think I'm joking." Ginny said, her face blank. "Is this why you two where so awkward at Christmas?"

Hermione nodded, before continuing to walk. "I don't want to see him anymore than I have to. I wish I could just forget him; forget my feelings for him. Forget her."

"'Mione, you loved him and that isn't bad," Ginny said softly. "I think I'm going to go get us a few cups of tea, yes? I'll meet you at Flourish and Blotts in a half hour alright? Release, go be around some old books for a while." And with that, the young girl left, a knowing smile on her lips. When Hermione Granger was upset, sometimes all she needed was some very strong tea and the promise of a good book to let her soul finally reach a level of relief.