Disclaimer: JKR owns everything. I sadly own nothing

Author's Note: Once again thank you to my WONDERFUL FANTAStiC Beta Katty! Thank you for subscribing and also for your reviews! They're great! I'm sorry that I got Hermione's birth date wrong. Please disregard that from your memory. J Reviews are my only source of "payment" for stories, and are very valuable to me. So thanks for everyone who reviewed! Keep reading, because it's only going to get juicier from here!

Chapter 2: Squabbles

How I made my feet continue to move I wasn't sure. It could have been Ginny's hand dragging me along, but I was pretty sure most of the movement was coming from me. The closer we got to the loft, the more I regretted ever letting Ginny talk me into coming. This was a terrible idea.

"I-I think I'm going to head back to the castle," I said, trying to turn around, but Ginny grabbed me from behind and spun me back to face her.

"No you're not. I'm not letting you get out of this!" Her eyes narrowed on me and I glared back. "Besides, we wouldn't let you go back alone. Do you really want to make us walk all the way back with you?" She continued, guilt tripping me enough to shake my head.

I really had to learn how to say no to Ginny. She was a great manipulator and she knew she had us wrapped around her fingers. I felt myself beginning to hyperventilate as their shop was in sight.

"I can't do this! I can't do this!" I practically shrieked. Ron and Harry moved away from me as quickly as possible, as if I was trying to attack them or something.

"Calm down Hermione, it will be fine," Ginny said, keeping her eyes on the task in front of us and never looking over at me.

Ron and Harry decided walking ahead of us would be better. In fact, they practically sprinted to the loft. By the time Ginny and I got to the door, Ron and Harry had already let themselves in and grabbed some fire whiskey from the twin's fridge.

"You guys just let yourselves in?" My eyebrows raised as I watched the two make their way to the kitchen. "That's very rude."

Harry smiled at me. "There's the Hermione I know!"

Ginny cut in before I could reply. "They told us to just walk in. They're somewhere in the loft upstairs I'm sure."

"Where're we staying?" Ron asked as he took a big bight of the sandwich he had just made. He shoved the whole thing in his mouth in less than thirty seconds. It was repulsive.

"I don't know," Ginny shrugged. "We could all squish in the guest room I guess." The thought almost made me laugh. Molly would have murdered us for even thinking of sharing the same room. Somehow I doubted that the twins would really care where we slept.

"Or you guys could sleep on the couch," I shrugged.

"No thanks;" Ron said in disgust. "Beds sound fine to me."

Ginny shrugged, and then the two of us went upstairs to change and go to sleep. It was almost three in the morning now. There was no hope in getting a decent amount of sleep tonight, although we were better off then everyone still in the dorms.

We found the guest room no problem. I grabbed my toothbrush and pajamas, and went in search for the bathroom. I figured the room next door would probably be my best bet, however I was terribly mistaken.

I opened the door quickly, without knocking. Fred and George were standing right in the middle of their room, looking over some papers. They stared over at me, and there was silence. I watched as Fred's smile faded off his face.

"S-Sorry," I managed to stutter, "Looking for the bathroom," I felt my cheeks turn red hot. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to even see him tonight, and then I went and did something stupid. I felt like an idiot.

"Oh, hello Hermione," George cut in, "It's no problem. Second door on the right," He said pointing down the hall with his boyish smile. Fred was still staring at me. I tried not to look.

"Ok thanks." I said as I ran out of the room as quickly as possible.

I ran into the bathroom, shutting the door rapidly then sliding down the bathroom wall in efforts to keep my dinner in my stomach. This was such a mess.

I sat there, on the floor, breathing for what seemed to me like only a few seconds, but in reality must have been a very long time.

There was a knock at the door. I jumped up and moved closer to it. I realized then that this was probably the only bathroom in the whole loft, and there were other people that needed to use it. I felt worse then I did before.

"Hermione?" Fred said, and I sighed. It had to be Fred that was just my luck. "You alright?" I wasn't even sure how to respond.

"What? Yes I'm fine," I finally decided.

"Can I come in?" He asked. Oh god. Please, no.

"Sure." I said, closing my eyes tightly in pure panic.

He opened the door slowly, peeking his head in before the rest of his body made it's way inside. He was careful to leave the door open, I noticed.

"So," he said with a fake smile. I had never known it was even possible for him to not have a genuine smile. "This is weird," He said finally. I couldn't have agreed more.

"Welcome to the family I suppose," He said as kindly as possible.

All I could do was nod like an idiot. I felt the frown that had made its way on my face, and I tried my best to hold myself together. I couldn't break down, especially not in front of Fred!

"You guys can stay as long as you want you know," He offered. Although I figured he didn't really mean it.

"Thanks." I managed to say. This was too awkward- I couldn't just sit there and nod anymore. I needed to do something. I walked over to the sink, trying to wet a wash cloth for myself.

"No don't-!" I turned the nozzle as Fred shouted his warning. A burst of water hit me square in the face. I chocked and groped around until I could see and breath normally again. The water finally stopped. I turned around angrily at Fred, who was laughing.

"I tried to tell you," He said smiling, handing me a towel, "That was supposed to be for Ron and Harry." I grumbled in response, although I honestly was grateful for it. The situation became less awkward, and the Fred I knew was starting to shine through this horrible event.

"This better not happen all the time." I said cracking a smile. Did I just say that? All the time? Oh God. He continued to laugh, but as soon as I said it, we were both aware of what was implied.

"No promises," He shrugged, the smile still on his face. "Well I'm going to bed. Goodnight 'Mione." I turned back to the sink and he disappeared from the bathroom. What was I doing?

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I woke up at six thirty in the morning. We had to be back by eight for breakfast and classes started at nine. I wanted to take a shower before we left.

So I made sure no one was awake, and I went into the bathroom. The door didn't lock, and now that I was undressed, I didn't have the time to redress and go get my wand to lock it. I decided I would just take a quick shower, before anyone awoke, and then there wouldn't be a problem. The hot water felt good on my chilled body. Just thinking of yesterday's events made me sick to my stomach. I didn't even want to imagine what Hogwarts was going to be like today. I let the steam and heat carry me away to a different place. Hot showers were always the perfect way for me to relax. I was so calm in fact; I ended up losing track of time.

So really, it wasn't Fred's fault, him just walking into the bathroom like that.

I didn't hear him when he entered. He must have been tired or something, because he obviously didn't realize the shower was going. He opened the shower door slightly to turn on the water, and that's when I saw him. Of course, I didn't know it was Fred at the time. I screamed for dear life, and backed as far away from the hand as possible.

"Who's there?" I screeched in panic. Fred quickly redrew his hand and scampered away from the shower, redressing.

"Oh god! Hermione?" He asked.

"Fred?" I finally decided that God hated me. "I-I'm s-sorry." I stammered, trying desperately to turn off the water.

"S'ok," He said panting, "Um, I'm going to wait outside."

"OK!" I said too quickly. He shut the door, and I jumped out of the shower and retrieved my clothing. Putting them on so quickly that all the time I lost lazily relaxing was easily made up. I exited the bathroom as hurriedly as possible. The blush on my face had nothing to do with the hot water from my shower and I knew it. I kept my head down, and eyes to the floor, just in case he was somewhere within sight range.

Luckily, I didn't see Fred again that morning. I stayed in the guest room until it was time to go. George showed us out, and we were on our way to Hogwarts. I didn't dare tell the others what had happened. I was so embarrassed, I was certain I was still blushing. I knew Ginny suspected something, but she didn't ask questions.

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The school was quiet. The clock read eight o'clock exactly. Where was everyone? The three of us made our way into the Great Hall, where breakfast should have been thoroughly on its way. By now, there were normally students packing up the tables and filling their plates with food. Today there were several teachers missing from the head table and there were only a few stranglers here and there getting their food.

Pavarti and Lavender was sitting at the Gryffindor table, so I made my way over to them.

"Hey!" I smiled at them as I sat down. Ginny followed close behind me as the boys remained on the opposite end of the table.

"Hey," The two said in unison, sounding somewhat sick.

"You don't look well," I said, generally concerned, "Did the two of you stay here last night?"

It seemed like it took everything in them to just nod their heads.

"You guys missed it, along with the other half of the school that left." replied Lavender. "There was a huge party for everyone getting married. I didn't see a single person who wasn't wasted."

"When did it end?" Ginny cut in.

"About five minutes ago when the teachers broke it up," She replied, "No one's getting more than a week's detention surprisingly. I guess they feel guilty, taking our freedom away and all." I couldn't help but agree.

"It's not fair." Pavarti cut Lavender off. "I can't believe they're making us do this." Then she stopped and turned to look over at Ron. "Not that I don't like you Ron." She said with the fake smile that she pulled off so well. He turned back to his food and blushed.

"Nobody seems to be taking it well," I stated.

"Certainly not everyone went to this party," Ginny said, "Where's the rest of the school? The staff?"

"Well those who aren't completely wasted or hung over right now are probably still crying in their room. Or so exhausted from crying and or making out that they passed out. This is about as silent as it's been since two nights ago." Pavarti explained.

"And the teachers?" I asked.

The girls shrugged, "Probably dropped dead by now from trying to control all the students last night. All of the staff was on high alert, and they couldn't even contain it. They threw out all the threats they knew, yet nothing worked. Even Snape couldn't keep his house quiet." Lavender said.

"It's interesting," Ginny laughed. "How much this has truly affected our school."

"Well what did the Ministry think would happen?" I asked angrily. "That we were going to take it lightly? For heaven sake some of us here aren't even of age yet! Honestly, I wish I could have a word with them." Steamed, I stabbed my potatoes wishing it was the person who was in charge of this stupid law.

The closer it got to nine o'clock the more students started lazily making their way in. I heard some obviously hung over students say that Dumbledore requested everyone in the Great Hall for breakfast this morning. Apparently, he had some announcement.

I didn't see one person walk by me who didn't have a tear stricken face or the apparent signs of a head ache. Some people were still drunk even. It was a disgrace to Hogwarts in my opinion, but then again, I felt like one of them.

Then of course there were the oblivious first and second years, fearing for their lives at what hell the school had became last night. I felt bad for them. They had all huddled together at the end of each table. Certainly they feared for their futures too!

Dumbledore approached the podium slowly. He had no twinkle in his eye, which worried me deeply. Even in the gravest of times, the twinkle remained. I reassured myself, by deciding it was the lighting that made his twinkle disappear.

"I'm sorry to say that last night was a disgrace to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Dumbledore started. I had never heard him insult anyone, so that really hit home. I couldn't disagree with him though. "From such a distinguished school, with professional witches and wizards, I had to say I expected more." He paused for a moment, letting it sink in. "That being said, I also wish to tell you that I understand."

It looked as if he were staring each individual student down. It was Dumbledore, so he very well could have been. The Great Hall was deafly quiet. Everyone was in full attention, even more then during his speech last night.

"I know this is a tough time for you all. It certainly won't be easy for anyone. However, what I saw last night was distasteful. More than detentions should have been given out due to last night's events, and maybe even expulsion. I do wish to warn you that if these behaviors do happen again, the staff and I will not take it lightly." It looked like Dumbledore was eyeing the Slytherins particularly. It didn't surprise me though. When I looked over, those who were conscious, were sneering up at him or laughing. It made me sick.

"Please keep this in mind. Also, if there is someone you need to talk to; Hogwarts is employing," He laughed a little, "A shrink so to speak. He'll be here to help you through whatever it is you're going through, marital or otherwise. No classes will be skipped today, by anyone. We expect full attendance." He warned, but his glare quickly turned to a smile. "Now enjoy breakfast, and the rest of your day."

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I wasn't exactly ever excited about going to Potions; in fact, I've dreaded it since my first day at Hogwarts. Today, however, was particularly painful for me. Even though I wasn't as out of it as some of my fellow students, I certainly didn't get anywhere near the amount of sleep I was hoping. Plus all the events of the morning had left me worn out. I blushed just thinking about what happened in the bathroom. Snape's immediate presence in the room was actually somewhat of a relief, giving me an excuse not to think about my personal situations.

"Turn to page 397." He sneered at us, in an even worse mood than usual. No doubt because of all of last night's festivities. I was certain that if he hated us before then, he certainly hated all of us now. Not even Draco's sucking up would do him in.

"Did you hear me?" He said, raising his voice at us, "397! I don't expect any stragglers. Last night was no excuse for anyone to get lazy. I don't care if you're tired, wake up." He mumbled under his breath something about us being 'bloody barbaric juveniles.' I didn't hear the rest, but I was certain it was worse.

During the class period, Snape docked 200 points from Gryffindor, 100 from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and even 50 from Slytherin. He wasn't kidding around. He also handed out a week's worth of detention to over half the class, and sent 3 students out of his classroom.

He had also managed to yell at me 4 times throughout the course of the session. I didn't even have my hand raised as I normally did. Then again, no one was even responding to his lecture. Whenever I did try to add something in, he called me an insufferable know-it-all, as usual. I had to admit though; it didn't have the same fire as it normally did.

Potions couldn't have ended soon enough. Harry and Ron left fuming with two days of detention plus a 5 page paper on Dragon Scales and how they pertain to potion making. It was an easy topic, so I was hoping they weren't going to make me write it for them.

"The school has gone to complete hell," I heard Ron tell Harry, "How do they expect us to be married AND go through classes? I can barely do the school part- why not throw a wife on top of it all! One that I don't even LIKE! It's madness!" Ron began panicking again.

"Oh honestly Ronald," I said rolling my eyes, "You're such a drama queen."

"Oh really," He added defensively, "So you're telling me you're totally peachy with having to marry my buffoon of a brother and that everything in your life is going great? You can't honestly say you are happy about this!" His eyes opened wide.

"Oh don't be ridiculous!" I said dismissing the idea, "I think it's just as terrible and barbaric as the next person. However, it doesn't mean I'm going to act like a lunatic. SOME people know how to contain themselves." I said, nose in the air.

"You think you're SO much better than everyone else," Ron said pointing at me. We had halted right in the middle of the hall, Harry in between us trying to calm us down. The fight had already begun though, and it was going to happen right in front of everyone.

"Oh don't be silly Ronald. I don't think that at all. I'm sorry that you aren't mature enough to handle this situation, but I AM. Just because I don't go and bawl my eyes out or drink the night away, doesn't mean I'm not equally as upset as the next person!" I said truthfully.

He rolled his eyes at me and scoffed. I tried to walk forward and ignore him, but he pulled me back. We were attracting a scene. Out of the corner of my eye I watched Harry try to keep people moving along so they wouldn't see our feud. At one point he even tried to move us away from each other, but we just pushed him off of us.

"I think you actually like all this!" Ron said heated, "What do you have the hots for my brother or something? Well guess what Hermione, for everyone else, this fucking sucks! How can you not be angry or upset? Seriously, do you know anything but books? Gods Hermione, it's like you're not even a bloody person!" He screamed. Immediately, he backed off, and away from me. I stared at him silently, tears welding up in my eyes.

I tried pulling myself together enough to speak, "I'm sorry that you think that way Ron." I said, shaking, "but you're wrong. You're bloody wrong. So don't stand there and act like you're the only one who is hurt. I didn't want this to be my life, ok? I wasn't even sure if I ever even wanted to get married, but guess what," I said my voice rising, "IT IS happening. So get over it! Get over yourself!"

"You guys," Harry finally stepped in as Ron was about to intercede with another one of his stupid comments, "We're all in the same boat here! Let's take it easy."

At the same time, Ron and I both turned to Harry, "Oh shut up Harry!" Ron blurted.

"Yes," I agreed, my eyes narrowing. "You shouldn't even be talking."

By then it was getting too hot, and I had to walk away. I wasn't the girl who had breakdowns in front of everyone. Did I seriously just become the person who had a very public fight? I was as bad as the people last night. I had never felt more disappointed in myself, however I was really too angry at Ron (and even Harry) to care.

"Hermione?" A first year came up to me shakily, handing me a letter, "Dumbledore told me to deliver this to you." He handed me the letter, then scampered away hurriedly.

~~3~~

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