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What Hermione Wants	By : HermioneCosplayer Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 7039 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Chapter 14 (The breakup aka ‘not again’)

Hermione woke about an hour before her alarm clock was set to go off. She spent a few extra minutes cuddled in bed enjoying the feeling of being fully rested. She got up and made use of one of the best perks of being Head Girl, her small private bath. It was tiny, only containing a shower, sink and toilet, but after 6 years, the privacy was wonderful. She took her time in the shower using a her favorite inexpensive shampoo and conditioner she had discovered that allowed her once really bushy hair to do what it had been trying to do in the first place; to be bushy, but to shine and to curl a bit on its own. She was so sick of makeovers sometimes she wanted to scream. The amount and expense and torture everyone had put her hair though over the years had been ridiculous! It wasn’t just her dorm mates either; her own mother and Mrs. Weasley were also in on it. There were potions, creams, heat, magic and goop involved and she was beginning to wonder if human sacrifice or voodoo were next. One time her mother actually ironed her hair! After all that, she finally figured out that if she actually took another minute in the shower and used little bit of conditioner each time after she washed her hair, instead of just washing it, the “make-over police” would leave her alone and she actually liked how her hair shined a bit more now. Who knew?

She dressed, and then did some reading in the private sitting room before it was time for breakfast. Draco had left his potions notes out for her and she made sure she knew the material she missed. She had never seen his work before and noticed how detailed and thorough his notes were. As she copied them, she contemplated her night two nights ago with Draco. It really had been a physically amazing experience. It was so forbidden and exciting, but it also had been quite dangerous. Who knew what evil was still inside him? Though she had to admit there was an attraction and that they were also intellectually compatible, their little initiation had to be a one-time thing. She had enjoyed the closeness and the pure physical aspects of it, but this was still Draco she was thinking about. Sure, he said he was not a Death Eater and had no plans of becoming one, but even it that were true, who was to say that the right persuasion wouldn’t change his mind. He had spent a lifetime being raised that he was superior and that all other beings were sub-hum One One year of his father being away couldn’t have been enough to strip away a lifetime of programming, could it?

Finally, 8:00 came around and she headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. She had made such a hit with the first years the other night, several of them ran over, pulled her by the arm and sat right next to her, telling Hermione about their first day of class. The stories brought back such memories. “There was a kitty-cat in transfiguration class, but it turned out to be Professor McGonagall! I asked her if I could be a bunny, but she wouldn’t let me!”

Hermione was enjoying the conversation so much that it made her wonder if she should consider teaching as a profession, when Ron walked up behind her. His voice didn’t sound like his own. It was deep and very controlled. “We need to talk, and we need to talk NOW.” He stated.

This was enough to chase most of the little ones away, but a few didn’t take the hint. “We were talking with the Head Girl first, you have to wait your turn!” one of them stated, demanding his rights.

Hermione knew she couldn’t put off the conversation any longer. “I’m sorry, but there are some things I need to talk to Ron about and he’s a Prefect. You have to do what the Prefects and School Heads say; it’s an important rule here. I promise to sit with you another time.” The remaining 1st years pouted, but they moved to a different place along the house table.

Ron sat down next to her and looked around to see how close anyone else was sitting to them. It looked like they had plenty of space around them to have private talk; he just wasn’t sure which of the hundreds of ways he had thought of to start the conversation that he should use. He kept looking at her face, her hair, her eyes, and thought that the longer he waited to begin the conversation, the longer she would be “his.” Maybe he’d wait just one minute more.

The silence became unbearable. “How long have you known?” Ron asked simply.

Hermione had a good idea what he meant, but wanted to be sure. She responded in a gentle, caring voice. “How long have I known what, Ron?”

Ron sighed. “How long have you known that you’ve never loved me?”

Hermione answered as only she could, “How long have I known, or when did I realize it? They are two totally different answers.”

Ron felt like every emotion he had ever had was running through him at once. He wanted to express anger in a physical way, he wanted to curl up and cry, part of him even wanted to laugh, but it was a mixed together in a jumble that made him feel like he was falling and that the world would never be the aga again. Frustration started to show as he responded, “Answer it any way you bloody well like, just get it over with!” He snapped.

“I suspected things weren’t right for a while, that’s why I stayed away from the burrow most of this summer, but...”

Ron interrupted, this time anger winning out, “If you knew thar bar back, why the hell did you kiss me like that on the train? I had been having some doubts about your feelings, but that kiss made me believe everything would work out.” Ron paused because he was dangerously close to tears. He took a deep breath and finished the thought. “Were you playing some sort of a game with me?”

Ron’s voice was now loud enough for others to take notice. Hermione spoke quietly with the hope that Ron would take the hint and lower his voice. “I kissed you like that to see if maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough. It was to give us one more chance...”

“So you’re breaking up with me because you don’t like the way I kiss?” he hissed.

Hermione thought to herself that yes, there was a small grain of truth in that, but it was insignificant compared to the lack of emotion she felt. “No Ron. It isn’t the physical aspects, or anything like that. I just don’t feel romantic love for you. When I look back, I realized that I never have, I just didn’t know it at the time.”

Ron was silent for a while. If he spoke, or moved, or thought, or did anything other than stay perfectly still, he didn’t know what reaction or emotion would leak out. At the moment he felt tears were most likely, and he wasn’t going to cry in the Great Hall. It didn’t matter how good of a Quidditch Keeper he was, he’d never live down crying in public. He began focusing on his anger to stop the tears, “So, did you have to tell the whole school before you told me? I’m pretty sure Harry already knew, and the way Ginny was talking to me Monday night, I know she knew as well!”

Hermione snapped back, but kept her voice at a harsh whisper, “Harry and Ginny are hardly the whole school, Ron! I didn’t have to tell Ginny, she had figured it out for herself.”

Desperation showed in Ron’s choice of words, “She’s devastated you know. She dreamed of you two officially being sisters one day.”

Hermione began to get sarcastic but she kept her voice low, “Ron, if you want a verbal fight, I’d be glad to help you put on a show for the school and bring everyone in on our private business if that’s what you really want, but to comment on your last statement, trying to make me feel guilty about Ginny feeling sad is not going to keep us together.”

Ron squeezed his eyes together to stop himself from crying. “I’m going to leave before I get more emotional, but before I do, you have to answer one more question for me. Did you at least have the respect to not do anything with anyone else before we officially broke up?”

“Don’t tell me what I have to do, Ron. My parents have that power until I turn 18 in the Muggle world and the teachers here have it until I finish 7th year, but that’s it.” Hermione stated simply.

Ron turned bright red with anger. “There’s only one reason you wouldn’t answer that question and that would be because you’re guilty...”

Hermione quickly interrupted, this time not being as careful about the volume of her voice, “I’m not answering because either way, it’s not your business and it will never be your business.”

All Ron could think about now was hurting her. He was in so much pain, but she was so causal about it. She didn’t even seem sad. In fact she looked relieved and happier than he had seen her in ages. Ron stood up, and did something so out of character; the school couldn’t stop talking about it for weeks. For the second time in less than three days, Hermione was hit across the face. This time it was a slap that resounded throughout the Great Hall. For some reason, the only thought that popped into Hermione’s mind was a reference from one of her favorite comedic Muggle novels. She actually imagined herself as a bowl of petunias falling from the sky and silently quoting, ‘Oh, No! Not again!’

Ron still wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to hurt like he did and he knew how powerful words were to her. He thought back and remembered what had caused her the most pain over the years and just seconds after the slap he had his answer. For once, Ron had found the most effective thing to do in a situation and used the same volume he’d use if he were yelling across the Quidditch pitch to an apposing team member, “You fucking Mudblood Whore!”

Hermione lifted her hand to her cheek and held it there. Knives, forks and spoons belonging to both students and teachers stayed suspended in the air. Hot water being poured into teacups began to overflow. All eyes in the room stared at Ron, and then at Hermione, then back to Ron. Hermione continued to hold her hand to her cheek, and then looked away from Ron. He decided he had no choice but to turn and run from the Great Hall and head to his dorm room.

The Slytherin tables recovered first and began whispering, laughing and pointing at Hermione. Most of the 6th and 7th year Gryffindor girls recovered and went to Hermione’s side. Ginny was the first to reach her, and the two girls hugged until Hermione started to cry. “I didn’t want to hurt him,” she kept muttering under her breath.

Ginny replied, “Continuing to go out with him would have been leading him on and that would have hurt much more in the long run.” Hermione broke the hug with Ginny and the rest of the girls took turns giving her hugs and showing support.

A Slytherin boy yelled over to Ginny, “Maybe your brother should haven son sorted into our house, we never knew he took his pure blood status seriously before,” he taunted.

Ginny decided to ignore him. “Come on, Hermione, let’s get out of here. When is your first class?”

Hermione answered, “I don’t have anything till 10 today.”

Ginny replied, “Good, me too. It’s really nice out, let’s get out of here and go walk by the lake. I get the feeling Ron is back in the dorms right now, so we won’t have to worry about running into him.

As Hermione, Ginny and some other Gryffindor girls left the Great Hall, they noticed that Hermione’s face was beginning to swell. No one else knew that she had been previously injured so recently. Without that, Ron’s slap might have only left a slight red mark if anything. Hermione asked, “I think I should take a quick visit to the Hospital Wing and I really don’t want a crowd. Is it OK if just Ginny tags along and the rest of us meet up later?”

The other girls nodded and began talking among themselves that they also believed that was best. One of them commented, “Not a problem Hermione, but you have to tell us what happened. You and Ron seemed so happy last year!” As Hermione and Ginny walked towards the Hospital Wing, they heard someone else say, “I wonder how long I should wait to ask Ron to take me to the next Hogsmeade weekend?” and someone else added, “I wouldn’t wait too long, he is the Quidditch Keeper.”

*

When Ginny and Hermione arrived in the Hospital Wing, Madame Pomfrey saw the same side of Hermione’s face swollen again. She asked Hermione to lie down on a bed and she performed a quick spell to make any pain go away before treating the injury.

“What did you trip on this time Miss Granger?” Madame Pomfrey asked.

Ginny answered, “My brother slapped her after they broke up.”

Madame Pomfrey nodded, “Hermione dear, from what I understand there is a Muggle saying about turning the OTHER cheek. Two injuries to the same side of your face in less than three days are a bit excessive.”

At that point, Professor McGonagall entered the Hospital Wing. “Ginny, would you please wait outside, dear?” she asked. Ginny headed for the door. “And Miss Weasley,” she called to her as she left the room. “Please make sure to arrive aur nur next class on time if you find we are taking longer than expected.”

Ginny nodded and continued to head for the waiting area.

“Hermione, I witnessed what happened in the Great Hall a few moments ago and I need to decide on an appropriate punishment for Mr. Weasl#148#148; Hermione nodded. “Are you still in pain?”

“No, it was just a slap, Madame Pomfrey did a pain spell just in case. I’m just swollen a bit.” Hermione answered.

“Why did Ron hit you two days ago?” Professor McGonagall asked.

Hermione was surprised at the question and not used to lying, “It wasn’t Ron!”

“Then who was it?” Professor McGonagall questioned.

“I wasn’t hit two days ago.” Hermione recovered quickly. “I slipped on the rocks near the boats the 1st years take to Hogwarts.”

Madame Pomfrey joined in the conversation and make sure Hermione was knew that they were aware of gaping holes in her story, “Hermione dear, you weren’t able to describe how you fell, how you landed, there were no scrapes on your hands or your face to show you landed on a rocky area and your clothing was totally clean with no tearing. Who hit you?”

Hermione refused to budge#147#147;Ron did slap me during an argument a few minutes ago, but he has never even raised his voice to me before, let alone hit me.”

Madame Pomfrey had more to add about the situation. “Hagrid confirmed that you helped him with the first years and you did not have any swelling on your face at the time. He did not see you fall and he remembers watching you walk past the rocks and he also saw you getting into a carriage. It has also been confirmed that you rode in the carriage alone with Mr. Potter. The two of you were the last to arrive at the school. Draco Malfoy claims he was waiting for you to arrive and when you did, your face appeared badly injured and swollen. He took you to the Hospital Wing himself and asked Harry to bring me back to the Hospital Wing to treat you.”

There went Hermione’s perception that Madame Pomfrey didn’t really pay ation ion to the students little ‘accidents’. “Hagrid must have missed when I slipped. He did have a lot of first years to keep safe in the boats. He can’t have been watching me the whole time.”

“You leave me no choice, Miss Granger.” Professor McGonagall decided. “The punishment will be two weeks of detention plus parental notification and probation for Mr. Weasley and 100 house points from findfindor.”

Hermione argued, “But house points hurt the everyone. Why punish us all because of something Ron did?”

“The house points aren’t being taken in Ron’s name. They are being taken because of your refusal to talk.” Professor McGonagall stated. Neither Poppy nor I believe you fell, and unless you change your mind and tell us the truth right now, the house points will be taken.”

Hermione was devastated, “I told you everything! You can’t take house points away just because I was clumsy! And I’m head girl, how is that going to look?”

“Poppy, I believe you have a small supply of Veritaserum.” Professor McGonagall stated. “Hermione, as I’m sure you know, even as a student, you have every right to refuse to take this potion.”

Hermione tried not to show how desperate she was, “I know my rights, but it is my understanding that Veritaserum can only be used on a student in extreme situations!”

Professor McGonagall replied, “Hermione dear. I’m sure you are aware of issues in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds involving the use of violence to control others. In the Muggle world it’s usually the husband or boyfriend controlling the female partner in the relationship. In the wizarding world, sometimes it’s done with an unforgivable curse, and sometimes it’s also done with threats or violence. I will not allow any of my students to fall into a pattern where he or she allows another to control him or her. There were far too many people under the control of others during Voldemort’s first reign and with current events, I feel strongly that it is something we must use diligence to protect against.”

Hermione tried to bargain. “Then promise to only ask if someone is attempting to control me.”

Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey shook their heads no and Professor McGonagall spoke for both, “Unless you are willing to answer all questions we feel are relevant under the influence of Veritaserum, the 100 house point decision stands.”

“Professor McGonagall, may I talk to you privately? I’d like to go over the ORDER of certain events.” Hermione desperately hoped Professor McGonagall would hear her code word.

Professor McGonagall nodded, “Do you mind leaving us for a moment, Poppy?” Madame Pomfrey was obviously very unhappy about not being let in on the full story since she had done so much of the research; she but agreed and went into her office.

Hermione took a deep breath and confessed, “I guess I’ve been caught lying.”

“Headmaster Dumbledore noticed that there was a darkness about you. I didn’t sense it, but he did. What really happened, child?”

“Harry and I got into a heated argument in the carriage about Ron and me breaking up. He wanted me to give it more time but I was ready to call it off. I have been for a long time. We were very animated when we spoke, talking with our hands and that kind of thing, and I’m sure it was an accident, but Harry ended up hitting me quite hard. He wanted to tell you and Headmaster Dumbledore the truth immediately, but I wouldn’t let him. I didn’t want to see Harry labeled as someone that could hit a woman. I was also afraid he’d end up in a lot of trouble if we told the truth.” Hermione hoped this story would work she’d really be in trouble now if it didn’t. “He’s too valuable to the Order to have this hanging over him. Imagine if the Daily Prophet got a hold of the story!”

“Will Harry back this up?” Professor McGonagaskedsked.

“No, ma’am. Not unless he spoke to me first,” Hermione stated. “We made an agreement to stick the original story no matter what. I would have stuck to it as well, but it would be unseemly for the Head Girl to lose that many house points. I’d have no choice but to immediately step down that. My grades and test scores wouldn’t be enough to overcome a scandal and I want to go on to work for the Miry.&ry.”

“I know you were asked before, but I’d like to make sure you answered truthfully. Has Ron ever hit you before, Hermione? Has he pressured you to do anything you weren’t ready for?” Professor McGonagall asked.

Hermione was able to honestly answer that, “No ma’am. Well, I think he would have liked to have had sex, but there wasn’t any pressure above and beyond him whining about it all the time.”

Professor McGonagall hid a smile and silently choked back laughter. It was the exact kind of deception Hermione had shown when she found some of the comments by the 1st year students unbearably funny. Minerva hoped that perhaps some day she would choose to return to Hogwarts as a teacher and she’d be able to share how funny and innocent she remembered Hermione to be at age 17. She swallowed her laughter because she wasn’t through with her questioning. “I have one more question, Miss Granger? Would that version of what happened with Harry in the carriage stand up to a dose of Veritaserum?”

Hermione decided to take the risk. She looked Professor McGonagall straight in the eye and stated, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Professor McGonagall asked Poppy to come back in. And Hermione did her best to hide her fear. She didn’t know if she had been believed, or if Madame Pomfrey was returning to prepare a potion. “You can get back to healing this young lady, I believe we’ve gotten to the bottom of the situation. Mr. Weasley ‘s punishment stands, but there will not be any house points removed.” Hermione relaxed. Her bluff wasn’t being called.

Madame Pomfrey began the healing spells anrmiormione’s swelling went away. “Hermione, if you come in again with evidence of abuse and refuse to tell us what happened, we are going to require you to take Veritaserum or be suspended, do you understand?”

Hermione nodded but added, “I thought I had the right to refuse.”

“That right has not been removed, Hermione. The consequences of your refusal have just been adjusted to suit the seriousness of your situation. If we feel you have been abused and you are uncooperative in our investigation, you have now officially been informed of what will happen. It’s for your own good.” Professor McGonagall informed Hermione.

“Do you feel up to attending classes today, Miss Granger?” Madame Pomfrey asked.

Hermione nodded, “Yes, I went to bed early last night and I feel perfectly fine now.”

Madame Pomfrey gave her a quick look with her trained eye and decided she was fit for class. “Alright, Miss Granger, you are cleared to attend your classes today. Please do your best to stay healthy!”

Hermione thanked them both and left the hospital area. Since it was just before 10:00, Ginny was still in the waiting room. Ginny greeted Hermione with a hug, and they walked together to their next classes.
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