Strange Relationships

Chapter 4

~ The Note ~

Hermione awoke early as usual the next morning. The rest of the girls in her room were still snoring peacefully, and she went downstairs to an empty Common Room. Hmmm, what to do. She had completed all her homework, and usually this would have meant going to the library, but she was actually trying to avoid anywhere she might meet Pansy Parkinson. She was sure that her relationship with Draco was not going to be too smooth anymore, and didn't feel like being the subject of her wrath. She curled her knees up to her chest, and started into the grate, where the flames had been merrily dancing the previous night. She thought of her conversation with Ron, and at the thought of him, she realised that she would definitely need to clear things up with him today. When they were friends an argument such as that would have been left to stew for a few days, but as a couple they soon realised that they couldn't just leave their fights for Harry to sort out. Besides, Harry had enough to deal with.

Her thoughts of what she was going to say were interrupted by an owl hovering outside the window, pecking at it. Hermione stared at it strangely. It was a large grey owl, one that seemed remotely familiar, but not instantly recognisable. She opened the window, expecting it to fly upstairs to the dormitories, but instead it dropped a piece of parchment on her lap and went and landed on the back of a chair, as if waiting for an answer to take back. She looked at it oddly, and then unfolded the piece of parchment. The neat handwriting she definitely didn't recognise.

Thanks for letting me know.

She turned the parchment over, but there was nothing written on the other side. She was confused by these words. Who is it from? What did I do? She noticed the owl was still sitting there, yet now it had a quill and some ink in its beak. She took them and wrote on the back of the strange letter.

No problem. Mind letting me know what I did? And perhaps, who you are?

The owl grabbed it as soon as she put the quill down, almost scratching her hand as it did so. She watched it, now utterly confused, as it soared out of the open window.

Hermione sat in her armchair by the fire, waiting for an answer. She didn't know why, but the thought of hearing from this mystery person was quite exciting. She had thought of so many people it could have been from, but none of them seemed likely. She had, of course, thought of Malfoy, but laughed at the thought of him saying thanks. Especially to her. So she sat there, simply waiting, when Ron joined her.

"Morning." He yawned and sat down in his usual chair, apparently not worried by the previous night's events.

"Morning. Listen, I just wanted to clear up what happened last night."

He stared at her blankly. "Sorry?"

She rolled her eyes. "You know, what we were talking about? Cheating on your partner?" Anger was once again boiling inside of her.

"Oh, that." His eyes instantly hit the floor, where they stayed.

"Yes that. Well...Ron, I'm going to ask you this, and I want you to answer honestly. Have you ever cheated on me?"

He looked up. "No."

"Have you ever thought of cheating on me?"

"No."

"Why am I getting the impression that you don't really care?" She crossed her arms.

"Because maybe I don't want to care Hermione. Maybe when I'm with you I just want to have fun, instead of having to analyse every detail of our relationship. Can't you bloody understand this?" He was on his feet, shaking with anger.

"Maybe I was just trying to have a serious relationship, one that was comprised of more than simply snogging! Maybe I was trying to act my age for once." She too, was on her feet.

"Don't you think we have bigger things to worry about? Maybe sometimes I don't want to act my age. Maybe sometimes I want to forget what's happening out there, what terrible crimes are being committed, and just enjoy life while I have it."

Hermione shook her head disbelievingly. "What, so you think you can just escape from the world, try and ignore everything that's happening?"

"Maybe."

"Well then maybe this isn't supposed to be." Tears streaming down her face, she ran from the Common Room. She ran down the empty corridors, her footsteps echoing along the passageways, magnifying her sobs. She ran down the stairs, just trying to get as far away as possible from the Common Room. Then, without warning, she ran smack bang into something, falling to the ground.

"Watch where you're bloody going." It was a someone, rather.

She looked up. "Oh great, just great. Have to be you I run in to." She dragged herself to her feet, wiping her eyes.

He smirked. "What happened? Have a fight with ickle Ronnykins?" He crossed his arms, looking down at her.

"As a matter of fact, yes. What are you doing here anyway? Gone off to find Pansy?"

He scowled. "No, we broke up."

"So did Ron and I."

"Well I guess we've both had a good start to the day." And for once, there was no sarcasm in his voice. He sounded genuinely happy.

"Oh yeah, great to break up with your boyfriend. I really enjoy doing that." She sniffed.

"Me too. Blaise was a real drag."

Hermione laughed slightly. He could be mildly amusing if he tried.

"Well, you can't pretend you're not mildly happy."

"Can't I?"

"Come off it. You have never been happy with Ron. You constantly bicker, and then you run off and complain to Harry about him. Best thing you two have ever done."

Hermione had a puzzled expression on her blotchy face once more. "How do you know that?"

He smirked, and turned away. "Bye." And with that, he was gone, leaving Hermione speechless.