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"What do you mean, 'we're separating,'?!"

"Hermione, I told you that I just need to be by myself for a while. That's all."

"You mean you want to break up with me. Is that it?"

"Well, that technically is what I'm trying to say, yes."

"You make me sick Ronald Weasley. After all that's happened... after all we've done... you're just going to..."

"Listen, Hermione, it's not like that. It's just..."

"It's just what, Ron? I gave myself to you! Doesn't that mean anything? You were to be my first and only. And now you're going to just dump for... for that whore!"

"There it nothing between me and Luna, OK! There never was! She's just a good friend of mine!"

"Oh, is that why I caught you two going for a midnight swim together in the lake, huh? Just a friendly dip between pals. And-and now that I confront you about it, you're just going to call it quits?! What kind of sick, despicable person are you?"

"I told you! It was nothing! You were going to spend the evening studying and I asked if I could hang out with some friends. You said it was alright!"

"Since when did cheating become 'Hanging out with friends'? I expected you to go flying with Harry or something, but when I looked out of my window... there you were wading in your skivvies with that nutter! I can forgive and forget... but why do you all of a sudden see it fit to take off? Do you really prefer her to me?"

"Look... we both knew that it would have never worked out. We're just too different. I can't take the arguing any longer. I never get to see Harry or Seamus anymore. You're just...getting in the way. I'm sorry."

"You're sorry...is that all you can say? I give my life and love to a man that's promised to marry me as soon as we get out of Hogwart's and he has the nerve to stand here and take it all back? Woops! You didn't actually mean any of it. You just wanted someone willing to have sex and it didn't matter what was said, just so long as I was convinced you loved me. 'Never mind,' isn't going to relieve me of all the pain you've put me through, Ron. You are the most dreadful excuse for a wizard and a human being that I have ever seen. You know what? Fine. If you don't want to see me anymore, than that's just great with me. I never want to look upon you're face again. I thought you were different... you're just like every other guy. You inconceivable bastard...go to hell!"

And with that, Hermione slapped Ron clean across the face and stormed out of the Gryffindor common room--Ron sulking with shame.

The next morning, Hermione could see Ron sitting at the other end of the Gryffindor table. He was with Luna. Hermione had never felt such anger and hatred for someone before. She wanted to point her wand straight at his crotch and blow off that which had caused her so much pain. 'Men!' She thought. 'If for once they would think with something besides their penis, then maybe the world wouldn't be as screwed up as it is. Who knows, maybe we wouldn't even be at war. Never the less... it's all their fault. Fucking testosterone...' She ripped a bite out of her English muffin, slammed her books into a stack, and stomped out of the dining hall--making sure that everyone knew she was upset.

"What's up with Hermione," questioned Harry.

"Didn't you hear," replied Neville, "she and Ron broke up last night. The whole tower must have heard them bickering in the common room. I'm surprised you didn't notice."

Little did Neville know, but Harry wasn't even in the Gryffindor tower last night. He has snuck down to the prefects' bathroom for a little leisurely reading and fondling with this months issue of Witch Watcher. Harry had no idea he had missed something so important.

"Do you think I should talk to her?" Harry suggested.

"No, I think female emotions should be dealt with by other females." spoke Neville. "But you're right, somebody's got to go talk to her."

Harry glanced around for a bit stopped short on a pile of red hair. "Hey Ginny!"

"What?"

"You want to do me a favor? "

"Well, that depends. Does it involve you, me, and an empty class room?"

"It involves you...sort of."

"So let's have it then."

"I need you to talk to Hermione and see if she's alright. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure Harry. I'd do anything to you."

"Huh?"

"I said, 'I'd do anything for you'."

"Oh, well alright then. I think she went to the library."

"Don't rush me... I'll get to her eventually. But first, you want to come with me to the Great Hall? There's a lovely place under the stairs where no one will bother us."

"Uh, You'd better get to Hermione before she destroys something. Maybe some other time, OK?"

Ginny leaned into Harry and softly whispered, "I look forward to it." She then slowly erected herself and threw out her chest before striding out of the dining hall.

Neville interrupted. "Hey Harry...c-can I borrow one of your magazines..."

In the library, Hermione was busying herself with the catalogue. She wasn't particularly looking for anything. Just something that would take her mind off of Ron. A book caught her eye and she followed the shelves until she came across "Egyptian Catacombs and Their Ancient Hexes" by Magenta Lochrin. Hermione had barely sat down with it when Ginny creped into the room.

"Hey Hermione. I heard that you had a bad night. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, it's alright Ginny. I'm fine. Thanks for asking though."

"Sure," said Ginny. Can't say I didn't try. She slowly started for the door when a bit of compassion hit her. She turned back toward Hermione. "Listen... I know that my brother can be a major git at times, but that's no reason to let him ride to you like this." Ginny pulled up a chair next to Hermione's.

"I know...I know. It's just; I really thought that I had something going with him. I thought that he loved me for who I am. Your brother was the only guy that had ever took an interest in me and I worshiped him for it. I gave him whatever he wanted because I believed he loved me. I was his unwavering sex slave because I didn't want to be alone again. He used me..." Tears were now starting to drip from Hermione's eyes. "...And...and I'm just having difficulty coming to terms with it." She pulled a handkerchief from her book-bag and started dabbing her cheeks. She sniffed with a jerk and straightened herself in the chair. "I'm sorry Ginny, I didn't mean to go off like that."

"No...it's alright, Hermione." Ginny was now seeing her in a light she'd never noticed before. Hermione was more than a walking encyclopedia. She was a caring, compassionate human being. Ginny now understood her complex friend more than ever "It'll be OK. You'll see. I'm going to help you through this. Everything is going to be alright." Ginny seized the handkerchief and started to dry Hermione's eyes. Hermione broke down.

"Oh Ginny!" she cried on her friend's shoulder. "How could I have been so naive? So...so...stupid?!"

Ginny placed her hand on Hermione's head and stroked her long waves of hair. "Shh... It'll be OK Hermione. I promise." She breathed, profoundly inhaling her scent. Then Ginny grabbed Hermione's shoulders and held her away as she looked deep into Hermione's shimmering eyes. "Look at me," said Ginny, Hermione sniffed. "There are more important things in life than men."

Hermione gazed back at Ginny. She moved her eyes up and down Ginny's face, focusing first on her gorgeous eyes, then to her flowing strawberry scented hair, and then stopping on her pouty flushed smile. There was a long pause before she responded. "You know...you're right," whispered Hermione as she leaned in and pressed her lips against Ginny's. It was at that moment...the moment that she embraced another woman...when Hermione no longer felt anger towards Ron. She no longer felt anything for Ron. Not love, not sadness, not even sensual attractiveness. She cared nothing for the sibling of the girl she was passionately kissing. For the first time in years, she felt happy.

The two schoolgirls parted after a few eternal seconds and faced the awkward silence. "Erum," grunted Hermione. "Listen, I'm sorry about...well...what just happened. I don't know what came over me. It seemed like the right thing to do. I... um... oh shit I'm such a git. It won't happen again. Can you forgive me?"

"Forgive you for what?" Ginny shrugged awkwardly and stood up. "Look...I have to get back to the dinning hall and see to Harry. If you need anything, you know where to find me. I hope you feel better. Um... I'll see you around, OK?" She moved her flowing red hair away from her eyes and quickly turned for the door.

Hermione remained seated and watched Ginny exit the library. She picked up her book. Now you've gone and done it. What's wrong with you Hermione?! How could you have kissed your best friend? You are fucking insane, aren't you! She squeezed the book in her hands and, with a jerk, threw it into a nearby statue. Hermione cried out and began to violently sob into her arms. She now had never felt more alone.