Between the Two

Only seconds after Ginny sat down at for dinner next to some first year Gryfindors whose names she couldn't remember, Hermione wiggled herself onto the bench right next to Ginny. "Hi," said Hermione in a cheery voice that sounded a little forced.

"Hi," Ginny responded without looking up from her plate. This was the first time Hermione had spoken to her in over a week, and although she was pleased that Hermione had decided punishing her for breaking up with Harry wasn't necessary, Ginny wanted Hermione to feel what she had put her through.

Taken aback by Ginny's foul mood, Hermione took a second to consider the proper course of action before clearing her throat. "I noticed that you didn't come back to the dormitory last night." She paused again. "Is everything alright?" Ginny gave small snort as she silently considered telling Hermione that she'd mysteriously woken up in the room of requirement after losing consciousness while running hysterically through the castle corridors.

"I don't know why you suddenly care about my well-being, but yeah, I'm fine," Ginny said darkly.

"I have always cared about you, Ginny. I know the last few days have been rough with the whole Harry situation, but you know I'm here for you."

"Oh, really?" said Ginny in a voice brimming with sarcasm. "You put on your whole girl power show, pretending to stand up for me when I get into petty fights with Ron, but when something real happens, and I actually need someone on my side, you're right there backing the boys." Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Ginny continued before she could say anything. "Just because I broke up with Harry, doesn't make him the victim. It hurt me too, but I can't help how I feel! I broke up with Harry because it was the best thing for both of us. You're supposed to be the smartest girl in school; I thought you'd understand that, but you're just as blind as Ron."

Everyone around Ginny and Hermione had gone silent and when she finished her rant, they all looked away and frantically tried to start conversations with their neighbors, as if that would disguise the fact that they had been listening to Ginny's every word. After what seemed like minutes, Hermione straightened her sweater and looked Ginny in the eyes apologetically. "I'm willing to admit that I may have misinterpreted your reasons for ending things with Harry. You see, Harry was just so convinced that you had been involved with someone else that I believed him. I understand now, though. I'm sorry, Ginny. I know that's not enough, but I want you to know that I'll try to explain how you really feel to Harry and Ron." Hermione stood up, leaving her food almost completely untouched, and walked out of the Great Hall.

Alone once again with the nervous first years, Ginny felt a twinge of guilt for being so harsh on Hermione. Her food had lost all appeal, so she took a swig of butterbeer and left the table. She was beginning to feel very tired and the thought of flopping down onto her bed was very tempting, but she couldn't risk running into Hermione so soon after their rather heated conversation. She decided that she would have to wait until at least two hours 'til midnight before returning to her dormitory. There were plenty of quiet places to relax in the library, but they weren't very comfortable for long naps and she could easily be disturbed by some evening book-seeker, or Hermione for that matter. However, there was one place where she knew she wouldn't be disturbed: the Room of Requirement.