A/N: Quick update, as promised. Sadness though. I'm sorry for getting angsty on you, but it had to be done.

"Could you repeat that please?" Fred said, trying on a laugh. He always did have no idea of timing when it came to humour.

"No," Hermione whispered back.

"Why are we breaking up if you love me?" Fred asked confusedly. He was a boy, so he knew he missed stuff sometimes, but this was like reading a mystery book backwards. Freaking confusing, man!

"You need to go be you," Hermione said, a sob in her voice. "You're staying with me, was because you were the only one that knew about the Violet issue. Now, Harry knows, so I'm beating you to the punch!"

"Beating me to the punch?" Fred asked, mystified.

"You need to hang out with George and be the funny men, and make everyone laugh, and be a stud, and have a contest with George about how many girls you can get and whatever else it is you did before I came along. I know that you stay with me out of some desire to be chivalrous, and take care of me, but I don't need it," Hermione insisted. "Just go be what you were before we were us."

"Nothing," Fred said desperately. "I was nothing before you came along, Hermione. Do you not understand that?"

"No!" She shouted. "I don't understand that! You need to have a life, you need to be somebody. You can't do that with me! I'm sorry."

"Is that what you want?" Fred asked.

Hermione thought about shouting NO! Of course that's not what I want. Stay, you ginger idiot! But she didn't. He had to have a life, and she was somehow going to defeat Voldemort so he could have a normal life.

She kept silent, and saw him go from upset to angry. Good. That would be better for them. Easier to get over each other when you hated each other, right? "Fine," He snapped, storming out.

The massive door to the Hospital Wing slammed with a final bang, and Hermione relaxed her tense muscles. She had no idea where Madam Pomfrey was, but she knew she wasn't staying here anymore.

Grabbing her shoes, she made her way back to the Gryffindor common room, awkwardly, meeting Fred going back the exact same way.

"You should still be in the Hospital Wing," he said gruffly.

"I'm fine," she said coolly.

They reached the portrait, and both died a little inside. The Fat Lady was gone. "Shit," Hermione said. "What time is it?"

"Ten p.m." Fred said shortly.

"Bloody hell," Hermione sighed. "She's gone for the rest of the night, I bet you."

"Super." Fred said sarcastically.

"Well, I'm not sitting around doing nothing," Hermione said firmly. "I'm going to find some blankets or something." Then her stomach rumbled. "Actually, I think I'm going to find some food."

Fred smirked. "Come on then," He offered, prepared to take her down to the kitchens.

"I think I might just wait and see if she comes back," Hermione said sulkily, averting his eyes.

"You know what?" Fred asked, his voice rising. "I'm as upset about this as you are, but don't go turning this on me! You broke up with me, so I've lost total control of this situation. You have all the power, do with it what you will."

And so, Fred began to storm off down the corridor. Hermione laid her head back against the wall, and groaned. "I hate my life."

Fred returned ten minutes later, with a tea towel full of scones with jam and cream. It was apricot jam, Hermione's favourite. He handed her one wordlessly, and she smiled her thanks, licking cream off her fingers.

As he spread their little picnic between them, Hermione spoke softly. "I'd like it if we could be friends."

"So would I," Fred said quietly. "But … not now. Not yet." He didn't think he could live with this girl in such close proximity to him without her being his girlfriend. He just couldn't handle that yet. He took one more scone from the tea towel, stood slowly, and looked down at her with dark eyes. "I think I'm going to go for a walk."

And with that, he began to walk down the corridor. "Fred," Hermione said, almost desperately. "It's dark. I know you don't want to be friends but could you at least stay?"

"Sorry." That one word broke Hermione's heart. So as she was left alone in the dark, with seven scones lying next to her and she wanted her friends. But unfortunately, they were in the common room. So, she'd settle with a trip to the library.

Pushing the door open silently, she crept into the library, and caught sight of a light over a desk at the back. Tip toeing forwards, she saw a mane of shaggy red hair. "Ugh," the boy groaned.

As Hermione inched closer, she saw he had ink all over his fingers and face, and that it was Ron, struggling with Potions homework once again.

"Ron," Hermione whispered, sending the boy flying out of his chair.

"Oh," he said, relieved, and then his voice soured. "It's only you. What do you want?"

"To help you," Hermione tried.

Ron said gruffly. "I don't need any."

"Okay," Hermione said softly, starting to walk away.

"Hermione," Ron jumped up. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm … sorry for the Yule Ball thing, and the whole dating my brother thing. I'm happy for you and Fred. Really."

"We broke up." Hermione said the words calmly, and then sank to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

"You what?" Ron said, shocked. He rushed over and led her to a chair. Patting her back, he comforted her. "It's all right, its okay. It doesn't matter. He's a prick anyway."

Hermione let out a huge hiccupping sob/laugh. "Thanks Ron," she said, clutching his hand.

"That's alright," he smiled gently, and returned her squeeze of his hand.

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