Getting Rid of Ron

Chapter 2

"This, is for you, Hermione." Ron said, handing her a small box. Hermione gulped, tears forming in her eyes. She undid the bow on top and opened the small case.

A locket. With the words 'One and Only' inscribed onto the back. Hermione gritted her teeth, forcing the tears back.

One and Only? It was clear now that she wasn't. She looked up at Ron who had a sheepish smile on his face.
"Do you like it?" He asked.

Hermione pursed her lips, formulating an answer in her mind. She stood up slowly, clenching and unclenching her fists and walked away from, a motionless and speechless Ron.

Hermione waited until she was out in the corridor before she let her emotions take over. Tears fell down her cheeks once more.

It was harder than she'd imagined, dealing with Ron. Did Ron seriously think she was stupid? How can he expect to get away with this!

Hermione didn't know where she was going, she just knew she wanted to get as far away from the Gryffindor common room as possible.

Maybe she should go to the library...but no, that would be the first place that Ron would look for her.

She knew where to go.

---
Draco Malfoy often enjoyed going up to the Owlery during his spare time. He felt relaxed listening to the soft flutter of owl wings against the stone.

He sat down, Dark Arts textbook in hand, flicking through the pages. As much as he enjoyed people seeing him as the "Slytherin King" he didn't always enjoy all the attention.

The Owlery was quiet, if not for the sound of running footsteps coming up the stone stairs. Draco snapped the book shut and hid behind one of the stone pillars.

He didn't know why his first instinct was to hide, but there was no going back now. Making sure that he couldn't be seen by whoever had just  arrived, he peered around the corner.

Hermione was siting on the last stone step, her head buried in her hands. Her shoulders were bouncing up and down; she was either crying or laughing.

Draco, using his common sense, assumed she was crying and observed her for any hints as to why. She held in her hands a long silver chain with a heart attached to it.

Had something happened with Ron? Draco watched as she stood up and flung the chain off the side of the building.

Something had happened with Ron.
Maybe he should help her...but no, his face was probably the last one Hermione would want to see right now.

Draco edged backwards, hoping to sneak out through the back entrance. Obviously, he didn't see the odd metal frame holding various bowls of owl food.

Metal bowls crashed to the floor, clanging and spilling their contents onto the ground. He cursed under his breath.

Hermione stood up abruptly and swivelled around.

"Who's there?" She asked quietly.