DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters, places, and things mentioned in this story are the property of J.K. Rowling.

CHAPTER SIX SUMMARY: Everything has gone wrong. Ron is no longer speaking to Hermione, Ginny is distant, and it seems the only one who cares about her is Draco. And just when she thought it couldn't get much worse, it does.

WARNINGS: Rated T (13+) for strong violence and mild language. THIS STORY CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OTHER INFO: Okay this is my first fanfiction. Please read and review. I welcome critiquing comments also. If you have any favorite parts or least favorite parts, let me know... Thank you :)

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Chapter Six : Consequences
"Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices."
Albert A. Montapert

Amycus Carrow sat arrogantly in his office, stroking the surface of his desk with a short, crooked finger. His eyes were focused on the lines his nails traced in the wood, and he grinned evilly as he realized it was only a matter of time before he claimed what was rightfully his - the seat at the right hand of the Dark Lord. He did not doubt that he would enjoy every second of Draco Malfoy's suffering and would love to watch Lucius pay for his son's mistake. The scheme was to take place on Halloween, directly following the feast in the Great Hall. The two lovers would make their way to their so-called secret hiding spot, but Carrow already knew about their hideaway tucked in the depths of the Grounds, hidden in groves of trees. He had followed them there almost every day to prepare for the Dark Lord's plan, and soon he would be able to execute it. The plot was wicked to say the least. Perhaps some of it was unnecessary, and maybe there was an easier way to accomplish their task. But this approach would sink the knife deepest in the Draco Malfoy's heart, and he would know he had been punished.

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Ron was sitting on his bed, dangling his feet over the edge of the mattress and watching his feet with unfocused eyes. His limbs were heavy, and his heart was like lead, broken but still beating. After what had happened last night, getting out of bed was the least of his worries, but it was still a chore. Ron had never felt this terrible before, and it seemed like everything was harder to do with a broken heart, like the fragments stuck you every time you tried to do something worthwhile.

Neville passed by his four-poster, on his way back from breakfast, which Ron had decided to skip this rainy morning. He turned to look at him and shook his head.

"Are you alirght, Ron? You look terrible."

"Yeah, yeah, Neville," Ron mumbled sleepily as he slid from beneath the sheets.

His fingers fumbled for the latches on his truck and unclipped them, lifting the lid of the ancient box. From inside, he pulled his robes, gathering them in his arms. They felt heavier than usual, but then again, what didn't feel heavy today? He stepped into them, not even checking to make sure that his appropriate badges were pinned on. He only had two - one for Gryffindor and one for being a prefect - but they were usually firmly attached. Why would he bother checking something that he knew was secure? Oh, that's right. Because she might snog Draco Malfoy behind his back.

Neville, being the generous lad that he was, stood at the door and patiently waited for Ron to get dressed. He watched Ron struggle with everything. He knew something was wrong, but he didn't want to be nosy and ask about it. So he observed silently Ron's unusual mood. He had finally pulled on his robes and, without even checking his appearance in the mirror, Ron was going down the spiral staircase into the common room. Neville listened as he stomped unnaturally loud on the steps. Ron thought that if Hermione were downstairs, she would hear him coming and prepare herself.

Upon stepping off the staircase, Ron looked curiously around, searching for her backstabbing face, but to his relief she was nowhere to be found. She was probably meeting that stupid Death Eater somewhere and walking to class with him for a change. The image of them snuggling in the Room of Requirement played and replayed itself in his head, and every time it did, Ron vanished deeper beneath the water, feeling almost invisible.

Ron was perplexed by the entire situation. When had this happened, and why hadn't he noticed it before? Why would Hermione fall for a Death Eater and not her best friend? Did she honestly believe Malfoy's weak attempts at affection? And the more Ron thought about it, the more questions that arose and the more confused he became. He was stuck in the middle of something that he didn't understand, and throughout all of it, the only one hurt was the only one who didn't know.