Chapter 10
It had been nine hours since she had watched Ron dying. Nine hours since she'd gone from the excitement of getting Slughorn's memory…to the unexpected joy at seeing Harry…to the amusement of hearing Ron dreamily ruminate on the ethereal beauty of Romilda Vane…to terror and panic as she watched him dying.
Excitement, joy, terror, panic…her five plus years at Hogwarts had been encapsulated in the span of five minutes. Her excitement and happiness, no matter how monumental or meaningful, always seemed to be quickly snuffed out by something equally as awful…something truly and horrifically awful…happening. She wondered if the cycle would ever end.
As she sat next to Ron's bedside the voices wafting around her were drowned out…her mind stubbornly focused only on the most disappointing of emotions. Panic.
She and Slughorn had panicked. She wished there were a more benign or less severe way to describe it but to do so would have been a lie. She had panicked…and because she had panicked she was going to watch Ron die.
Until he didn't die…because Harry hadn't panicked…he had kept his head and saved him. Her mental tally of things more important than books and cleverness was now up to three: Friendship…and bravery…and not panicking.
She was roused out of her thoughts by Ginny. "What do think, Hermione?"
She looked up to see Ginny, Harry and the Weasley twins anxiously waiting on her thoughts. Hermione had no idea how long she had not been listening and realized there was no need to pretend. "I'm sorry…I was lost in my thoughts. What do I think about what?"
Ginny gave her a sad smile and Hermione knew she understood. They'd taken turns doing it throughout the day…losing themselves in the most horrific 'what ifs' that could have happened.
"Whether Slughorn could have been trying to poison Ron," Ginny supplied.
Hermione considered it before quickly dismissing it in her mind. Too many random things had happened to make such an idea seem feasible…and she agreed with Mr. Dagworth that her professor was a good man. The fact that he had given her the memory confirmed it in her mind.
"No, I don't think so," she replied before turning back to look at Ron as he slept.
"Someone could have used polyjuice," Fred offered.
"Or he may have been under the Imperius," George interjected.
"I was with him all morning and I never saw him drink anything," she answered, suddenly remembering that she hadn't shared her success with Harry.
She glanced pointedly at him before continuing. "And he shared specific things, memories, only he would know." She watched Harry's eyes widen at her words.
She nodded in acknowledgement at his questioning glance…his tired smile restoring a bit of her energy and hope. At least one good thing had come out of the day.
"I can't think of any reason he would want to hurt Ron and he's been alone several times with Harry this year. It wouldn't make sense to try something with all three of us-"
Her speculation was interrupted by Ron suddenly and dreamily murmuring her name in his sleep, drawing chuckles from his siblings. She supposed they found it comforting to hear his voice again…an acknowledgement that he was truly alive and well. She, however, did not take any comfort from hearing him saying her name. It felt too intimate…unnatural…to be coming from his mouth. She refused to look at Harry to see his reaction…unsure whether she could manage it if he had found it amusing.
The conversation turned toward other potential culprits…including Harry's adamant declaration that Draco may be the one to blame. As she continued to listen her stomach clenched. If the botched attempts that injured Katie and Ron were meant for Dumbledore than they were amateurish and sloppy…the acts of someone desperate and ill equipped for such a task. Someone like Draco.
Her reverie was interrupted as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley bounded into the room, quickly enveloping her and Harry in hugs and handshakes, thanking them effusively for saving Ron's life. She felt like such a fraud.
"I didn't…it was Harry-"
Her protestations were ignored as Mrs. Weasley pulled her closer. "If it hadn't been Harry I'm sure it would have been you, dear," she murmured softly. "I'm just relieved you are all safe," she consoled as she gave her a gentle squeeze.
Her mind drifted to her own mother and she wondered what she was doing at that moment…probably watching a bit of telly or reading before bed. She unconsciously buried her face into the matron's shoulder and felt her begin softly smoothing her hair.
It dawned on her that Mrs. Weasley had nearly lost two of her children and her husband in the span of four years. But despite all that Mrs. Weasley wasn't crying…she was the one doing the comforting and consoling. She was so strong…so brave.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled without thinking.
"Shhh," Mrs. Weasley murmured softly as she continued to smooth her hair. "I know, dear."
All too soon Mrs. Weasley moved her affections back toward the rest of the group. Hermione watched as Harry once again uncomfortably accepted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's praise and a decision was made. She needed to tell him as soon as possible…consequences be damned. There would be no more delaying, no more denying and most definitely no more panicking.
The walk back to Gryffindor that night was unnaturally quiet. She was so tired…so worn out…from this place. She was positive Ginny and Harry felt exactly the same way.
As she prepared to supply the password the door inexplicably swung open of its own accord. Professor McGonagall was on the other side…looking as tired as Hermione felt.
"I have informed everyone that there was an attack and that Mr. Weasley is in the hospital wing but have not provided any details," she said, weariness evident in her voice. "They have also been informed not to pester you three with questions."
"I know it will be difficult but try to get some sleep tonight," the professor encouraged before leaving.
As they separated from Ginny she handed the memory vial to Harry. "We can talk tomorrow," she said quietly, "I just want to go to bed."
He nodded in acknowledgement. "Yeah…we'll talk tomorrow…and thank you," he muttered distractedly as he headed for his own room, ignoring the curious stares of everyone as he passed.
She had barely made two steps into her room before she was stopped by a forceful tug on her arm. It was Lavender. They hadn't told Lavender about Ron. She had to hear about it from McGonagall with everyone else. Shit.
"I'm sorr-"
"McGonagall said Ron was going to be okay. Was she telling the truth?" Lavender asked desperately.
"Yes," she replied quickly. Hermione felt a bit better at Lavender's look of relief.
"What happened?" Lavender demanded.
She thought about McGonagall's instruction and how Lavender had ignored it entirely. She would have done exactly the same.
"I'm really sorry we didn't think to tell you earlier. Everything happened so fast and-"
"What. Happened." Lavender repeated more forcefully.
Straight to the point, Hermione could respect that. Best to get on with it.
"Ron was poisoned…we don't think he was the intended target."
"Stop skipping over the details and tell me what happened!" Lavender practically screamed.
"Someone gave Harry some sweets for Christmas that were laced with a love potion," she began, doing her best to remain calm. "Ron ate some by mistake this morning and Harry took Ron to Slughorn for an antidote straightaway. Slughorn's cure worked but Ron was upset afterward. Slughorn gave Ron some mead to settle him but it had been poisoned. We don't-"
"Who?" Lavender interrupted forcefully.
"We aren't sure. Obviously we know that Slughorn wasn't trying to poison Ron. The mead Ron drank was meant to be a gift for Dumbledore so the question is-"
Lavender shook her head angrily and interrupted again. "No, who was the slag who gave Ron a love potion?"
The unbridled fury in Lavender's eyes was a bit unsettling. Is that what it looked like when she got angry? She had already planned to have words with Romilda in the morning but it was becoming clear that may not be necessary. She doubted there would be much left to say after Lavender was done with her.
"Romilda. Romilda Vane," she replied.
She watched as Lavender's anger seemed to rise even further before she eventually, after several minutes, calmed down and gathered her thoughts, becoming much more pensive.
"Why didn't you want me to have a mirror?" Lavender asked inexplicably.
"I'm not sure what you are asking…" Hermione managed, thrown off by the sudden change in topic.
"I understood why you wouldn't want mine to be connected to you and Harry but why couldn't Ron and I have connected mirrors? I mean…I helped you," Lavender pleaded.
"I don't…I never said you we couldn't do that, Lavender," she replied, still trying to get her bearings.
Lavender took a seat on her bed and stared at her hands. Eventually she began speaking once again. "Ron said he asked you about connecting our mirrors and you said no…that it wouldn't be safe. Are you saying he never brought it up?"
It all became clear now…why Lavender had stopped speaking to her. Ron wanted to distance himself or at least was scared of taking the next step and was using her as an excuse. She took a seat on the bed next to Lavender.
"I'm sorry. He never asked me about that. Is that why you've been avoiding me?" she asked kindly. This odd role reversal regarding Ron seemed like the most logical end to her bizarre day. She put an arm around Lavender consolingly and was grateful when the girl didn't resist.
"Do you fancy Ron?" Lavender asked without hesitation.
"No," Hermione replied. "I thought maybe he and I could be something one day…but no."
"It's Harry isn't it?" Lavender asked.
"I don't-" Hermione began with her normal denial before catching herself. She was through with denying facts.
"Yes," she corrected, releasing a breath. "It's Harry. It's always been Harry."
"That's what I thought," Lavender consoled. "I guess I just wanted to believe Ron's story that you were jealous because than it wouldn't mean…" she shared before drifting off.
"I'm sorry," Hermione repeated, not knowing what else to say.
"It's all right," Lavender said as she gathered herself and stood. "Is he conscious?"
Hermione had to take a moment to consider the question…thrown off once again by the sudden change in topic.
"He's asleep right now and he'll have to stay in the hospital wing for the next week but Pomfrey said he should be awake and alert by tomorrow morning."
"Good," Lavender replied determinedly. "I think it's time he and I had a long chat. Don't you?"
Hermione smiled. "Just tell me what time and I'll make sure Harry and I make ourselves scarce. Ron deserves your undivided attention."
Lavender smiled tiredly and stood to leave. "Just so you know…it's obvious to everyone that Harry feels the same way about you. I think you and Ron are the only two who haven't figured that out."
"So Dumbledore reckons you'll be able to love him to death?" Ron asked indignantly the next evening after Harry had shared Slughorn's memory and his subsequent discussion with Dumbledore. "That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Harry chuckled as Hermione remained quiet, reviewing everything Harry had shared: Voldemort's Horcruxes, four of which still needed to be found and destroyed…the fact that Voldemort himself had essentially chosen Harry and set the prophecy in motion…Dumbledore's confidence that Harry's ability and willingness to love would be the key to his victory. That Dumbledore openly admitted to leveraging Harry's goodness and humanity to seemingly manipulate him…knowing Harry would never give up. It was too much.
She was suddenly so angry. After everything they'd been through…to have so far to go yet no definitive course of action to accomplish their ultimate goal…just a vague promise from Dumbledore that he may have a lead on another Horcrux that Harry could help with.
"You're awfully quiet," Harry prompted as he nudged her arm.
She wanted nothing more than to vent her frustrations and terror at the tasks Harry had in front of him but she knew that wouldn't help. "We'll figure it out," she said as confidently as she could manage, reaching for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Harry shot her a relieved smile and she felt a bit of accomplishment. Despite the seemingly impossible odds in front of them she believed in Harry. That would never change.
"Curfew is in fifteen minutes," Madame Pomfrey chastised as she bustled over to Ron's bedside, "you two need to head back to Gryffindor."
Ron's poisoning and the revelations of Slughorn's memory had temporarily delayed the discussion she wanted to have with Harry and her impatience was growing. As she and Harry quietly made their way back to the Gryffindor common room Hermione's wheels were spinning furiously. She needed to talk to Harry.
She resolved to tell him once they made it back to Gryffindor that night. She could pull him into a corner, cast a privacy spell and confess her feelings. She had planned out exactly what she wanted to say and had been reciting it to herself all day. Dress rehearsals were over…it was showtime.
As they came closer to their destination her confidence started to waver, terrified at the potential rejection she could be facing in a few minutes. She unconsciously fell back on the habit she had honed over the last ten years whenever she became too nervous before a particularly important exam. Distract yourself by mentally reviewing and re-reviewing all the relevant points to be covered…remember to remain calm…focus on the task at hand and disregard the potential for-
Her planning was interrupted as Harry tugged on her elbow, leading her into an empty classroom and quickly casting Muffliatobefore turning back to look at her. He looked nervous.
"I need to tell you something," he began abruptly as he took a seat. "Something I've wanted to say for awhile."
Her first instinct was to remind him that curfew was in a few minutes but she quickly realized how stupid it was to worry about such things. Whatever Harry needed to share was infinitely more important than something so trivial. She took a seat and reached for his hand, reveling in the simple contact.
Harry refused to look her in the eyes, instead choosing to stare at the desk in front of him.
"I don't fancy Ginny anymore," he blurted, "after spending time with you the last few months I'm not sure if I ever did. Well I did, but it wasn't what I thought it was."
Before she could reply Harry trudged on, determined to get through whatever he needed to say.
"Did I ever tell you that Ron and I actually caught her and Dean snogging in a broom closet last fall?" he asked. She shook her head no and waited for him to continue.
"I remember being so angry...like Dean was playing with one of my toys or something. But I got over it and moved on. I didn't like seeing them together but I could handle it. Now I see them together and feel…nothing."
She realized how similar her reaction had been at seeing Ron and Lavender together…like a child throwing a tantrum because her square block wouldn't fit into the round hole no matter how much she thought it should.
"Do you remember how Ron described the dementors on the train in third year?" Harry continued.
"Like he'd never be cheerful again," she answered.
Harry nodded sadly and continued. "When Ron said your name while he was sleeping last night…that's what it felt like. I pictured you and him kissing like I'd seen Ginny and Dean and I felt like I'd never be cheerful again."
This was really happening. Lavender was right. Harry felt the same way and it was happening.
"I felt like such an idiot when I was talking to Dumbledore today," he ploughed on. "He was telling me all these important things…things I've been waiting years to learn…and I just kept thinking about missing my chance with you…and it felt just as important as what he was saying."
"Harry," she mumbled softly, suddenly and inexplicably at a loss for words.
"It's all right if you don't feel the same way," he quickly forged on, apparently interpreting her muted response as a polite rejection. "I just needed to say it. I wanted you to-"
Harry never got the chance to finish his thought because Hermione had leaped across the desk and into his lap, kissing him furiously.
There were several thoughts that flashed through Hermione's mind over the next hour (lifetime?): That she might have injured Harry with how forcefully she had begun kissing him…how the table digging into her back would most likely result in a bruise tomorrow…how many infernal layers of clothing they were wearing…how loud her and Harry's breathing through their noses sounded as the minutes passed and they refused to disentangle themselves from each other. All of those thoughts were fleeting and overridden by the important part…the enormously important part. She was kissing Harry and he was kissing her back.
She never wanted to stop. She understood totally and completely why her mother decided to skive off that dental conference. Nothing else mattered and she never wanted to leave this room. Or Harry's lap. Ever.
They'd sped up and slowed down at certain points throughout the hour/lifetime they'd spent in that empty classroom but they hadn't stopped. She refused to stop….because when they stopped she knew she would need to start thinking again…and feeling Harry instead of having to worry about him felt so good.
"Hermione," Harry eventually managed as he forcibly pulled back, gasping for breath, chest heaving.
He looked a mess. His hair was now pointing in all directions, his robe was gone and his shirt was half off. His tie was barely hanging on for dear life and his glasses were nowhere to be found. He looked slightly dazed and very pleased with himself.
As he squinted to see her she reached for her wand and muttered Accio, her desire to find Harry's glasses matched only by her need to continue being in Harry's lap. She felt a surge of triumph as the glasses slapped into her hand. She'd accomplished her task without having to leave his lap. She loved magic.
The glasses were horribly bent…an innocent victim caught in the scrum of their glorious hour/lifetime…not to mention the damage caused by the most forceful and urgent Accio that she had ever cast. She quickly cast Occulus Reparo, mending the glasses for what seemed like the millionth time in their last six years together. Always in the past she had dutifully handed the glasses over to Harry once they were repaired but this time would be different. She'd wanted to do this next bit for years.
She gently placed them back on Harry's face herself and caught a breath as she watched his eyes focus on her. Those eyes…mere inches away…focusing only on her…that was her new Patronus memory. She wouldn't be surprised if her Patronus was now a pair of green eyes. Was that even possible? Whether anyone had managed a Patronus composed solely of one body part sounded like an interesting research topic but that was something to look into another day. It was time to spend another hour/lifetime kissing Harry.
As she leaned forward Harry repeated her name and leaned back to stop her…frustrating her to no end. "Less talking," she muttered, but Harry stubbornly persisted.
"It's already at least an hour past curfew," Harry spit out. "I don't want you to get it in trouble."
"Do you have your invisibility cloak?" she asked in a whisper as she trailed kisses down his neck. She felt him gulp before slowly nodding his head.
Harry quickly cast Accio and Hermione felt the cloak whisk by her and into his waiting hand. She heard Harry's wand clank to the floor then felt the familiar sensation of the fabric drape over her as she rested her head into the small of Harry's shoulder where she knew it fit perfectly. She closed her eyes and whispered "I love you," into his ear without a second thought. She felt him catch a breath at her words and worried she might have gone too far then felt her own chest hitch as he pulled her closer and quietly replied "me too."
She leaned in but was infuriatingly stopped once again. "Are you sure?" he asked as she hovered inches away from her target.
Was he asking whether she was sure she wanted to break curfew or whether she really meant to say she loved him? Ultimately it didn't matter because her answer to both was the same.
She untucked the last bit of her own shirt that had somehow remained in place and purposely pulled Harry's hands onto her now bare skin. It felt wonderful and terrifying…like they were simultaneously moving too fast yet not nearly fast enough.
There was no further resistance from Harry as she leaned forward once again. She paused when she was inches away from her final destination and whispered her answer.
"No more talking, Harry. It's my night off."
Chapter 11
Hermione and Harry had spent an additional hour/lifetime in her new favorite classroom. She couldn't believe she had planned on confessing her feelings to Harry in the common room with all of those annoying people around. Harry's idea had been much better.
The walk back to Gryffindor that typically would have taken ten minutes was taking three times as long tonight and it was all the cloak's fault. Because they were under the cloak she had to stay close to Harry. And because she was close to Harry she couldn't help but look at his eyes. And because she was close to Harry when she was looking at his eyes she was also close to his mouth. They'd had to stop three times along the way because of that damn cloak. It was a vicious cycle. A wonderful, luminescent, vicious cycle.
As slow as their journey was the fat lady finally came into view and her stomach sank a bit. Once they crossed that threshold the realities they faced, the realities Harry faced…would be back. For one brief, irrational moment she thought about them making a run for it.
Harry slowly pulled the cloak off as they approached the door, causing the fat lady to jump slightly in surprise. After getting over the initial shock of their appearance her eyes widened and a knowing smirk grew on her face. "I see someone's been having fun," she remarked gleefully.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked. She'd made sure they'd gotten everything back in place during their last pit stop.
"Well you've fixed your hair and straightened your clothes but both your necks are looking quite…vibrant. Especially Mr. Potter's"
Hermione let out a squeak of horror and Harry started laughing…loudly.
"Harry!" she protested feebly, "this isn't funny!"
"Come on, it's a bit funny," he grinned. He had such a nice grin.
"We've all been there, dear," the portrait reassured. "I remember one particularly memorable night with the monk on the fourth floor a few years ago. I could have used an easel and a friendly artist the next morning let me tell you…"
Harry raised a questioning eyebrow. "Doesn't that sort of go against the whole reason for being a monk?
The fat lady smiled dreamily. "Well, he is the epitome of the strong, silent type but let's just say his feelings concerning his other vows are a bit more fluid once he brings out the wine…"
They were mercifully saved from hearing the rest of the fat lady's reminisces as Harry pulled her back into a classroom. "You do me first," he advised as he cast Lumos and held the light up to his neck.
Hermione quietly went to work fixing the loving damage she had done to Harry, now thankful for these final few intimate minutes before she had to start sharing him with the world once again. The room was eerily silent save for the sound of her spell casting. Harry idly played with her hair as she worked, a small smile playing out on his face. It made it a bit harder for her to concentrate but she gave no thought to having him stop. She watched the last mark magically fade away and felt a profound sense of disappointment at being finished.
"Your turn," she said reluctantly before casting Lumos herself.
Harry cupped her face with his free hand and quietly muttered "you are so pretty" before setting to work. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, reveling in the moment. Harry's magic felt lovely. This was now her second favorite classroom.
Harry finished his work and they were ready to leave once again. She realized they needed to do some planning.
"We need to decide whether we let everyone else know about us," she began, silently cheering at there now being an us to worry about.
"You want to keep our relationship a secret?" Harry asked, confusion and betrayal evident in his voice.
"No!" she replied forcefully…more forcefully than she'd intended.
Harry looked relieved before becoming more pensive. "Maybe we should though…for your safety."
"No," she once again replied. "I'm your best friend and a muggleborn. I'm already at risk…and any additional risk is worth it. I do think we should tell Ron and Ginny before going public, though."
Harry looked confused once again. "Ron I get, but what's Ginny got to do with it?" The boy was clueless.
"She has feelings for you, Harry," she answered bluntly. Despite the last few hours she was still a bit insecure at what Harry's reaction would be at the news.
Harry chuckled. "You said she gave up on me."
"She gave up on you being interested in her so she relaxed around you and started dating other people. That doesn't mean her feelings went away. Trust me. She is going to be upset."
"If you say so," Harry replied, disbelief evident in his voice. To her immense relief any interest in Ginny appeared to be long forgotten. "You can talk to Ginny and I'll talk to Ron after class tomorrow."
"Okay," she agreed, grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the room. "If all goes well we'll be shocking Hogwarts by breakfast on Tuesday," she continued as they approached the fat lady once again.
"Better?" she asked the portrait, stretching her neck to provide a better view.
"Much," the fat lady said approvingly. "And may I be the first to say you two make a lovely couple."
The next days worth of cl'asses passed by normally and uneventfully for the pair. She was already used to eating meals with and sitting next to Harry in any classes they shared so no radical changes in behavior were evident. She felt a bit annoyed at not getting to hold Harry's hand but she knew that problem would be remedied very soon.
"Well, I'm off. Wish me luck," Harry muttered as he stood to leave. Based on his expression it was clear he was not looking forward to his upcoming conversation with Ron. Hermione honestly wasn't sure how Ron would take it…her guess was probably not well. Regardless of any romantic feelings he may feel toward her she was fairly certain at the very least he would not be happy at now being the odd one out in the trio's dynamic.
She watched as Ginny subtly tracked Harry's exit from across the common room before returning to her schoolwork. Hermione quickly packed her own things and dropped them off in her room, wanting to get their uncomfortable conversation over with.
"Can I have a word, Ginny?" she asked as casually as possible.
"What is it?" Ginny asked, never looking up from her work.
"It's something I need to discuss with you privately," she replied.
Ginny's eyes shot to her in surprise, now suddenly alert. "Has something else happened?" she asked worriedly.
"It's not an emergency," Hermione quickly reassured. They'd all had enough anxiety over the last few days.
She watched as recognition seemed to bloom on Ginny's face and she silently mouthed "Harry?" as Dean remained unaware.
Hermione nodded in confirmation and felt even more uncomfortable. It was clear Ginny thought Harry needed her help and she was ready to spring into action on his behalf.
"I'll be back in a bit," Ginny assured Dean before standing. Hermione gestured toward the portrait hole and moved toward the exit at Ginny's nodding acknowledgment.
They had barely made it out the door before Ginny asked "What's going on?" She was clutching her wand firmly, seemingly prepared for anything.
"It's nothing like that," Hermione assured and Ginny visibly relaxed, "I just wanted to let you know something before everyone else found out…about Harry and me."
Ginny abruptly stopped walking and pinched her eyes closed. It was clear she had sorted out what Hermione was going to say and was doing her best not to react to the emotional sucker punch that had just been delivered. Hermione remained silent, uncomfortable and knowing there was nothing helpful that she could say. Saying she was sorry would be a lie and saying she felt bad sounded condescending and inappropriate.
"I'm happy for you, Hermione," Ginny spit out, doing her best but failing to sound cheerful, still standing dead still in the middle of the hallway. She stubbornly swiped at her eyes, banishing the tears that were breaking through her defenses.
"Ginny-"
"Thank you for letting me know," Ginny interrupted, her voice now wavering, before turning and quickly heading back through the portrait hole.
Hermione released the breath she wasn't aware she was holding. When she returned to the common room several minutes later Dean was sitting alone and Ginny was nowhere to be found. He shot her a curious glance, clearly wondering what Hermione had said to cause his girlfriend to flee to her room.
Between the misery she had just caused her friend and her nervousness in waiting on Harry's return she didn't feel up to resuming her schoolwork, opting instead to sit at their couch and mindlessly read a muggle novel. Crookshanks quickly joined her, presumably saving Harry's spot beside her for when he returned.
The novel was set aside after only a few minutes as she was unable to concentrate, her thoughts consumed with Harry and the changing dynamics of their group. She couldn't give two shits about the majority of the students reaction to her and Harry being together but Ginny and Ron were important…to both her and Harry. She once again thought about how awfully she had handled the situation with Ron and Lavender and hoped a similar scenario wasn't taking place in the hospital wing at the moment.
She was jostled out of her thoughts eventually as Harry picked up Crookshanks and dropped into the seat beside her. "Well that could have gone better", he cryptically commented as he began petting his kneazle companion.
"What happened?" she asked as she relaxed into his side and grabbed his hand.
"Well first he accused us of fooling around behind his back and having a laugh at his expense for the last two months. I laughed at him and that set him off even more," he said with a sigh as he began idly playing with her hair.
"Then what," she prompted.
Before he could reply they were interrupted.
"There you are, Potter," McLaggen abruptly interjected as he pulled up a chair and took a seat. He had several pieces of parchment in his hand that looked to Hermione like Quidditch formations. She could tell he noticed how companionably she and Harry were sitting but didn't comment. Apparently he had more important matters to discuss. She felt her blood pressure rising. Rapidly.
"I've been trying to track you down since Saturday. With Weasley out of commission I'm assuming you'll need me at Keeper and I've got a few ideas about-"
Cormac's speech came to an abrupt halt; most likely due to the fact that Hermione's wand was now pointed between his eyes.
"Go away," she instructed simply. In her periphery she could see that Crookshanks was now standing at attention, presumably ready to pounce at his master's instruction.
"Are you threatening-" was all he could manage to get out before Harry's wand was pointed at him as well.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for failing to follow a prefect's instruction," she informed him dully, drawing a laugh from Harry.
"You aren't allowed to do that!" he complained indignantly.
"I've scheduled a practice for tomorrow night, Cormac. Now bugger off," Harry commanded.
"But we've got a match in-"
"Twenty more points from Gryffindor for not buggering off," Harry interrupted.
"You're not even a prefect!" McLaggen scoffed.
"What he said," Hermione replied.
"This is outrageous!" Cormac shot back angrily.
"Cormac, if you don't leave us alone I swear I'll start Hermione at Keeper on Saturday," Harry answered with forced calm.
"Fine!" he grumbled as he shot them his best glare before stalking away.
"I thought he'd never leave," Harry joked, causing her to let out a very undignified snort.
"You realize that McGonagall's going to ask me why I deducted forty points from Cormac and why twenty were related to him not buggering off," she informed lazily. She knew she should feel bad for abusing her position and deducting forty points from her own house but she didn't. Not in the slightest.
"That was a joke!" Harry protested, clearly enjoying the situation, "and Cormac's right. I'm not a prefect."
"Doesn't matter," she replied, "I confirmed them so they're in the book."
"Book?"
"There's a book in the headmaster's office that records all points that are awarded or deducted and the reasons why. He supposedly reviews it every night," she informed him.
"So you're saying that Dumbledore is going to see that you deducted points for someone not buggering off?" he asked. His enjoyment seemed to be growing at each revelation.
"You know I'm not sure how it will be listed," she answered honestly, "it may have your name listed, or maybe both our names."
"I hope it lists both our names. It was a team effort after all," he declared, giving her a gentle squeeze.
"You too, Crooks," she said affectionately, drawing a contented purr of acknowledgement.
They sat in companionable silence for several moments before Hermione got them back on track. "So, Ron…"
Harry heaved a sigh and ran his free hand through his hair, clearly bothered at being reminded of their conversation.
"After listening to him whinge and make up new reasons for being angry for fifteen minutes I told him the real reason he was upset is because he fancied you and he was jealous."
"Harry," she admonished.
"I know, I know," he replied, clearly frustrated at himself for losing his temper "After that he stopped talking and just sort of scowled. I eventually got sick of it and it was getting near curfew so I just left."
"He'll come around," she comforted.
"I know, but it doesn't make it right," Harry blurted in frustration. "How'd it go with Ginny?" he asked, clearly wanting a change in conversation.
"She said she was happy for me."
"See! I told you."
"She was lying, Harry. She could barely get the words out before she basically ran off to her room."
"Oh," Harry commented.
"I think she was thinking she'd have a chance with you eventually even if you dated someone else but since it's me you're involved with…" she continued before drifting off.
"She reckons you and I will go the distance?" he asked.
"Not the most romantic way of putting it but yes," she confirmed.
"I reckon she's right," Harry answered as he closed his eyes and relaxed into her.
She sat up a bit straighter and kissed him on the cheek before sinking back into his side and closing her eyes. She vaguely realized that their affectionate couch session that night was serving as their de facto announcement that they were indeed a couple. She couldn't have cared in the slightest.
"There is something I need to tell you though" she continued, doing her best to sound serious. "Something that may make you reconsider our relationship."
"Hmm?" Harry enquired, clearly intrigued.
"I'm really flattered by your offer but I'm not interested in playing Keeper."
The next day of classes had gone exactly as Hermione expected. She could feel the angry stares of countless girls boring into her throughout the day as she and Harry went about their day. But it didn't matter. Because Harry was beside her holding her hand as they walked, or resting a hand on her knee, or talking to her and distracting her from the idiots.
She normally would have accompanied him and sat in the stands during his Quidditch practice but she had other business to take care of that night. Long overdue business.
Keep your head, Hermione she told herself as Ron spotted her arrival and immediately scowled.
"What do you want?" he asked brusquely. "Harry already gave me the good news." She felt no anger at his remarks…only regret for how she herself had acted. Only Harry and Ginny had the moral high ground with how they had handled heartbreak.
"I wanted to tell you I'm sorry…for the canaries. It was wrong and I should have apologized a long time ago," she answered calmly as she took a seat beside his bed.
"Very mature of you to apologize three months after the fact now that you're shagging Harry. I suppose this is sort of a victory lap for you," Ron spit back before rolling onto his side, effectively turning his back on her.
He was trying to be as cruel as possible to make her angry. Old habits die hard, she mused. She hadn't expected a kinder reception…but she had hoped.
At her prolonged silence Ron finally spoke again…now in a much less aggressive tone. Apparently her unwillingness to volley back with harsh words of her own had taken some of the wind out of his sails. "I get it, Hermione, you choose him."
"I don't think you do," she replied calmly, "I didn't choose Harry. I've actually been trying to fight against it the last few years. It didn't work."
She placed a compact mirror on Ron's bedside table and stood to leave. "I've left a mirror on the table for you. The mirror part isn't quite finalized yet but the bottom portion is working. Send a message when you're ready to have a real conversation, otherwise we will stay away."
Harry arrived back in the common room thirty minutes after her, still in full uniform. Based on his expression and the fact that he hadn't already showered and changed the practice had not gone well. At all.
"Fucking McLaggen," he muttered as he took a seat beside her.
"Language, Harry," she chided, "also, you stink."
"Fine," he mumbled as he stood, "I'll go take a shower. But then I'm going to need you to listen to me complaining for a bit."
"Looking forward to it," she encouraged as she pushed him toward his dormitory.
After Harry's departure the other members of the team began filing in, each one looking slightly more miserable than the last. Except for Cormac and Ginny, they both looked angry…very angry. She also noted that Ginny did not sit with Dean once she returned to the common room, opting instead to sit with a few of the girls in her year.
She was putting the finishing touches on her Transfiguration essay when Harry sat back beside her. Her heart warmed at the fact that he had sat beside her…not across as had been his normal habit…because she was his girlfriend now. Focusing on her studies was going to be infinitely more difficult going forward.
His hair was still slightly damp from his recent shower. She couldn't decide between casting a drying spell or running her hands through it. She realized half of the girls in the room were blatantly gawping at her slightly wet boyfriend and opted for the drying spell. After finishing she decided to run her hands through his hair anyway…to make sure she had finished the job of course. She smiled to herself as Harry made a humming sound of pleasure.
"Well it looks like you feel better and you definitely smell better. I've just finished my work so feel free to complain away," she ordered.
"Long story short, Cormac is a massive bell end," Harry began. "Instead of practicing his position he spent the entire time coaching everyone else…including me. Apparently I'm not a very good Captain. He had notes. Lots and lots of notes."
"I think you are a very good Captain," Hermione consoled.
"Says the person who turned down the Keeper position," Harry replied in false annoyance. "You could have been great you know…"
"Speaking of which," Harry continued. "I realized something while I was floating up there listening to Cormac drone on. You need to practice your flying."
"Absolutely not," Hermione shot back, "you know I hate flying!"
"Flying could save your life, Hermione. Not liking something isn't a good excuse not to learn it," Harry replied automatically. She wondered if he had been rehearsing it while he cleaned up.
"You're using my own words against me," she observed in annoyance.
'You noticed that did you?" he asked. He was entirely too pleased with himself. The worst part was he was right.
"Okay," she answered in defeat, "but you need to understand, Harry. I really do find it terrifying."
"I know," he comforted. "Don't worry, we'll take it slow. Just some nice laps near the ground until you get more comfortable. Then we can get you a bit higher and work on your speed and evasive maneuvers. Okay?"
Hermione fought the urge to sigh wistfully at Harry's earnest expression. Somehow he had done the impossible…she was actually looking forward to her flying lesson. She found herself unconsciously drifting forward to kiss Harry before she stopped herself. She would make sure to show her gratitude fully the next time they were alone.
"Okay," she mumbled, scooting her chair slightly so she could lean against him a bit. "How was Ginny?"
"Fine," Harry answered in confusion. "What did you expect?"
"She was really upset last night, Harry. I guess I was worried she'd be distracted," she replied.
"It was the exact opposite actually. She was really focused. I think it was a good excuse for her to burn some energy. When Cormac started critiquing her form she let him have it with both barrels. I would have felt bad if it had been anyone besides him. She and Dean broke up by the way…"
"Really?" Hermione replied, doing her best to mask her worry that Ginny had initiated the breakup and had set her sights on Harry.
"Yeah, Demelza said it was actually Dean who did it," Harry continued. "Apparently he realized her being upset last night and us now being a couple were related…said he didn't want to be a second choice for anyone. Their breakup is the second biggest bit of gossip for the Hogwarts rumor mill today. We're number one in case you were interested."
"I feel bad," Hermione replied sadly.
"From what Demelza said Ginny wasn't too broken up about it. She said that set Dean off even more. Demelza said it was just a matter of time before they split."
"You and Demelza seem to have become quite cozy," Hermione observed. "Should I be jealous?"
Harry chuckled. "We spent the last few minutes of practice talking while the rest of the team took over for me and had a go at Cormac. I think she'd been assigned to make sure I didn't join back in."
"Do you see what a good Captain you are?" Hermione complimented. That took teamwork!"
Harry chuckled before pulling out his own work. "So what have you been up to tonight?" he asked casually.
"I went to see Ron," she answered hesitantly.
"Oh boy," Harry muttered in concern. "Is the hospital wing still in one piece?"
"We didn't row," Hermione reassured. "He said a few things to try and upset me but I didn't take the bait."
Harry visibly tensed at her words and she quickly continued. "It's fine, Harry…he didn't mean it and it was nothing I couldn't handle. I told him we wouldn't be visiting him again until he reached out to us. I hope that's okay."
"Yeah, that's good," Harry replied, relaxing once again, "but he's stuck in the hospital wing. How is he going to let us know that he's pulled his head out of his ass?"
She pulled another mirror out of her bag and slid it in front of Harry. "I gave him his mirror and told him to send a message when he wanted to talk."
"You finished them?" he asked excitedly as he stowed his away.
"Not quite, only the messaging part works but that should be good enough for now."
"My beautiful, brilliant girlfriend," Harry beamed. "You wouldn't want to sneak out for a bit again tonight would you?"
She wanted nothing more than to say yes but her responsible side desperately fought for control. "We really shouldn't push it, Harry. Maybe in another day or so…"
Harry nodded his head in understanding. It was clear he hadn't expected her to go along with his plan. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I should probably work on that essay for Transfiguration anyway."
"That isn't due until Friday," Hermione replied in confusion. "Don't you have other homework due sooner you need to work on?"
"I'm all caught up," Harry replied as he pulled out a quill and blank parchment. "I get a bit anxious these days if my assignments aren't finished. I think you are rubbing off on me."
Hermione had never been more attracted to Harry than she was at that moment. She grabbed his supplies and quickly shoved them back into his bag. "Let's go," she whispered huskily.
Ron finally contacted them Friday night…asking them to stop by the next morning before the Gryffindor Quidditch match. His official reason was to discuss and review the Hufflepuff Chaser's offensive formations but that was secondary…the important part was them having a conversation and not insulting each other. They didn't talk about Ron's harsh words or their relationship but that was okay. It had taken three months for her to apologize…Ron deserved more than a few days.
As she and Harry made their way to the pitch they spotted Draco walking in the opposite direction. It was odd enough that Draco wasn't planning on attending the match but the most peculiar part were his two companions. Instead of his normal contingent of Crabbe and Goyle he was accompanied by two Slytherin girls. As pretty as they were, their surly expressions and lumbering walks offset any natural attractiveness they possessed.
"Something is going on," Harry replied as he stopped walking. Apparently he'd noticed them as well. "Malfoy waited until everyone is at the match to work on his plan," Harry declared without an ounce of doubt.
She wasn't as positive as Harry but it did look suspicious…and she had promised Harry that she would help. She closed her eyes and took a breath, not quite believing what she was about to do.
"Where is your cloak and map?" she asked.
"Why?" he asked dumbly.
"You're going to go win your match and I'm going to find out what Draco is up to."
A/N: Suspense! That was the official end of the chapter. If you are interested in a slightly different and quite stupid alternative version of Harry and Demelza's conversation please see below. Is this thoroughly unnecessary passage the pinnacle of my writing career and quite possibly my life? Maybe.
"You and Demelza seem to have become quite cozy," Hermione observed. "Should I be jealous?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "She asked questions about us and I asked questions about Ginny and Dean. It was a mutually beneficial exchange of information."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "And what deep, dark secrets did you share about me?"
"Don't worry," Harry replied. "All I had to say was how amazing you were and Demelza sort of filled in the blanks from there. Most of the girls who weren't interested in me for themselves were rooting for you. They are quite passionate about it."
"You're joking," she protested.
"Ours is a love story years in the making if Demelza is to be believed," he answered casually.
"Well she's not wrong," Hermione mused.
We've even got a name."
"A name?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, a couple's name. They're calling us Harmony."
"What?!"
"It's a play on words, you see. They combined our names and we are apparently perfect for one another. So…you know…we're harmonious. Pretty clever if you ask me."
"If I'd ended up with Ginny we were going to be called Hinny," he said with a shudder. "Can you imagine? It sounds like a respiratory condition."
"Who is doing this?" Hermione asked desperately. She was a serious, responsible person. Her love life should not have a name.
"Everyone, apparently. Demelza says it's become quite popular," he replied casually. "Did you realize if we got married and you took my last name we'd have the same initials? Demelza thought that was very sweet.'
Hermione had been dreamily ruminating on that fact for years but she wasn't going to admit that to Harry. At her prolonged silence he continued on.
"By the way, which pet name do you prefer? Mione, Mi or Hermi? I'm partial to Mione although Mi could work as well because…you know…it sounds like My. But then I thought that would make you sound too much like a possession. I suggested Janey but Demelza didn't think it resonated enough."
"I don't want to be called any of those names," Hermione answered angrily.
"It's not that simple, Mione…it's bigger than us now. We've got our fans to consider."
"What are you talking about? And don't call me Mione!" she shouted.
"So…Mi then?"
Chapter 12
It had taken five minutes of rather passionate debate to convince Harry she would be safe going alone and another ten to retrieve the cloak and map from Harry's trunk but she was now on her way to investigate what Draco was up to.
As she exited the Gryffindor common room Hermione did her best to calm the nerves that had started to grow but it was a losing effort. Planning calmed her. Studying calmed her. Having the time and space to prepare for any and all potential outcomes calmed her. But those were not options this time…she had to think quickly and react and move…and she hated it.
She'd done it before and done it well in the past…saving Sirius and introducing Umbridge to her friend Grawp were the first examples that sprang to mind…but that was different. Harry had been there with her and she felt like she was capable of anything when Harry was with her. He made her better and she made him better…that was an indisputable fact at this point. The loss of his presence was profoundly felt as she activated the map herself for the first time.
She was grateful for the brief moment of levity as Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs commented on how much they'd been looking forward to Harry's uptight friend finally uttering the words I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. According to them she had now been thoroughly corrupted and if they were to be believed Mrs. Prongs had also succumbed to the temptations of the map late in her sixth year as well.
A quick scan of the map showed that Draco was nowhere to be found but his two usual lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, seemed to be pacing back and forth in a very familiar seventh floor hallway. The riddle of Draco's new traveling companions was now obvious: Polyjuice potion. The girls' seeming awkwardness within their own bodies was due to the fact that they weren't themselves. Literally.
She made her way to the seventh floor in a near sprint and did her best to quickly come up with a plan. It was clear that the two buffoons were serving as a lookout for Draco but as a prefect she couldn't just accuse or attack them without some sort of proof. According to Harry his accusations had fallen on deaf ears with the headmaster so she needed to provide as much tangible evidence as possible.
She'd promised Harry she would do her best to hide and keep herself out of harm's way but her best option was to get the oafs to incriminate themselves. Outwitting them would be an easy task and outduelling them if it escalated to that point seemed more than likely thanks to Harry's training.
As she approached the hallway where both boys were standing guard she paused and gathered herself…she needed to look relaxed and unaware if she was going to pull this off. She took a few calming breaths, stowed away the map and cloak, and resumed her walk.
Upon turning the corner she was immediately spotted by the pair, drawing instant reactions from both. One 'girl' dropped the scales she had been holding and began walking in the opposite direction while the other one quickly looked in every direction…not sure whether to flee or stand her ground. She silently exalted as the remaining girl did her best to calm herself and eventually decided to stand firm.
Hermione quickly cast Accio and summoned the discarded scales before smiling kindly at the remaining girl. "Where is your friend going?" she asked. "She'll need these for potions."
"Um…she needed to use the loo," the girl replied gruffly. "I can make sure she gets those back."
Thanks to the student roster that all prefects had received at the beginning of term Hermione knew the girl in front of her was supposed to be Meredith Blackpool. Despite her best efforts she couldn't recall what the girl's middle name was but she was betting that the oaf in front of her had no idea either. Time to find out.
"That's very kind of you…Meredith is it?" she asked as she handed the scales to the imposter and readied her wand in her other hand.
At the girl's uncomfortable nod she continued with the plan. "That's what I thought. I remembered your name because you have the same middle name as my Mum. It's Elizabeth, right?"
Her question was greeted by a much more muted and tentative nod. It was clear this person desperately wanted Hermione to go away and had no clue what Meredith's actual middle name was. She now had enough proof to take action.
"Expelliarmus!" she said in a near shout, causing Meredith's wand to fly out of their hand. She had limited her wand flourishing as much as possible to make sure her aim was as precise and quick as possible, just as Harry had taught her.
"Meredith Blackpool's middle name isn't Elizabeth," she informed as she pointed the wand at the girl. "Who are you really and what are you doing?" she demanded, already knowing half the answer.
The look of abject fear and panic on the girl's face was immediate and Hermione stayed on guard, ready to unleash a stunning spell if she tried to run away like her friend. Without warning she saw a flash of red narrowly miss hitting her. Apparently the other crony had not fled, only hid. Hermione cursed her carelessness as she ducked away from the attack.
'Meredith' seized on the distraction and started running. Unfortunately instead of running away the girl started sprinting directly toward her, emboldened by their nearby ally's presence.
"Stupefy"! she incanted desperately just as the girl reached her, knocking them both to the ground as the spell landed and knocked the girl unconscious. She heard and more distressingly felt the crack of several of her ribs as the girl fell forcefully on top of her. She would deal with the pain later…there was someone else out there to deal with before she could relax. Her plan had gone a bit sideways but she had one of them unconscious and at wandpoint now…Draco could still be properly dealt with if she could summon one of the professors.
Hermione pushed her wand into the side of the now unconscious girl and cast Incarcerous. With the faux Meredith dealt with and now providing a convenient human shield it was time to eliminate or scare off the other threat. "Your friend is bound and unconscious," she stated as loudly as possible, doing her best to sound as confident as she could manage, "you can't save them. Come out now or your punishment is only going to grow."
After several moments of silence Hermione gingerly removed the map from her pocket with her free hand, never taking the wand away from Meredith's side. A quick glance showed that the other girl, Gregory Goyle, was now fleeing back to Slytherin house. She breathed a sigh of relief as she pushed Meredith, no, Vincent Crabbe, off of her and propped him against a nearby wall.
She caught a breath at the sharp pains that shot through her body with every movement. Crabbe's blunt attack had definitely broken at least a couple ribs. She shuddered to think of the damage he would have done had he been in his own massive body. A quick Episkey helped mitigate some of the pain but she knew proper treatment was necessary.
She quickly ran through her options. She was fairly certain she would be able to levitate Crabbe to the hospital wing where she could receive treatment and have multiple witnesses to Crabbe's transformation when the polyjuice potion wore off. But to do so would allow Malfoy the ability to escape from the room. As long as she stood guard in the hallway he was trapped.
Her next thought was to stay put, monitor the map against any threats and wait for someone else to stumble upon her in the hallway so they could get help. She then realized why Malfoy had picked this moment to work on his plan…the castle was virtually empty thanks to the Quidditch match going on. It was crucial that she had witnesses to Crabbe transforming back to his own body so she couldn't afford to be patient. And Goyle could return with more allies while she waited…more than she would be able to handle.
And then it struck her. She had an ally who could send help to her. She only hoped he was awake and had his mirror close.
Ron, I need your help immediately. Please respond to this message.
Her heart surged as she felt her mirror warm with his response.
Are you at the match? What's going on?
Hermione forced herself to calm down and think. They had one chance at this and needed to get it right. She quickly came up with a plan and tapped back her instructions.
Send Madam Pomfrey to the Room of Requirement entrance immediately. I'll explain everything later but I need you to send her NOW.
After several minutes that felt like hours she received Ron's reply.
She's on her way. She didn't believe me until I showed her your message. Are you okay?
She allowed herself a moment of relief, slumping back against the wall. The cavalry was coming. She placed the map in her lap so she should track whether Goyle came back with reinforcements and angled herself purposely to be in the eyeline of the Room's entrance should Draco appear. Once she was in place she tapped out one final message.
Harry was right about Draco. I'll explain everything later but I can't talk now.
As the minutes passed the aching in her ribs unsurprisingly returned. Episkey was a basic healing spell and was bound to wear off sooner rather than later. She made a mental note to research more detailed medical spells for future reference.
After a few minutes a frantic Madam Pomfrey appeared and all the remaining tension Hermione felt fled.
"What is going on?" Pomfrey asked urgently as she gazed at the stunned and bound Slytherin beside her.
"He is fine" Hermione groaned, "only stunned. I think I've got a few broken ribs though from when he fell on me."
The matron kneeled down and waved her wand in front of her, a few disapproving mumbles escaping her lips as she assessed the damage. "Stay still," she commanded, "this will hurt for a moment but should do the trick."
The promised sharp stab of pain was fleeting and quickly faded away. Hermione poked her own ribcage and realized they were now blessedly free of pain. She definitely needed to expand her healing knowledge beyond Episkey.
"Better?" Pomfrey asked. At Hermione's nod of acknowledgement she continued. "Now would you care to explain why Miss Blackpool is unconscious and bound and why you referred to her as he?"
"It isn't Meredith Blackpool," Hermione continued, "it's Vincent Crabbe under polyjuice." Hermione ignored Madame Pomfrey's look of stunned indignation and continued on with her planned speech.
"He and Gregory Goyle were both under polyjuice. Goyle ran away but Mr. Crabbe attacked me once I realized what was going on. I stunned him and he fell on top of me. That's how I was injured."
"That is quite an accusation, Miss Granger," Madam Pomfrey replied once she'd regained her senses.
"I suppose we'll have proof in a few minutes," Hermione responded. "I would suggest you contact the headmaster.
"Very well," Pomfrey conceded as she began levitating Crabbe. "Let's head back to the hospital wing and we can summon the headmaster from there."
"No!" Hermione replied. "He needs to come here. Please."
The matriarch looked very skeptical as she assessed the situation before, inexplicably, lowering Crabbe and muttering Expecto Patronum. Hermione watched as Madam Pomfrey whispered something to her Bear patronus before it quickly scurried away.
"What did you just do?" she asked.
"The headmaster is at the match. I've just sent him a message."
"With your patronus?" Hermione asked dumbly.
"Just something Professor Dumbledore came up with a few years back," Madame Pomfrey supplied as she began to examine Meredith, making a 'tsking' sound once she was finished. Hermione idly wondered why the headmaster hadn't shared that particular use of Expecto Patronum with Harry.
"I do believe you are on to something, Miss Granger. Something is slightly 'off' about Miss Blackpool's readings."
As if on cue Meredith slowly transformed back to Vincent Crabbe, the clothes of the much more petite fifth year now straining to contain the much larger boy. Madam Pomfrey remained silent, simply shaking her head in annoyance.
A few minutes later the headmaster came into view, flanked by Professors Snape and Sprout. While Professor Sprout looked surprised at the scene in front of her and Snape looked to be barely containing his fury the headmaster remained calm.
"Miss Granger caught two students using polyjuice, Headmaster," Madam Pomfrey began. "Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Mr. Goyle ran off according to Miss Granger but I personally witnessed Mr. Crabbe transforming back into his own body a few minutes ago."
"I believe they were acting as lookouts for Draco Malfoy while he used the Room of Requirement," Hermione interjected. "When they spotted me Goyle dropped the scales he was holding. I think it was a warning to Draco not to come out."
It was subtle but Hermione noticed Snape visibly tense at her words. Harry was right. He knew. She seethed.
"Mr. Crabbe is unharmed Poppy?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly.
"Besides the uncomfortably tight clothes, yes. It appears Miss Granger merely stunned him and then helpfully broke his fall with her body…no damage done," she informed.
Dumbledore nodded in acknowledgement before whispering something to Snape, prompting the Slytherin head of house to begin levitating Crabbe away. The headmaster raised his hands to stop Hermione's protests.
"Professor Snape is returning to Slytherin and will be questioning Mr. Goyle and Mr. Crabbe. While he does that I would very much like to review your memory of the events in my pensieve."
"What about Draco?" she asked. "He's still in the room."
"Are you certain of that Miss Granger?" he asked her pleasantly. He was talking down to her and it set her nerves on edge.
"No sir, but it is a logical assumption," she replied, forcing herself to stay calm at the headmaster's condescension. "Harry and I spotted Draco walking with two Slytherin fifth year girls earlier…one of which appeared to be Meredith Blackpool. I caught up with the girls here while Harry went on to his match. There had to be a reason for them to be using polyjuice and the fact that they were standing in front of the Room's entrance makes it obvious to me what is going on."
Her response seemed to throw the headmaster off a bit. Apparently she had more proof than he had expected and he now seemed disconcerted. What was going on?
She watched as the headmaster muttered something to a nearby portrait before turning toward Professor Sprout.
"Pomona, would you mind keeping watch for Mr. Malfoy while Miss Granger and I return to my office? If he appears please escort him to my office."
"But-"
"It will be fine, Miss Granger," Sprout reassured. "I will wait for Mr. Malfoy. The sooner the headmaster can view your memory the sooner we can get to the bottom of the situation."
She felt a strong desire to inform the Hufflepuff head of house that she and Harry had already gotten to the bottom of the situation but bit back on the urge and wordlessly nodded her agreement before following the headmaster toward his office. Once he saw the memory confirming everything she had said he would be forced to take serious action.
As fascinating as her first experience using a pensieve had been her intellectual curiosity was squelched by the annoyance she was now feeling as she listened to Dumbledore's equivocating. She had intentionally let him see it all…everything that had happened from the moment she and Harry had spotted the trio and she had volunteered for duty. She wanted to ensure there could be no ambiguities or doubt about what had been happening so the parties involved would be punished accordingly.
But now he was talking about not having any actual proof of wrongdoing beyond some unauthorized potion taking and hinting at minor punishments. Students' lives were at risk and he was talking about meaningless detentions and point deductions. Apparently the headmaster had noticed her discomfort as well.
"You seem to have something you would like to say, Miss Granger."
"Two students have almost died this year, Headmaster," she blurted. "Harry has been telling you for months that Draco may be behind these attacks and I've just provided you tangible proof that Harry was right to be suspicious of Draco. At the very least you have enough proof to expel Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe but it sounds like you are looking for any reason not to do so."
"How can I tie Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle's actions to those instances, Miss Granger?" he replied calmly. "As I recall you had to spend a week in the hospital wing due to an accident with polyjuice potion a few years ago. Should you have been expelled?"
Hermione's blood boiled. "So you are comparing my actions at the time to Draco Malfoy?" she asked indignantly. Her voice was much louder than she had intended.
"Miss Granger," he said in a placating voice in an effort to calm her. His condescension only served to anger her more.
"Do you know what Draco said when the first message about the Chamber of Secrets appeared?" she asked as calmly as she could manage. "You're next mudbloods. Those were his exact words. He was excited at the prospect of muggleborns being murdered. Is that who you are comparing me to?"
"Draco Malfoy was twelve years old when he said that and they were just words…the words of a boy," Dumbledore countered. "I can't punish him now based on something he said four years ago. People can grow and mature beyond their childish beliefs."
She had heard enough. Dumbledore was one of the smartest and most intuitive people she had ever known and he was willfully ignoring facts and didn't trust her or Harry with the truth of the situation. After everything Harry had been through…everything that he had accomplished…it was infuriating. She couldn't hold her tongue. "From what I've seen Draco has only become more awful since then. And you don't seem to care."
For the first time since they had begun their discussion she saw a flash of emotion on the headmaster's face.
They were interrupted as a nearby portrait joined the conversation. "Professor Sprout is on her way with Mr. Malfoy, Albus. They should be here in a few minutes."
He nodded in acknowledgement at the portrait as he composed himself and stood. "I thank you for your efforts today, Miss Granger. I will take it from here," he informed as he gestured for her to leave. She was being dismissed but she wasn't done having her say.
"What are you going to do?" she asked angrily. Part of her could not believe she was talking to the headmaster this way and the other part couldn't believe it had taken this long for her to demand actual answers from the man.
"As I said, I will investigate the matter and assign punishments accordingly based on the evidence I have. I must ask that you trust me," he said kindly.
All the mistakes and things the headmaster had purposely or inadvertently missed over the years hit Hermione in a rush and she couldn't hold her tongue.
"You asked Ron and me to trust you last year and we listened. It was a disaster," she continued, not wanting to let him off the hook.
It was if she had struck Dumbledore with a physical blow as his face fell and he sagged back into his chair. "You are right….I made many errors in judgment last term. I can only tell you what I have told Harry. I am truly sorry for my part in what happened to Sirius and what I needlessly put Harry through. But the past is the past…we need to move on…that is all any of us can do."
"That isn't all you can do!" she countered. "Harry feels so guilty about last year but he is actually trying to be better. You're just sitting back and repeating the same mistakes all over again! You aren't stupid…you know Draco is up to something and I've just given you more proof! Why aren't you doing anything?"
The silence grew as Dumbledore refused to respond and Hermione realized what needed to be done. It was a bit mind boggling how quickly things had escalated but her path forward and who deserved her trust and loyalty was clear. She needed to stop wasting time focusing on pointless things and putting her blind faith in people that refused to act. She carefully unpinned the prefect badge from her chest and placed it on the headmaster's desk.
"Miss Granger-"
"Do I need to inform Professor McGonagall that I have resigned?" she interrupted. She was done wasting time on being polite and respectful.
"I will inform her of your decision," Dumbledore replied. He sounded so tired.
As she started to descend the steps she was stopped by the headmaster. "What are you going to do, Miss Granger?"
She wanted to tell him that she was going to apologize to Harry and admit that she had been wrong. That she now realized that the headmaster may not necessarily have their best interests at heart and he couldn't be relied on to protect them. But she wanted to talk to Harry before they shared anything else with the man.
"That's none of your business, sir," she replied before quickly exiting the room.
As she reached the bottom of the steps she spotted Professor Sprout escorting a panicked and angry Draco Malfoy down the hall. Her first instinct was to walk the other way and avoid a confrontation but changed her mind. Sitting back and avoiding conflict hadn't worked and she was tired of it. Harry would never have turned the other way.
Draco spotted her as she came closer and stared…doing his best to convey his anger. She stared right back.
"We'll stop you," she hissed as she passed the pair, drawing a curious stare from Professor Sprout.
Once she was out of eyeshot she reached into her pocket for the map, wanting to track Harry down as quickly as possible. Her hand brushed against her mirror and realized it had warmed with a message. It was from Ron.
Where are you and what is going on?
She quickly tapped back a response.
I will explain everything as soon as I can but I need to find Harry first.
As she moved to stow the mirror away it annoyingly warmed once again. Ron's insistence on knowing what was happening was understandable but ill timed. She needed to find Harry.
She was all set to forcefully repeat to Ron that her explanation would have to wait before gasping at his reply.
Harry is in the bed next to me.