Disclaimer: This is my first written story. I've been on this website for years but have never really thought I had the potential to write anything. I finally decided to go for it! So thank you for reading and please be a tad kind in the reviews. (Also, I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's wonderful characters). I should also put in a trigger warning. There will be mentions of some sensitive topics in the future. I will put a specific disclaimer on the chapter when the subject is reached.
It had been a year since the Battle of Hogwarts. Most students returned to Hogwarts to continue their education or redo their last year. The castle has been mended and mourning had taken place.
I turned the corner to check the Gryffindor wing for any stragglers out after curfew. My Head badge gleamed in the moonlight as I spotted a familiar ginger boy lounging by a window surrounded by some other male seventh years.
He gave a haughty grin as he looked at the other guys. "She's not even that attractive. I could totally do better. Bushy hair and buck teeth? I'd give her a four at most."
I rounded the corner quickly and bowed my head as tears pooled up in my eyes. I could hear Ron's crowd affirming his statements with cheers and chuckles. Giving up on my duties, I ran to dormitories hoping no one would notice my obvious rocky state. I approached the door, muffling out the password "Pompion" between my shaky breaths. I ran to my room and did a quick glance to make sure Malfoy was still on patrol checking the Slytherin and Hufflepuff corridors.
I collapsed onto my bed in the most dramatic Disney-Princess-like fashion I could muster. My tears stained the pillow as I reminisced on what Ron had said. I had always known I wasn't the prettiest, but to be so objectified by someone that I thought was my friend. I thought I had been a good girlfriend, but what do I really know about relationships? Ron had been my only boyfriend.
Wait, had been? Did I really just say that? Is this my subconscious telling me to break up with him? He wasn't that bad. Maybe I could just ignore he said that and everything will be fine. He doesn't even know that I overheard. It will just go right back to normal. Like it should be. Ron and Hermione, the power couple of the Golden Trio. Everything will be okay.
What is wrong with me? No. Everything is not okay. I can't stick with him after he said that. I think I'm still shock. I've known Ron for seven years now. You think you know someone and then suddenly everything changes. I guess he was a bit foul during first year, but I always thought that it was just the nerves of a new school. Has he been talking about me like this the whole time? Was our friendship, our relationship, a lie? Maybe I was wrong and he hadn't changed at all.
Even Draco Malfoy hasn't said anything that bad since the Battle.
No one had surprised me more than the changes I had seen in Draco Malfoy. It wasn't until his parents died in the Battle that I really saw how oppressed he had been. The boy had grown up with unloving, prejudiced parents and has had to make up for their mistakes ever since. I couldn't even tell you how many times he's apologized to me for calling me that awful word. Most of Hogwarts came to accept his change with open arms and hesitant smiles, but others like Harry and Ron were a little more apprehensive. With our Head duties, we've had to spend much more time together… I guess I would even call us friends.