He stood behind her, not comforting but giving her his reluctant support. Her eyes are dry, and drawn to the small silver symbol in her hand; a simple cross.
"He's a fraud, Granger. He can try all he likes but he's not a hero. He's just a simple seventeen year old boy, just like me."
She nodded, not turned towards him.
"They've abandoned you, haven't they? Time and time again. You always had to be potion partners with Longbottom, didn't you? They never understood you for what you were, what you are."
She inclined her head, her bushy hair hiding her face from him.
"Look deep inside yourself, Hermione. You're not like them. You don't believe what they believe. You see the darkness for what it is – strong. Just like you."
She closed her eyes but she couldn't block out his painful words.
"Dumbledore can't keep the truth from you all forever. Why didn't he tell Potter the prophecy? Why didn't he keep you all safe in your many years in Hogwarts? Why did he always disappear whenever you needed him? How could he risk your lives like that?"
Silence.
"Why didn't he protect Sirius Black?"
"Why didn't he protect Ginny Weasley?"
She dropped the cross from her hand and it fell into the darkness.
She had lost her faith.
She turned to Malfoy then and accepted the hand he had already drawn for her.
Currently just a drabble but you never know, I might continue it!