This is a story about the Golden Quartet - yeah right, not the Golden Trio. In this story there's one more member. It's mainly Hermione's point of view but that might change. Rated T for safety.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own anything except for my own characters. All copyright to J.K. Rowling.
Alright, I hope you enjoy this and let me know what you think. Thanks. (:
Hermione wiped away the tears and sniffed loudly. She tried to tell herself that Ron hadn't meant it, that he was sorry. But at the same time she knew he had meant what he'd said.
What was it about her that made everyone keeping out of her way? She had thought Ron had liked her. At least a little…
Maybe she had been a little arrogant. But she had been better than Ron in Charms Lesson.
She just couldn't make it right for everyone. She had told herself this when the other girls at her muggle elementary school laughed at her and made fun of her smartness. She never really had a friend there and now the only two friends she ever had were turning away from her. Because of a stupid Charms Lesson.
But was she really crying about them? Were they even worth it?
No, they weren't.
She was about to get out of her cubicle when she heard footsteps.
She came out and looked around. A girl stood at the mirror and carefully applied lipstick to her lips. It looked ridiculous, though, since Hermione recognized the girl as Jacy Bennett, eleven, who lived in her dorm but who she had rarely spoken too. To see an eleven-year old girl using lipstick was strange but at the same time Hermione had thought about buying one herself when she had been nine.
When Jacy saw Hermione she raised her eyebrows and turned to her.
"Hermione? What are you-", she paused, seeing Hermione's red eyes and flushed cheeks. "What's wrong?"
Hermione felt at the edge of tears once again when she heard the worry in Jacy's voice.
"I'm fine", she said quickly, turning away.
"No, wait", Jacy said, putting her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "What's wrong? Why aren't you at the feast?"
All at once, Hermione found herself telling Jacy about Ron and Harry and how she couldn't bear to look into their eyes again after hearing what they really thought about her.
When she had finished Jacy narrowed her eyes and said: "Well, if that's true they're total gits. They probably couldn't bear a girl beating them at anything."
"You're probably right", Hermione said quietly.
"I am. So don't waste your time crying over them when you could be at the feast making new friends."
Hermione looked at her in surprise. She was right.
"Let's get back, alright?" Jacy suggested. "We can make faces at them and everyone will know what kind of idiots they are."
Hermione giggled. "You're right. Let's get something to eat. I'm really getting hungry and-"
She couldn't finish her sentence though, because suddenly they heard a deep loud grunt.
Hermione and Jacy stared at each other in alarm and the door burst open.
Something huge entered the bathroom. A bald head came into view and a massive pale-grey body, at least ten feet tall, followed.
Frozen, the two girls stared up at him, unable to move.
The creature that had to be a troll didn't seem to notice them but was instead turning around to leave the room again but the door seemed to be locked. Hermione's eyes widened as they heard Ron and Harry's voices from outside of the door. She couldn't make out what they were saying but the troll turned around and now he saw them and he let out a horrible growl.
Hermione shrieked and ducked when the troll let his club crashing into the floor where she had been standing a second ago. Jacy was pressing herself against the wall, her face white.
Then suddenly the door opened again and two boys came inside. Hermione threw Harry and Ron a terrified look and jumped out of the way as the troll let his club hit the ground once again.
The boys seemed to act instinctively. One of them – Hermione couldn't see who since she had to duck into what had been a cubicle five minutes ago – raised his wand and yelled: "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The troll's club flew out of the troll's hand and floated up into the air. When it fell down again it landed directly on the troll's head.
With a crash loud enough to be heard in the whole school the troll collapsed onto three cubicles at once.
For a long moment no-one spoke. Then Jacy let out a deep breath and said with a shaking voice: "I guess that's called timing."
Hermione let out a hoarse laugh of relief and sat down on the floor because her legs were shaking so hard.
A moment later voices grew louder and the teachers came in. McGonagall stared at the unconscious troll lying on what had once been half a bathroom and then her eyes landed on the four first-years, two sitting, two standing, all looking totally amazed.
"What", she said, her voice ice-cold "has happened here?"
Before either Ron or Harry could say a word Hermione cleared her throat.
"Professor – it was my fault."
McGonagall stared at her unbelievingly and said with a voice full of surprise: "Ms Granger?"
"Yes. I was about to get back to the feast when Jacy", she pointed at the other girl, still breathing heavily, "told me there was a troll wandering around. I suggested we'd stay here because we didn't think the troll would come here. But he found us and Harry and Ron saved us. So please don't blame them – blame me. It was my idea."
McGonagall raised her eyebrows and said sternly: "Thank you for your explanation, Ms Granger. But still – you all have acted inconsiderately. Twenty points from Gryffindor."
The four children groaned quietly.
McGonagall's lips switched into a slight smile. "Well, let's see. Twenty points to Gryffindor for rescuing these two and twenty for defeating a grown, dangerous troll."
Hermione stared at her in surprise and looked at the other three, all beaming happily.
"And now I suggest you go to your Common Room in an instant while we are taking care of the troll."
Harry, Ron, Jacy and Hermione nodded quickly and left the bathroom under the looks of the other teachers, all staring at them, either in amazement or in disbelief.
As soon as they reached the next corner they started laughing so loudly the portraits sniffed at them and rolled their eyes.
"You should have seen your face when we entered", Ron said to Jacy, grinning brightly. "You looked hilarious."
"Thanks. You were as red as your hair, by the way", Jacy replied coolly. "Hermione told me why she was hiding in there-", Hermione winced quietly, "and if you hadn't saved us I would totally hate you two."
Trying to change the subject as soon as possible Hermione interjected. "Ron, Harry, this is Jacy Bennett. Jacy, this is Harry, and Ron."
"Nice to meet you", Ron said, still looking at Hermione.
"Yeah", Jacy said. "It's a pleasure."
They walked in silence for some minutes until Ron said: "Why were you hiding, Hermione? Because of what I said?"
Hermione flushed but said nothing.
They reached the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry and Jacy entered and Hermione was about to do the same when Ron said: "You know. I didn't really mean it", and followed the others.
Hermione stared after him and assumed that was the closet she could get to an apology.
The next morning Hermione rubbed her eyes and saw Jacy standing at the window-sill staring into the morning.
Hermione stood up and went over to her, startling Jacy when she touched her shoulder.
"Good morning", she said quietly. "What are you looking at?"
"The rising sun", Jacy whispered back. "It makes me believe in all the good things."
Hermione looked at her, puzzled, but decided that that was a thing she didn't need to discuss with her the morning after defeating a troll.
"I'm going to get dressed", she said. After a moment Jacy nodded and turned away from the window.
Twenty minutes later they stepped down the stairs into the Common Room to find Ron and Harry waiting for them.
"Good morning", they greeted them. They exchanged awkward looks until Jacy said: "I'm going get breakfast. Anyone else?"
They all nodded. "Good", Jacy went on. "And please – anyone seeing a troll please finishes it off alone. I don't think I like those very much."
They all started laughing and left the Common Room. While walking next to the others Hermione couldn't keep a bright smile off her face.
Three day later they were sitting in the Common Room when Harry said: "I'm going to get my book back. I'll be right back."
Jacy watched him go and said: "Who has his book?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Professor Snape confiscated his copy of Quidditch Through The Years. Snape is being a little unfair but often it's Harry's fault and-"
"Nonsense", Ron interrupted. "Snape hates him."
"He doesn't hate him", Hermione protested. "He's just not that fond of him, I guess."
Jacy was looking at nothing in particular when she said: "Hermione's right. He doesn't hate him. He's just... sad."
Ron stared at her incredulously. "Why would he be sad?"
Jacy turned to look at him. "It doesn't matter", she said. "Do you think Gryffindor will win?"
Ron's face lightened up. "Of course. My brothers, Fred and George…"
They started talking about their favorite Quidditch teams but Hermione was still looking at Jacy, frowning.
Jacy knew something about Snape, she was sure of that. That had to be the reason she was the only one Snape wasn't humiliating in Potions.
But before she could ask Harry was running towards them and hastily sat down next to them.
"You won't believe what I just overheard", he said intently.
He told them about Snape limping and Filch saying a three-headed dog attacked Snape.
While he was talking Hermione couldn't keep from watching Jacy who was frowning more and more.
When Harry had finished Jacy stood up. "I still have to ask McGonagall about this last homework. I'm not really getting any further. I'll be right back."
She left the room quickly and Hermione turned back to Ron and Harry, expecting the two of them staring after her as suspiciously as she was. But instead they were beginning another match of Wizard Chess.
Maybe she was wrong. Maybe it was stupid. But she was sure that Jacy Bennett just lied to them.
She sighed and leaned back in her chair. Jacy was nice and sweet and self-confident and funny and Hermione wanted her to be her friend. Maybe she just had to trust her.
Thanks for reading. (: