Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

"Bookworm"

What did she do wrong?

Hermione wants to scream.

Why is being intelligent a crime? Why does everyone hate her when all she does is try to help?

She thought it would be different, thought she could fit in.

She should have known better.

It is just like her old classmates said,

She will never have friends, no one could like a swot like her.

Beaver the Bookworm, that cruel taunt seems to play on repeat inside her head, her heart.

Mudblood, know it all, friendless, annoying, bossy, brat, worthless

All of these thoughts ricochet inside her head. The more she thinks them, the truer they seem.

She is on a downwards spiral and no one cares. No one sees.

If she was like everyone else, would people want ot be her friends?

If she had glossy curls instead of untamable mess, if her lips were glossed and she giggle over boys, would it be different?

Maybe she should try… No.

This is who she is. She will not change it.

So, she sits alone in the library, learning and learning.

If tears sometimes seep onto the pages, well, no is there to see it. No one cares.