The subtle art of romance is not lost on me. While I may not be as well-versed in the ways of love as others, I still hope to find my soulmate.
How cliché are you, Hermione? I thought to myself, When will you have the time to meet anyone? All you do is study and research ways to defeat Voldemort.
Sighing, I slammed closed the potions book I had been reading. Madam Pince glared my way and I shrugged an apology. Several Ravenclaws began whispering while casting scornful looks at me from behind their books.
I suppose one could say I wasn't exactly subtle myself when I spontaneously accepted Viktor Krum's invitation to the Yule Ball last year. Sure, he was older, more experienced, and a professional quidditch player. But, he had asked me to the dance. I figured that meant he genuinely liked me.
I figured wrong. He only wanted one thing from me, and when he got it, I was cast aside like what I assume are so many others. From what I learned through the rumor mill, while the Durmstrang boys were here in the castle and becoming chummy with the Slytherins, Viktor learned of me. The quiet, bookish, virgin from Gryffindor. He saw me as another notch on his belt and that's all I was now.
The Slytherins made sure the entire castle knew about my indiscretion with Krum. People whispered about me every time I walked by. Older girls glared at me and shot hexes my way. Why would a quidditch star be interested in HER? Why did he choose HER over me? Perhaps I was an easy target, or perhaps I wasn't. Maybe the challenge of seducing the Gryffindor princess was what he was looking for.
Glaring at the whispering Ravenclaws I made my way back toward Gryffindor tower. I couldn't go anywhere in this bloody castle without someone giving me a second look. I was the school trollop, and everyone sure as hell knew it. At this point, I'd be shocked if Dumbledore himself wasn't aware of the gossip that followed me around like a familiar. I was worn out, physically and emotionally. The heartache of losing my first love was still somewhat fresh, having only broken up with Viktor a few weeks after the term ended for the summer. I'd kept a lot inside while visiting with my parents, they didn't need to worry about me. I thought I'd have the opportunity to grieve privately once I returned to Hogwarts, but the gossip spread like wildfire through the remainder of the summer, ensuring that all knew about my affair with Viktor.
The gentle meow of Crookshanks coming around the corner made me smile. I eagerly picked up my funny-looking boy and snuggled him close. He purred loudly, snuggling further into my neck. He was a welcome sight after a long day of classes and scorn. I carried him with me into the Gryffindor common room, relieved to see it was virtually empty beyond a few first years doing assignments. Trudging up the stairs to my dorm, the last thing I expected to see was a shrine to Viktor Krum. But that's what encapsulated my bed. Small, flying figurines, posters and even a blanket covered my bed. All bore the face of Viktor, smiling and waving at the crowd – a smile I knew all too well.
Lavender's curtains were closed, but I heard a distinct giggle. If she hadn't done this, she knew who had. I quickly whipped out my wand and vanished the Viktor items, returning my bed to its normal crimson decorations. I also cast a few protection spells to ensure my things wouldn't be altered again in the future. I let Crooks down and he immediately stalked over to Lavender's bed, climbing up between the curtains. A loud hiss and screaming filled the dorm before Lavender jumped out from between the curtains, hurling an angry Crookshanks off her arm. She was covered in scratches and a nasty looking bite mark from my familiar.
"How dare you allow your pet to assault me like this!" Lavender fumed, stomping her foot.
"How dare you transfigure items in my bed to harass me about Viktor." I snapped in return.
Without another word she fled from the dorm, mumbling about Madam Pomfrey and healing potions. I dug out some cat treats and threw a few to Crooks.
After casting silencing and locking charms on my curtains, I pulled the covers around myself and cried freely. I cried for my broken heart, for the torment I was going through, and I cried for the anger that was forming within me. For the first time in my life I genuinely hated people around me. I'd never be able to treat others this way for any decision they made, but everyone had found it so easy to turn on me for something I did. Something that didn't have anything to do with them. I wasn't simply the know-it-all anymore. I was the school slut, I'd spread my legs for a man and everyone found out about it.
I was hurt and I was angry. I was so very, very angry. I laughed through my tears at Lavender's agony when Crookshanks attacked her. She didn't just deserve to be told off, she deserved the pain that Crooks caused her. She deserved it and much more. Lavender had spread rumors and gossiped about me, she was not a true friend. She was vile.
It was very unlike me to think such dark thoughts, but it felt so right. It felt good to think about putting others through the same pain they put me through. It felt good to think about how I could make them suffer, how I could get even. It felt good to feel. I was through keeping my feelings and emotions inside, I was done being the doormat Hermione everyone knew. The world would see a new Hermione, one that was vicious, unforgiving, and vengeful. The new Hermione wouldn't allow someone else to use her the way Viktor had, and she was done being the object of ridicule.
I fell asleep for the first night in a very long while with a smile on my face. The world wouldn't know what to believe when the new Hermione made her debut tomorrow.
A/N: Thank you for reading - this is my first attempt at published FanFiction, so any constructive criticism would be appreciated!