Hermione cleared her throat as she opened up the dryer and pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a couple of t-shirts that she favored. She leaned against the appliance heavily, not crying or throwing up or anything. She was trying to just understand the facts. Basically, everything she had ever believed about her family was fake. This new revelation was forcing her mind to work triple its normal school rate. She carefully folded her clothes and then raced back to her room.
"Hey Herm." Ron greeted her with a small grin. "Are you okay?" He asked her, putting a hand on her arm as she started to put the other items of clothing in her bag, which was now between him and Harry. It wasn't like her to be less than completely composed.
She gave him a shaky smile. "Of course I am."
"No you're not." Harry shook his head. He knew his friend better than that.
"No I'm not." She plopped down on her floor and her two friends looked down at her from where they sat on her bed. She ran her hands over her still bushy hair. Over seven years, it hadn't changed and she didn't mind. She bit her lip slightly and looked up at the red haired boy and the boy-who-lived.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked, worried for her.
"Well, I'm adopted."
Harry and Ron stared at her.
"No, really, I am."
They continued to stare.
"What is wrong with you two?" She asked in a snappy tone. She had expected a bit more of a reaction. But then again, there is not much one can expect from men.
"Wh-? You are?" Harry asked in an uncertain voice.
"Obviously, my parents were talking about it in their room." Hermione replied, in a state of disbelief. "It just makes no sense whatever! I mean, I would have noticed!"
"YOU CAN'T BE ADOPTED!" Ron whispered, in more of a hiss than a whisper. No, Hermione was always the one with the practically perfect family, since she had both parents and was an only child.
"I'm gonna close my door, Dad!" Hermione called as she closed the door with her foot. Knowing Ron, he'd probably start shouting. She sighed. "Ron, calm down." His face was turning dark red again. That was never a good sign.
"So, you're adopted, and your parents never told you?" Harry asked, standing up and pacing. He clasped his hands behind his back. When she nodded, he sighed. "Did they say anything about who your real parents were?"
Hermione shook her head. "They gave no names."
Ron stared at her for a little bit more and then keeled over, falling onto the ground. He groaned as his head hit the floor. He laid there, even though Hermione pushed him onto his back. Hermione... adopted? She was supposed to be the normal one. At least one of them had to be normal! She was always the one with both parents, Harry was the orphan with the cruddy aunt and uncle, and he was the one with the oversized family.
Harry 'hmmm'ed as he continued to pace. Hermione and Ron watched him, until her head started to hurt. She sighed and flopped onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. This was too much to bear! The war was nearly upon them, she was in her NEWT year and she was adopted. What if her real parents were dead and she never knew if they had hated her or if they had loved her. She just wished she knew them. Were they studious like her, or lazy like some certain Gryffindors? Did they have brown hair or auburn hair? All these questions ran through her mind until she realized something.
"HARRY, RON!" Hermione shrieked and they immediately were by her side. "I'M ADOPTED!"