Chapter 37 – Tears and Truth
Hermione had ran down the corridor not really knowing where she was going, Fred hot on her heels.
"Hermione, wait." He called.
Hermione stopped when she came to an empty waiting room, opening the door and entering where she collapsed onto one of the seats. Fred followed her inside and kneeled down in front of her.
"This is all my fault." She cried.
"No it's not your fault Hermione. None of this is your fault." Fred said, softly.
"I should have reported Ron for what he did to me. If I had, Harry would not have been posioned." Hermione cried. "I should report him to the muggle police, they'd deal with it better."
"What would they do?" Fred asked.
"Well he wouldn't have his name dragged through the mud in the wizarding world for a start and he'd get put into a muggle prison and tried by a muggle judge." Hermione answered. "I want to report him now."
"I'll support you whatever you decide to do Hermione." Fred spoke, placing his hand on top of Hermione's.
"Even though Ron is your brother?" Hermione wondered.
"Yes because he deserves to be punished for what he done to you." Fred replied.
"I just don't want to break up your family and cause any drama for them." Hermione spoke.
"You won't. They all know that Ron has done wrong. They won't turn against you because of this." Fred replied.
"Ron needs help, serious help as well." Hermione said.
"I don't think reporting him to the muggle police would work, he cursed you and they can't know about our world." Fred spoke.
"Oh yes. I should have thought about that. My head is in such a mess at the moment." Hermione sniffed.
Fred moved from the floor and sat on the chair beside her, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder. She leaned into him, resting her head on Fred's chest as she let a few more tears fall.
"I just want all this drama to be over." Hermione admitted.
The two sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments. Fred kept his arm around Hermione's shoulder, running a support hand up and down her arm. Hermione felt safe with Fred and he had calmed her down. Just then they heard loud voices from outside. Fred got to his feet and peered out the door to see his twin and sister.
"What is going on now?" He wondered. "We're in here."
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
Ginny and George both had faces like thunder. Actually Ginny looekd like she was ready to murder someone, her wand still tightly gripped in her hand which had turned white around the knuckles.
"I am going to kill that brother of mine some of these days." Ginny seethed.
"Mum finally got some truths out of him." George stated.
"What did he say?" Fred asked.
"He admitted to giving Harry the cupcake on purpose." Ginny stated.
"But he also admitted to sending you the cupcake this morning." George stated, through gritted teeth.
"Ron sent Fred the cupcake?" Hermione questioned. "But how?"
"Apparently he sent an owl to someone and they sent it on his behalf." George answered.
Fred had his wand out in a flash and had dashed out the door.
"FRED DON'T!" Hermione shouted.
Ginny, George and Hermione all chased after Fred who had barged into Harry's room.
"WHY WERE YOU TRYING TO POSION ME?" Fred shouted, pointing his wand directly at Ron.
"Fred please don't do this here." Molly pleaded through watery eyes.
"He tried to posion me Mum and I want an explanation." Fred snapped.
"Good luck with trying to get one." George scoffed. "I've already tried that one."
"Get a healer to get us some Veritaserum and we'll get some more truths out of him." Fred said. "What exactly have you got against Harry and I? Jealously?"
It was Ginny who left the room and went to find a healer. George had moved to beside Fred, his own wand drawn. Hermione stood by the foot of Harry's bed while Molly stood in front of Harry. McGonagall had gone.
"Lost your tongue?" Fred questioned as angry filled every ounce of his body.
"You fancy Hermione." Ron spat out.
"I fancy Hermione?" Fred questioned. "So that gives you an excuse to poison me?"
"Harry doesn't fancy Hermione." George said.
"You only want to shag her." Ron stated. "You don't give a damn about her."
"So you think I'm only being kind to Hermione, because I want to get her into bed? Right..." Fred answered. "Actually I happen to care about Hermione a lot and I would never dream of treating her the way you did, not that I should have to explain myself to you."
Ginny returned with a phial of clear liquid which was the veritaserum.
"At least Fred knows how to treat a lady." George said. "He wouldn't dream of hurting the girl he loved, or any girl for that matter."
"Yes because you're so perfect Fred." Ron scoffed. "You could have any girl you want but you have to go for my girlfriend."
"I have never tried to steal Hermione, actually." Fred admitted. "I've actually been looking after her after what you did to her."
"Do you want a medal?" Ron retorted.
"Do you want me to hex you?" Fred questioned.
"Ron, Fred please." Molly pleaded.
Everyone in the room seemed to forget that Hermione was there too as all eyes were on Ron and Fred. Hermione looked deathly pale as she stood in the corner looking lost and not knowing what to do or say. Once she found the use of her legs, she slipped quietly and un-noticed from the room, slowly walking down the corridor until she spotted McGonagall chatting with someone in one of the waiting areas.