**The Superior Quality**
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Chapter four:
"When there aren't any words...
what can I do?
What if I hold you in my arms?
Would that be okay?"
Unspoken words; will arms be enough?
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Monday mornings in Hogwarts were always full of rushing students, who obviously have woken up late. They jump out of their dorms, hair and clothes in a mess, and quickly dash to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall lingered with the smell of hot syrup, porridge, oatmeal, and pancakes. Eating hurriedly, the students didn't have time to even talk to their friends as they shoved food down their throats. Only two students seemed to be very calm at the moment; gingeringly eating their pancake and porridge in a high fashion.
Both Draco and Hermione woke up bright and early. As both Head Boy/Girl, it was their duty to be in time, keep watch, and make sure everything was in order.
Hermione covered her yawn, "Monday..." dully stared at her food, then upfront to the whole room of the Great Hall. She and Draco was sitting near the teacher's table; it was a morning ritual to eat upfront at the start of the day.
Beside her, Draco followed her recent action and yawned, "I'm tired as hell... I don't understand why I have to wake up so early."
"I woke up an hour before you." Hermione retorted, "Monday sucks."
"You suck." Draco playfully shot back.
Hermione sighed, she knew he was just trying to fool around, "Yeah, I do." she said in a seductive voice and a smirk.
Draco, trying to drink his orange juice at the moment, caught the liquid in the middle of his throat and quickly threw it back into his cup. He coughed and sputtered, and looked up at Hermione as she laughed.
"What?" Hermione subsided her giggling, "Can't handle a sexual pun?"
"Well, not from you, no." Draco said intently, "You're Hermione Granger; you don't do sexual puns."
"I can too," Hermione crossed her arms, "just because that's my name doesn't mean I can't."
Draco thought for a moment as he surveyed her; he thought about the sudden change in her formal stature, "Hermione, why have you become so witty? Usually when I mock you, or others mock you, you just cry."
Hermione turned to him, flustered and nervous, "Well.." she paused and looked at her cup, "Nothing really, I just thought it for the better for me.. being Head Girl and all.. I don't want to be stepped on."
"Oh.. I thought it was because I pushed you too far, or it's because of me." Draco insisted.
At his words, Hermione frowned, remembering something she had been trying to push away since the beginning of school; she felt her chest suddenly feel numb, cold, and immovable.
"Hermione?"
Her name droned out of her hearing, instead she heard other voices from a recent memory;
'We don't want her! That's final!'
'Look at what has happened!'
'Leave her outside to die, she deserves to!'
"Hermione!"
Snapping her eyes wide, Hermione looked up as a pair of hands shook her; Draco stared at her worriedly, the whole room was now eyeing the two of them.
"What's wrong?" Draco said in a soft, caring voice. His brows furrowed down, making his pale-gray eyes brighten in care.
Hermione opened her mouth to answer; no sound, what was she going to say to him?.... he.. he was part of the problem... After a deep frustrating breath, she found herself shed out a painful tear. She suddenly felt embarrassed; she had promised herself that she wasn't going to cry tears any longer.. after what she had been through all summer, and what had happened in the Hogsmeade a week ago, but look at what she was doing now. She gave a gutteral groan and covered her face with her hands; hiding her face from every eye.
Draco felt a pang in his stomach, he held onto her shoulders tighter as she began to tremble, "Hermione? What's wrong? Was it something I said? I'm sorry!" he rushed out the words quickly, trying to settle her down.
Mrs. McGonagall soon rushed to her side, striding fast as soon as she saw Hermione begin to sob. Down on one knee, she turned Hermione's seat in front of her, "Ms. Granger? Are you okay?" she spoke to the a pair of hands.
Hermione, shaking in anger and shame, shook her head to her.
Mrs. McGonagall's eyes moved in concern, "Would you like to go to the nurse?"
Giving another nod, Hermione whispered, choking in her tears, "Please?"
Standing up, Mrs. McGonagall picked Hermione up by the arms; her face still in her hands, Mrs. McGonagall held her closely to her shoulder.
"Professor?" Draco questioned before Mrs. McGonagall was able to walk down the front steps with Hermione.
Mrs. McGonagall turned to him, a rather annoyed look in her eyes and tone, "You, Mr. Malfoy, make sure everyone gets in class this morning. Don't worry about Ms. Granger, she'll be fine." saying all this for the benefit of his concern, Mrs. McGonagall also turned to Ron and Harry, who was standing up from their seats, "You two will go to class also."
"But what about-" Harry muttered until he was interrupted.
"No buts! I trust you know about this, so off to class with the two of you!" she paced down the middle opening of the Great Hall and to the entrance doors; Hermione silent and hidden by her side.
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I can't believe I did that... why did I have to break down? Hermione's questions raced in her mind, making herself more miserable, Everyone saw me, now they'll never leave me alone! This'll last for weeks... I'm so stupid!
She let out a groan as she sat still on a chair inside the infirmary. Rubbing a sudden aching shoulder, her eyes moved over to Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey, talking in hushed whispers. Her eyes burning with tiredness, she could tell Mrs. McGonagall was explaining her situation to Madam Pomfrey; Pomfrey's face paled in grief.
New tears were threatening her eyes, Everyone will know.. it's just going to mess up everything I've worked for..
She didn't notice Madam Pomfrey eyeing her with sorrow, "Ms. Granger, I'm very sorry as to what has happened to you last summer." she said in a soft voice.
Hermione kept silent, Now they're pitying me... am I that weak?
"I understand what you may be feeling along the lines, but I want you to know that if ever you don't feel well, I want you to come straight here."
I hid it very good since I came back here... is it that easy to recognize it when I hide? Or is it just because I'm 'Hermione Granger--the weaklink, emotional, crybaby'?
"If you ever feel sad or depressed--"
I'm not depressed...
"I want you to tell me, and come here. Do you understand?"
I'm not depressed... I'm not depressed...
"Ms. Granger? Please promise me you'll come here first?"
I'm not depressed... I'm fine! I am..
Professor McGonagall was now standing beside Madam Pomfrey, "Hermione, please listen? We are only looking out for your well being."
I'm fine! Hermione eyes slit into anger, "I can handle this..." she hissed softly.
Mrs. McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey both backed up aghast, "Ms. Granger! Understand that you WILL--"
"No, I won't!" Hermione stood up and grabbed her bag, tears falling from her eyes, "I don't need your help or anyone else's! I handled this on my own eversince 'that' day, and I can keep it up if you just give me a chance! I'm not weak!" with a brisk sweep to wipe her tears, Hermione ran out of the infirmary; the two adults watched her, stricken and speechless.
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Potions was quiet, not one single person was making a noise. One person seemed to be missing from class, everyone knew who it was.
As Snape babbled on about ingredients for their next assignment, Draco constantly glanced at the exit of the room; hoping a certain chestnut-haired girl would burst in, wearing her beautiful smile on her lips. He sighed and couldn't help feel guilty, was it he who caused this? This he didn't know, but for sure Harry and Ron was keeping something from him; Mrs. McGonagall had even proved that she knew something. But what was it?
Turning back to the quill in his hand, he scratched down the ingredient 'Stem of a Toadstool' as Snape's words briefly passed his mind; I asked her a question, she zones out for a couple of seconds, then she breaks down and cries... what did I say? What did I do?
Draco grumbled out of frustration, pressing his quill tip a little hard on his parchment until it poked through. Everyone stopped their note-writing and looked down at him, Professor Snape did the same.
"Troubles, Mr. Malfoy?" he asked in his most 'special-only-to-Slytherins' voice.
Giving a 'hmmph', Draco threw his parchment aside and grabbed in his bag for a new one, "Nope." he answered casually.
Professor Snape pursed his lips to say something but then quickly averted gaze as his door opened up; everyone's eyes followed his.
Feeling the sudden gaze and attention to her, Hermione absentmindedly adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder while looking down to her feet.
Draco, seeing her, almost jumped out of his seat. He eyed her up and down; she looked deathly-pale, and her eyes rimmed a strong pink.
On the other side of the room, Harry and Ron had started to make room for her beside them; Snape spotted this and gave a menacing smile.
As Hermione began her short walk towards her friends, a voice stopped her dead on her tracks.
"Going somewhere Miss Granger?" Snape asked, walking up behind her, "Where were you?"
Hermione cleared her throat, but still, she felt another lump rise, "I was at the infirmary." she answered, her voice quivering.
"Turn around, Granger!" Snape commanded, and in an instant, Hermione did. He grinned, "Ah, of course you were! After that incident this morning, you acting such a crybaby, of course you ran to the infirmary."
Hermione winced; pain rushing in her mind from his words.
"What's wrong then? Why did you cry this morning? What's your reason?" like a snake, Snape slithered his tongue as he spoke, pronouncing every syllable in a mocking tone.
Angry, Harry stood up, "Leave her alone!"
"Ten points off of Gryffindor!" Snape snapped his head towards Harry, "One more word and I will double it!"
Harry, still glaring sat down.
Snape smirked and turned back to Hermione, "Now where was I? Oh yes... why were you bawling your head off this morning Granger?"
Hermione, her eyes locked on her own shoes, kept her hands at her sides, remaining silent.
Draco, now realizing the hostile condition she seemed to be in, began to grow angry, What the hell is Snape trying to pull?
"Answer me, Mudblood!" Snape's eyes widened in anger.
Hermione's head snapped up to his; looking terribly pained and felt like she was about to go insane.
Ron leaped out of his seat, "Stop it! She doesn't have to say anything!"
"50 points off!" with a quick grab, Snape had taken hold of Hermione's arm and pushed her down to the front of the room. Draco stood up suddenly, but both Crabbe and Goyle forced him down again; Pansy giggling behind him.
"That Mudblood's gonna get it!" she said in a hushed excitement.
He forced her up to the front and leaned down to her face, "The reason?! Do tell us since you *had* us all concerned!"
"It's-it's about my mother and father... they died this summer..." Hermione sputtered; new tears spilling down the corners of her eyes, pain numbing the flesh around where Snape was holding her at.
Snape's eyes glowed with triumph, "And so? what else? What about your parent's death that made you cry this morning?"
Hermione gave a hurtful whine, more tears suspended from her eyes; she squirmed her arm free, only to find Snape grab hold her again.
"What's wrong little Muggle-born?! Am I hurting you? Am I embarrassing you? Don't you want to tell all your friends as to how exactly your summer went?" Snape gave a malice grin.
By this time, most of the Gryffindor students jumped out of their seats, juggling to think of what to do; should they go down there and stop Snape, or should they just lag around and helplessly watch the scenario unfold?
Many of the Slytherins watched in impressiveness; Draco fumed inside but was able to do nothing.
"Stop it!" Harry and Ron both shouted from their seats.
Snape's head threateningly glanced at him, "100 points off of Gryffindor! One more word from any of you will resort to detention!"
His dark eyes focused on Hermione once more, "You ungrateful Mudblood! You think you're oh-so high and mighty, being a Head Girl and top student in Hogwarts, don't you?! Why was it you broke down at the hall this morning, like the crybaby you were?!"
Hermione breaths began to go ragged; her face calmed, she was going to snap, "It was because.. Draco was there.. he asked me a question."
Draco held his breath, It was me? What did I do?
Snape, shaking her; her hair tossling around, "You snagged one of my best Slytherins, ah I remember! And what about Mr. Malfoy? Talk you damned witch! What about Mr. Malfoy made you think of the death of our parents?!"
Silently, Hermione threw her arms on her sides, knocking Snape's grip from her; then she stood still, zombie-like; her eyes covered the shadows of her bangs, "My parents.... were killed by Death Eaters." she responded almost in mono tone.
Harry and Ron both frowned; they could feel the certain pain as she spoke the truth she had been hiding.
Draco felt like a wave of smelly, rotten carrion passed through him, and all he could breath was that; he felt like he was going to fall hard on the floor.
Half the class gasped; glass bottles and cauldrons began to levitate around in the classroom and swirled above their heads.
Hermione continued, "I wasn't at home, the Death Eaters missed me by a half hour. They killed them, mum and dad, with a curse; they were both in the kitchen fixing lunch. This was two days after I came home from school."
Parvati screamed as the bottles began to smash themselves on the walls. Harry and Ron spun around, trying to figure out what was causing this; everyone else ducked below their desks.
Snape growled at the sight of his supplies being destroyed. His eyes shot to Hermione; she was staring at the floor like it was far away.
Still, everyone in the room was able to hear Hermione's words, "After that, I was taken to my grandmother and grandfather's; they did not want me. They denied me a home, and then wished me nothing else but to die. So I was forced to stay at a local hospital." she spoke more clearly, openly--too openly--as if she was in the brink of her sanity.
The cauldrons began to also join the bottles as they too smashed the walls, denting their roundness.
Snape hissed, "You stop all this, Mudblood! I don't know how you are able to do this, but I know you are doing it!"
Afar from them, Draco stood still, breathless... Her parents were killed by Death Eaters? When? How... how come I don't know this?!
"A month passed until Ron's parents came to get me. They weren't afraid I was going to bring them death," she paused a moment, a meak smile formed on her lips, "Thank you Mrs. Weasley." she said softly, to someone who wasn't there; her eyes still downcast.
By this time, almost everyone in the room knew she had somehow turned psycho and deranged. They backed up against the back wall, safe from the bottles that flew to the sides; they were now looking down at Hermione in caution. Only Harry, Ron, and Draco kept their positions still; somehow the bottles didn't sway their way to hit them.
"You stop this immedietly!" Snape spat, feeling the source of power surging from her, "You are doing this!"
"I've managed to hide myself for a while now," Hermione continued, her eyes now drifted dangerously to Snape's; she looked sweetly ready for revenge, "until you managed to force me out of it. What's it like killing my parents, professor?"
Snape's face twisted in fury; their was a hint of fear in his eyes from her glance.
"Was it fun? Did it satisfy you? And me slipping out of my mind's grasp, is this satisfying you, or do you need more?" Hermione's hair flew around as if she was veela; Harry, Ron, Draco, and the rest of the students gasped in awe. The bottles and cauldrons now flew wildly; smashing up, down, left and right.
"Did you enjoy killing them?!" Hermione screamed.
Feeling the boldening threat in her words, Snape sneered and leaned closer to whisper something only she could hear, "Your mother moaned like a whore when they took her."
Hermione stood rigid, bottles flew around like houses trapped in a very strong gail. Lunging more and more things in every direction. Some even broke through the windows.
A hand flew back, then forwards, hurting the cheek that came in impact with it. Hermione dropped to the ground, a hand on a cheek; the bottles and cauldrons followed her to the floor. She sat their for a while, rubbing the tingy pain with a palm; everyone quiet and still.
Hermione gave one quick ragged breath, stood up, and made a dash out the door.
In an instant, Harry and Ron followed her.
Draco was still standing; he blinked as he saw Harry and Ron run after her; he quickly ran down to the door.
"Mr. Malfoy, where do you think you're going?!" Snape let out but shut his mouth as Draco looked at him dangerously and left.
The Gryffindor students began to talk; gradually, one by one, they made their way out of the room.
Snape, stared at them, "You will all stay!"
Dean threw his bag down, "We're telling Professor Dumbledore about this."
"Yes, and McGonagall!" Lavender shouted, tears streaking her face.
"No you won't!" Snape threatened, "Or I will take off every single point in from your measly House!"
"You can't after what we tell Professor Dumbledore!" Neville spoke up; his face stricken in fear, "You taking points off of us now, won't matter after what we tell him!"
Snape glared, as all he could do was watch them run out of the halls; he cursed loudly.
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"Hermione!!" Harry shouted. A couple of feet above him was Hermione, racing away from the dungeons.
Ron finally caught up beside Harry and joined him as they tried to get their friend's attention, "Hermione, stop!"
She did not listen. She had made it out on the main hallway, and turned towards the exit of the castle.
"Where are you going?!" Harry turned sharply to the right as Hermione rushed out the door and cut through the grass of the school grounds. For about two minutes, they stopped their running and watched as Hermione broke down to a nearby tree in front of the lake.
Crumpling herself, wishing she could just squeeze together in a tight ball, Hermione sobbed loudly and covered her face in her knees.
Harry and Ron only stared, at least a yard aways from her. As if her mood controlled the weather, cold-peltering rain dropped from the skies. Both boys quickly turned around when they heard footsteps dawning; it was Draco; his face pale as Hermione's, he looked guilty. Taking a breath, he began to walk past them, but Harry quickly stopped him, "Don't... you'll only worsen it."
Draco angrily pulled his arm away, "I didn't know..." he spoke softly, "No-one told me about all this!"
Ron began a temper, "She had meant it to be unknown! Don't blame us or her! Blame your father!"
"What are you saying, Weasley?" Draco grabbed Ron by the collar, "That I might have something to do with this?!"
Harry quickly pulled the two away from each, "Stop it!" he pointed to two figures approaching them from the castle; it was McGonagall and Pomfrey.
Without hesitation, McGonagall headed straight to Hermione. She bent down and touched her shoulder, only to find Hermione push her away.
"Hermione, please come with me?" Professor McGonagall pleaded; she reached down and forced Hermione to her feet.
Hermione screamed and fought her grip. Professor McGonagall grabbed her sweater, trying to calm the girl down while calling Madam Pomfrey over for help. All Harry, Ron, and Draco could do was stand back and watch.
"Please, Hermione! Settle!" McGonagall cried out, but Hermione managed to twist her school sweater off, freeing herself from McGonagall, and leaving her with a white undershirt on.
"I don't need you!!" Hermoine shouted, and made a run for it; this time towards the Forbidden Forest.
"Hermione!!!" McGonagall cried out, knowing the danger the Forbidden Forest held; quickly Draco went for her first this time.
Running as fast as he can, he bolted to the sprinting Hermoine as she neared the edge of the thickets of the forest entrance. He held a hand before him and managed to take hold of Hermione waist. Quickly wrapping the kicking girl, he held her back and carried her feet above ground; keeping her from trying to run away from him.
"Let go!!" she screamed, kicking her feet in the air.
"Hermione, stop now!" Draco commanded.
"Just let me go!" she screamed again; willingly Draco put her down, and as he did so, she twirled around to him angrily and began to pound him on the chest, "I hate you!!! I hate you!!" she sobbed.
Draco didn't flinch at her pounding, instead he began to slowly pull her closer to him with his arms. Spreading his hands on her back and pushing her closer, he ignored the swelling pain on his chest from her fists.
"I hate you!!" Hermione let out; her hand stopped pounding, Draco's hands stopping them and wrapping them around his neck, "I hate you..." she sobbed softer. She was pulled closer to him; she could smell his soap on his skin from his morning shower, his shampoo, his cologne; she felt fresh tears slowly running down her pain-reddened face. She gave a soft muffled cry in his shoulder and trembled.
Draco breathed in, "It's okay, Hermione..." he whispered in her ear; the rain started falling harder than before, hazying their environment. He held her closer as she shivered, her burning cheek against his cold nape; he leaned his head and pressed his skin over hers. Right now, he didn't care if Hermione hated him; right now, he didn't care if she didn't give him any more chances after today; all he cared for now is getting her to stop crying.
Hermione clung tighter around his neck; her face pressing hard on his shoulder, "I'm sorry... I didn't mean it... I'm sorry..." she whispered, before succumbing into tears once more.
*to be continued...*
I'll have another 'thanks to' messege in the next chapter! And also, please don't review my story if you're just going to post a message that you updated your story; especially when you didn't actually read any part of this and just kinda used the review section as an advertisement space; iz very rude. Don't worry, you don't have to tell me when you have updated, I constantly check for any new chapters, so.. yeah.