Disclaimer: I am in no way connected with JK Rowling, or anything to do with Harry Potter. No copyright over step is intended.
Broken Wings. Chapter 1
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" The wiry, young boy squirmed beneath the wrist which was pinning him to the wall.
"I - I was just saying that my - my friend heard Justin say he was going to maybe um -"
"MAYBE WHAT, EXACTLY?" Roared Ron Weasley, shaking the fourth year Hufflepuff. The boy whimpered but didn't say anything.
"RON! What are you doing?" Ron felt his arm being pulled away from the boy's neck and watched through fiery blue eyes as he slid down the wall into a slumped heap on the hard stone floor. Harry Potter, a tall slim boy with unruly black hair and vivid green eyes, regarded the young boy, and then stooped to pull him up.
"You okay?" The boy stared at him with terrified eyes and bolted down the corridor.
"What was that all about?" Harry questioned turning to look at Ron who was breathing heavily his fists clenched in anger.
"He said Justin was going to break up with Hermione." Ron said in a deadly voice through gritted teeth. Harry felt his own stomach twist in anger,
"What?" He demanded.
"I dunno. He was speaking to some of his friends, and he said he'd heard Justin talking to Macmillan, saying that it wasn't working out and he was going to finish it tonight before the Yule ball." Ron's eyes were burning in fury, and his tall muscular body was shaking in anger. "I knew he was a bastard."
Harry had thought Justin was alright, he and Ron had got along fine with him in their fifth year, Ron's relationship had become a little strained after Justin and Hermione got together but they both believed him to be a genuinely nice person.
"I can't believe he'd do this. Hermione hasn't said anything about it going wrong or anything has she?"
"No." Ron replied stoutly. "I'm going to find her now."
"I'll come." Harry said, running a hand through his hair and grabbing his bag of the floor where it had fallen when he pulled Ron of the fourth year.
"You can't. You've got detention with Snape remember?"
"Oh. Yeah. I'll be back later, make sure she's okay." Ron nodded.
"I will. See you." Harry turned and headed down the spiral staircase to the dungeons, and Ron set of up the corridor towards the Gryffindor common room.
-----------
Hermione ran her fingers through the shiny chestnut curls that surrounded her face, and fell to the small of her back. Grabbing her wand she pointed it at her mouth,
"Mentholitosus" Immediately her teeth felt clean and her breath minty. Flashing a quick grin in the mirror she exited her head girl bathroom and flung open her wardrobe, pulling out a pale pink angora jumper she pulled it over her head, and yanked on some worn jeans. She was particularly excited to meet Justin tonight, it was their year anniversary, and he wanted to meet her under the tree where they had shared their first kiss, he was obviously planning something truly romantic and sweet. Tucking her hair behind her ears she grabbed the handle of the door, and ran down the stairs. She glanced at her watch as she sprinted across the common room and pushed the painting open.
"Shit." She breathed, realising she was late.
----------
"Hey, sorry I'm late." Hermione smiled leaning in to kiss Justin Finch-Fletchley.
"Don't worry about it" He said smiling at her, motioning for her to join him. She dropped down beside him, drawing her knees up to her chest and gazing across the lake.
"Herm."
"Mmm?" She replied absently leaning her head against Justin's shoulder. He moved away and she turned to look at him, worry erupting in her deep coffee coloured eyes.
"What's wrong?" She asked looking at him. He shifted nervously, looking away from her.
"Justin." She demanded, her voice rising slightly.
"Uh... Look Hermione. I... I just don't think this is working out." He risked a glance at her; she was staring at him, her eyes filled with hurt.
"What?"
"It's just not fun any more. You know, I mean we're only 17, no point in being tied down." Justin said, attempting a light hearted approach. Hermione's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I can't believe you Justin." She hissed quietly. "Do you know what day this is?" Justin shrugged, then blurted out,
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry about it being the ball and everything. I thought it would be worst to lead you on."
"It's our year anniversary." Hermione said quietly. Justin's eyes widened, he reached out to grip her hand.
"I'm sorry but - " Hermione wrenched her hand away, and stood up.
"Don't worry, I get the message. It's over." She regarded him for a fleeting moment before turning and heading towards the castle.
--------
Ron stormed into the common room, and glared around looking for Hermione. Not seeing her anywhere he strode over to Parvati and Lavender, who were sat in two squashy armchairs by the fire reading Witch Weekly.
"Have you seen Hermione?" Lavender looked up,
"Oh, no she went to meet Justin."
"Where?" Ron demanded.
"In the grounds." Lavender replied looking at him suspiciously, "Hey! Don't go down there though, it's their year anniversary, he's planning something really romantic I expect." Ron's eyes flashed.
"I wouldn't count on it. Thanks though." Lavender raised her eyebrows as Ron ran to the exit and pushed the portrait open. He jogged down the staircases and through the great hall before colliding with someone.
"YOU!" He yelled in anger. "Where is she?" Justin Finch-Fletchley looked slightly alarmed, although he was tall Ron was taller and his two years of being Quidditch captain had given him a very muscular physique.
"I'm not sure, she came up here I think." Ron stared daggers at him for a moment, before muttering dangerously under his breath.
"I'll deal with you later." He roughly pushed Justin aside and strode out into the chilly autumn grounds. "Hermione!" He shouted looking around him for a sign of anyone. He noticed a few small wisps of white mist from behind one of the rose bushes to the left of the entrance. Running down the steps he plunged behind the bush and wrapped his arms around the sobbing Hermione with the spirals of mist hanging in the air from each breath she took in the icy air. Moving her slightly so she wasn't sat on the damp ground but on his leg he hugged her and rocked slightly smoothing her hair with his hands.
"I'm sorry 'Mione." He murmured. She sniffed loudly, and looked up wiping her eyes.
"I can't believe it, what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing, Fletchley is a twat. I'm going to deal with him, trust me, Harry's as pissed as I am."
"Don't do anything Ron." Hermione said as sternly as she could, "I just want to forget about it." Ron didn't answer instead he squeezed her tighter. They sat in silence for about half and hour, Ron wrapped Hermione in his robes to keep her warm.
"'Mione." He said quietly,
"Mmm?" She muttered indistinctly, her head buried in his chest.
"Shall we go back in? It's freezing out here. We can go to the prefect's bathroom and get you cleaned up. Then we better find Harry before he kills Fletchley." Hermione nodded drawing away from him.
"Thanks Ron."
"For what?"
"Being such a good friend, I honestly don't know what I would do without you and Harry. You're perfect." She kissed his cheek lightly.
"Anytime." Ron said hugging her as they stood up together.
-------------
"God, I look awful." Hermione giggled as she wiped mascara away from her eyes looking in the huge mirror.
"You look fine." Ron sniggered, from the edge of the bath he was perched on.
"Hey!" She exclaimed in indignation. "I've just been through a major trauma; my boyfriend of a year breaks up with me on our anniversary. And there is a ball tonight, which I am now dateless for. I have a right to look a little rough." Ron grinned,
"At least you get to come with me tonight." Hermione turned round from the mirror.
"What?"
"You get to come with me after all. I've missed out every year so far, remember. It was Krum, then Harry and then Fletchley last year. My turn tonight." He said grinning broadly.
"No way." She shook her head, "I can't go, imagine what everyone will be saying about me getting dumped tonight, hours before the dance."
"You're going."
"I'm not. And since when were you allowed to order me about!" She said angrily.
"Hermione, he is going to be smug if you don't go. Don't let him get to you, and show everyone else you don't give a shit by showing up with the most gorgeous boy in the school." She rolled her eyes.
"Well, when you put it like that how can I resist?" She said sarcastically, disguising the truth in what Ron had said. He did have an entourage of female admirers, nearing on the same amount as Harry. She grinned, she did want to go tonight, she had bought a nice dress and maybe it was the thing to get her mind of Justin. Better than sitting alone in the dormitory stewing anyway.
"Alright then." She said grinning at Ron, "Hey, how come you haven't got a date already?"
"Spoilt for choice." He said with a wink. She snorted.
"Well, from all the admirers no one actually plucked up the courage to ask me." He said pouting.
"Aww..." Hermione laughed. "Well shall I meet you in the common room at seven? We can go down with Harry and Lavender."
"Yeah, I'll see you later. I better go and try and rescue Harry from Snape else he'll miss the bloody thing."
"Okay, and thanks Ron."
"As I said before, no problem." He said smiling and ducking out of the door.
-------------
"Can I go now, professor?" Harry asked after three hours in the dingy dungeon.
"You may, Potter." Snape replied silkily without turning, Harry stuck his finger up at the black robed back of his most hated teacher and grabbed his bag and headed out the door.
"Harry!" Spinning round Harry saw Ron galloping towards him down the corridor.
"Did you find her?" Harry demanded,
"Yeah." Ron panted holding onto a stone gargoyle for support, "The bastard's done it already."
"What? When?"
"A few hours ago, bloody twat. She thought he was planning some romantic thing for their anniversary. I could rip his arms off, literally."
"Where is he?" Harry growled angrily.
"Dunno, Hermione is getting ready for the ball, I'm taking her." Ron announced smugly. Harry's eyes widened and he nudged Ron hard in the ribs causing him to wheeze.
"OI! What was that for?" He gasped.
"Congratulations." Said Harry winking and wiggling his eyebrows, "How long have you been waiting for this?"
"Ages." Ron replied seriously. "We better get back to the dormitory I need a shower and to get ready, we're meeting them at seven."
"Right." Harry said nodding, "Let's go."
---------------
"Shit, I'm nervous." Ron said shifting from one foot to the other in the middle of the common room, "Dunno why, I've known her for ages, she's my best friend I shouldn't be." Harry just raised his eyebrows and didn't reply. He grinned at Ron,
"The whole muggle theme was a cool idea wasn't it?" Ron said gesturing to his smart tux.
"Yeah, beats dress robes." Harry sniggered adjusting his own sparkling cufflinks. Suddenly he saw Ron's mouth drop open, he was staring over Harry's shoulder. Harry turned around and felt his own jaw drop. Lavender was slinking down the spiral staircase from the girls' dormitory. Lavender looked stunning in a floor length ball gown of a pale pink, the fabric was embroidered with tiny sequinned flowers around the hem and waist. Her long, sleek streaky blonde hair was scooped back and pinned with tiny pink clips that were shaped like butterflies, they were fluttering softly. She smiled at Harry, he grinned back.
"Hey you look gorgeous!" He said handing her the small bouquet of freesias he had bought.
"Bloody hell." He heard Ron breath beside him; Harry caught a glimpse of Hermione behind Lavender and felt his jaw drop again. Hermione was wearing a full length turquoise gown; it clung to her upper body and fell into an elegant train. Her eyes were outlined in sultry, smoky makeup, making the coffee pools look huge. She had left her long hair loose, and it appeared to have shimmering beads glistening throughout it. The dress was made of a gauzy, transparent material, it showed up her remaining tan from summer. Harry glanced at Ron, he had become momentarily paralysed, and in slow motion he raised his hand to his head and ran it through his hair still gaping at Hermione. She looks more perfect every year. He thought to himself.
"You look beautiful 'Mione." He said sincerely. She blushed a little and grinned,
"Thank you, you look good too." She looked him up and down, the black tux showed off his physique perfectly, his weather beaten face and intense blue eyes were striking. She laughed in delight as Ron handed her a tight posy of white roses.
"Oh, they are beautiful, thank you." She said leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. She looked over at Harry and saw he looked good in his tuxedo too; his uncontrollable hair had a definite appeal. She grinned and leant up to kiss him on his cheek.
"You look nice." She said smiling.
"You too 'Mione." He replied seriously. Lavender smiled in anticipation.
"Should we go down?" She asked eagerly Harry nodded, and grabbed her hand. Giggling she hitched up her dress and they plunged through the portrait in wild excitement.
"Ready?" Ron said quietly. Hermione took a deep breath, looking suddenly nervous and vulnerable.
"I guess. I really don't want to see him."
"He does anything; I will floor him there and then. Me and Harry were going to wait until after the dance but we can make an exception."
"Don't do anything Ron Weasley." Hermione said in a semi serious lecture.
"Come on, let's go." Ron said grinning; he took her hand and led her down through the castle to the Great Hall.
---------
What do you think? Please review :)