Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with JK Rowling.
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Broken Wings - Chapter 2.
The Great Hall glittered. The soaring Christmas trees were adorned with glistening icicles and strung between them were fine wires on which delicate miniscule glowing ice blue fairies balanced. The huge sparkling ice sculptures courtesy of Beauxbatons looked incredible and were reflected on the enchanted floor which resembled a shining pool of ice. Hermione's mouth dropped open as she gazed at the hall.
"Wow." She breathed, Ron grinned at her.
"C'mon. You want a drink?" She smiled back and nodded letting herself be led across the shimmering floor to the long table piled high with food and drink. She took a sip of the drink Ron had handed her and glanced around again, spotting Hagrid standing near one of the giant pine trees talking to Professor Sprout she grinned and waved. He smiled and waved back heartily. Her eyes swept past him and onto the already busy dance floor, she saw Justin dancing with a Ravenclaw girl she recognised but had never spoken to, Ron followed her gaze and glowered,
"Fucking twat." He growled in Hermione's ear. She spun round and shrugged as if it didn't bother her but when she tried to reply her throat was choked. Ron squeezed her hand,
"Want to dance?" Hermione smiled.
"Love to." Grinning Ron took her arm and they walked out onto the dance floor, letting herself sway to the music Hermione felt herself relax, she caught fleeting glimpses of Justin but disguised any hurt she felt behind a wide smile. Unexpectedly she felt her arms being grasped from behind and she was twirled around in dizzying speed to the music. "George! Fred!" She panted when they finally released her. Grinning broadly they bowed simultaneously to her.
"Hermione."
"Where have you left Angelina and Katie?" Hermione asked,
"Over by the drinks." Laughed Fred, gesturing behind Hermione's shoulder. She raised an eyebrow suspiciously,
"I thought Angelina hated the punch here."
"She does." George agreed chuckling, "But that isn't punch." Hermione grinned.
"What?! I cannot believe you bewitched the drinks, there are a few first years here you know!" Fred grinned smugly,
"Ah, but our charm only effects 7th years. We wanted a good last Yule Ball but Dumbledore would never let us have any of our muggle alcohol." Hermione rolled her eyes,
"Hmm, why ever not."
"Well we better be off 'Mione, anyway I think Ron wants you for this dance." Fred said with a wink as the band started playing a slow song he gave her a quick hug and ambled of towards the drinks table, George gave her a squeeze and rushed off after him. Grinning she turned round and spotted Ron standing a few feet away talking to Seamus.
"Want to dance?" She asked him, Ron nodded and grabbed her hand. They instantly melted into each others arms, Hermione smiled into his shoulder she loved how the endless dances with Ron and Harry meant she fitted perfectly into both of their arms. Ron looked down at her and smiled, she was beautiful, he could see himself reflected in her shining coffee coloured eyes, he could also see the smouldering hurt still present in them. Hermione stared into Ron's intensely blue eyes and grinned at him.
"I love dancing with you." She said quietly.
"I love dancing with you." He replied smiling. Hermione looked up at the ceiling, it was a deep velvety blue, stars twinkled and white glistening snowflakes were drifting down and dissolving just before they hit the heads of the dancing students. The song finished and Ron felt someone tap him on the shoulder he turned to see Parvati smiling at him.
"Can I have this dance?" She asked Hermione, Hermione nodded.
"Sure, I'll go and get a drink. Thanks for the dance." She said to Ron kissing him lightly on the cheek, and heading of to the edge of the floor.
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"Hermione."
Pouring herself a cup of punch, Hermione turned around and found herself face to face with Justin. She stared at him. He shifted nervously,
"Uh, do... do you think we could talk?" He asked apprehensively, her eyebrows knitted.
"What about?"
"Us, please Hermione. Just come outside and talk." Hermione hesitated a minute and then saw Harry bounding over to her, he pushed Justin roughly out of the way and stood at her side.
"You alright?" He asked her, eyeing Justin angrily.
"I'm fine Harry." She answered slightly exasperatedly Harry and Ron being so protective became frustrating sometimes.
"What does he want?" Harry demanded turning his back on Justin and facing Hermione. She shook her head and shrugged,
"I'm not sure, to talk he says. I can handle this Harry. I'm going to hear what he has to say that's all." Harry narrowed his eyes,
"Sure?"
"Sure." She said smiling reassuringly.
"Okay, well when you get back it's my turn for a dance." Harry said kissing her on the forehead and turning to Justin, giving him a threatening stare he wandered off back into the crowd. Hermione turned to Justin. He gave her a nervous smile and led her out of the doors into the grounds.
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He led her down the wide roaming path towards the lake. As she noticed the tree appearing in the gloom she stopped abruptly.
"What the hell are you playing at?" She demanded angrily, "Why are you bringing me down here." Justin looked at her,
"Please Hermione." Irately Hermione stormed off towards the tree and stood below its sweeping branches shivering and staring out across the lake.
"Here." Justin said offering her his jacket, she ignored him, so he spread it on the floor and sat on the edge of it.
"C'mon 'Mione sit down, you said you'd let me talk." Sighing Hermione sat down on the other end of the coat and looked at Justin expectantly. He reddened slightly,
"Well, the thing is... I... I regret it Hermione. I mean I miss you."
"You only broke up with me a few hours ago." She replied icily.
"I know, I don't know what came over me. I swear, please Hermione can we give it another go?" Hermione looked at him intently for a moment, and slowly shook her head.
"No, you were right we aren't right for each other because someone who was right for me would never intentionally hurt me." She went to get up but Justin grabbed her wrist and yanked her back down.
"Hermione! I've said sorry, what else can I do? I want you back. Hear me?" He said leaning forward he caught her shoulders with his hands and stared into her eyes. Hermione tried to wriggle out of his grip but he just tightened his grip.
"Let go of me Justin." She hissed furiously.
"No! Fuck it Hermione. You bullshit me all year, playing games with me making me jealous with Potter and Weasley. You fucking lead us all on and I'm telling you I'll take you back! You think they'll put up with your shit much longer? We don't like being messed around Hermione. You can't have everything! You need to start making some choices!" Hermione glared at him trying not to wince under the painful grip.
"Don't tell me what to do. You know they are my best friends. I don't want you to take me back, LET GO!"
"NO!" Justin pushed her back against the grass and crushed his lips against hers, Hermione tried to struggle but although Justin looked almost wiry compared to Harry and Ron he was still strong and she couldn't break his kiss. Justin kissed her violently forcing his tongue into her mouth, Hermione bit down hard causing him to yell, but before she could scream he had smashed his lips to hers again, holding her hands above her head with one hand and groping her chest with his other. Hermione kicked out but he just straddled her flailing legs and moved his hand between her thighs. Feeling her dress being pushed up Hermione jerked her knee up with such force it caught Justin in the groin, he rolled off her groaning. Scrambling up Hermione tried to run but felt his hands catch her ankle she tumbled forward striking her head on the trunk of the tree. Suddenly the grip on her ankle was released and she heard a yell from Justin, holding a hand to her head she turned and saw Lee Jordan kick Justin in the stomach and Seamus and Harry pull him roughly to his feet. Hermione heard Justin's words reel through her head "...you lead us all on...think they'll put up with your shit...you can't have everything..." suddenly becoming aware of a thumping pain in her head she fell forward unconscious into Ron's arms.
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"'Mione?" Harry looked intently at the girl laying in her bed tucked tightly between the sheets by Madam Pomfrey. He and Ron had had to beg to be able to stay with her in shifts throughout the nights. Hermione opened her eyes and looked up at him,
"Hello." She said quietly aware of an aching pain in her head obviously dulled by some potion. She tried to push herself up in bed, Harry jumped up and helped her, he perched on the edge of the bed and looked into her eyes, Hermione stared at him and realised by the sympathy, pain and smouldering fury shown in the emerald discs that what she was remembering was true. Her eyes brimmed with tears and she fell into his arms crying. Harry rocked her until her sobs silenced her held her away from him and looked at her.
"What did I do wrong to him?" Hermione asked staring confusedly at him.
"Nothing. Nothing. I am so sorry Hermione, you did nothing to deserve this."
"Where is he? Did Lee hurt him? Where's Ron?"
"Justin's gone. Dumbledore expelled him instantly. He was so angry. Lee broke one of Justin's ribs but Dumbledore let him off." Hermione nodded, Harry saw her relax a little with the news that Justin had left.
"And Ron?"
"He's asleep, we've been doing shifts for the past two nights." Hermione smiled.
"Thank you." Harry smiled gently at her,
"You're welcome." He reached out and hugged her again, Hermione relaxed into his arms again feeling secure and refusing to think about what Justin had said to her. She took a shaky breath and felt Harry's hand smoothing her hair, she heard someone enter the room. Looking up she saw Ron watching her, his eyes deep blue with anguish, Harry released Hermione and kissed her on the forehead,
"I'll be back in the morning." Hermione smiled weakly but gratefully at him.
"Bye."
"See you later." Ron said as he took up Harry's place on the bed. He watched Hermione steadily.
"I'm sorry." He said dropping his eyes.
"What?" Hermione breathed staring at him.
"It's my fault; I took you to that fucking ball. I should have been looking after you. If you had been with me, he couldn't of... nearly..." He broke off. Hermione gaped at him.
"Don't say that. I walked off with him; I'm not your responsibility." Ron looked at her.
"I want you to be."
"What?"
"Nothing." He shook his head, "I feel like I've betrayed you, not protected you as my best friend."
"You're the best friend I could ask for Ron." She smiled at him bravely and he reached out and drew her into a hug, Hermione felt a weight lift from her shoulders, blocking out what she knew she would have to tackle soon.
"Ron." Hermione mumbled into his shoulder,
"Mmm?"
"What did you mean?" Ron paused, he knew she knew deep down what he had meant. He couldn't keep it up but he knew this wasn't the time to burden her with any more than she already had to deal with. Instead of answering he held her a little longer. Hermione felt a wave of nausea come over her, Justin's words kept repeating themselves over and over in her head. Her stomach gave a sickening lurch, "It must be true" she thought shaking, "I've lead them on, I'm not a loyal friend." Sensing her discomfort Ron drew away from her and said,
"You're tired, get some more sleep. Dumbledore wants to speak with you in the morning." Hermione nodded, and couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes she lay back meekly rolling onto her side and closing her eyes tightly.
"Night." She heard Ron whisper quietly and felt him kiss her cheek lightly, and move away to the chair beside the bed and extinguish the candles with a wave of his wand. In the dark a tear escaped her screwed up eyes and fell silently onto the pillow.
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