Chapter Two: Secrets Revealed and my first detention

We had just come from the train that had brought us to Hogsmead and I was heading toward the main shopping area. I was trying to keep up with Maria who kept disappearing on me. Finally, I gave up and retreated to a small teashop. There, I saw Cho and Harry sitting at a table in the corner. I sat down at a table nearby, trying not to be noticed. "Cho, I'm sorry," Harry was saying. Cho stood up and started for the door, she looked like she was crying. "What did I do?" I heard Harry mutter to himself. He then noticed me sitting at the table and came over to join me. "I'm sorry Harry," I whispered. "I don't know what I did to make her so upset," Harry said with a sigh. He rested his chin in his hands. "She was so shaken up with I mentioned Cedric." "Well, it wasn't your fault," I said. I looked at him trying to think of something that would cheer him up. "So, who are you taking to the Valentines day ball?" "I was thinking about asking Maria," Harry answered. "What?" I asked. Harry shrugged. "Yeah. What's the big deal?" "Nothing," I whispered. I didn't want Harry to notice that this upset me. It wasn't a big deal to him but it was to me. It wasn't fair. I had hoped he would take me to the ball. But no, he had to take Maria, the most annoying girl in the world. I stood up. I didn't want Harry to see just how angry and upset I really was. Maria was going to pay. She was going to pay big time. "Harry I've go to go I'll see you back at school." I ran from the teashop before Harry had a chance to answer me. "All Hogwarts students please report to the platform," a loud voice boomed.

I heaved a sigh of relief. I would talk to Maria as soon as I got back to school.

When the train finally arrived back at Hogwarts I went straight to Maria's room. Barging into her room I found her sitting in her chair, reading. "How could you!!" I demanded. My eyes danced with anger. "What? Read?" Maria asked. I knew she was playing innocent. "NO," I snapped. "I mean about you and Harry. How could you go behind my back like that." "I don't know what you're talking about." Maria looked at me from behind her book. "Sure you do," I sneered. "Harry is going to ask you to the dance." Maria put down her book. A huge smile appeared on her face. "He is?" she asked, her voice as light as one of Hedwig's fathers. "Yes, he is," I spat. I started pacing around the room. "This is so unfair." "He's asking me out, he's asking me out," Maria started chanting over and over. "Oh STOP IT," I screamed and ran from the room slamming the door behind me. I ran to my own room and flopped down on my bed. This wasn't fair this just wasn't fair.

The next day I was still angry with Maria. I avoided her at all possible, which wasn't easy considering we had all the same classes. By the time Umbridge's class came I was sick of seeing her as I walked into Umbridge's class I sat down at my normal seat. Please let us do magic today. I thought. I had finished the entire book we were required to read and I knew that if we didn't do anything else besides read I was going to go insane. "Okay today class open your books to chapter three and begin," Professor Umbridge said and walked back to her desk. I looked around at the faces of my classmates. They were all busy reading chapter three. Folding my arms across my chest I sat there, fuming. I was still mad about the incident from the night before and today wasn't helping much. Finally I couldn't take it anymore I had to say something. I stood up. I didn't care who was listening or watching. "Professor Umbridge," I said. "I didn't give you permission to stand up Miss Granger," Professor Umbridge said. Her voice was as cold as ice. "I've had it," I snapped. I could feel my cheeks turning red. "We are not here to read magic out of books we're here to learn, to experience." "That will be enough Miss Granger," Professor Umbridge roared. I could see some of the students start to flinch. "I'm not finished yet," I snapped. I started walking forward. "You think that doing magic will somehow bring Voldemort back well it won't." "ENOUGH!!" Professor Umbridge roared. Her face was red with anger. "That was uncalled for Miss. Granger. You will join Harry and Maria in this classroom today at five. Is that clear?" I didn't respond. I went back to my seat and plopped down into it, sulking. I looked over at Maria who just rolled her eyes. "That was brilliant," Harry whispered. "You've got guts Hermione." "And look where it got me," I hissed back. This day was probably the worst day in Hogwarts history.

Later that day I walked to Umbridge's office and found Harry and Maria already waiting. "I know what I did wasn't wrong," I blurted out. "We know Hermione," Harry said. I think he was sympathizing with me. "Like I said before you've got guts." I cracked a smile. "Thanks, Harry." I saw Maria roll her eyes. I sighed, glancing down at my watch. "I should just go back to the common room and do my homework." I started for the stairs. "That will just get you more detentions," Maria spoke up. I turned around glaring at her. "Oh, yeah and how would you know?" "It was landed me in here for another two weeks," she said. Then the door opened and Professor Umbridge came out into the hall. "Come in you three." We followed our teacher into the room and sat down. Harry and Maria started working straight away. "Okay Miss Granger your assignment will be to write I must not speak out of turn a hundred times." Professor handed me a quill and some paper. As I started writing I noticed my hand was starting to get very sore. "Now I know what its like," I whispered to myself. I kept writing. By the time I was done my hand was bleeding. I looked over at Harry. Now I knew what he had been talking about. I stood up to leave and Professor Umbridge gave me a look. "I'll see you tomorrow Miss. Granger," she said and returned to her work. I walked out of the classroom and caught up with Harry. "Harry." Harry turned around. "I know," I said. We headed for the stairs. "I know what it's like. She's evil." Harry nodded. "Yes, she is." Harry and I walked back to the common room. Maria was nowhere in sight and I was grateful for that. I needed to talk to Harry alone. Harry sat down in his chair by the fire and I sat down in mine. My hand was still throbbing and I didn't think I could eat any dinner. I looked over at Harry. "Harry?" "Hmm?" Harry asked. "Are you still taking Maria to the dance?" Harry nodded. "Yes. Why?" I looked down and then looked back at him. "Well.I always.." I could barely get the words out. "I always thought that we'd be together."