Forgotten Roots, Chapter Two

"Look, Ron," Lavender said, pinning him with a steadfast gaze. "I already told you; she wasn't in the dormitory when I went to bed and she wasn't there when I woke up. I don't know what else you want from me." With a toss of her long dark hair she walked away haughtily.

Ron looked at Harry, panicked. "Where do you think she is? What do you suppose happened to her?" His bright red hair was standing up in clumps and his ill-fitting robes were thrown on haphazardly. He had barely made it to breakfast in time to grab something to eat and now on their way to class he was concerned because Hermione had never showed up.

"She probably got up early to study, you know how Hermione is; especially around exams time. Besides this isn't the first time she's missed breakfast, Ron," Harry pointed out. Which was quite true, Hermione had missed breakfast plenty of times, usually because she lost track of time studying in the library before breakfast.

"But..but.." Ron sputtered. "I mean, well, Harry she wasn't in her dorm last night!"

Harry laughed, "So she was in the library, Ron. Stop worrying, we'll see her in class."

"Actually, Potty, you won't," Draco spat, stepping out of the shadows in front of them.

"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" retorted Harry, glaring up at the slightly taller boy. If there was one person who came close to the hatred he felt for the Dark Lord, Voldermort, it was Draco Malfoy. Insulting his best friends and his dead parents were the least of his crimes. His simple existence was a crime against humanity in Harry's opinion.

Draco grinned, thrilled at the prospect of being able to inform the infamous Harry Potter that his mudblood girlfriend's parents were dead! "She's left Hogwarts," he told them gleefully.

Harry's jaw dropped, "What the hell are you talking about, Malfoy? There's no way Hermione would just leave Hogwarts."

"Oh, she didn't just leave for no good reason, Potter. No, you see her parents…" Draco stopped, looking past the pair. What the hell was she doing here? Why wasn't she back in the god-forsaken muggle world mourning the death of her parents?

Turning to see what Draco was staring at Ron and Harry were shocked to see Hermione standing behind them looking as pale as Peeves, Hogwarts most obnoxious ghost.

"Why are you all just standing here?" she demanded. "We're going to be late for class."  Without another word she brushed by them and into the dungeon where their potions class was held.

His glittering silver eyes followed her as Draco growled beneath his breath. That damn mudblood. He would have put galleons on the fact that she would have been long gone by now. That girl may be even stronger than he thought. Ahhh, but that would mean breaking her would be all the more sweet. With a grin he followed Potter and Weasley into class.

~*~

"Honestly, Ron," whispered Hermione, her eyes still on Professor Snape. "I was busy, just drop it already. I'm fine." From the moment class had begun Ron had been badgering her about where she'd been all night and then at breakfast. Glancing out of the corner of her eye she saw him fold his arms across his chest and pout. Well, that was just fine with her. She didn't need him acting like a spoiled child when her parents had just died. Not that she had told him that, but still, she mused, he was acting quite childishly. As Professor Snape released them to attempt the potion he'd described on the board she turned to Harry. "I've missed breakfast loads of times, what's the big deal?"

Harry glanced at Ron, he really didn't want to be in the middle of their argument, he'd been there plenty of times and it was never fun. "I guess it's because Lavender said you weren't in your dorm last night or this morning. And you were really quite pale this morning, Hermione. You still don't look well. We're just worried about you, 'Mione."

That Lavender, Hermione groaned to herself. She was always concerning herself with things that were none of her business. Anything to get out of doing schoolwork. "Look, I'm sorry I missed breakfast. But really, you don't have to worry about me. I'm just nervous about exams."

Casting a doubtful glance at her Harry simply nodded and left to collect the items they would need to brew the potion.

Sitting down with sigh Hermione stared glumly at the caldron before her. Potions was normally her least favorite class but today it was even worse than usual. She didn't think she could muster any enthusiasm to even pretend to care whether or not the potion worked. Tears filled her deep brown eyes, it's not as if it would bring her mum and dad back. Nothing would. Ever. Looking down she brushed away the tears as inconspicuously as possible. All she needed was Ron or Harry to see her crying and begin harping on her about that too. Straightening up, she paused; Malfoy was staring directly at her.

She'd been crying, there was no doubt about that, Draco thought. Red rimmed her eyes and they still glistened with the sheen of tears. A pity, it seemed she was losing strength quickly. The game was just beginning and he was looking forward to it.

~*~*~*~

A/N:

Wow, guys! Thanks so much for the reviews! :) I'm glad you are enjoying it so far. Have a good weekend and if I don't update during it I'll definitely update on Monday. Let me know what you think so far!! :)

~DT