Pure Happiness
Chapter 9-
The Following Week
Hermione was ready to show her face again by dinner. It had been a real first for her, missing a whole day of classes. She'd started walking to Charms, but she simply had to turn around and race back to her dormitory. She felt she couldn't go out and take the mocking just yet- it was too horrible. She was very impressed with Harry's ability to ignore the whispers he'd gotten whenever there'd been a rumour about him.
Harry and Ron had brought her all of her homework, and even got Ginny to come and convince her to go to dinner. When Hermione emerged from her dormitory, she saw Harry and Ron waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, in a deep conversation. Although she was feeling supersensitive and wary, Hermione had managed to pull herself together and join her friends in the Great Hall for dinner. Ginny walked down with her, with a grim expression across her freckled face. They were silent mostly, except for an occasional sniffle from Hermione. They blatantly ignored the whispering students they passed on their trip. But every time they heard a remark, Hermione would let out the smallest of whimpers.
When they arrived in the Great Hall, they boldly walked to their seats. The Hall was a bit hushed, but when they touched the wooden benches there was a buzz of giggles and laughter. Harry and Ron stood up when she got there, rushing to comfort her.
"You guys," she half-laughed. "I'm fine, really. I was upset, of course. Malfoy can be such an idiot sometimes, you know?"
"Yeah," Ron laughed bitterly. "But he thinks he's so funny. Look at that prat over there, taking the mickey out of all the Gryffindors."
"But, Ron," Harry put in. "It was simply hilarious when he was turned into a ferret. Remember that?" They all laughed and Ron punched Hermione's arm slightly.
"But Hermione here ruined it for me," he said. "She was standing up for him, almost. What was with that? Did you… er… fancy him a bit?" Harry pretended to gag.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "How could you think that? He's disgusting. You know I hate him as much as you do. Sure, he makes fun of you and Harry, but I mean, I get it bad, too. He's always calling me a…"
"Mudblood!" a voice came from behind them. Hermione groaned loudly and said,
"What now, Malfoy?" Harry and Ron, who were sitting across from Hermione, saw him smirk. Ron clenched his fists under the table.
"Well, you know how tomorrow night we have our study session?" he drawled. Hermione nodded curtly. "I think we should cancel it. Seeing as you are in love with me for some irritating reason, you won't be able to study. See, you'll only be staring at my stunning good looks from across the table, which will only lead to more notes like you wrote last night."
Hermione jumped up and spun around to face him. "You," she snarled. "Are a despicable, egotistical, urbane prat! I hate you! How could you even think I'd… I'd… argh!" The hall had gone silent. Hermione jumped on him, hitting and smacking every single part of him she could touch. Several Gryffindors and students from other houses surrounded them, laughing and cheering her on. The Slytherins tried to jump in and attack Hermione, but her housemates took care of them.
And so started the great fight in the Great Hall. Teachers were shrieking and pulling students off of each other, but that did no good whatsoever. Of course, no one had thought to use magic, but that was for the best, really. Finally, when someone came to their senses, there was a loud boom, and red fireworks shot into the air.
"Silence!" Professor Dumbledore boomed. He himself had managed to be impregnable during the whole ordeal. He drew breath, and the students expected him to scold them all in a long tirade. However, he calmly stated, "If Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger would please meet me in my office, please, I'd greatly appreciate it." He nodded curtly at the other teachers, who drew their wands and shot cleaning spells at the students.
Over by the Hufflepuff table, Harry and Ron looked at each other. Ron leaned in to Harry and whispered,
"What a week Hermione's having, eh?" Harry took off his glasses and rubbed them on his scarlet tie. He inspected them shortly thereafter, satisfied with their cleanliness.
"Well, Ron," he sighed. "Hermione's not used to… all this. Don't you think we should have a talk with her? Afterwards?" Ron looked sheepishly at the ground.
"Ah… I suppose I shouldn't tease her then," he muttered. Harry laughed merrily.
"No, Ron. That wouldn't be such a great idea…" he responded. And with that, the two set off to Professor McGonagall to help her with the cleaning.
O.o.O
Hermione walked stiffly behind Professor Dumbledore, trying her best not to glance over at Draco, who was trudging alongside her. She was close to tears. It wasn't like her to lose her self control like that.
'What an absolute nightmare,' she thought miserably. 'I'm better than that. I was brought up properly. What on earth is Professor Dumbledore going to do?'
When Professor Dumbledore stopped outside an empty classroom, Hermione looked down at the filthy stone floor, her heart racing faster than it had ever done in her life. When the door was opened, all three of them filed into the room right after one another. Hermione sat down in one of the desks in the front row, with Draco right next to her.
Professor Dumbledore stood in front of both of them, disappointment etched in his bright blue eyes. He coughed softly, and peered at them over his half moon eyeglasses.
"We need to talk," he stated softly. Draco sneered at the headmaster, and Hermione kept her eyes on her black school shoes. The professor reached into his periwinkle robes and withdrew a Muggle sweet- a lemon drop. After popping it into his mouth, he closed his eyes and sighed.
"Obviously this isn't working out. I would have thought much higher than both of you to… ah… try to tear each other's throats out. As Head Boy and Head Girl, I thought that both of you would have known much better than that.
"Now, in normal circumstances you both would have already been stripped of your badges and positions…" Hermione's head snapped up, her eyes wide with horror.
"But sir!" she exclaimed. Dumbledore raised a hand to quiet her, and continued on. Draco looked over at Hermione and smirked.
"As I was saying, you both would have your badges revoked. But seeing as you two are the top students in the school and personal favorites…" he glanced at Hermione, "I'll give you each one more chance," the Headmaster told them. Hermione was instantly at ease, sinking back into her hard, wooden chair, rubbing her temples. After a moment, she sat forward again.
"Professor," she started. "As much as I appreciate your generosity regarding our privileges, I must inquire as to how you expect us to get along for the rest of the year! We're not exactly the best of friends, see…" Draco, although not really willing to, nodded in agreement.
"Ms. Granger, I am well aware of the relationship between you and Mr. Malfoy. However, I feel that you two are over exaggerating a bit. You two don't see each other that often, you know. And it would help, Mr. Malfoy, if you would cease teasing Ms. Granger starting now," Professor Dumbledore smiled. His eyes were back to their merry state, and Draco looked away quickly, his cheeks tingeing pink.
The Headmaster walked over to the door and opened it. He fixed his starry wizards hat, and turned to the two enemies.
"I expect both of you to return to your common rooms immediately. Good night, students," he said. They both bid him a "good night" full of grumbles, and as soon as the door clicked shut, Draco jumped up straightaway. He walked to the front of Hermione's desk and grabbed it roughly.
"Just because you have the old coot on your side doesn't mean that we're going to improve our… relationship," Draco scowled. "So don't get smug about the fact that I no longer can… make fun of you." He turned around and left, without forgetting to slam the door.
Hermione slumped in her seat. This had to have been the longest day she'd ever had.
O.o.O
I am SO sorry for not updating sooner. I just got so caught up with end of the year exams and such that I completely forgot about this story.
For all that asked, the two youngest Weasley children's full names are: Ginerva Molly Weasley and Ronald Billius Weasley. I don't remember if there were two Ls in Billius. Ahh well. There you go.
Special thanks to reviewer Jarie1019 for her wicked review. REVIEW EVERYONE! Thanks.