Chapter 21
Bones Manor was decked out in streamers and flowers, and Susan wore a white lace dress that stunned the small assembly.
Her bridesmaid, Hannah Abbott, was clad in pale yellow muslin, in a nod to the bride's Hufflepuff roots.
The ceremony was simple and moving; afterward there was dancing on the green.
"Neville is dancing with Hannah," murmured Daphne. "I bet they're the next pair to become engaged."
"I don't know," returned Harry. "Ron and Lavender look pretty close."
"No matter who's next, I hope they'll be as happy as we are!"
"Are you happy?" Harry studied her lovely face. "In spite of…well, everything?"
She smiled up into his eyes. "In spite of everything…I wouldn't have it any other way!"
"How's married life?" Michael Corner asked his best friend, as a rare smile swept across his face.
Terry grinned as they settled into their compartment on the train. "I recommend it highly! You should try it yourself."
Michael's long-term girlfriend, Lisa Turpin, laughed as she held up her hand, showing off a sapphire engagement ring. "He proposed the day after your wedding! Said he didn't want to wait any longer. So where is Susan? I want to exchange congratulations!"
"She stopped to have a word with Hannah Abbott," Terry explained. "Hannah is returning, but the girls won't be sharing a dorm any longer. We'll be in married students' quarters, like Harry and Daphne."
"Uh…" Lisa coughed, and Michael reached for her hand. "Is it true Potter killed Umbridge?"
"Who said that?" Terry was instantly enraged. "I bet it was Hermione Granger!"
"Yes, it was," Michael admitted. "Lisa heard Granger and Weasley screaming at each other about it, right before we boarded the train."
Terry tried to control his temper. "Here's what really happened!"
Lisa's eyes widened at the explanation. "How could Granger blame Potter?"
"She's not much of a friend." Michael looked almost as angry as Terry. "Don't worry, mate, we'll help you spread the true story. And maybe we should teach Granger a lesson!"
Terry sometimes wondered why his friend was in Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor, for Michael had a streak of daring that nothing could subdue.
"Maybe we should."
Hannah Abbott stormed over to Hermione. "How dare you?" she screamed. "You're saying Harry should have stood back, and let Umbridge murder Susan?"
"That's exactly what she's saying!" Ron was so infuriated his face was nearly purple.
By now a crowd of students had gathered at Hogsmeade station, listening avidly.
"No! That's not…"
Hannah wasn't finished. "So, if Umbridge had jerked you in front of her to block the Killing Curse, you'd want to stay there and let it hit you?"
"And you really wouldn't want someone to intervene to save you, because Umbitch's life is just as important as yours?" Ron jumped in to back up Hannah.
For once, Hermione was speechless.
Ron grabbed Lavender's hand and led her to a carriage with the Patils and Dean. When Hermione tried to follow, they all shouted "No room!"
Apparently there was no space in any of the carriages for Hermione. Even those with only one or two students refused to allow her to climb in.
She had to walk up to the castle by herself, which meant she came in…very conspicuously…right in the middle of the Sorting.
There wasn't an empty place the Gryffindor table either or at Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Hermione knew better than to attempt to sit with the Slytherins.
She ended up fleeing the Great Hall.
The following days at school found Hermione wallowing in misery.
Any encounter with Terry Boot or Michael Corner resulted in them casting a tripping jinx at her.
The Hufflepuffs followed Hannah's lead, and refused to acknowledge Hermione at all.
No one would partner with her in any classes.
That dreadful fortnight was the thing that broke through Hermione's self-absorption, and taught her empathy. Was this how Harry at felt at times, when the school turned against him?
She'd convinced herself she needed no one but Ron and Harry; now, she had neither, and the loneliness was overwhelming.
Hermione sat alone in the girl's bathroom and cried.
"What's the matter?" Moaning Myrtle's voice broke in. "Why are you crying? You're alive!"
"But I've lost everything…and everyone! It's all ruined!"
Myrtle was unsympathetic. "So, fix it! Why not? You're alive!"
Hermione gulped. "What if I can't fix it?"
"Have you tried?"
"Nooo…" Hermione's voice trailed off. "You think I could?"
"A person can do anything…if you're alive!" Myrtle dived down into the toilet, leaving Hermione alone.
She got to her feet slowly. The ghost was right, she could at least try. She had some groveling to do.
Hermione knew most of the students had gone to the Quidditch pitch, to watch a pick-up game. She was certain that was where she'd find Harry and Ron.
She started in that direction…then stopped. What if…she could discover another horcrux? Then they'd be sure to forgive her, and to welcome her back with open arms!
Hermione had long suspected one must be hidden in Hogwarts. She couldn't access the Chamber of Secrets without Harry; that left the Room of Requirement.
She paced in front of the wall, imaging a place where a horcrux might be hidden.
When the door formed, she stepped inside to find a massive collection of junk.
"Accio founders' artifacts!"
A tarnished but still striking coronet fell to the floor at her feet.
"I'll take that, Mudblood!"
Hermione whirled to find herself facing Pansy Parkinson, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, with Millicent Bulstrode and Theodore Nott bringing up the rear.
It was Pansy who'd spoken. But she couldn't help her tendency to gloat, which gave Hermione a second to react.
"When I take that to Draco, he will give it to the Dark Lord and then we'll be rewarded! We…"
Hermione's wand slid into her hand and she cast Nebulus. The thick fog spumed over the entire area as Hermione dropped to the floor and crawled to the edge of the room.
"Dispell that fog!" Pansy ordered frantically.
"I'm trying!" Theodore Nott sounded panicky. "Somebody guard the door!"
"On it." That was Millicent's voice. Hermione crawled towards the sound; she had to get out of that room. She'd no doubt that if they found her, they would kill her.
Almost there…but the fog was thinning rapidly.
"I see her!" yelled Crabbe. The green flash that killed flew at Hermione, but she managed to twist and it impacted the crown.
A shrill scream that emanated from the shattered tiara made everyone freeze for a vital moment, and Hermione got to the door.
Millicent was standing guard; she leaned down and grabbed Hermione. The Gryffindor started to struggle but Millicent growled, "Come on!"
The larger girl fairly hauled Hermione out as Nott cast "Avada Kevada!"
"You hit Crabbe, you idiot!" Pansy shouted.
The door slammed shut behind them and they took off running.
Hermione didn't catch her breath until they were standing at the Headmistress' office. "Why?"
Millicent met her eyes. "I'll never be on the wrong side again."
"Thank you, Millicent."
The Slytherin nodded. "Call me Millie."