CHAPTER 2

Harry came down as the students clustered in the Entrance Hall, preparing to leave for Hogsmeade in the carriages. His left wrist was heavily wrapped in bandages.

'Hello Harry,' Ginny said, timidly.

He turned to look at her, his green eyes wide and hollow.

'Hello.' He said, blankly.

'Are you all right? Your hand…' she faltered. Harry was staring at her again.

'I'm okay.' He said.

Hermione pursed her lips. She was suddenly feeling annoyed. The entire war depended on Harry having the strength to win it. He could not afford to go to pieces like this!

'Harry, show me your wrist.' She said, sharply.

Harry showed it to her. She pulled out her wand, and muttered a quick heeling spell. Then, she ripped off the bandage. Harry looked angry.

'What did you do that for?" he asked, hotly.

'Harry, stop acting stupid,' Hermione said, coldly. 'This is no time to sulk. You have a battle to fight, and you're not going there with your wrist all bandaged up.'

'I like the pain,' Harry said, reproachfully. 'It feels good.'

Hermione fired up.

'No Harry. Don't you dare say that! Do you realize what you're doing to yourself?"

She glared belligerently at him. In reply, Harry turned his heel and stomped off.

'Poor Harry,' Ron sighed, from behind her. "He's going through hell.'

'He's acting like an idiot,' Hermione said, shrilly. 'He had a battle to fight! Everyone is banking on him¸ the whole world has stopped revolving because of him and this is what he does?'

'You're right,' Ron said, soothingly. 'You almost always are. But you have to understand how Harry's feeling, Mione. It's putting a lot of pressure on him.'

The hard, angry look in Hermione's eyes softened.

'You're right,' she said, sighing. 'Maybe I'll talk to him today.'

Ginny began to cry softly behind them. Hermione wrapped an arm around her.

'Don't cry,' she said, softly. 'It'll all be okay.'

'No it won't!' Ginny sobbed. 'Dumbledore's gone! How can it be?'

'Well spoken by the Weaslette.' A cold voice said behind them.

Hermione ground her teeth together angrily. Ron was going red in the face, and Ginny started crying even louder.

'What do you want, Malfoy?" she asked, without even turning around.

'The least you can do is face me while talking, Granger,' Malfoy drawled behind her. 'Though I can't say I'm too chuffed by having your large teeth leering at me.'

Hermione felt tears pricking her eyes. Normally, malfoy's jibes about her teeth never hurt this much. But under the circumstances, his insensivity struck her hard and cold.

She whirled around.

'I suppose you're very happy about the going ons?' she asked, her voice filled with cold fury.

'Of course you are. Bloody Death eater.'

The words had an immediate effect. Malfoy's head swiveled from side to side in alarm. When he saw that no one was paying attention, he brought his face inches away from Hermione's. She stared back unflinchingly.

'I suggest, Mudblood,' he breathed, his eyes narrowing. 'That you be a bit more…discreet, shall we say, in the way you address me. You don't want to be disposed off, do you. Because I will be more than happy…'

'Mr. Malfoy!'

Malfoy pulled away, and turned around. Professor McGonagall was glaring at him.

'Please refrain from assaulting other students, Mr. Malfoy. The carriages are waiting outside. Depart in an orderly fashion.'

Malfoy threw Hermione a last, evil look, and then turning around he walked away, haughtily.

Hermione's eyes started watering again. Before she knew It, she was sobbing.

Ron did his best to comfort her.

'Sh,' he said, putting an arm around her. 'Don't worry. It's gonna be okay.'

Hermione didn't stop sobbing. She knew it wasn't going to be.