Chapter 2
It was the last day before the Christmas holidays, and Ron, Harry and Hermione were sitting at the back of Professor Binns' class, in their usual half-doze. The lesson came to an unexpected halt when there was a knock at the door and Professor McGonagall poked her head in. Professor Binns looked round, startled, and said "Oh, hello Minerva."
"Good morning. May I talk to Miss Granger please? And bring your things. You will not be coming back to this class today."
Ron and Harry exchanged confused glances. Harry tried to catch Hermione's eye, but she had already picked up her bag, shoved her quill, ink and book inside and started to walk towards the door.
"Yes, of course." He resumed the lesson as the door closed, leaving Ron and Harry thoroughly perplexed.
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Ron and Harry didn't see Hermione until lunch, as they had Divination next. They walked into the Great Hall late (Sir Cadogan had wanted a fight – Ron had thrown his portrait out the window of the sixth floor) and spotted her down the far end of the table.
"Hey Hermione," called Harry as they walked between the tables. "How was Arithmancy?"
"Oh it was well enough, the usual, you know, nothing special." She paused to grin evilly. Then she asked sweetly, "how was Divination?"
"That was uncalled for," whined Ron. He kissed her neck. So how are you?"
"I'm great, just fine," she replied, and kissed him back. Harry looked away. As great a couple as they were, and as much as he liked them being so happy, he hated having to see them at it all the time. It made him conscious of the fact that he hadn't got a special someone around. Then again, he didn't even have a crush. He'd been over Cho since she came up and slapped him when he said hi last year. He shook his head and pretended to be very interested in his bacon and eggs.
When they finally broke apart, Ron said "So what did McGonagall want you for?"
"She just wanted to talk about some prefect duties she was wondering if I was interested in doing."
"And that took all lesson?" asked Ron, raising his eyebrows.
"Well, yeah there were a lot of them." Ron seemed to buy it but Harry noticed she avoided looking at them. He thought it wisest not to mention anything. Instead he excused himself and left the Hall.
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"Yes what is it, Potter?"
Harry jumped. He'd been knocking for a few minutes and Professor McGonagall had suddenly appeared behind him.
"Oh, yes, sorry to bother you, Professor, he said breathlessly. "I was just wondering what was wrong with Hermione. She was very distant at lunch."
"She's fine, Potter, probably just tired. It had nothing to do with her little visit here."
"OK then. I also wanted to ask to you about this essay…"
They talked all the rest of lunch, and Professor McGonagall seemed herself. But Harry noticed that whenever Hermione was mentioned, she too avoided his eyes.
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Harry walked back to the common room slowly after dinner, having once again not seen Hermione since lunch, giving himself plenty of time to think. She's hiding something, he thought, I know it. She isn't looking directly at us, neither is McGonagall. I need to ask her in a way that won't sound nosy, just like I'm curious. Then again sometimes she needs a good firm 'tell me or I jinx you' kinda talking to.
"Password?" asked the Fat Lady, interrupting his thoughts.
"Dragon scales," replied Harry, and the portrait swung open to allow him through.
(A/N) I am completely obsessed with dragons.
He entered the common room and noticed Hermione in her favourite chair by the fire, absent-mindedly stroking Crookshanks, who was purring in her lap. He walked over and sat down.
"Hey Hermione."
"Hi Harry," she replied, still looking into the fire. She looked slowly over at him as he started to talk.
"I was just wan- Hermione what's wrong?"
Hermione's eyes were bloodshot all over, her face was red and it was quite obvious she had been crying very hard. She sniffed.
"What do you mean Harry? I'm fine."
"Hermione, stop bullshitting me, what's going on? Ever since you talked to Professor McGonagall you haven't been yourself. You won't look at either of us and you're going all vague. I'm worried." Harry frowned.
"Look Harry, there's really nothing wrong, I'm just a little upset at the moment."
"You think you can get away with the 'it's that time of month again' thing? I don't buy it, now what is wrong?"
'OK so I'm in a bad state! Sometimes the pressure does get to me, great and unable to be stressed as I may seem, Harry, but is that so hard for your massive ego to understand!?"
That stung. She stormed off up into the girls dormitories.
Harry snarled and threw his potions essay into the fire in a fit of anger. He watched it burn with savage pleasure for a moment, until he realised he'd only just finished it to a decent standard and it was due tomorrow.
(A/N) the 'that time of the month' statement is in no way intended in a derogatory way.