Detention
By Fidelius Charm
Summary: "Granger, I hope you're proud of yourself! You've just earned yourself a week of detention!" The words shocked the entire student population. Hermione Granger had Detention? And she had Fred Weasely to thank.
Note: Somebody should've scolded me for my disgusting spelling last chapter! Well I'm very disappointed with myself and I plan on triple checking this chapter for spelling mistakes. Eventually I'll get around to correcting each of the chapters for grammatical and spelling errors but not until it's finished, which will be soon shockingly, only two more chapters after this one!
Note 2: (8/10/05) I've continued the rest of the fiction on this document, just to keep the format of seven chapters. Most likely you won't figure this out until you've read the note on the Saturday chapter but oh well!
Oh and this chapter will explain why this is rated PG-13 instead of G.
FRIDAY
Hermione was more then revealed to be able to leave the hospital wing. She felt like she had wasted a year under the ever-watchful eye of Madam Pomfrey who constantly pestered her that she should be sleeping instead of reading. She had received an urgent message from Professor McGonagall at sunrise telling her to see her in her office before breakfast. Hermione knew exactly why McGonagall wanted to see her; it was because of the Blood Ink Quill (1). She knew she'd get a lecture, but what she didn't know is if she'd get out of the Detentions. She had yesterday, which was a miracle. But with Umbridge issuing new Educational Decree's every few days she had no idea what McGonagall would be able to do about the Detentions without getting herself fired.
This year was nothing but stress for Hermione, all of the Ministry nonsense, the upcoming OWLS, and now her feelings for Fred all seemed to pile up on her shoulders. She just wanted things to return to normal or as normal as being The-Boy-Who-Lived best friend can be. It was frustrating, but she would get through it some how, she always did that this time would not be an exception.
She turned down the corridor; her school cloak swaying lightly in the breeze and headed towards Professor McGonagall's office. Before she was able to reach her destination she was stopped by the only person she didn't feel like seeing—Draco Malfoy.
"Well if it isn't Mudblood Granger." Draco laughed, "Are you sure you aren't feeling faint?" Draco dramatically placed his hand on his forehead and fainted into Pansy Parkinson's arms.
He stood up right away laughing, which caused his entire gang to laugh along with him. Apparently word had gotten around about Hermione's situation Thursday morning. Hermione's head began to throb; she didn't need to be bothered by Malfoy now.
"Sorry but I'm going to have to take a rain check for this little conversation of ours. I, unlike some people, have something to do other then sulk through the hallways and bully people around." Hermione began to walk away when she heard Malfoy laugh.
"Did you hear that Pansy?" He turned to his blacked haired classmate, "The Weasely whore is trying to 'weasel' her way out of our 'little conversation' what's the matter Mudblood Weasely got your tongue?"
This caused Hermione to stop in her tracks. That foul, vile, pathetic, bastard, had just sunk to a new low. Hermione turned around, with tears falling from her eyes.
"The truth hurts doesn't it Mudblood. First you run around with the Weasely King then you sleep with his older brother, what next the ministry bitch Percy? Have you no shame?" Again a chorus of laughs echoed through the hallway.
For once in her life Hermione had no snide remark, no sarcastic come back, she had nothing to lash out at Malfoy with. All she had was her tears, and her trembling form. Then she did the only thing she could think of doing. She ran. She closed her eyes and ran away. She heard the echoes of laughter slowly fade as she finally had gotten far enough away. She ran from the castle walls she just ran, she tripped on something, which caused her to fall into the snow.
"Oh my gosh Hermione!" She heard a familiar voice call to her, "I'm so sorry, my toad Trevor got away, I was trying to catch him. I'm so sorry you tripped over him. It was an accident really."
Hermione didn't feel like moving, and she didn't feel like talking to Neville either. Without even seeing who it was she knew it was Neville since he was the only kid in the entire school who owned a toad named Trevor who wrecked havoc on Hogwarts.
"Here let me help you up." Neville walked over to Hermione and gave her his hand pulling her out of the snow.
"Thanks Neville." Hermione said, trying her best to compose herself.
"Hermione…are you alright?"
She looked at Neville, her eyes full of tears. She wanted to say she was fine; she wanted to be able to smile at Neville and tell him that there was nothing wrong. She just wanted to be okay, but it wasn't. She said nothing and embraced Neville in a hug, he stood there for a moment stunned with a hysterical Hermione Granger clinging too him, then he returned the hug patting her back and whispering reassuring words into her ear.
"'Mione?"
Neville looked up to see Harry and Ron standing in awe. This was a week of firsts for their best friend, first detention now crying. Hermione let go of Neville who was extremely concerned for his fellow Gryffindor. She turned to Harry and Ron.
"Hermione what happened?" Harry took her hand in his.
"Malfoy—he—he," She sobbed. She couldn't get the words out, she couldn't breathe, and all she wanted to do was cry.
Harry embraced her. He never had to deal with a hysterical Hermione; it was always the other way around. Hermione had always been there for him through thick and thin and now it was his turn to return the favor.
"Shhh, it's alright Hermione just cry, it's okay." Harry held her head against his chest.
"I'm going to kill Malfoy," Harry heard Ron yelled. Before he could do anything to stop his friend he was gone, Harry looked at Neville who gave a nod and ran after Ron.
"When ever you're ready 'Mione tell me what happened." He led her to a bench and sat her down and bent down in front of her.
Ronald Weasely was on a mission, it was a search and destroy mission. The target, Draco Malfoy. Ron was seeing red, he had fire in his veins. He burst into the Great Hall silencing all four houses. Ron instead of heading to his right turned left and stormed to the Slytherin table. Once he had reached his destination he stood there.
"Get up Malfoy." Was all Ron said.
"Don't get angry Wea—" As Draco was getting up Ron punched him across his right cheek, sending him flying onto a second year boy sitting next to him.
"And that, you piece of shit, is for making Hermione cry." Ron said feeling very accomplished.
"Defending the honor of your little girlfriend eh Weasely? But what I told her was true, first she shags you now she's shagging your brother, George or is it Fred?" Draco stood up and brushed himself off.
"Don't you ever say anything like that about Hermione, my family, or me ever again Malfoy or I swear to God you'll regret the moment you learned to talk!" Ron's voiced echoed throughout the Great Hall.
Suddenly Neville came in and ran over to Ron trying to hold him back not knowing if his friend was going to try and murder Malfoy at any moment. The situation wasn't getting any better with both Snape and McGonagall looming ever closer to the scene.
"Mr. Weasely what in heavens name do you think you are doing!" Professor McGonagall said now standing next to him, "And Mr. Longbottom what is your part in all of this?"
"It seems to me that Mr. Weasely barged into the Great Hall and attacked a student unprovoked." Snape said coolly.
"I highly doubt this attack was random, even Mr. Weasely wouldn't attack a student randomly." Ron always knew he liked McGonagall as his Head of House, "I want Mr. Weasely Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Malfoy outside now!"
The two Gryffindors immediately turned towards the exit of the Great Hall, while Malfoy lingered behind.
"You heard the Professor, get out there Draco—now!" Snape pointed towards the door and Malfoy had no choice but comply.
From the other side of the room Fred Weasely watched his older brother punch Malfoy and yell something about making Hermione cry. What the hell was going on? He needed to find Hermione.
The two friends had been sitting in silence for almost fifteen minutes, missing out on a good part of breakfast. Hermione took a deep breath; she knew she could trust Harry with her life (literally). There was no one else she could think of talking to right now except for Harry. So she started to tell Harry about the confrontation with the slimy sleaze ball Malfoy. Everything was fine until Hermione got up to the part of Malfoy calling Hermione a 'Weasely-whore'
"HE WHAT!" Harry stood up looking as angry as Ron had been, "That filthy little prat!"
"Harry please!" Hermione looked at Harry desperately hoping that she wouldn't lose another friend to rage.
Harry looked at his best friend, her eyes full of tears and a look of desperation stricken across her face. He needed to calm down; he needed to calm down for Hermione. He let himself cool off for a minute and then sat down next to Hermione.
"I couldn't believe Malfoy could stoop that low," Harry said to no one in particular.
"Me neither."
"Hermione I know this might now be the greatest time to ask but why did Malfoy mention Gred?" Harry said combining the two names of the twins.
Hermione didn't answer right away. She had always thought that the moments she had spent with Fred were private, that no one noticed them. But apparently people had noticed, and people had been talking. She was blessed to have two best friends who were both male, and who could care less about the gossiping of the school.
"I…I've been hanging out with Fred more often then I normally do." Hermione said slowly, "I—I think I like him Harry. And I'm pretty sure he likes me too."
Harry didn't say anything right away, not that Hermione was expecting a reply right away but the silence was unnerving.
"Harry?" Hermione turned to look at her friend who was busy staring into the distance.
"It's alright 'Mione. You're my best friend, and I want you to be happy. And if you like Fred then that's alright with me. I'm just afraid about how Ron will take it."
"I mean I know it would be weird having your best friend date your older brother but I think Ron could manage right?"
"It's not that 'Mione. If that was the situation Ron would have been fine, maybe a bit sour at the beginning but eventually he would have to get over it." Harry said, pushing his glasses up the brim of his nose.
"Then what is it then?" Hermione asked.
"All these years 'Mione, he's been carrying a torch for you." Harry said matter of factly.
Hermione was in a state of shock, Ron, her best friend Ronald Weasely, liked her? It was such a foreign feeling, but it wasn't a comfortable one either. She felt nervous, trying to reevaluate all the things she had ever said to Ron but eventually her brain overloaded. This couldn't be possible, Ron had liked her all these years and never said anything, he barely even hinted it.
"But you and I both know it'll never work 'Mione. You're too different of people, sure you can be friends you compliment each other that way but…you'd kill each other if you ever became something more." Harry said, "I think Ron knows that too, but it's just tough for him to get over a five year crush but eventually it'll heal with time."
Harry always knew what to say, it was a gift that he seemed to have with words. No matter the situation Harry always knew the right thing to say. Hermione shivered it was cold outside for November.
"Come on let's go find Ron and head back to the common room, we still have some time before Potions."
"Alright…and Harry."
"Yes?"
"Thank you." She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a huge bear hug.
"No problem Hermione."
Ron was so happy he'd gotten away with punching Malfoy, elated would probably be an even better term. He couldn't wait to tell Harry and Hermione that he had been able to talk himself out of a Detention. He walked back to where Harry and Hermione were suppose to be, he was about to sneak up behind them when he overheard something,
"I…I've been hanging out with Fred more often then I normally do." Hermione said slowly, "I—I think I like him Harry. And I'm pretty sure he likes me too." Hermione said nervously. Hermione and Fred…together?
Ron was furious. How could Fred do that? He was his brother, and knew very well of his thing for Hermione. Ron felt betrayed, he had told Fred the secret in hopes of some brotherly advice not to have the girl of his dreams swept off her feet by Fred.
"Harry?" Hermione questioned.
"It's alright 'Mione. You're my best friend, and I want you to be happy. And if you like Fred then that's alright with me. I'm just afraid about how Ron will take it." Harry replied.
Harry condoned this! Harry was aware of his crush on Hermione and he was alright with it! Two betrayals in the course of two seconds, Ron had a sour taste in his mouth. And they should be afraid, Ron would never let it happen.
"I mean I know it would be weird having your best friend date your older brother but I think Ron could manage right?" Hermione acted as if she had no idea about his feelings for her, she acted like a naïve first year, which Ron knew very well she wasn't.
"It's not that 'Mione. If that was the situation Ron would have been fine, maybe a bit sour at the beginning but eventually he would have to get over it." Ron felt the temperature rising in his ears, they were probably tomato red by now.
"Then what is it then?"
"All these years 'Mione, he's been carrying a torch for you." Harry said bluntly.
There was a silence, a long painful silence. A silence that suggested that Hermione was surprised by the news, or even shocked or disgusted. Ron didn't know what to do; he was sitting behind a bush ease dropping on his two best friends. It was definitely an odd scene to say the very least.
"But you and I both know it'll never work 'Mione. You're too different of people, sure you can be friends you compliment each other that way but…you'd kill each other is you ever became something more." Harry said, "I think Ron knows that too, but it's just tough for him to get over a five year crush but eventually it'll heal with time."
If Ron thought he was angry before then he was as furious now, his best friends had betrayed him, his brother had betrayed him. He might as well take a dagger of lead to the heart; it probably would be less painful then what he was feeling now.
"Come on let's go find Ron and head back to the common room, we still have some time before Potions." Was the last thing he heard Harry said before the two got up and left, leaving Ron in the snow outside.
The red headed boy stood up, he was so angry he didn't know what to do. He looked around and then ran his hand through his hair; he had to win Hermione back…but how?
Fred had walked out of the Great Hall determined to find Hermione, he needed to know what had gone on between her and Malfoy and why his baby brother had caused such a commotion over it.
"Fred wait!" He heard a female voice call to him. He turned around to be confronted by Angelina (2).
"Hey Angelina what's up?" Fred asked.
"I wanted to come along with you, to find that brother of yours and congratulate him. He's my hero!" Angelina said smiling.
"Yours and everyone elses." Fred replied, "I need to find him and his two friends before they get into any more trouble. If I don't look out for them I know I'll end up getting a Howler from mum, and nobody wants to go through that again.
Angelina laughed, and remembered quite well the experience the entire school had at meeting Molly Weasely through a Howler.
"Ron there you are!" Fred said walking up to his little brother, "Could you tell me what the hell happened?"
"Can you tell me what the hell is happening between you and Hermione?" Ron replied harshly.
Ron gave him a death glare, obviously Ron had found out about Hermione and his little rendezvous. This wasn't good; Ron had a huge crush on Hermione since Fred's second year. This definitely was not going to turn out well. He needed to think of something and fast.
"Nothing's going on between Hermione and myself little brother. Now what gave you that impression?"
"The fact that the entire school is talking about the two of you. They see you in the hallways acting more then just friends. The fact that Hermione was talking to Harry and admitted she likes you!"
Fred stood there, Hermione liked him? Ron had over heard her telling Harry that she liked him. His heart skipped a beat; make that a couple of beats. He couldn't believe it, he was love struck. He needed to find Hermione, now.
"You're a real jerk Fred." Ron continued, "I tell you I like Hermione and the next thing you do is try to take her for yourself. You're my brother! My God damn brother Fred!"
Fred didn't know what to do, but he needed Ron to shut up before any more commotion was caused.
"Well I don't like Hermione, I can't believe you'd think I'd do that too you little bro."
Before Ron could reply she heard a sob, He looked past Ron to see that there was Hermione standing next to Harry with tears in her eyes. She turned and ran away.
Shit, what had Fred done?
For the second time in the past half an hour Hermione found herself running. Running as fast as she could as far away as she could. She felt like a fool, running around like an idiot because she was constantly being made fun of and rejected. But it didn't matter, none of it mattered. Her tears were blurring her vision, she hated this, she hated feeling this way. She hated feeling torn up and lonely, she hated feeling worthless and ugly. But that's how she felt and no amount of crying seemed to make her feel otherwise.
She found herself at the staircase of the Astronomy Tower, and for once in her life was thankful that a teacher was sick, because the Tower was abandoned, at least until the Professor was better. (3) After climbing, for what seemed an eternity, up the staircase she was at the top. She was greeted by the morning sun shining brightly on her rather pale skin. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath; at least she'd be able to find temporary sanctuary here until somebody found her. Not that she wanted to be found but she knew it was inevitable. She sat on the ledge her legs dangling over the side of the tower, she looked down and noticed it would be a long drop if she was to fall. But she didn't care, she didn't care about anything…except the ache in her heart.
Harry had ran after Hermione immediately, it only took a few seconds until Ron chased after him. How did everything become so dramatic? When did everything become so complicated? Since you fell in love Fredrick Weasely, because that beautiful girl Hermione captured your heart. But he had just said out loud that he didn't like her, he knew it had been a mistake to lie like that but what was he suppose to do? How else was he suppose to get his kid brother to stop bothering him? He sighed in frustration, this wasn't going well.
"Fred…could you please explain to me what the hell is going on?" Angelina said completely confused, even more so then Fred.
"I love her Angelina, I love her and now I've driven her away just so that I could get my stupid kid brother off my back. I'm really messed things up this time…" Fred began pacing in the corridor, ranting on how he was a failure.
Angelina couldn't take it, she grabbed the young Beater and turned him around facing him eye to eye.
"Fredrick Weasely find her, hold her in your arms and tell her you love her! Tell her you're sorry, tell her you didn't intend on hurting her, that you can't be without her!" Angelina began shouting, "Promise her you'll always be there, promise you'll never hurt her again, that you'll protect her and that she'll always be safe in your arms! GO!" She pushed him away from her.
Fred didn't know how to respond to his close friend. She seemed to know what she was talking about, he smiled at her and thanked her before running after the Trio, leaving a distraught Angelina.
"I wish it was me you were chasing after…" She whispered to no one as tears fell down her cheeks.
Harry had found Hermione sitting on the ledge of the Astronomy Tower, she had her knees tucked protectively under her chin. He walked slowly, not wanting to frighten her.
"Hello Harry." She said without turning around.
"How'd you know 'Mione?" Harry said resting his forearms on the ledge next to her.
"After chasing after your best friend during near death experiences you develop a sense of when that certain friend is near. It's a sixth sense really." Hermione said sarcastically.
Where were they running too? Fred could fly a broom but he was never much of a runner, he slowed down to a walk taking in deep breaths. If he were a hysterical girl, who is severely heartbroken, where would he run too? The Astronomy Tower! Fred began running again, hoping to catch his little brother before he was able to get to Hermione.
"Hermione! Harry!" He heard his brother voice call, "Where are you guys?"
Fred saw his brother looking around desperately searching for his two best friends.
"Ron!" Fred called walking closer to his brother.
Ron looked at him disgustingly, the way he would look at Malfoy. It made Fred stop in his tracks was his brother this mad at him.
"You're a really good liar Fred." Ron said darkly, "But you can't fool me, I saw you sneak away from the Great Hall with Hermione the other day…Harry didn't see but I saw. You were holding her hand, you were laughing with her. The look she gave you…I told myself that you were just getting her to help you with one of your pranks but now I understand. I hate you Fred, you've taken away the one thing I ever really cared about!"
Fred couldn't believe the words coming out his little brother's mouth.
"Hermione is not a thing little brother, she is a human being with emotions and feelings and a heart. She lives and breathes and thinks. She's beautiful, but obviously you haven't been able to see that have you? You just see her as a prize, something you could hold over all of our heads." Fred retorted, "You don't care about Hermione, you like the idea of Hermione. A bright girl who would always be there to help you when you needed it. A girl who would be dedicated to you. A girl who would sneak out the Great Hall with you to eat Ice cream and talk for hours about anything in the world."
Ron stood there, his ears were growing bright red, and tears filled in his bright blue eyes.
"I really did love her Fred…whether it's what you believe or not." Then Ron slowly walked away, tears streaming down his face.
What had just happened? Fred stood for a moment unable to register what was going on, did his brother just walk away? Then he remembered Hermione; his brother he would deal with later right now he had to find Hermione.
"I know what rejection feels like 'Mione. I've experienced it more then you could imagine." Harry said his eyes suddenly glazed over.
Hermione knew he was thinking about his life with those horrible muggles. Hermione couldn't stand what they did to Harry, and she couldn't stand that Dumbledore sent him back each and every year.
"Oh Harry," Hermione said turning towards her friend, "I didn't mean—"
"It's alright 'Mione. Just remember I'll always be there for you, through thick and thin. I'll always be here for you."
"Harry you have no idea how much that means to me."
Suddenly the Astronomy door opened and none other then Fred Weasely stepped out. Harry turned around and stared at the older boy, anger clouded his judgment.
"Get the hell out of here!" Harry roared, "I think you've caused more then enough trouble for us today."
"Harry please—"
"GET OUT OF HERE FRED!" Harry said again.
"I love her."
Harry stopped his ranting. Silence filled the area, and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife and spread it on a roll.
"I love you Hermione." Fred said again, this time looking at Hermione's turned figure.
"Please—please stop lying Fred." Fred heard Hermione say holding back tears, "I heard what you told Ron, I heard, and to think I thought you would actually care about me."
"I do." Fred said taking a step closer to her but was stopped by Harry.
"You take one step closer and it'll be your last." Fred heard Harry whisper.
"Hermione you have to believe me. I don't know why I told Ron that I didn'tcare aboutyou. I guess I just wanted him to get off my case; I wanted him to leave me alone. That happens when you live with so many siblings you seem to always want your privacy. It was a mistake to say what I said…it really was, I wish I had never said it. I wish I had never even opened my mouth. But sometimes I just blurt things out, I mean don't we all at one point or another?" Fred noticed Harry step down and move away from him.
Hermione turned around and looked at Fred, who gave her a look of desperation. Hermione couldn't just look away, it was Fred Weasely, and whether or not her really did like her or not he still had her wrapped around his finger.
"Let him go Harry…" Hermione said getting down from the ledge and walking towards the two boys.
Harry let go though there was a delay. Before Harry walked away he gave Fred a glare, a glare Fred was able to easily read, 'Make her cry and I'll make you cry' and Fred wasn't about to evoke the wrath of the Boy-Who-Lived. Then Harry disappeared down the Astronomy staircase.
"I'm so sorry Hermione. I should've told you how I felt sooner but I was afraid, afraid that you wouldn't be able to like a poor fool like me…" Fred said glaring at the stone floor.
"Fred…"Hermione said her hazel eyes meeting his, "These past couple days have been so…amazing. Despite of everything that's happened to me, the torture, the gossip, the accusations, I've been happy because for once you actually saw me. You looked at me for more then just homework help. I felt special, I felt important."
"You are special Hermione, and important."
"I've been called a Mudblood, and a lot of terrible things…but nothing hurt as badly as the words that crossed your lips…"
"It was a mistake. I know I'm not perfect, I know I don't deserve to even be here talking to you now—"
"Oh just shut up Fred." Hermione closed the space in between them, stood on her tip toes, wrapped her arms around Fred's neck and kissed him.
Fred wrapped his arms around her waste and drew her closer to him deepening the kiss.
Harry sat on the top step listening to the entire conversation, just in case Fred did something to make Hermione cry again.
"Oh just shut up Fred." Harry heard Hermione said.
Then there was a silence, a very long, very suspenseful silence.
"Damn Hermione." Harry heard Fred say, "I love how you solve problems."
"Shhh." Hermione replied.
Then there was silence again. Harry was a bit naïve but he certainly wasn't dumb, there was silence not because they weren't speaking but because of other reasons. Harry blushed furiously, and made his way down the staircase trying to figure out an excuse for both Hermione and Fred to be missing first period.
1. I have no idea what the Quill was called in book five; I forgot to put this note in the last chapter but whatever it's fine.
2. I can't seem to remember for the life of me if it was Angelina or Katie who was captain of the team Harry's fifth year. But oh well, I picked Angelina to be there. (And thanks to those to helped me with the spelling!)
3. I have no idea who the Astronomy teacher is. Is it Sinstra?
I have to split Friday into two chapters. I'm leaving for Pittsburgh for a couple of days and won't be anywhere near a computer during that time but I feel obligated to leave you guys with something instead of making you wait another week. I'm not to thrilled about doing this but it's the only way I can think of being fair to you guys.
--FC
(8/10/05) I'm back from Pittsburgh, and I've been outlining the last two chapters, and I'm excited to say the outlines are complete and in the works right now. I expect the Saturday chapter will be up around Friday and the Sunday chapter up around Sunday if not earlier. (That sounds so confusing; I hope you guys understood all that)
--FC