Fuming, Hermione couldn't help but feel the satisfaction of grabbing a single pillow and throwing it on the ground with all her might, violently. It wasn't much, but it was the only real sign that showed frustration and pure anger that controlled her body. Anyone who looked upon this strange speculation would find it difficult to understand how just a single pillow thrown on the ground could relieve most of her feelings. But it did. She hardly remembered when she threw her pillow on the floor last time, several years ago. She was in the same state as she was now. Angry, frustrated, humiliated, discriminated against, unfair disadvantages. Hermione remembered her seeing her former muggle friends' faces as they threw cold insults and verbal abuse at her, when she didn't tell them where she was going every year. Hermione remembered how shocked and hurt she was when they ridiculed her and called her names, such as 'bad friend', and 'how can we EVER trust you", and 'what makes you think you're better than us?'
Slowly, she bent down and picked up her pillow, placing it back on her bed. Emotions sprang threw her body. Before she knew it, she was on top of her bed, trying to stifle her sobs from anyone hearing. She knew, even though she hated to admit it, that she was partially crying because she had just been humiliated incredibly by Draco. Hermione never felt so powerless and mortified. "This isn't how it's supposed to be! All I'm supposed to do is to lend a hand! I wasn't trying to break into Draco's room! All I wanted to do was to see if he needed my help. All I ever wanted to do was just help, but instead, I got landed here!" Tears ran down her still-embarrassed cheeks. Hermione felt her heart ache to be back home, to be among friends who would have stood up for her. She longed to be in the comfort of her mother's arms, softly rocking her back and forth whenever she was depressed. She wished she could hear her father's strong-willed voice, telling her that next time he'll pull the tooth out of so-and-so's mouth so hard, that they would think twice before messing with Hermione, in attempts to cheer her up with his Dentist Joke. But instead, Hermione lay on her bed, lonesome and abandoned.
Draco
Draco stood in the middle of the doorway, not entirely sure if he had won the battle or not. What? Of course he did, she left didn't she? Re-closing his door, he headed back to his bed. Hermione was a strange one all right, why would she come to his room only to leave saying she didn't want anything? He laid his head on his pillow. "And what was with her at the end? That was probably the fastest I have ever seen someone turn from embarrassed to angry." An unexplainable, awkward feeling settled into his being. Whatever just happened, colliding into Granger, mocking her, seeing her uneasy, watching her get angry, then leaving, caused Draco to dwell in his thoughts for a long time. It was generally abnormal for him to think on such a matter for that long of a period. Even when he normally felt self-conscious, embarrassed, or uncomfortable, he would let it pass coolly in several minutes. But instead, Malfoy continued to reflect on the last ten minutes. "What are you doing! Here you go again, letting Granger get into your head! She's not worth all this thinking. So, forget her now!" Malfoy commanded. Sighing, and slightly irritated with himself, he slipped into an uneasy doze.
Hermione
The light tinkling of her wind chimes woke her up. Hermione didn't realize that she had fallen asleep. Turning slowly, her clock read 12:30 PM. Laying on her bed, she felt the lonely sensation begin to settle into her body once more.
Jingle, Jingle
Hermione turned and faced her wind chimes. A small, yet promising warmth entered her heart. A large smile spread across her face, causing her to forget her current troubles….
"Hermione! Hermione! Look!" Ron shoved a piece of paper under her nose. "I did it! I did it! I got an O on my potions exam! I've NEVER gotten an O on my potions exam! Thanks so much Hermione, you have no idea how much you've helped!" Ron grabbed her in a big bear hug and lifted her off the ground. "I've got to go tell Ginny that I'm not going to be kicked out of potions! Mum and dad would like to know to…." He trailed of, running in the opposite direction.
Ron had spent so much time studying for that exam. Hermione used all up all her extra time helping him prepare. Getting a good grade on this exam could be a deciding factor if he would be kicked out of potions or not, which would then decide if he was to become an auror. They had studied night and day, usually ending up in frustration and several arguments. Tensions ran high and stress, higher. But Ron and Hermione stuck to it, and Ron got an O.
Hermione felt the smile on her face widen more. She never felt so proud of Ron in her life. It proved that he wasn't lazy, that he was willing to lose hours of sleep and go the extra mile to achieve his dreams. Hermione's smile dropped. If Ron could do something next to impossible, like getting an O on his potions exam, then she could do something petty like endure Draco, which she has been doing for 6 years of her life. Hermione bolted up and sat in her bed. The smile had returned back on her face. What was she feeling so sorry for? Why was she so unhappy before? She can handle this. She WAS the one with top marks in her class. If she can't do it, who else can? Hermione felt her old self-coming back. Determination began to fill her inner-being, motivation and stubbornness erupted into her body. Within a split second, Hermione sprung out of her bed and crossed her room towards her door. Stopping by her window, she whispered, "Thanks." And headed out the door.
Downstairs, Hermione found her way to the kitchens and entered. "Hello Tinky, hello Olfie." She smiled.
"Miss Hermione, we are glad you have come. We have lunch prepared for you." Olfie said, indicating towards the food. "Breakfast and lunch are not as formal as dinner, Miss. Hermione. You may come in kitchens anytime for food, me and Tinky always have some ready." Olfie bowed.
"Thanks Olfie. I didn't come here for lunch, but thank you for the offer." Hermione said, sitting down at a small table and taking a bite of some food. "In fact, Olfie, I came down here to ask you and Tinky some questions." Tinky and Olfie both rushed to her side and bowed. "Anything Miss Hermione." They replied.
"Wonderful! Has anyone told you, why I am here, Olfie and Tinky?" The elves nodded. "You is supposing to help us, Miss Hermione. That is what mistress Malfoy is saying." Hermione smiled. "Well, since I got here, I haven't really found anything to do. I'm afraid Draco or Mrs. Malfoy isn't…er-clear with any instructions. So I figured I would ask you two." Hermione leaned in. "I know I won't be much service, compared to you two wonderful elves, but is there any possible way I can make your lives easier? That's what I'm here for, you know. I can help with dinner, or cleaning, or anything else."
Silence followed as the two elves began to think.
"Miss Hermione, there is one thing for us-" Tinky began.
"But master and mistress Malfoy may not approve-" Olfie continued.
"But Olfie and me have been very curious-" Tinky said.
"And Miss Hermione is a wise and gracious witch-" Olfie interrupted.
"What, what could I do for you two?" Hermione asked, unable to contain her eagerness.
There was a short hesitation before Tinky whispered, "Teach Olfie and me to read and what goes on outside of Malfoy Manor." Hermione paused, not entirely sure if she heard those her correctly.
"You mean teach you to read-"
"And the world outside Malfoy Manor." Olfie interrupted
"So Olfie and I knows more than other elves-" Tinky continued
"And maybe one day become smart and respected by other elves." Olfie finished.
Hermione couldn't contain her happiness. "Wonderful! That's completely wonderful!" She jumped up in excitement, startling the two little house elves. "I would be more than happy to teach you two! How about in the early after noon? That way you don't have to worry so much about making breakfast or lunch on time. Oh the possibilities! Reading will be tough though, I might have to assign homework." Hermione's brains began to work overdrive. "And we'll need a place to work and learn together, so I can teach you with ease and you can learn much more than the ABC's."
"The library!" Tinky squealed.
"Yes, the library on the third floor! It is filled with many many books." Olfie exclaimed.
"There is a library on the third floor? Oh, never mind. I'll look for it later. How about we start tomorrow, say, around 2 o'clock?" The elves nodded. "Excellent!" And with that, Hermione finished her lunch and left the kitchen, leaving two very excited elves.
Author's note: WHAT! What is this! an author's note at the end of the chapter instead of the begining? How odd! Essenceoffantasy...what are you playing at? br />
haha. Yes, Since the begining of this chapter followed a rather somewhat-emotional chapter, i didn't want to lose your feeling of the story, and decided to instead, jump straight ahead into what Hermione was thinking. for those of you who actually read the author's notes XD Now, this chapter was incredibly important. From the begining, i'm quite sure some of you were thinking that Hermione is such...well...a complainer..worryer..baby..whatever. I figured the story needed something sentimental, or rather important for Hermione to 'get back up on her feet' again. I also felt that Hermione needed a 'picker upper', or something that would help lift her spirits once again. Hope you enjoyed it!