In Her Eyes
Madammarauder
Ch16: Heartbreaking News
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"Hermione run!" Hermione head Harry and Ron yell outside of the bedroom.
Mr. Granger looked over at them in confusion, and then said, "What the hell are you-" But, before he could finish his sentence, both Harry and Ron had hit him with a spell that caused his eyes to widen in shock, and his skin to become very pale.
In one motion, Hermione shut her music box, causing the sweet melody to stop, picked it up, and cradled it under her arm as she stood up and started to run for the door. But, as she was running, she tripped on the leg of her bed, and fell on her knees on top of a nail that was sticking about an inch out of the floorboard. Hermione gave a painful groan as she tried to stand up, but she couldn't balance as she was standing so she fell back down. This time, she landed right beside of her father, who was still laying motionless on the floor. A sudden painful image came back to her. Just like the night when Hermione was running away from her father and he had hit him with the spell, he had become white and his eyes were wide open. Hermione shook the image out of her mind, and stood up. This time, she didn't completely lose balance, but she was about to fall over. Noticing this, Ron ran over to her and helped her balance. Then, Harry, Hermione, and Ron rushed out of the room, down the stairs, and to the fireplace. Harry was the first to step into the fire, followed by Ron and then Hermione.
Harry stumbled out of the fireplace out of breath, covered in ash, and his hair its usual mess. Then, followed Hermione and Harry out of the fireplace in the same condition. The three of them flopped down with exhaustion on the couches and chairs in front of the fireplace to catch their breath. Finally, Ron was the first to speak.
"Did you get it?"
Hermione nodded and pulled out the jewelry box behind her back. Without anyone saying a word, Hermione lifted the lid of the box allowing all of its beautiful music to escape and fill the small living room.
"Wow . . . "Harry commented in awe, "That's beautiful."
Hermione grinned, "Yeah-... I mean thanks. It was a gift from my mother on my fourth birthday. If it wasn't for this . . . " Hermione said gesturing toward the box, "I would have never been able to get through my parents' arguments." Then, she suddenly set the music box, causing the music to abruptly stop and leave the living room eerily quiet. She then stood up and tucked the music box under her arm saying," Guys, you have no idea how much I thank you. It's just that this jewelry box is so sentimental to-"
"Don't worry about it." Ron said with a grin, grabbing Hermione's hands in his. Then Hermione leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips as if saying' Thank you'. Next, she turned and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek.
"You're welcome." Harry said with a grin after Hermione kissed him.
After a few moments of just sitting in the living room, Hermione said with a big yawn, "Okay, well. I think I am going to hit the sack."
"Me too." Harry said, standing up.
"Me four." Ron said with a total look of exhaustion on his face. Harry and Hermione just looked at him over their shoulder and laughed. Then, the three of them walked lazily up the stair after an adventurous and exhausting night.
Ron sat in his bedroom on his bed as he was trying to pull on his pajama pants when he suddenly heard something in the room over. Curious, he got up and pressed his ear against the door, waiting to hear the sound.
Faintly, he could hear the familiar sound of Hermione's music box playing. Along with it Ron could hear Hermione's muffled cries. With a sigh of sadness for Hermione, Ron walked back over to his bed, crawled inside, pulled his covers over him, looked at his clock, (it was 2:30 in the morning), and eventually fell into a much needed sleep.
As the Hogwarts Express came to an abrupt, rickety stop, and the Express's sharp whistle blew, signaling that they were back at Hogwarts, Hermione, Harry, and Ron were suddenly jostled awake.
"Five more minutes, mum." Harry said sleepily as he forced himself to wake up.
"Are we there already?" Ron asked, looking out the window. "It felt like we just boarded the train."
"Sweetheart,"Hermione answered with a laugh, " That's because we were sleeping."
"Oh . . . " Ron said dumbly as he fell back over onto the cushioned seats. Harry and Hermione laughed at him. Then Harry grew a large smirk on his face and signaled to Hermione silently that he was about to do something.
"Oh, wait! Is that F..O...O..D I smell?" Harry said with expression. Ron was fully awake before Hermione and Harry could blink.
"Where?" Ron asked, looking around the compartment for food. Hermione and Harry laughed at Ron's gullibility. Then, with a frown, Ron realized that he had been tricked.
"Sure, use a man's love for food against him . . . jerks." With that, Ron stuck up his nose and pulled his trunk and his cage with Pig flying around uncontrollably.
Hermione and Harry were still in fits of laughter as the three of them pulled their things off of the train, and walked up to the carriages waiting for them to take them back onto the Hogwarts ground.
"Home sweet home." Ron said as he, Hermione, and Harry walked into the Entrance Hall.
"Yippee." Harry said with no hint of enthusiasm.
"Well, I am excited to be back." Hermione said with a grin on her face as she pulled her trunk behind her with Crookchanks cuddled under her other arm.
"Yeah," Harry commented,"and this is coming from a girl that is looking forward to N.E.W.T's."
Hermione gave a little blush because she knew this was true. In just a few moments Hermione, Ron, and Harry were entering the Great Hall, their stomachs empty, waiting to be filled with a delicious, Hogwarts' 'welcome back' meal. Just as they sat down at their usual seats Jacob Marsh, the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, rushed up to Harry and Ron.
"Hey, mates." Jacob said, clearly relieved that he had found Harry and Ron.
"Hello, Jacob." Harry said, looking up at his fellow teammate, "What's the problem?"
Before Jacob answered, he sat down in the empty seat next to Harry so that he wasn't being a barrier for anyone trying to pass between the Gryffindor table, and the Ravenclaw table.
"Okay, Professor McGonagall just informed me that we are going to have to have a Quidditch practice in about twenty minutes, because the game that was supposed to be played next week will have to be scheduled for tomorrow."
"What?" Ron said, his jaw dropped as he was trying to put a spoonful of chicken-noodle soup. "We aren't ready for our next game! We haven't practiced in a month!"
"I know," Jacob replied, "but now that we are beat Hufflepuff, we will have to play Ravenclaw for the spot to play Slytherin in the championships!" Harry and Ron just nodded.
"What did everyone else say about this?" Harry asked, curious about what all of the other players thought.
"Actually," Jacob replied with a grin, "You guys have taken it pretty calm compared to everyone else."
"Yeah, "Harry replied,"That's because we are more . . . mature." Then, at the same time, Ron and Harry both put on goofy faces like two three-year olds.
Jacob just laughed, along with Hermione, "Well, I am going to get some type of food in my system before practice. And I suggest the same for you two." And with that Jacob turned and walked back over to his group of friends to eat.
"Well,"Harry said with a sigh, "That sure as hell puts a damper on my parade."
"I know!" Ron said, clearly frustrated,"Right as soon as we get back from a tiring vacation, we have to go to practice."
Harry then smiled," Well, it will all be worth it when we beat the Slytherins in the championships.
"Yeah,"Ron said, "It'd better be."
Hermione sat on the large sofa in the Head Girl and Boy's dormitory. She had been spending most of her time in the Head Girl and Boy's dormitory since just before Christmas break when it was time to start being more serious about her studying schedule, not only to help her study for N.E.W.T's, but to get good grades so that she could get a decent job for when she was out of school.
On that note, Hermione was already working on the homework assignment that would not even been assigned yet, but Hermione had asked for an assignment schedule so she could get a head start. Crookshanks purred loudly on the other side of the couch. Hermione looked up from her work, and started to stroke Crookshanks soft fur. Suddenly, Hermione about fell off of the couch when someone stumbled through the door way.
"Hey, Malfoy." Hermione said, watching Malfoy's expression change when he spotted Hermione.
"Oh-um...Hi Hermione." Malfoy said, walking over to where Hermione was sitting.
"Hermione, eh?" Hermione said with a curious look on her face.
"Yeah,"Malfoy said, his face turning pink ," I figured we only have so much of this year left, and I feel like we should leave on a good note between you and me." Hermione smiled. She was debating wether to bring it up, but she took a chance.
"Um . . . in that case." Hermione said, not looking directly at Malfoy," You remember at the beginning of the year at the library that night?"
Draco's face suddenly went white, "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"
"I think that we should totally forget about it and become friends. I mean, I don't think that what happened meant anything to you. And, besides, no that Ron and I are dating, it makes me feel so guilty thinking about it."
Malfoy's jaw dropped at this information. He had no idea that Hermione and Ron were going out, but they never really showed it. At the same time, Draco felt like a small piece of his heart was torn out. After that night, Malfoy had felt special feelings for Hermione, but now he knew that she didn't feel the same way.
Hermione waited for Malfoy's answer. After a moment of thinking, she then realized why he was so speechless. He must not have known that they were dating! And even worse, she had a feeling, no, not just a feeling, she KNEW that Malfoy had a crush on her!
After a few moments of sitting there in silence, Hermione said again, "Don't you think so?"
Malfoy suddenly snapped back into reality and answered mindlessly, "Oh, yeah. You're right, totally right." Then, for a moment, Hermione thought she saw tears forming in Malfoy's eyes. Feeling very uncomfortable, Hermione made up a lie, "Well, I have got to be heading back to the Gryffindor dormitory. I told my friend that I would help her with her studying. Bye . . . Draco."
And with that, Hermione grabbed all of her books and Crookchanks, and rushed out of the dormitory, leaving a speechless, and heartbroken Malfoy behind.
A/n: Hey! Did u like it? Review to let me know. Oh, and BTW, i am going to be making anothe story (a sequel to this story) after quite a few chapters though, but i was wonderin what you think Hermione's job should be? I really would love your opinion, so review and tell me!