Disclaimer: I don't own anything
Chapter 2
"Unbelievable!"
Harry and Ron exchanged wry glances as Hermione's voice broke through the silence that had fallen over the Gryffindor common room. Ron glanced at the clock hanging over the fireplace; it was barely seven in the morning and she had already started on a rant. Not that Ron particularly minded, he actually found pleasure in Hermione's many—and there were many—tirades over every little thing. From the food in the great hall to the treatment of house elves (which was not improving as she had been quick to inform them), no subject was safe from Hermione's scrutiny.
"Unbelievable!" Hermione echoed, making a beeline towards Harry and Ron. Her hair which was large by nature had grown seemingly overnight due to the thick humidity that hung heavily in the hair. Mixed with her eyes—dark from a sleepless night of studying—and her wrinkled robes she looked like she had spent a bit too much time at St. Mungo's. Not giving a second thought to her unruly appearance she walked between Harry and Ron, dramatically slapping the Daily Prophet between the two of them.
"What is it now Hermione?" Harry teased playfully, pretending to be deeply annoyed by her theatrics. He paused mid-sentence however when he saw the bold headline splashed across the top; LUCIUS MALFOY RELEASED FROM AZKABAN! The heading cried. Harry and Ron crowded around as Hermione read aloud.
"'Lucius Malfoy, an alleged death eater, was released from Azkaban last Friday after being cleared of all charges by an anonymous patron….,'" Hermione continued reading until she reached the end of the article, finally throwing it down by her feet. "Can you believe this? How could he have been cleared of all charges? And who do you think the 'anonymous patron' is? This is absolutely ridiculous!" Hermione yelled, much louder than she had intended. Ron and Harry, exchanging hasty glances, carefully guided her to a chair in front of the fireplace. She sat down heavily, rubbing tiredly at her eyes.
"Hermione, did you sleep at all?" Ron asked slowly, not wanting to unintentionally insult her. Still, it was kind of obvious judging by her unruly appearance and her unusually loud outbursts. Hermione paused, trying to recollect her strength.
"I was studying for the Potion's test. Snape stressed how important this one was and I didn't want to fall behind—," Hermione began but was quickly cut off by Ron.
"Fall behind?" Ron asked incredulously, a disbelieving laugh escaping his lips. "Hermione, you set the bar for everyone. If you fall behind, you're still number one!" Ron assured her, inwardly wondering if this was true. He didn't think so; Snape didn't seem to be the kind of professor who would curve any test—unless it benefited him or the Slytherins in any way. Still, his words seemed to calm Hermione a little.
"I think we should go down to get some breakfast if we're going to do anything productive!" Harry said brightly, pushing his unruly bangs from his face. Ron and Hermione looked up, beginning to realize the hunger pains that were rumbling ominously from their stomachs.
"That sounds good," Ron agreed, taking Hermione's elbow to help her up. She smiled at the gesture and stood, her previous fears having evaporated as quickly as they had come. Ron watched her stand and the trio, led by Harry, made their way to breakfast. She's so pretty, Ron thought to himself, watching her unruly mass of curls bob up and down as she walked in front of him. His hand was tingling where he had touched her elbow. Her skin had felt so warm and soft. She smelled so good, and that smile. Ron felt himself warming at the thought of her smile. So bright and cheery it was like a ray of sunshine—
"Ron, what do you think?" Hermione asked, her tone making it clear that this was not the first time she had asked the question. Ron snapped back from his reveries, a little disappointed that they had been interrupted, but ecstatic that she was talking to him. She had paused, waiting for him to catch up to her. Despite the fact that he towered over her he often found himself lagging behind, watching her hair, her legs, her—
"Ron!" Hermione said again, nudging him as he approached. He looked up at her, his eyes questioning.
"W-what?" He asked, his tone shaky and off balance. She laughed easily.
"Honestly, if your head wasn't attached…" She said shaking her head at him. She was smiling though and that made Ron happy. She's smiling—at me Ron told himself. She's laughing with me. Maybe she likes me. I wish I could tell her. Maybe we could be together. We could be—Get a grip on yourself! Ron scolded himself silently. He had been doing it a lot lately, fantasizing. It wasn't anything new—ever since he had realized his feelings for Hermione years ago he had had his fantasies—what boy didn't? It was natural. Lately though the fantasies had seemed to consume him more and more. He had trouble focusing in class, his mind mulling over what Hermione was doing. If they actually had a class together—which was the majority of his classes—it was even worse. It was one thing to fantasize about being with Hermione but when she was right there—in the flesh—his mind had a tendency to take off with him.
When the trio entered the great hall it was obvious that they were not the only ones who had heard about Lucius Malfoy's release from Azkaban. It was the hot topic and every table, Slytherin included, was buzzing about the discharge. Unlike the other houses however, the Slytherins were all crowing appreciatively as Draco soaked in the praise like a sponge. Harry, Ron and Hermione glanced at him with disgust, revolted by his obvious pride.
"I'll tell you something to be proud about, never having a family member in Azkaban, that's what," Ron was saying. Hermione and Harry chirped their agreements, turning their gazes away from the Slytherin table and to their own house.
"It's just wrong, absolutely despicable," Lavender was whispering non-to-softly to Parvati who wholeheartedly agreed. "Flaunting their power and influence like that to get him out of Azkaban." Lavender's voice dropped even lower when she said 'Azkaban' but surprisingly she made it no less audible.
"I honestly don't know how he could have managed it," Hermione said in between bites of oatmeal. She had picked up another copy of The Daily Prophet and was attempting to analyze the entire article. She was determined to figure out who the 'anonymous patron' was and exactly how he or she had managed to have Lucius released. "I bet it was Voldemort!" Hermione said in a loud whisper, loud enough for Harry and Ron to jump, startled by her sudden exclamation, but not loud enough to alert anyone else at the table. Hermione seemed sure but Harry and Ron looked dubious at her presumption. After a silent exchange between the two it was decided that Harry would field this one.
"Uh, Hermione? Do you honestly think that Voldemort strolled up to Azkaban, slapped down a wad of money and they just kicked open the gates and let Lucius out? Even if it was Voldemort how would he have convinced them to let him go? I mean, he wouldn't exactly have sauntered on up and just threatened them to let him out." Hermione's mouth opened and closed a few times before any sound actually came out, as if she were trying to collect her thoughts.
"Well, I know that. I didn't say he just strolled on up and asked them to let Lucius out! He may have had several intermediaries. When has Voldemort ever done the dirty work himself? What I was suggesting was that maybe he was affiliated with the whole release," Hermione said in an exasperated tone. Harry and Ron looked at eachother warily but let it pass. After all, as Ron and Harry had learned time and time again, it was far easier to let some things slide than incur the wrath of a sleep-depraved woman.
