Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

WHITE LILIES

CHAPTER TWELVE: BAD MOOD

"I told you not to remove those things in the first place!"

I was walking ahead of Harry and Ron, who were scowling behind me. Madam Pomfrey scolded Harry and Ron, especially me when she saw us. She asked me why I let Harry and Ron remove their bandages. She said it was my responsibility to stop them from doing such thing since I am the Head Girl and – and since she told me to watch over them. Harry tried to explain that it was his fault, that he and Ron did not listen to me, but Madam Pomfrey told him not to interfere and he fell silent. She was so angry she said offending words to me, like I wasn't doing my job well and that I wasn't fair because I have special treatment for my friends. I apologized to her and told her would never happen again. She took fifty points from Gryffindor and told us to leave the Hospital Wing. I have never been so humiliated in my life!

"I'm sorry," Harry said as we approach the Gryffindor table. "I was just –"

"Very anxious to free yourself from those bandages, is that it?" I said sarcastically. I was very angry at both of them, especially to Harry because he was the one who started it.

"Hermione, I – I'm sorry, okay?" he repeated in a more sincere tone. "I didn't mean to do it."

"You didn't mean it? You didn't mean it?" I exclaimed as I sat down. Harry took the seat in front of me. "So are telling me that those bandages moved at their own will? Gee, I never knew!"

"Come on, Hermione," Ron muttered, looking at me at the corner of his eye. He sat beside Harry because he was scared to take the seat at my left. "Give Harry a break, will you? We both had a bad night! Harry had a cracked skull –"

"It was his fault. He deserved it," I said, but I felt a bit guilty. He obtained that injury because he defended me from Malfoy.

But I never asked him to. He should have ignored Malfoy.

Then, a thousand owls came with the usual letters. An owl with my Daily Prophet swooped down to deliver it to me. I took it but put it aside. I looked up again, expecting another owl to come to deliver me the lilies. At least there's still something here that could make me feel better, I said to myself.

But the owl never came. I waited but not a single one approached me again. The Great Hall was soon owl-free and that was when I lost hope. I sobbed and crossed my arms in front of my chest, glaring at the food in front of me. Now I feel really bad!

"I – uhm – there's no lilies today!" Ron said, trying to change the topic. He was rather joyful.

It was a bad idea. It made my temper worse.

"So what are you trying to say?" I snapped at him.

"Nothing!" he exclaimed. "I'm just telling you, that's all."

"Do you think I didn't notice?" I shouted, standing up from my chair. "Do you think I'm blind?"

"No!"

"Well, Ronald thanks for mentioning it again!" And I stomped off from the Gryffindor table and out of the Great Hall. I heard Harry calling my name but I didn't turn back. He ran after me and he grabbed my arm.

"Hermione, wait!"

"What do you want?" I said as I turned to face him.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, peering into my eyes. I did my best to avoid them.

"It's none of your business," I said casually.

He fell silent. I knew I hurt him but I didn't care. Serves him right.

"I'm sorry," he said for the third time but I don't know why I didn't find it convincing. Maybe I was very angry and my heart turned into stone.

"Just leave me alone!" I shot, wrenching my arm away from his grip. "I don't need someone like you pestering me, okay? I don't need you!"

I turned my heel and walked on, leaving him there alone, a hurt look on his face. But I realized that I didn't care.