I'm OK
Hermione comes back from summer and things start changing for her, things not good for her health. She's getting abused by her dad, and now by her new boyfriend. Can Harry help her?
I don't own the song I'm OK by Christina Aguilera, or Harry Potter. Enjoy! Oh, and this will be pre HBP (I moved it up from being pre OotP (wow, that was a long time ago. This story is old! XD ))
NOTE: If you recognize this, it's because I've written it before. I'm now editing it because a lot of it…well…doesn't make any sense at all.
(Spiffy Divider thingy)
Chapter 1: unanswered question
"We're in 6th year now Harry. That means we're almost done being in school and soon we'll be full-fledged wizards," Ron said as the two found an empty compartment on the Hogwarts Express. They settled into the compartment, Harry setting Hedwig down by the window.
"It's so weird to think about," Harry muttered in reply. Harry knew there were weirder, and even more difficult, things to think about then the fact that they were sixth years, like his godfather being dead, or that Voldemort was still out there.
"Hello boys," a familiar feminine voice said from the door of the compartment. Both boys looked up and smiled to see that Hermione was standing there. She had grown up quite a bit over the summer, finally looking like the sixteen-year-old she was soon to be instead of the thirteen-year-old she used to look like. She looked like she grew taller, although it wasn't like she was going to be catching up to Ron any time soon. Her hair had gotten sleeker, shining a proud golden brown, although it was still a wavy mess. Both of the boys blushingly noticed that Hermione had developed a figure, which was very apparent since Hermione stood there in only her Hogwarts skirt and her white shirt, her shapely and smooth legs visible between her skirt and her stockings. Her waist went in, giving her body a sweetly curvy look, although the fact that her breasts had finally begun to develop more helped. She did indeed look sixteen.
"What happened to you Hermione?" Ron gaped.
"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with me?" Hermione asked, looking down and over her body.
"There's nothing wrong, Hermione; nothing at all. It's just that, well, we can't help but notice you sort of, erm, grew up over the summer," Harry said, his cheeks as red as Ron's hair. To this, Hermione laughed.
"Yes, I suppose I have grown up a bit over the summer," Hermione said simply, taking a seat next to Ron, directly in front of Harry. The boys couldn't believe that Hermione had said 'a bit'. It was more like Hermione turned in a woman!
"Hey guys," Ginny said upon passing the compartment. Ginny had also grown up a bit over the summer, her hair long to her elbows and her face now more mature looking, although she could hardly compare to Hermione.
"Hey Ginny! It's so nice to see you," Hermione said, getting up and hugging her friend. "Have anyone to sit with?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah. I'm actually looking for Luna," Ginny said.
"We haven't seen her. We'll tell her you're looking for her if we see her, okay?" Hermione promised. Ginny agreed and she walked off. "So, Harry, how have you been?" Hermione asked cautiously when Ginny left. Just before Harry could reply, Draco appeared. He was standing with the usual Crabbe and Goyle, although there was a young girl with him. She had the same hair, except as long as Ginny's, pale skin, and piercing blue eyes.
"Aw, look boys. The idiots have assembled," Draco said.
"Draco, can I please go?" the girl asked.
"No," Draco snapped back at her.
"But Draco, I'm tired," the girl said. She didn't sound like she was whining, but more like she was informing him.
"I don't care," Draco replied in annoyance. She hung her head and sighed.
"Leave the kid alone, Malfoy. Go pick on someone else," Harry said.
"This isn't any kid, Potter. This is my cousin," Draco replied, as if that really mattered.
"Then stop picking on your little cousin. She's obviously scared. But then again, who wouldn't be scared of your ugly face," Hermione said.
"And who asked you, girl?" Draco shot back.
"I don't need to be told when to speak, ferret boy," Hermione shot back at him smartly.
"Excuse me? How do you know about that?" Draco asked. He couldn't figure out who the girl was in front of him. Her face looked familiar, but Draco could hardly place where he knew it from.
"I was there," Hermione told him in a matter-of-factly voice that she was sure he'd recognize.
"No way! Mudblood?" Draco spat, eyes wide. "Wow, you grew up over the summer." Hermione just glared.
"Get the hell out of our compartment, Malfoy," Harry said, standing up. The two just stared at each other, glaring. Soon, Hermione stood up and stood at Harry's shoulder, joining him. Ron eventually got the message and joined them.
"You're all a bunch of gits," Draco said after a while of just staring. He walked away, leaving his cousin behind.
"Thank you," she said in a small voice.
"No problem at all. We're happy to help anyone being harassed by that jack arse," Hermione said with a smile.
"I'm Nina Malfoy," Nina said, extending her hand forward.
"I'm Hermione Granger, this is Harry Potter, and this is Ron Weasley," Hermione said, indicating to her friends. Nina excitedly began talking to Harry, Hermione and Ron taking their place back in their seats.
Nina stayed in their compartment, finding it fascinating to talk to the oldest students. She confessed that she was a first year and was terrified to find out that she was most likely going to be in Slytherin. She hated that it had housed her entire family, because she was nothing like them. Harry and Ron sat there giving her advice while Hermione stared out the window, adding things in here and there.
And then, Harry saw it. It was a dark bruise in Hermione's hairline. He squinted to see if it went farther into her hair, but he couldn't manage to since her hair was so thick. But that didn't discourage Harry. He kept staring at her, although he did so secretly so that no one would ask any questions. He spotted another bruise after a while. Hermione was resting against the window and her shirt had risen just a bit. There was a dark bruise that extended past his vision both ways, even wrapping around her waist. The final one he spotted was in the crook of her neck, but it was faded more then the other two. Harry tried to pass them off as nothing, but couldn't help but be worried.
Once upon a time there was a girl
In her early years she had to learn
How to grow up living in a war that she called home
Never know just where to turn for shelter from the storm
Hurt me to see the pain across my mother's face
Every time my father's fist would put her in her place
Hearing all the yelling I would cry up in my room
Hoping it would be over soon
"Hermione, can I talk to you?" Harry asked as they got off the train, grabbing her by her arm. Hermione flinched at the contact, which surprised Harry. Why would his touch scare her?
"What do you want to talk about?" Hermione asked, almost as if she was trying to act normal. But Harry knew her better then she thought and he could tell that she looked scared.
Harry led her away from the crowd so that no one would hear them. When he was positive that no one could hear them, he spoke. "Hermione, what are these from?" Harry asked, pointing out each of her bruises.
"N—nothing. I was just trying to get one of my books from the shelf and I hit myself in the head," Hermione said, avoiding Harry's eye.
"Did it hit your neck and your side too?" Harry asked.
"I bumped into my counter," Hermione said. Just as Harry opened his mouth to argue, she silenced him. "Listen, they're nothing, alright? Just leave me alone." Hermione brushed past him, hugging her stomach as she made her way back to the crowd. Harry caught her, though.
"No, I won't leave you alone. You're my best friend. Now stop lying and tell me what happened," Harry said.
Hermione sighed and looked down at the ground sadly. "I can't tell you. But I'm okay now," Hermione looked up at him with a reassuring smile. "I promise you I'm alright. These will go away. Now let's get back to Ginny and Ron before they throw a fit."
Harry watched as Hermione walked away. He could tell that she wanted to keep her secret to herself, and he wanted to respect that, but it was eating him alive. He had to know what was wrong with her. But he knew that Hermione was stubborn and she wasn't just going to tell him what was wrong with her. So, he dropped the subject and followed Hermione as they made their way to Hogwarts to start another year.
"Hey Ron, where did Hermione go?" Harry asked just before the feast was over. They had spent the entire night picking out who they thought was going to be in Gryffindor, Hermione's picks always right. To their surprise, Nina was sorted in Gryffindor. They could see Draco's aggravated face all the way from their table as well as Nina's own joyous one as she joined her fellow first years. Harry had looked over to see if Hermione was cheering only to see that she wasn't next to him anymore.
"No idea. Maybe she went to the bathroom or something," Ron replied with a shrug. Harry decided to look for her. He was about to give up when he passed Moaning Myrtles bathroom. He noticed that Myrtles weeping wasn't the only one he heard. He opened the door and look around.
"Poor thing. She looks dreadful," Myrtle said, going around Harry and to the window to sit. Harry looked over and saw Hermione curled up in a ball, crying into her knees.
"Hermione? What's wrong?" Harry asked as he walked over to her and sat with her.
"I'm so scared, Harry. I'm just so scared," Hermione whimpered, throwing herself into Harry's chest. Harry wrapped his arms around her back and tried to sooth her. After a few minutes, Hermione calmed down and Harry helped her up into the Gryffindor tower. It was late and he knew that couldn't help Hermione into her dorm since he would end up hurting both of them instead. So, Harry led her into their dorm, setting her into his bed and closing the curtains around them. He held her close for the entire night, hardly getting any sleep while she slept peacefully curled up against his chest. He wanted so badly to ask her questions, but decided to give her the space he knew she wanted and leave his questions for another day.
"Harry, can you promise me that you won't tell anyone about my bruises?" Hermione asked in the middle of the night. Harry had no idea she was even awake.
"Hermione, it's going to be hard for me. I care about you and I know that once Ron finds out, he'll want to know what happened," Harry argued. When he heard Hermione 'tsk' her tongue, Harry reluctantly gave in. "I promise."
"Thank you," Hermione whispered before dosing off again. Harry suddenly realized what he had gotten himself into, but he knew he couldn't go back on his word now. Hermione could never trust him again.
-End of chapter!
Okay, not much of a change at all. But I promise there will be some changes soon! Please review!
-Serenity
