Chapter Two: Feeling Good
Hermione lay in bed that night and she could not sleep. The warmth of the Gryffindor Tower and the velvet, thick cover normally lulled Hermione into a deep, peaceful sleep but not tonight. Her thoughts were keeping her wide awake. She could not stop thinking back to the events earlier that day.
"Hermione… Hermione… Hermione!" Ron called Hermione's name multiple times, but the two teenagers could not seem to reach their friend.
"If I know Hermione wrong, she is already planning all of the changes she is going to bring in this year as head girl." Harry smirked as Ron nodded enthusiastically as he shoved a whole chocolate brownie in his math. The two boys began a competition to see who could fit the most in their mouth and this would normally have earned them a large telling off from Hermione, but she was too lost in her own thoughts.
Despite sitting in front of the open, warm fire, Hermione felt a shiver move over her body as she thought back to the voice that had spoken earlier, "Hello sweetheart…" Who did the voice belong to? What did they want with her? Hermione could not shake the feeling of uneasiness that this commanding voice had made her feel. She had decided against telling Harry and Ron what had occurred earlier that afternoon because if she had told them what Malfoy had done to her. She knew they would march down to the dungeons and demand an apology from him, and Hermione knew Malfoy to be spiteful and he would not hold back from telling the boys what Hermione had done. She couldn't bare for them to think badly of her. It was best, she had made the right choice.
But that voice. It made her shudder still. The lack of control she felt and now the voice, what was happening to her? No. She needed to focus on the good of this year and the fact she had been made Head Girl!
Hermione brought herself out of her trance and re-joined the conversation with the boys.
"I can't believe this is my last night in the tower with you both, I'm going to miss you boys!" Hermione sighed sadly as she reached for one of the few remaining brownies, Harry and Ron hadn't shoved in their mouths. As she reached over the table, she failed to see the longing glance both boys sent her way.
The Golden trio had spent a fun evening recalling over their adventures so far and Hermione finally saw the Harry they were used to as he became distracted over the events of the summer. She was going to miss them both but was ready for the responsibility of the role she had longed for since first year. That voice was a blip, nothing would stop this year being perfect.
Hermione smiled as she thought back to the evening festivities and decided that it had to have been a one off. It wouldn't happen again; it had been a moment of madness that only Malfoy could bring out of her. As Hermione pulled the knitted blanket further up around her neck, she burrowed further down into her bed for the final time and drifted off to sleep.
That had been some days ago and since then, the rest of the student population had returned to Hogwarts. The castle was once again bubbling with excitement as new first year felt the happiness of becoming part of such a magical place and others rejoiced at seeing their friends once again.
Hermione had moved into the Head Dorms and had enjoyed putting her own personal stamp on the dormitory. Hermione had moved around the rooms the previous evening commanding her wand to move her belongings around the space. Malfoy watched from the large, plush sofa as Hermione filled their previously empty bookshelves with books, Malfoy noticed years beyond their current level and muggle books. He scoffed at this but did not make any comment as Hermione continued to make her busy. Hermione was surprised that the two had not fought once since they had moved into their tower earlier that week, but she remained on edge waiting for Malfoy to pounce and put her down. Years of torment could not go away overnight. Yet, she would not complain. If he wanted to spend the next two years without fighting, then she would be happy to do the same.
She contemplated this as she descended the stairs to breakfast with Harry and Ron as they discussed classes starting that day.
"Odds on Snape giving us trouble as soon as we enter the dungeons, he just can't resist!" moaned Ron loudly. Hermione and Harry laughed at this, as Ron continued to moan all throughout breakfast about how he hated Snape and potions, but he had still chosen to continue it for their final two years. Ron's musings lessened as they started their descent to the dungeons. "Come on Ronald, it won't be that bad. Stay focused and do your work and then you will get along just fine." Hermione remarked.
The trio entered the dark classroom and began to search for three empty stools so they could sit together but found themselves stopped by Professor Snape.
"I think you will find your seats have already been assigned," Snape ordered, "Move and do it without speaking, will you? Or is that impossible for the chosen one, the know-it-all and another Weasley?" Snape groaned as he stalked to the front of the room and commanded the attention of the class.
"We will begin this year with a paired project. I expect you to complete this assignment as a team and perfectly. Anyone who does not meet my standards will find their place in my class revoked." Hermione was the first to spring to attention, as she found a seat next to a bent over Slytherin. Hermione placed her brown, worn messenger bag on the floor next to her stool and turned to her partner. She was met with icy, silver eyes and ruffled, blonde hair. Malfoy. Hermione could not help but sigh, like the two were not already spending enough time together. Draco gave her a calculating look and opened the potions book to the page the Professor had directed. Hermione knew she could not let this rattle her and at least Malfoy was proficient in potions. Hermione exchanged a glance with Ron who had been partnered with Blaise Zabini and it was safe to say neither party were happy with the partnership.
It did not take long for Hermione and Draco to settle into a rhythm of working together and they worked soundlessly moving through each step of the potion. Hermione took a nine-inch blade as directed and began to dice lemon grass as Draco began to crush the bitter root. The two moved with ease and reached simultaneously to drop their ingredients in the shared cauldron. As Hermione dropped the lemon grass into the black pot, her hand brushed against Draco's. She had expected to jolt at his icy touch but was instead surprised to feel warmth coming from his large palm. Hermione looked at Draco in surprise and they both remained still staring at each other waiting for the other to say something.
"Granger. Malfoy. This is fine work; I can see this partnership will be a fruitful one." Snape said between the two pupils and moved on to look at the next pair's concoction. The class passed by quickly as Hermione and Malfoy fell back into the rhythm of completing in their potion and when they were finished, both took the time to bottle it and tidy away their equipment. As the class drew to an end, the pupils began to grab their belongings and make for the door but before they could, Snape spoke over them all.
"I expect you and your partner to write up a discussion piece on the potion you have just completed." Snape continued, "This paper is due in two weeks and I expect it to be completed collaboratively." Snape chose to ignore the groans that were exchanged between the Gryffindor and Slytherin pupils.
The pupils rushed through the door before they had the chance to be given any more work and continued to walk through the corridors of Hogwarts to their next class. The boys had a free period and Hermione dashed off to Ancient Runes with promises to meet up again at lunch. The hour spent in Ancient Runes passed quickly and Hermione relished the challenge the subject presented, enjoying putting her mind to the test. She was already considering what she was going to do for her first assignment as she walked through the grand, oak doors of the Great Hall and walked quickly to where Ron and Harry had settled for lunch.
"Hi Mione," mumbled the two boys as they scoffed their faces with creamy mash and continued to pile sausages and cheese on their plates.
"You could at least try and eat some vegetables; how do you expect to nourish yourselves and have the energy to play quidditch." The boys grinned as they began to pile peas and other greens on their plates to satisfy Hermione. The trio fired into a conversation about what the boys had done during their free period and Hermione began to rattle about how fantastic she found Ancient Runes. The boys attempted to feign interest, but Hermione could tell she had lost them.
"I have a free period now, I think I'm going to head to the library and make a start on the research." Hermione announced.
"Oh don't do that Mione, its first day back. We feel like we've barely seen you this week since you left the Gryffindor tower." Ron grumbled. Hermione had expected this Harry and Ron had grumbled and moaned about her focus and commitment to her work since their first year at Hogwarts. "I am sorry Ronald, but I have the responsibility of Head Girl now, I can't afford to let standards slip." Hermione mused.
"Sorry Hermione, you just know we like spending time with you and it's hard for us to get used to the fact you now live with Malfoy of all people." Ron nodded enthusiastically as Harry finished.
Hermione could understand their struggle with this, but it was her who had to live with Malfoy, "I understand but it is just something you are going to have to get used to. I am going to be living with Malfoy for the next two years, I don't have to like it, but we do need to get along."
Ron raged, "Oh we know that Hermione. Don't you think we noticed how cosy you looked in potions? Anyone could see how friendly you are!"
Hermione sighed in disbelief, "Ron, we had to work together, you heard Snape. We have to work together, or we will lose our place in his class!"
Harry sat silently as he watched his two best friends grow increasingly annoyed at one another, "Don't deny it Hermione, you liked working with him! We heard Snape praise your partnership, there is no need to deny it."
Hermione had had enough at this and decided she did not deserve to hear this. "Ronald, I did what I had to do to get the potion right and I will continue to do so because I do not want to leave potions. Now if you two don't mind, I am going to the library to start my Ancient Runes paper!"
With that, Hermione grabbed her bag and started to march away from the table to the entrance of the great hall, filling her eyes begin to fill with tears at the way Ron had spoken to her. Unaware of those watching her leave after they had observed her argument with Ron. As she continued to walk away, Hermione heard Ron shout, "Yes you do that, you NERD!" Hermione stopped and felt her eyes begin to burn and overspill with tears, she turned to see Ron laughing at what he had said as he reached for a high five from Dean and Seamus. Hermione could not believe it; Ron was supposed to be one of her best friends and here he was laugh at her dispense. She felt her face become wet as tears began to spill over and down her face. Hermione watched in disbelief and missed the cold feeling rushing over her once again.
"Now princess, are you really going to let him treat you like that? Hurt you?"
Hermione dropped her bag in shock and watched as her books and parchment spilled onto the concrete stones.
"You didn't deserve that. Make him hurt the way he hurt you."
Hermione looked up at Ron and saw he was still laughing at her as he and Harry made no move to come and help her pick up her work. Hermione saw red, she had been made to look a fool by her best friend.
Hermione stood and grabbed her wand from its place in her sleeve. She felt comfort at the feel of the vine wood in her hand, Hermione used the fuel of her shame that Ron had made her feel and looked down at the empty parchment over the floor. Hermione held her wand and commanded 'oppugno'. The parchment raised into the air and began to take shape into tiny birds and Hermione turned and commanded the birds towards Ron. The birds zoomed through the air and began to peck and attack Ron. As the first few birds hit him, Ron raised out of his seat and began to bat the birds away scraping his skin and pummelling him on any exposed skin. Hermione watched as her birds continued to attack Ron and silently packed the remainder of her things away in her bag and moved to leave the Great Hall.
'That felt good, didn't it sweetheart?"
The voice asked inside her head, Hermione did not react to the feeling of iciness as it came over her.
Yes it really did.