Hermione paced the space of her dorm. She struggled to keep a coherent thought in her mind long enough to focus on it. Each one coming in at a rapid nonsensical pace and exiting her mind just as fast. She was trying to process and categorize everything that she had just witnessed.
Where Hermione was pacing, Druella was the opposite. She sat her bed, shell-shocked, staring at the floor Hermione was pacing.
Walburga and Philomena came in, chatting about nothing on consequence. They noticed both girls behavior and stopped in their tracks.
Walburga sat beside Druella and looked between the two, "what happened?"
When Druella looked to Hermione, she knew that Druella didn't really understand everything so Hermione explained, "when we were coming back from dinner, mediwizards ran past us so we followed. Dumbledore wouldn't let us into the corridor but we saw anyways."
That answer wasn't detailed enough for Walburga so she looked at Hermione in silence until she continued, "Myrtle Warren was found dead in the second-floor corridor. Tom found her"
Walburga and Philomena gasped in shock or horror. They hadn't had to deal with anything close to something like this before and it was hitting them hard.
Hermione opened her mouth but closed it in thought. She didn't know if it was to offer comfort or explanation but she knew neither would help in the direct aftermath of the news.
It was silent for several more minutes before a knock startled them all. Hermione, being the one still standing after Philomena took a seat on her bed, opened the door.
As the wooden door swung open Hermione held her breath, it was Tom. He quickly scanned the room and noticed the state of the girls before making eye contact with Hermione. She looked back and searched for any telling signs of feeling but of course, he was masked as ever.
Tom cleared his throat and quietly asked, "Hermione, may I speak with you in private?"
Hermione nodded and followed him out the door, casting a quick look to Druella, sharing a thought but no words, before closing the door behind her.
Hermione and Tom walked in a tense silence out into the common room and out into the hallway. Tom didn't speak until he had lead Hermione out into the courtyard. He gestured a curved stone bench, partially secluded by hedges. Between the moon and the torches that lined the outside of the castle, a dull glow of light allowed Hermione to see Tom as he sat next to her.
Hermione remembers having conversations with Harry on this very bench. When Ron would act like his usual self they would retreat to this place and talk. Hermione knew however whatever this talk would be, it would not be the same.
Tom looked down to his shoes, "so you know what happened?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, Druella and I followed the mediwizards from the main hall."
He nodded and sent a small almost sad smirk her way, "I wouldn't expect anything different."
The pair was silent for a few seconds before Tom continued, "it all just happened so fast."
Hermione internally felt the wheels of thought turn. There was only approximately an hour in-between Tom leaving and Hermione running towards the commotion. It was also only the first day back, she just didn't understand how so much had changed in an hour.
He looked at her, waiting for a response, "What happened anyway?"
Tom looked away, as if in thought. Hermione didn't know if he was reflecting or trying to weave a believable story, "I had just started my after dinner rounds when I heard a scream and ran. When I got there the girl was dead on the floor, already turning grey."
Hermine couldn't suppress the shudder that ran through her body. She knew what was coming next but couldn't help the surprised gasp that passed through her lips as he continued, " I began to search the area when I found that half-giant in a broom closet cuddling the ruddy thing that killed her. I restrained him and contacted Dippet. In the scuffle the animal got away but he got his just desserts, he was immediately expelled and his wand snapped."
Tom looked somewhat proud of this news. Hermione closed her eyes, privately grieving for her future friend.
Tom looked back at Hermione, "But I am sure you are wondering why I asked to speak with you privately."
Hermione nodded. She was curious of course but also was nervous to ask. With Tom, it could be anything and Hermione was so emotionally exhausted to deal with any more surprises.
Tom looked down and appeared to take a breath before looking back up and giving her his attempt at a genuine caring smile, "I wanted to talk about what happened and the only person who came to mind that I actually wanted to talk to was you."
The silence was absolutely pregnant with uncertainty. She wasn't sure what that statement meant but coming from Tom it couldn't be a good thing.
The silence lasted several more seconds before Hermione ventured a response, "why me?"
Tom shrugged, "I'm not sure if I'm being honest. I have never had a feeling of actually wanting to talk to someone about anything really. I have found my own company far past sufficient but lately, the thought of sharing that company is not as contemptuous."
Hermione knew that was Tom speak for he wanted to share his thoughts with her. Last year this would have been a major victory. Last year this would have been a step in securing change. But after today she knew that nothing had actually changed, Myrtle was still dead, Hagrid was expelled and Tom was the cause of both.
Hermione nodded, "I am glad that you are branching out beyond your own mind Tom. And I am glad to be that second bough."
They both got up, sensing the conversation was over. They walk back into the castle and towards the common room. This time the silence far less tense.
They entered the common room and went their separate ways, nodding in goodnight.
Hermione entered the room to see all three girls still awake. When they noticed she had entered they stopped talking. Hermione knew it wasn't in a malicious way, they weren't talking about her. They wanted to talk to her about what had just happened.
Hermione pointedly walked to her bed and sat down, taking off her shoes and taking her sleeping clothes into the bathroom, emerging a few minutes later ready for bed.
Druella sighed, "Come on Hermione, you can't do this to us."
Hermione groaned, "I know it was just so much. He told me what had happened and what he witnessed."
Hermione told them the story Tom relayed. Each one gasping in turn of each revelation.
Hermione barely could keep her eyes open as she finished the retelling. They each got ready for bed, talking about what Hermione had revealed. The typical anti-Gryffindor/ anti-giant speech she anticipated from the group.
The lights went out and each settled into bed, the events still hanging over them. Hermione knew that in the morning everything would be different but for now, she closed her eyes in hopes of finding sleep.