After Malfoy's trial, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had become very distant, keeping all conversations to the minimum and avoiding her if possible. She didn't blame them. All of them had wanted to see Malfoy locked up and Hermione had been the one to keep him from it.
What in the world made you vote the way you did? she thought to herself. She remembered the look on Malfoy's face when she had told the Wizengemot her vote. At first it had gone blank, then a small grin appeared on it. But it was his eyes that had bothered her. They had searched her, looking for a motive. They had let down their guard for those few seconds and she had seen the Draco Malfoy that only his mother knew. The one that was hidden underneath the lies, the hatred, and the absolute malice that Malfoy portrayed to everyone he met. And it had scared her.
When she had arrived back at Grimauld Place, the news of the trial brought mixed responses. Snape, of course, gave a small smile and nothing more. Tonks swore under her breath and left the room, followed closely by the Weasley twins. Bill and Charlie exchanged looks and said nothing. Mundungus and Mad-Eye Moody both stared at Hermione for a long time. Remus merely stated that he was glad that it was over. Harry, Ron, and Ginny didn't even look at Hermione as they left the room. Dumbledore seemed to be the only one who stated that he was glad for the verdict and that he was very proud of Hermione for giving testimony, even if it was for someone she disliked so much.
Disliked? She had taken into consideration those words and could not help but think that her dislike for Draco Malfoy was slowly dying away.
Hermione turned to the others, noticing that Neville Longbottom and Dean Thomas had now joined them. Dean and Ginny were talking to each other as Neville merely listened. Harry and Ron were silent.
"Ron? Harry?" Hermione said nervously after the food cart had passed. They both glanced at her.
"What?" Ron asked. She sighed.
"Can we talk about this? It's getting ridiculous!" Hermione gave them accusing stares. "You two have been avoiding me since the trial!"
"Well we have our reasons," Harry grumbled. Hermione stood, patience ebbing away.
"You guys are mad at me because I voted innocent?" she asked.
"You voted for Draco Malfoy!"
"And for that, I am most certainly grateful, mudblood." Everyone looked up to see Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway, arms around Pansy and another girl, Blaise, Goyle and another boy behind him. Harry glared.
"What the hell do you want?" he growled.
"Now, now, Scarhead," Malfoy scolded. "Watch your language. Young ears are about."
"Answer the question," Ron snarled, wand out. The other girl rested her head on Draco's shoulder, pouting.
"Draco, I don't like the way he's talking to you," she complained. Malfoy smiled, pulling her closer.
"Neither do I, Rachel," he said. "Mudblood, couldn't you get your bodyguards to tone down the level of their speech when they're in the presence of royalty." Hermione snorted.
"Oh, really?" she asked, taking a step forward and folding her arms over her chest. "Tell me, how are you royalty?" Malfoy smirked, releasing the girls and stepping forward, only a few inches away from her.
"I'm Draco Malfoy, the high royal Slytherin Prince. That makes me royalty." He smiled, leaning forward. "And you're just a lowly commoner, a freaking mudblood who had the intelligence to vote me innocent." She spat at him and his hand came up around her neck faster than lightning. Ron, Harry, Ginny, Dean and Neville stood wands out. Hermione's hands came up to Malfoy's hand as she began to gasp. Malfoy rolled his eyes and glanced back at the others, raising his wand to the Gryffindors. The other Slytherins followed suit.
"Try it, Potter," Malfoy growled. "I dare you to. The moment you try anything, I'll make sure you feel like you were never born." His eyes returned to Hermione, who had tears in her eyes as she clawed at Malfoy's hand. She was struggling to breathe as Malfoy pulled her close. Leaning forward, his lips brushed her ear. "If you ever spit at me with that foul mouth of yours again, I'll cut it out." Her eyes roved over the scar on his face and her spine tingled in fear as he squeezed.
"Let her go, Malfoy!" Ginny yelled, her voice trembling. Malfoy smirked at Hermione and shoved her back, releasing her from his hold. Ron caught her, pulling her away from Malfoy. Gasping, she whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks. Malfoy's eyes were deathly cold as his grin widened.
"My work is done," he said. Putting his arms back around Pansy and Rachel, he left the compartment, the others snickering as they followed him.
Hermione held onto Ron's arm, staring at the floor.
"Hermione, are you ok?" Harry asked, kneeling down in front of her. Hermione looked up at him.
"I…he ju…oh Harry!" She burst into tears, fear creeping up her spine and into the very crevices of her mind.