Chapter 4

I looked at her and she was waiting for me to say something and I blinked.

"Err…um…well…I never really…" I was a loss for words now that I had a giant knot in the middle of my stomach. I saw her look down in shame and I grabbed her chin and guided her to look at me again.

"Hermione it's okay to say you like someone….I just don't know much about love either is all…"

She sighed in relief and then hugged me tightly and I hugged her back.

"Listen…don't worry about it…if he likes you back the feelings will come naturally…just be yourself okay?"

She nodded into our hug and I chuckled.

"Are you going to let me go?" She jumped and I grinned and laughed as she let go. We turned towards the lake and I held her hand and squeezed it.

"Listen Hermione, if you ever need help just come talk to me…I'll always be here for you." My heart stung at my own words but honestly I had to take my advice…the feelings will come slowly and naturally right?

"Thanks for giving me courage Gaile…you always seem to."

I leaned into her. "Yeah…you do the same to me no worries."

We sat there a little while longer not talking and just listening to the waves.

"Gaile?"

"Yeah Hermione?"

"What's your home like…"

I tensed up and she felt it.

"Listen…never mind…you don't have to-"

I cut her off with the look I gave her and she became silent.

"My family was never kind to me like yours is to you. I never had any toys or books and I sometimes didn't even have a room. The only thing I could call home was my mother's arms on nights my father wasn't home…" I felt her hold me closer and I relaxed as I closed my eyes remembering the horrible days.

"To be honest I stayed as far away as I could at the age of 5 I'd spend my days in the library 20 blocks away…to me that was an adventure I stayed there until just before it got dark and I'd find my way home and sneak in. They never knew I was gone. Or at least dad never checked and if mom saw I was gone she knew where I was and never would speak a breath of it to my dad. She knew I was special. I knew everything…probably why I got bullied at school till I came here…and event then it didn't stop…."

I stopped talking as I opening my eyes and Hermione had a look on her face that I've never seen someone give me. I gave her a small smile and slowly began to undo my robe it dropped to pool around my hips and then slipped off my Ravenclaw vest. She put a hand on my arm and I looked at her.

"You don't have to show me if you don't want to…"

"I do…I've come to care for you a lot so I want you to look."

I unbuttoned my shirt and then slowly let it fall off my shoulders and that's when I heard it. A small gasp and a choked noice. I looked over and I saw a tear slip from her eyes. I reached up and captured it. She covered her mouth as I stood up to let her see my back and then my arms and sides and finally my front. I looked down at her as she silently looked at me. I could see how my hurt was mirrored in her eyes and I slowly lowered myself till I was eye level with her.

"Did he…" I saw she couldn't finish the sentence as she began to tremble.

"No. He never touched me physically. He'd always use something to harm me never touched his skin with mine. I think it disgusted him…"

"Oh Gaile…" she sobbed and the next thing I knew she had thrown herself at me and hugged me as she cried for me. "Gaile your so beautiful…how could he do this to his child…why.." I held her and sighed.

"I don't know Hermione…I just don't know…"

I held her. I wasn't even cold even though I was only wearing pants and a bra. Probably because of the warming corals.

"I don't want you to ever get hurt again do you hear me?" I nodded and that was the first lie I made to her cause I think I hurt right here in my heart…can't really decide if I should tell her or not…I probably shouldn't. I conjured up a tissue for her face and her eyes widened.

"We're third years and you already know how to conjure things…wow…you are a Ravenclaw…"

I smiled. "Well I know you can too don't lie."

She grinned and shrugged.

"Hermione…don't ever think you need to hide your true self from anyone especially me. I don't care what people call you. You have a good reason to be a know-it-all and the smartest witch of our age…Don't think I don't know how much that hurt you in your first year or even now."

She was shocked into silence as we sat shoulder to shoulder. I blushed remembering I was still half naked and looked at Hermione from under my lashes. She was staring at me and I gulped and felt my blush reach all the way to my chest. I crossed my arms in self-consciousness now that I realized I was half naked and she was looking me over with much more intensity. I cleared my throat and that made her catch herself. I watched as a small blush dusted her cheeks and she cleared her throat as well as she handed me my shirt. I smiled at her gratefully and I watched as she blushed some more.

"Thank you for saying that…it really means a lot Gaile."

"I know…but I was only speaking the truth."

I watched as she eyes my hand deciding whether or not she should take it. I was surprised. Usually she would take it without caring but I think she's starting to really look at me now. And just a few moments ago she had confessed that she might like Ron Weasley. This is surprising. I put my hand out to her and she looked at me shyly.

"It's okay you know… you can take it if you like…"

She blushed at being caught staring at my hand but she took it anyway and I smiled.

"I won't harm you Hermione…if that's what you think…"

I was just teasing but I think that comment had hurt her. My Smile fell when I saw that she was angry at me. She dropped my hand and got up.

"Gaile…I would never think that even if I hadn't seen your body." I saw her bawl her hands into fists trembling. "And now that I have I realized you would never hurt anyone even if it meant they were hurting you!" I stood up and tried to reach for her but she wouldn't let me. "No Gaile! You need to learn that I'm going to be that one person that won't hurt you…EVER." I was shocked and watched as she grabbed her bag and ran off.

"Wait! Hermione?"

She didn't turn back as she left the cove and I smacked myself in the head.

"idiot! Stupid stupid stupid" I smacked myself and then covered my eyes with my hands.

I picked up my stuff and started walking towards the castle upset with myself, Unbeknownst to me that this was a turning point for my feelings and Hermione's.

I went searching for her but couldn't find her. To be honest I didn't really try all that hard I was upset with myself and that's when they found me.

I heard their mocking voices but I didn't turn around.

"Look who it is…a sight for sore eyes…if it isn't the little Ravenclaw mudblood."

My fists clenched. I was angry.

"We haven't seen you around lately thanks to that Gryffindor bitch you like to hang out with…what's her name…Hermione?"

I spun around growling. "Don't you fucking even spew her name you stupid bitch!" My eyes widened and I was shocked. Apparently so were they.

"What did you say to me…"

I steeled my resolve.

"You heard me you bloody Slytherin cunt! I'm tired of your shit! That's what I was implying."

"WHY YOU LITTLE-"

"EXPELIARMUS"

I watched as she was thrown back into her cronies and I felt an arm go around me as I saw bushy brown curly hair. My eyes widened and my mouth fell open.

"Hermione?!"

She looked at me and her eyes were blazing. I gulped.

"I leave you alone for less than a day and I find you in a scuffle! What am I supposed to think!" she was gripping me and I stared at her as she shook me a bit.

"Err…" I looked behind her and saw one of the Slytherins casting a hex right at Hermione. "Hermione watch out!" I pushed her out of the way as the hex came right at me and hit me full force as I flew into the wall. Last thing I remember is watching Hermione screaming profanities at the Slytherins and sending hexes at them. Then I heard teachers running to come to our aid and someone picked me up. Just before I blacked out I heard Hermione sobbing my name. And then everything went black.

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