Chapter 40: Fight Fire with Fire

After what happened to Katie Bell, the whole castle went a little bit paranoid. The prefects were having stricter security while patrolling the castle so I could not manage to slip out during the night. The first Quidditch match of the season arrived, and Nikki and I were there to watch and subtlely monitor the traditional betting polls.

"Something's not right…" Nikki said to Ianthé while they were headed to the Quidditch pitch.

"What?"

"Malfoy. I haven't seen him in the Great Hall…"

Ianthé scanned the Quidditch field.

A tall boy who bore a bit of resemblance to Ianthé walked towards them, "Malfoy just called in sick. A substitute's in place… Damn…" while shaking his head.

"Jeremiah, where did you hear the news?"

"It was all over the Slytherin common room last night, cuz. Apparently, he was too sick to play…" Jeremiah Turner scoffed.

"What else have you overheard?"

"He payed the substitute Harper an enormous amount just to play… He's a fifth year and a bumbling idiot."

The match ended with Gryffindor winning, as usual. The next morning, news about Ron Weasley and the ultimate twit Lavender Brown hooking up after the post-match party. I scanned the table for Hermione Granger and saw her get a toast and immediately walk quickly away as Ron and Lavender were about to get to the table.

Ianthé followed Hermione outside the courtyard stealthily.

The bushy-haired teenager sat down in one corner and bit a little of the toast she had on a napkin. She sighed and stood up, walking towards the direction on the library.

Typical Hermione Granger…

Ianthé followed her to the library and found Hermione hiding under an enormous pile of books, silently sniffing while reading Jinxes, Curses and Hexes for the Everyday Wizard.

"Hey, are you alright?" Ianthé placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder.

Hermione looked up; her eyes were already swollen from crying. She shook her head.

Ianthé sat down next to her, "I remember when I was in that exact same situation two years ago and you came and asked me. I just shouted at you back then."

Hermione still sniffed, "Oh, this is nothing… This will pass…"

Ianthé smiled consolingly, "Trust me, it won't."

"So I gather, you heard the news then?"

Ianthé nodded.

"I mean, he's only my best friend and he suddenly did not talk to me a few days ago and after the match. Then I found him on a couch…."

"With Lavender?"

Hermione nodded, "Of all the girls he could fancy, why her?"

"To tell you the truth, Hermione, I think it was because she was the one who was making advances since the start of the school year… Didn't you notice how both Parvati and her would start giggling whenever Ron was near?"

Hermione's tears fell again, "I don't know what to do… Last night, out of my anger, I unleashed my canaries on him… Now, I couldn't bear see them kissing their brains out…"

Ianthé got closer and whispered, "Speaking about brains, I know you have a brilliant one. All you have to do is fight fire with fire… That's the only advice I could give you…"

She patted Hermione's shoulder and left.