DISCLAIMER: I do not own any recognisable characters.

This story was inspired by AkashaTheKitty's Dramione story, The Bracelet. The story made me fall in love with Theo Nott, therefore creating this "Themione".

Chapter Seven – Unlocked

"So… so let me get this straight."

Hermione sighed. Harry was still squinting at her. Ron was beside his best friend, while his sister was on Hermione's other side.

It was the end of the day, and she had hoped Harry and Ron would stop badgering her for details. She had fabricated a story to try to pacify them, but it was obviously a lie. Ginny hadn't helped by scoffing at the end of Hermione's every sentence.

"So what you're saying happened," Harry continued, his tone forming quotation marks around saying, "was that you tripped over the stairs by the station, skinned both shins, hit your head on the steel railing, which hit opposite sides of your forehead, fell face-flat on the concrete, giving you an almost-broken and bleeding nose."

"That's what I said, Harry," Hermione replied.

"Then how do you explain your jaw?" Ron asked in a voice that was almost contemplating. "Oh, that's right, you tripped on the next step and again you fell, crashing your lower face on to the main platform."

"That's what I said," Hermione repeated.

Harry looked at Ron briefly, before demanding, "How come no one helped you or anything?"

Hermione shrugged. "I told them I was fine."

Harry gave her an are-you-bloody-joking look. "Seriously, Hermione. A bleeding nose in itself is hardly fine. Count in skinning both shins and hitting a steel railing, not to mention almost breaking your jaw and nose, is as far from fine as you can possibly get."

"Bloody hell, Hermione," Ron added. "Did you see yourself in the mirror when you came to us this morning?"

Hermione shook her head as she followed Ginny on to the bus. To her surprise, both Ron and Harry got on the bus after her.

"Don't you two have track practice today?" she inquired.

Harry flushed, while Ron rolled his eyes.

"We didn't have track practice yesterday, Mione," Ron said in a bored tone. "Harry just wanted to wait for Cho—"

"Don't change the subject, Mione," Harry said quickly.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the two boys, and sat down next to Ginny, who suddenly became much more moodier, and was glaring out the window.

"No, I didn't," Hermione answered Ron's question. "I didn't feel the need to. I didn't even know how serious it was. I thought it was just a bump or a scratch or something—"

"Hermione," Harry snapped, "Stop lying."

Hermione gaped at Harry, feeling as though he had slapped her face. He had the audacity to call her out.

"I'm not lying!" she argued, using the anger that was caused by her best friend calling her a liar and making it sound as though she was merely indignant that Harry didn't believe her.

"Yes, you bloody well are," Ron roared back. "It's so obvious, Mione."

"Neither of you are the judge and jury of my life," she spat back. "If you don't believe me, then bloody well fine."

"We're your friends, Mione," Harry shouted. "It's obvious you've been hurt, and you're going to tell us right now the true story."

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, when Ginny spoke up.

"Tell them."

Hermione turned to her best friend, flabbergasted. But Ginny was serious, her brown eyes fiery, her mouth twisted down in a fierce scowl.

"Tell them," the redhead hissed again, "Or so help me, I will."

"What are you talking about, Gin?" Harry demanded, his eyes narrowing.

When Ginny didn't reply, instead continuing to glare at Hermione, daring her to tell the truth, Harry's demand turned to Hermione.

"What's Ginny talking about, Hermione?"

Hermione turned back to Harry, her eyes wide. "I—I don't know what—"

"Hermione got beaten up, alright?" Ginny finally exploded.

The brunette turned to the two boys, who were staring at her in shock. Ron's face was starting to redden, but it was Harry who spoke up first.

"Tell us," he hissed. "Tell us exactly who it was, or god help me, Hermione. I can just about rattle you to get the answer."

"Tell them, Hermione," Ginny said softly. "I've had enough with keeping this thing secret. I knew it was wrong keeping it from them last night, and look at where it got you. No sir, I will not have you being beaten up on my conscience."

Hermione sniffed a little. Her best friend had a point. Turning apologetic eyes to the two furious males, Hermione took a deep breath.

"I got beaten up… by the gang leader of Durmstrang."

Even Ginny was shocked.

"What?" Ron cried. "Why… how…"

Hermione gulped, steeled her nerves, then told the whole story up until that morning, when Draco Malfoy decided to use her as his punching bag. By the time she had finished, Harry was pale, Ron had bypassed red and was decidedly maroon, while Ginny was a bit green.

Hermione sighed as the bus pulled to a stop outside the station, but before she could get up, Harry, who still hadn't spoken a word, put out an arm. She stayed in her seat, surprised as her friend stepped in front of her, and got off first. He beckoned to her, and she obliged.

She waited as Ginny got off the bus, followed by Ron. Then she recognised the look on his face. It was similar to Harry's—their eyes were tight, their cheeks pinched. Their eyes were roaming around, studying their surroundings.

They were acting like her bodyguards.

When they reached their platform, her eyes widened at the sight of a blonde-haired student in Durmstrang uniform. She turned around, and hoped beyond hope that none of her friends noticed. But of course, her hoping was to no avail.

Harry caught her upper arm, and began dragging her to Malfoy, whose back was turned to them. Harry tapped his shoulder.

When Malfoy turned around, Harry greeted him by pushing Hermione's face towards him. His voice when he spoke was filled with cold vindictive fury.

"Care to explain?'

AN:

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