Disclaimer: I do not own!

Warnings: non-monogamy, male/male ships, female/female ships, male/female ships, smut, non-consent, and illusion of character death. (more will be added as needed as this is a WIP, and I don't want to surprise someone with a squick)

Betas: urafunny1 and smirkingmuse (Thank you!)


Give You What You Need

Hermione skips dinner for the library. Ron and Harry hadn't been talking to her all day, making her desire to talk to them non-existent. Well, for the most part. She can't believe that they are being so stubborn. While she had expected it a little bit, she is still furious. Overall, she would prefer to be on speaking terms but didn't want to have a one-sided conversation or a screaming match. She decides not talking to them would be easier if she wasn't around them, and thus, the necessity of a trip to the library. The books are comforting. The smell is like a warm blanket that makes her feel safe. She would always grin as she touched the pages. The texture is comforting, and the older the book, the better. Each new book is a new adventure, a new lesson, a new love.

At breakfast and at lunch, she had a book propped up before her while she ate. Multi-tasking seemed like the best way to get everything done. Well, she had tried to eat, but she found she wasn't that hungry.

She trades out some books at the library. She wonders if she'll actually manage to read the whole library at this rate. She sighs. She only uses this approach because she wasn't really sure where to look, but the history books seemed like a good start. The past repeats itself, and they had helped her out in the last few years, especially Hogwarts: A History. Besides, it was as good a place to start as any. But when she makes it back to her dorm, she is exhausted. Three Slytherins escape notice as she shuffles into her room. Too many thoughts cloud her brain. If only she had something to go on. Some piece of information to point her in a direction. She sits down at her desk, pulling out her homework from today. Maybe, she thinks,she'll feel better with a task completed. A task that has clear instructions and requirements. Also, it's better to not procrastinate.

Pansy knocks on the door before stepping inside. "Um, Hermione?"

The girl leans back in her chair. "Yes?"

"Thank you for last night."

"Oh, no problem." She sits up scribbling on a piece of parchment before placing the quill between her teeth.

"Did you get anything to eat?"

"What?"

"Well, I...uh...noticed you weren't at dinner, so I was wondering..."

"Oh, I wasn't hungry."

"Are you hungry now?"

"Not particularly." Hermione places the quill back on the parchment.

"Oh." Pansy turns to leave.

"Wait," Hermione sighs. "Why did you notice I wasn't at dinner?"

Biting her lip, Pansy turns back. "I...I just wanted to," she winces, "To thank you." She squeezes her eyes shut.

"Oh, it was no big deal," Hermione pauses to look up. "Are you feeling any better at least?"

"Doesn't hurt as much."

Hermione nods, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really. I mean, I liked someone, but they...they liked someone else."

"Oh...well, at least you know."

Pansy nods, "Yeah, but it's still hard to talk to them or be in the same room..."

"It will get easier. And feel free to talk to me about it if you want to. Anytime."

"Thanks. At least, I'm done crying. Or, I think I'm done crying."

"Don't worry. You'll find someone else. You're pretty and smart. I'm sure that part won't be hard. You might even have to fight off your admirers with a stick."

"Really? You think that?"

"Yep."

Pansy hugs the other girl before looking down at the parchment. "Are you starting that already? It's not due for a month."

"Oh," Hermione blushes as she adjusts the open book. "I like to take my time on things, and I don't want to fall behind. Besides, procrastination doesn't help anyone."

"But we've only had one day of class. How far behind can you possibly get?"

"I just like to start early- if you don't mind."

"Hermione, I'm sorry. I'm just surprised is all. I thought he was the only one who did that."

"Who?" She looks up puzzled.

"Draco."

"Oh," she says, looking even more confused. She hadn't expected him. The memory of calling the boy stupid on the train comes back. The way he had looked as her was...strange. She shakes the memory off.

"So...do you want anything to eat?"

Her stomach gurgles at the idea, and she giggles, "Well, I guess I do."

"Any requests?"

"Uh, no." She watches as Pansy scurries out the door, shaking her head before returning to her essay.

She hardly notices when Pansy comes back in, except that her stomach gurgles again. This time she can feel how empty it is. She hasn't eaten much all day. When she looks up, she sees a table set for two. Her stomach churns.

"What did you get?" She scoots over to the chair closest to her, before looking over at Pansy.

"I got some sandwiches and tomato soup."

"Grilled cheese?"

"Yes."

"How did you..."

"Oh, the kitchen, of course."

Hermione gulps as she leans back. "House elves. House elves made this?"

"Well, yeah. Just like all the other food we eat. Except, when I said your name, a peculiar house elf became very insistent that he make it himself. The house elf was muttering something about thank you for all the hats, and I think he was wearing all of them."

Hermione giggles, "Dobby."

"Does that mean you will eat then?"

Hermione nods, "I am a little famished."

Pansy rolls her eyes. "Sorry to pull you away from your books, for something boring and uninteresting like eating."

Hermione bites her lip. Pansy is just trying to be nice."Uh, thanks."

"For being boring and uninteresting?" she grins.

"No, silly. For the food."

The Slytherin smirks, "So now I'm silly-looking?"

Hermione blushes, "I didn't...I didn't say that." She looks down at her food, thankful for the distraction. Besides, the food is her favourite.

She waits until she's full, before looking back up. "Thanks. I needed that little break."

Pansy looks puzzled. "Are you going back to studying?"

"Yeah. What are you going to do?"

"Sleep." She shakes her head. "It's bloody late."

"You're welcome to stay here again. I mean, I don't mind. It's the least I could do, since you brought me food and all. Plus, it's past curfew, again." Why ask her? She knows it's polite and all, but the other girl is going to notice when she doesn't sleep. Pansy is probably going to ask again, why Hermione isn't sleeping, but she doesn't know what to say to that. Ugh. She'll just deal with it then. Right now.

Right now, she thinks she should go over the books she checked out for any sort of clues. Needle in a damn haystack, is what it bloody feels like.