Discovery: A Harmony Story from Harry Potter Chapter 3
For the next week Hermione made sure she got to Defense Against the Dark Arts early and she also made sure she was the first to leave as well. She didn't talk to anyone in class either. However she couldn't escape from their cruel jokes. It bothered her and she honestly could not take it anymore. The first weekend in Hogsmeade was coming up and Hermione listened to the other girls in her dormitory get excited about it.
"Hey Hermione do you want to go into Hogsmeade with me and Susan Bones this Saturday?" Ginny asked "she wants to check out that new book shop that's opening and I told her you might like it too"
"No I'm not going to Hogsmeade" Hermione replied
"Why not?" Ginny asked frowning a little "you've been down lately I thought going out this weekend may cheer you up"
"Oh please everyone knows that the only reason Granger isn't it coming is because she has to have her 'alone' time" Padma insisted
"Stop it Padma" Ginny shot back "honestly isn't that joke getting a little old?"
"C'mon Ginny it's a knee slapper" Patil said obviously agreeing with her sister
"Really I didn't get that memo," Ginny snapped back
"Well if you had been in our Defense Against the Dark Arts class you would have seen it for yourself" Lavender added and the girls laughed.
Hermione got up to leave and Ginny tried stopping her "Hermione where are you going?"
Hermione didn't answer she quickly made her way down the stairs, through the common room, and out into the hallway. It was late so she knew nobody would be in the library and if anybody would be expecting her it would be Madam Pince.
"Good evening Miss Granger" Madam Pince greeted "here for some studying?"
"Yes" Hermione replied partially lying
"Well you are my favorite student and it's nice to know that you are a very serious student," Madame Pince said "though I wish I could say the same for your classmates"
Her classmates were the last people she wanted to think of or talk about right now
"Of course you may stay as long as you want" Madame Pince said
"Thanks"
Hermione settled into her books and did her best to keep her mind off of Harry and the alternative boggart. However she did not succeed in doing so and tears fell on to the pages of her book. The poor girl fell asleep crying over how humiliated and ashamed she felt.
"Riddikulus!" she cried "RIDDIKULUS!"
Still the alternative boggart was still there and moaning Harry's name over and over upon each given climax.
"You hear that Potter the mudblood wants you to lay it on her!" Draco laughed "are you going to put her out of her misery?"
"Professor please make it stop!" Hermione begged
"You can't make it stop yourself?" Snape smirked "that's a pity you're supposed to be the smartest witch of your age maybe next time you'll pay attention in class!"
Feeling defeated, embarrassed, and hurt Hermione made her way quickly out of the classroom with her classmates' laughter ringing in her ears.
"Hermione wait I want to talk to you" Harry said grabbing hold of her hand and was surprised to find it trembling. In fact her whole reaction concerned Harry.
"….let me go" Hermione whimpered
"Mione-_"
"Let me go Harry!" Hermione said more strongly tears falling down her face now. Harry did as she told him and immediately without another word Hermione made her way quickly out of the common room.
For most of the students at Hogwarts the first weekend at Hogsmeade meant two whole days of fun and social time to actually be the young teenagers they were. All the first and second year students envious of those who were old enough to go out and enjoy the festivities. Hermione had different plans that Saturday morning she figured that she could get a chance to talk to Professor McGonagall McGonagall was the only adult woman that Hermione felt comfortable talking to about her sexuality and her feelings for Harry. These were things that she should have felt comfortable talking to her mother about but sadly the only thing her mother would do is shame and judge her.
"Ron do you really need all that food?" Ginny scolded her brother watching him pile his breakfast
plate on mountain high "aren't you going to be eating all day at Honeydukes and Hog's Head?"
"Guy's gotta eat" Ron grunted stubbornly continuing to put things on his plate and Ginny rolled her eyes. Harry smiled at the exchange between the two siblings but in general everyone was excited to get into Hogsmeade and it was a nice warm October day for it. Well at least everyone Harry couldn't help but notice the empty spot next to Ginny where Hermione usually sat for breakfast.
"Ginny are you sure Hermione isn't coming?"
"Sorry Harry even the opening of the new book shop couldn't persuade her"
"Did you ask her what she was doing today?"
"No she didn't although for the past couple of nights now she's been falling asleep in the library"
Harry nodded but was still concerned the only times he saw her now was in Defense Against the Dark Arts and she seemed to be avoiding him like the plague. There were times that Ginny often would take leftovers from their meals because she would refuse to come down to the Grand Hall to eat. The last encounter Harry had with Hermione did not end too well and her reaction from him just taking hold of her hand; Harry knew that it was a deeper issue than her alternative boggart.
Professor Minerva McGonagall looked up from her desk when she heard a knock on the door
"Professor McGonagall are you busy right now?"
"No you may come in"
Hermione felt a little better when McGonagall greeted her with a warm smile "Good morning Miss Granger I must say I'm surprised to see you dropping by; I thought you'd be with your classmates getting ready to go to Hogsmeade"
"Well I'm not really in the mood for Hogsmeade" Hermione replied, "I was actually hoping that I could speak with you because I don't know who else to talk to"
"Are you having trouble in your classes?" McGonagall asked, "I know you're the smartest witch of your age but you're so still very young as well"
"No I'm doing fine in my classes it's more of a personal issue" Hermione replied "but it did happen in Defense Against the Dark Arts about a week ago"
"Oh and what was that?"
"Professor Snape made me reveal my alternative boggart as an example"
McGonagall frowned a little and said "Miss Granger you do know that an alternative boggart is what you're ashamed or embarrassed of right?"
"Yes I know"
"Might I ask what your alternative boggart is?"
Hermione bit her lip and sighed "Harry….I mean…. um….I….."
"Yes what about Mr. Potter?"
"I like Harry a lot Professor" Hermione said finally gathering up the courage to do so
McGonagall smiled " You and Mr. Potter are close friends so it's normal to grow feelings"
"Professor I…sometimes think about Harry…when I touch myself"
McGonagall noticed the deep blush that rose on the young witch's face and how she looked down at her fingers tugging the hem of her skirt.
"Is that what your alternative boggart is?"
Hermione nodded slowly and McGonagall tried reassuring her doubts "Hermione I can assure you although it is unfortunate that Professor Snape made you proceed with revealing your alternative boggart; you are human acting on human emotions and feelings and there's nothing wrong with that"
"I don't know" Hermione said "everyone has been mocking me and I know if I send an owl to my mother about it she'll say that it's not proper and lustful"
"And I haven't really spoken to Harry since then; I don't know what he thinks of me"
"I will tell you this Miss Granger that what you're doing and feeling is fine; and it's something your classmates would find embarrassing as well if put in your situation" McGonagall added "I think what your mother is telling you is giving you a negative outlook on your own body and not healthy for your self esteem"
"I will see to Professor Snape and what type of punishment he shall receive is there anything else Miss Granger?"
"No I'm fine thanks," Hermione said getting up "I didn't want to take up your time over something silly like this"
"Oh no it's quite fine" McGonagall said "and as far as Mr. Potter I can't talk to him for you that is something that you will have to do yourself"
"I know"
"Mr. Potter is a nice young man and very understanding" McGonagall said "he's a good friend don't shut him out forever Miss Granger"
"I'll try not to Professor"