Hey guy's here's another chapter! I've been busy lately with camps but I'll try to keep posting as much as possible!
Chapter 9
Hermione helped herself to breakfast with Harry and Ron beside her. She had the dream again last night. She couldn't help but wonder if it was something she should worry about or if it was just her imagination. She wanted to know who the figure was, that seemed to be the most significant part of the dream. Or maybe it was a warning not to stay out after sun set…
Hermione sat wondering when she felt a cold stare at her. It was Malfoy again. His face looked pained just to look at her, he seemed mad ever since they made the potion together. He hadn't tried to talk to her since. Malfoy seemed as though he hated her now. She just stared at him with wondering eyes, as Malfoy's piercing eyes looked away.
"Hermione?" a voice said as a hand waved in front of her face. Hermione came back to reality and looked up at Ron.
"What?" Hermione said.
"You look like you're in your own world, you feeling ok?" Harry asked.
"Ya I'm fine guys, really," Hermione said lying quickly. Truth is she had actually been feeling lost. Her emotions had been getting worse. People still spread rumors about her. Some good other pathetically far fetched. Most of them had come from the gossip queens of Hogwarts. Boy's still stared at her with mouths open with there eyes out of there sockets (Which seemed to annoy Ron by no end).
"You seem out of it lately…is there something wrong?" Harry tried again.
But she was unable to answer for everyone's attention went to the owl's coming in from the windows. A black gray owl landed in front of Hermione giving her a tiny note.
Dear Miss Granger,
Your training is to begin tomorrow night at 8 pm. Please show Professor Snape your best efforts. And Miss Granger…Good luck.
Professor McGonagall
Head Master of Hogwarts
Hermione read the letter over again and quickly put it away. She hadn't told Harry or Ron of her having to have lessons. She felt that they did not need to know. They would through a fit over it, especially Harry; He did not like his lessons with Snape at all.
"Hermione I think you should look at this," Ron said slowly looking at the Daily Prophet. His face did not give Hermione comfort. This was defiantly not good.
Hermione shakily took the paper from Ron and let her eyes go to the small print.
Hogwarts Student loses Control and Attacks a Classmate
Hermione could not let her self read the whole thing or she knew she would lose control. So she only scanned some parts of the Article.
Earlier this week a student from Hogwarts Witch Craft and Wizardry was attacked by another student in the middle of a class session…
Pureblood Blaise Zabini was hit by a curse from a Muggleborn Hermione Granger who had NOT been expelled after the incident for Hogwarts teacher's say it was clearly an accident…
There was no permanent damage to the incident but clearly Hogwarts has lost some of its touch. The curse in which was used is unidentified but clearly inappropriate.
Hermione made her self stop and shoved the paper away from her. Harry and Ron looked at each other not knowing what to do or say. How could she think that this would go unknown by the public? Of course they would have known about the accident. McGonagall must have tried to hush it up if it only came out until now.
More owls came to Hermione but she did not open them for she knew it would be readers scolding her…She had had a pervious experience with this and she did NOT want to relive it.
"I think I'm going to the library… I-I still have some homework" Hermione said to Harry and Ron speaking first. She honestly didn't have any homework she just wanted to get away from everything and everyone.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Ron said.
"Don't be ridiculous Ron you and Harry have Quidditch practice today, I'll be fine," Hermione said sternly.
Ron looked as though he was about to say something but Harry stomped on his foot.
"Ok we'll see you tonight," Harry said.
Hermione nodded and grabbed her things. As she made her way she could feel everyone's eyes on her. She could hear a little of people conversations.
"That was bloody wicked what she did-"
"I can't believe her-"
"I personally think Blaise got what he deserved-"
She could feel one stare in particular that seemed to scan her every move. Hermione paid no attention to it and walked quickly out of the Great Hall.
Once out and in the empty Hall way she gave a sigh of relief and kept walking. She was so into her thoughts she did not see a black haired boy leaning up against the wall.
"Seems like you and me made the front page Granger," A voice said to her.
Her head snapped up to see Blaise smirking wickedly at her.
Hermione gave a scowl.
"Seems as though you don't mind all the attention Zabini, I wouldn't want to give you the privilege again" She said coldly. Her emotions were going whack again, stay in control Hermione!
She calmed herself down as she tried to get around Zabini, but he blocked her way.
"Whoa not so fast Granger, don't you want to talk? It's a free Saturday?" He said smiling at her.
Hermione looked at Blaise with amazement, "You would actually allow people to see you with a mudblood? How kind of you," Shoving past him but he caught her arm easily.
"Granger I don't think you realize what I've done for you, your being entirely ungrateful," He said still smirking.
Hermione did her best to stay calm as she yanked her arm away, "Oh well let me thank you for almost getting me expelled from Hogwarts and for getting me so out of control that I made the whole wizarding world think I'm a murderer," She said stepping closer so she was face to face with him.
Blaise chuckled, "I admit that it was a risky move, But no Granger, you should be thanking me for not sewing you or going after your family. Which I could do within an instant. And you should be thanking me for allowing your full ability's to come forth, you were amazing Granger," His smirk became larger and he took a step towards her so there lips were almost touching. Hermione quickly took a step back.
"Why didn't you then? If you want me out of here you could have, why not... Were you afraid Zabini?" She said now her turn to smirk.
Zabini kept smirking, "You know Granger you don't look that bad when you're mad,"
Hermione smirk faded instantly, "If you'll excuse me Zabini I have better things than to talk with you all day," She said walking away, but he wasn't giving up that easily.
"Come on Granger, Let's put the past behind us and start over," He said.
Hermione stopped again. Her emotions were not boiling anymore like they usually were whenever she was close to Zabini but the hatred was still there.
"Why would you care to be on good terms with me Zabini, for I surly do not care to be on your good side," She said smugly.
Blaise's smirk returned, "On the contrary I care a lot if I'm on good terms with you,"
Hermione gave him a dark look, "I just think you just don't want me to kill you," and continued walking.
But Blaise stopped her again, "Look Hermione, I'm trying to do you a favor,"
"Fine do me and yourself a favor and stay away from me, heed Malfoy's warning," She said.
Blaise's stopped walking as his face went cold, "You herd that?"
Hermione froze. Shoot! She wasn't supposed to hear that conversation. She turned around to face him but he was right behind her. Hermione jumped back.
"How much did you hear?" Blaise said.
Hermione couldn't find her voice. Blaise was certainly intimidating right now, "Not much just the end of it," She said quickly, she got brave then added, "You thought I was impressive, that touches me Blaise," She smirked.
Blaise's face looked angry but Hermione could see a hint of embarrassment in his eyes as he pushed Hermione against the wall.
"So what if I did Granger," He asked his voice remaining calm.
Hermione looked deep into his eyes. For the first time she saw no hint of mocking, or sarcasm in them. For the first time it looked as if they had meaning. They almost looked…human.
Blaise noticed her face softening as she looked at him. He slowly let go of her backing away, "So what if I did?" He repeated again and turned and left Hermione standing in the empty corridor.
Hermione stood there shocked for a moment watching Blaise's retreating figure. Did that really just happen?
She finally got herself to move toward the library. The sunlight moving on and off her face as the windows let sunshine in. Was Blaise crazy? First he hated her and insulted her which ended up a disaster, now he's trying to…well she didn't know what he was trying to do.
She found an empty desk in the corner as she entered the library and sat down at the dusty table. There weren't a lot of people in the library since it was after all a Saturday afternoon. But the few people in there were all staring at her as she took at seat.
Honestly don't people have something better to do?
Hermione found a book about potions that she had read a thousand times but it didn't really matter to her. It was something else to think about… but thinking of potions just made her think of a certain blond haired boy. She hated how he was acting strangely now. She thought that night might have brought them closer...but it just seemed to make it worse. But why should she care if he liked her…it would only cause pain.
"Is this seat taken?" Said a handsome familiar voice.
Hermione looked up from her quill and saw Williams face. She hadn't talked to him since that night in the hospital wing, she instantly felt guilty for not talking to him sooner.
She put on a smile, "Yes for you,"
He smiled wide and slide into the seat next to her and pulled out his own homework. While getting out his things she watched him carefully. He was so…perfect. Not only looks wise but almost in every aspect, how could she not notice before? He was just as smart as her. Every girl in the school had a crush on him even if they did not want to admit it. He was the most popular guy…yet he didn't seem to even notice. He was still the sweetest guy she had known. He seemed like he could even be hit by the same…no that wasn't possible, she thought quickly.
Hermione realized that Will was noticing her gaze. She hurried and looked away, but she could feel him smile beside her but the smile quickly faded.
"Are you alright Hermione?... I-I saw the paper," He said daring a glance at her.
Hermione paused, "I'm fine William," she said giving a fake smile, he wasn't buying it.
"I saw the look on your face when you saw the paper Hermione…you didn't look fine," he said.
Hermione new he cared but she didn't want anymore people to worry about her, she was sick of it.
She tried to speak but nothing came out of her mouth.
"Hermione what are you doing here?" He asked.
She looked at him confused. "W-What?"
"What are you doing here in the library?" He asked.
"I'm…doing homework?" She said slowly lying.
"Hermione you and I know that you don't have any homework," He said softly.
Hermione looked up at him as he did not break his gaze. She rolled her eyes, he could see right through her lie. She did not want his sympathy.
"Yes I do, I just wanted to catch up-" She started but was cut by William who rolled his eyes and looked away. Hermione broke of and looked away to.
They sat in silence for a moment, when slowly Hermione could feel anger radiating from somewhere; she realized that it was coming from Will. She looked at him again but he was not looking at her but glaring into space.
"Just stop lying for a moment," He finally said gritting through his teeth.
Hermione was shocked for a moment she hadn't herd William speak so coldly. Suddenly she felt stupid for trying to deceive him…but he had no idea what she was going through.
"I don't know what I'm doing here Will," She said finally being honest, "What would you do in my position" getting mad herself.
William gave her a cold glare, "I would let people try to help you… it does no good to try to shut them out,"
Hermione was shocked. How could he possibly know what I'm going through!
"I have let too many people try to help me. Everyone has tried to help me, but trying can't help me any more!" She said in her own defense.
"Hermione you don't even let your closest friends know what you're going through. You don't even try to explain to them your situation!" He said sternly.
Hermione realized the logic to his answer but she was too stubborn to hear it.
"I'm sorry if I don't meet up to your standards William, why don't we switch places and we can see what you would do!" Hermione said slamming her book and getting her things.
Williams face softened a little as he stood also, "Hermione I'm not saying that your not doing your best I just saying that you should let people help you... some people really care about you," he said the last part almost in a whisper.
Hermione looked at the concern in his eyes and calmed down a little. He was right, she didn't have the courage to face her friends but they wouldn't understand…no one would.
"I thank you for what your doing William, but I can't be a miracle worker," She said tear's pilling up. She couldn't take it anymore. Everyone one knew what she was, everyone wanted her gone. People talking about her as though she wasn't right in front them. People thinking that she wasn't able to be a good person anymore.
"Hermione I can help you if you just gave me the chance," William said.
Hermione let the tears escape her eyes and slide down her cheeks. Why did he have to be so caring?
"I know Will I know….but this is something I have to do on my own, I can't risk people getting hurt anymore" She said.
William gave a hurt look that turned to anger, "Hermione stop thinking that you're the only one that can hurt people,"
He didn't give her one more glance as he strode out of the library.
Hermione watched him go and slouched into the chair as she let tears pour.