"Ummm, hi Ron," Hermione said tentatively. "Where were you?" Ron said in a dangerously low voice. "Professor McGonnagal had to talk to the Heads. She was rather lengthy and was going on about the rules and, you know, the duties we have to do and, um….." Hermione said. She could see Ron was getting angrier. "I happen to know that McGonnagal came into this compartment just a half hour ago. That would mean that from the time you arrived at the platform to the time Professor McGonnagal came here was an hour. I notice everything Hermione. Don't ever forget that. So, why don't you tell me what you were doing for that hour instead of coming to see your boyfriend whom you haven't seen for 3 months? Answer correctly and I might not get angry." Hermione knew he would get angry no matter what. He always did anyway. She was feeling a little upset with him though.
She thought carefully about what she would say.
"Well, I was having a chat with Draco. We actually have a lot in common you know. "Ron stood stock still for a moment. A muscle in his face twitched and then, he hit Hermione.
Hermione knew it would happen. But that didn't stop it from hurting. He had swung out with his fist and the sound of his open palm connecting with her face was sickening. She bent her head. He shoved her up against the wall. "If you ever say anything like that again, ever even look his way, I promise you will pay dearly." Ron smacked her head up against the wall and she slid down to the floor. He then left her to huddle on the floor trembling. Hermione waited a full minute before getting up. She was in freeze mode. She always got that way when Ron hit her. But she was recovering slightly. He would have hit her if she said she wanted to make it up to him right there and then.
She picked herself up and found a bathroom to the left. She went in and looked in the mirror to assess the damage. "Not too bad. A nasty hand mark but some cold water will help." Splashing cold water on her facemade the redness go down. Satisfied with herself, she went outside and opened the door to the Head's compartment. Draco was still in there. He looked up when she came in but didn't say anything. Hermione wondered whether he had heard her and Ron outside the door. She desperately hoped not. He would know that Ron was abusive and might tell people. Then she would really be in for it. And for another reason, he would have heard her saying something nice about him. Even though she didn't mean them of course. She noticed he looked up when she walked in. She couldn't read his expression.
"Granger." Draco stated. Hermione looked up at him but quickly looked back down again.