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Hermione put her things away as Ron and Harry waited for her by the door.
"Can we just not get homework for classes anymore?" Ron whined as she walked up to them.
She lifted an eyebrow. "So you completely understood the lesson then?"
"Well, no." Ron replied, making Harry smirk. "But we've already gone through seven years of this. And technically we could just leave when we want to. We're eighteen!"
Hermione's eyes narrowed at Ron's idea to drop out.
"Yes. Seven years of school and you still haven't learned a thing. Well done Weasley." They turned around just in time to see Blaise Zabini roll his eyes.
"No one asked for your opinion, Zabini." Harry snarled.
"Someone needs to keep a look out for Weasel here. He might die from his sheer stupidity otherwise." He smirked.
Ron glared at him. "Careful what you say."
"Yeah, Zabini. The teacher might hear and find out what a massive git you are." Hermione spat at him.
He turned his gaze to hers and held it long enough to make her uncomfortable before turning to look at the teacher, who had her back turned.
Blaise turned back with a smile on his face. "I think I'm good."
She rolled her eyes and he took a step towards her, bending close so his mouth was by her ear.
"Thanks, for the concern, Granger." He whispered.
Hermione bit her lip and held back a shudder.
"Would you look at that. Zabini's interested in mudblood trash nowadays. Why am I not surprised."
"What did you call her?" Ron growled.
"Parkinson, don't be rude." Blaise said in a bored tone, turning to look at her. "Just because you're a pathetic and desperate trollop that'll do anything for the tiniest bit of attention, doesn't mean all girls are."
Parkinson glared at him with disdain. "What, you're attention? Please. Although you do pair nicely with Granger, you're both pieces of rubbish."
Blaise chuckled lightly and shot her a mean smile. "How're things with Malfoy recently?" Her face dropped slightly. "Right, I forgot. He left you in the dust like a lost puppy after you decided you wanted this 'piece of rubbish'."
The three of them stared at Zabini incredulously as tears welled in Pansy's eyes.
"It's funny, at least the mudblood is in a relationship. No one wants you though, do they?"
Pansy shoved him as she left in tears while Zabini smirked, and Hermione glared at him with disgust. "You didn't need to do that!"
"Yeah Hermione didn't need your help." Ron wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
Harry spat. "Especially from someone as bad as Parkinson to begin with."
Blaise looked at them all with amusement. "Who said I was doing that for Granger?" He asked smugly before pushing through the trio and leaving.
The three of them watched Zabini leave with disbelief on their faces. "Yeah. You were right Ron." Harry spoke up. "Zabini, boosting the school's moral . . . We are doomed."
Ron shook his head as Hermione watched Zabini turn a corner out of sight, thinking. 'This is going to be a nightmare.'
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