"We say goodbye in the pouring rain
And I break down as you walk away
Stay, stay…
'Cause all my life, I've felt this way
But I could never find the words to say…"
-Stay, by Hurts
Chapter 23: The One Who Gets You Through the Storm
Disclaimer: Do I have to repeat myself every time? Ha-ha.
Later that evening, the Gryffindor prefect could be found sitting before a small fireplace within the tower's common room for the second time that day. Pondering the rather disturbing conversation she had listened in on earlier that afternoon, Hermione's train of thought was broken by the sound of two boys exiting their dorm room.
Looking up, she saw Harry and Neville talking animatedly with one another. Knowing that the teens were about to head out for supper, the brunette stood, hoping that they would be alright with her joining them.
Hermione's wishful thinking had soon after been shattered, however, when Neville caught sight of her presence and abruptly ended his conversation with Harry, as if they had been talking about the girl.
Emerald eyes looked over towards where the Neville's brown ones were staring and narrowed slightly. Harry had spent the past half-hour inside his room along with Neville in order to try and understand everything that had taken place with Malfoy and Ginny. Learning that his best friend had known of the entire situation all this time hurt him, immensely…Especially when it was her who had told him not to worry about it in the first place.
Seeing the flash of pain in the opposite Gryffindor's eyes, Hermione looked away, guiltily, as Neville and Harry left without her.
After allowing several minutes to pass by, she followed, despite no longer having much of an appetite.
No, Hermione was not hungry in the slightest…
All she felt was intense heartache upon realizing both of her best friends were currently gone from her life.
While one would be forever away from this world, the other did not want a single thing to do with her.
And she truly couldn't blame him.
…
Dinner had turned out being a rather unpleasant affair for Pansy. Neither Draco nor Blaise had decided to sit near her which left the girl off at the end of the table, alone.
Sure, Parkinson could've benched with Crabbe, Goyle, Millicent, or even Teddy…
But, when it came down to it, the small brunette just wasn't feeling up to it. The only people she wanted to be around were the ones who wanted the complete opposite.
Now, although this saddened Pansy more than anything, the prefect couldn't help but feel a tad bit angry, as well.
'Really?' she thought to herself, 'it's not as if I off and joined the Dark Lord or killed one of their pets,' she shook her head upon receiving a rather disappointed look from her boyfriend. 'I was only trying to help,' the Slytherin told herself before looking back at her full plate and sighing in defeat.
Like Hermione, she had no desire to eat a single morsel of the feast that lay before her.
…
Across the room and over at the Gryffindor table, the other prefect, too, could be found dining in solitude. Originally, Ginny had attempted accompanying her, but the other girl wouldn't have it.
It's not that she was angry with the red-head or anything…it was just that she had nothing to say to her, really. And Hermione made sure to enlighten her friend of this before watching her leave and take another place by Dean, instead.
Sitting by herself, she couldn't help but to wonder if Ron would've stayed by her side. Would her late friend be just as upset with her as Harry is? Hermione instantly realized that no, he wouldn't be angry with her…Ron would be absolutely furious. He hated Malfoy exceedingly more so than Harry did. The rivalry between the two pureblooded families went way back.
Still, while she couldn't blame the others for feeling betrayed towards her, the deal they were all making out of this was far too big. So, maybe the Slytherin had a thing for Ginny? Sure, it was odd, but was there really any danger there? Hermione sighed in disappointment. She knew that if it had been some other guy interested in the youngest Weasley, Harry wouldn't be so upset with her keeping this small secret from him. And just when she was finally getting the other teen to move past his resentment towards the blonde (along with his notions towards Slytherin house), this happened, causing it all to go to waste. 'Stupid Malfoy,' she cursed mentally.
Shaking her head in disbelief, the bushy-haired girl pushed her plate away and looked down the table at Harry and Neville. The latter of the two, she noticed, was having a polite conversation with Seamus while the other, much to her dismay, was having a glaring contest with a certain Slytherin.
'This is ridiculous,' Hermione thought to herself catching a glance at Pansy, who was also being isolated. She stood up and made her way over to the other Gryffindors, determined to get this madness to cease.
"Harry," she asked hesitantly upon reaching the other teen, "Can I speak with you for a moment?"
Emerald eyes met brown. Hermione held her ground, mustering up the bravery her house was known for whilst the boy considered her offer.
Reluctantly, yet much to the brunettes relief, Harry agreed and followed the prefect outside the great hall to talk in private.
"Look, I'm sorry for keeping this from you," she started after exiting the room, "but I really didn't see much harm-"
Harry scoffed at that and cut her off, "So you've been saying for the past week," he informed her. "Ever since I told you about my meeting with Snape and Malfoy," he spat both of their names, "You've got it into your head that we should be friends with the Slytherins."
"I never said that-" Hermione went to protest.
"Maybe I should've kept it all to myself," he went on. "If I hadn't told you about Malfoy-"
"Harry don't," she pleaded, knowing where her friend was going with this. The last thing Hermione needed was for him to stop trusting her completely. "I would've noticed the change eventually," she told him, referring to Malfoy, Zabini, and Pansy's new personas. They had been acting more carefree and less on edge and uptight since their return to school. Regardless of Harry's new found information as to why that was, the prefect was highly intelligent and would have discovered it all soon enough; especially with Parkinson talking with her all of a sudden.
Inwardly, he had to agree with the girl. Harry knew she definitely would've figured it out sooner or later. He was just too angry at the moment to admit that to her.
"Yeah, well, now that I know about this," he began, referring to the ordeal between his pseudo-sister and Malfoy, "I can at least make sure nothing comes of it."
"That's not your decision to make," Ginny walked up, having been eavesdropping from the start.
Caught by surprise, the older teens turned to see an annoyed red-head standing before them.
"I'm more than capable of dealing with this on my own, Harry," she enlightened her friend. "And the same goes for you as well, 'Mione. I'm a big girl," she teased.
"But its Malfoy-" Harry started to complain.
"Who hasn't done anything wrong," Hermione snapped. "Since the start of the school year he has yet to do a single thing against you," she said, her voice beginning to rise, "Whether or not he likes Ginny has nothing to do with you. First off," the brunette began, "We can't even be sure that Malfoy truly wants anything to do with her," she motioned towards the red-head standing beside her, "It's only intuition at this point."
"It's actually kind of obvious at this point-" Ginny sheepishly added.
Hermione just gave her a stern look and proceeded, "Secondly," she turned back to Harry, "Even if he does, whether or not anything will come from it is not your call to make," the prefect told him, repeating the other girl's previous words. At this, Harry tried commenting, but didn't get the chance as Hermione finished her ranting. "And lastly," she concluded, "you need to know that I was only trying to help you," she admitted, her tone turning calmer. "I didn't want to give you anything more to worry about," Hermione looked into his eyes, "Not that there ever really was anything to get concerned over," she stressed that fact, "Because I would have told you if there was. I just didn't want you getting all worked up over nothing. Not when you have so many other priorities at the moment," she held her breath, waiting for Harry to make his move. Would he accept her honest words or would he tell her to shove off?
"I believe you," he finally said, allowing Hermione to let out the air and smile a bit. "Just…" He looked at her thoughtfully, "No more secrets, okay?"
Her smile widened, "I promise," Hermione then hugged him tightly, as she had done upon seeing him for the first time last summer, nearly knocking him over in the process.
"And no more fighting, either," Ginny spoke up, causing the two, now red-faced teens, to break apart. Clearly, they had forgotten all about her being there.
After laughing at the scene, she let them know, "Having to resolve two fights in two days is plenty enough for me," Ginny said, pretending to be exhausted.
Harry chuckled, "Two?"
"She gave me a bit of advice earlier before talking with you in the common room," Hermione admitted, blushing slightly.
"Hey, what are friends for?" Ginny asked, placing an arm around the two of them and leading the way back into the great hall. All three were smiling contentedly as they went to finish their dinner.
…
"Hi, Neville," Hermione greeted the prefect now sitting opposite her.
"You lot sorted things out, then?" he asked, noticing the grins smeared across the three's faces.
"Yeah," Harry replied, still looking a tad wearily over at Malfoy.
"You're not still angry, are you?" Hermione asked nervously, hoping that he wasn't. She was her friend too, afterall.
"I never was all that much to be honest," he smiled at her. "Just try not to keep me out of the loop anymore," Neville requested. Ever since that night down in the department of mysteries, he had become a bit more protective of his mates.
"We won't, don't worry," Ginny answered for her friend. "And that goes for Luna as well," she added.
"Think I should go talk to her as well?" Hermione asked upon mention of the other group member.
"I wouldn't worry about that," Neville replied, swallowing a spoonful of mashed potatoes. "She's not one to hold grudges."
"Luna probably was never upset to begin with," Harry noted, seeing the peaceful look upon the blonde's face as he glanced over at the Ravenclaw table.
"You really should try to be more like her, Harry," Ginny advised, looking at him from her seat beside Neville across the table.
After receiving incredulous looks from all three Gryffindors, she elaborated. "I just mean that you should be less judgmental and more open-minded."
"That's not a bad idea, actually," Hermione mused.
"We'll just have to ask Luna how she does it," Harry said, knowing his friend's advice was easier said than done.
"Neville can do that for you," the red-head smiled knowingly, causing the male at hers side to turn a rather bright shade of red.
Harry's chin dropped slightly, finally catching on. He hadn't seen this coming.
"You fancy her, don't you?" Hermione spoke up, not believing that she didn't notice this sooner.
Neville shyly nodded his head at the same time Ginny had said, "Of course he does."
"Why don't you ask her out?" Harry suggested.
"I don't know," he shook his head, "What if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"Nonsense," Ginny smacked him playfully on the arm, "Don't be daft."
"She won't turn you down, Neville, trust me," Hermione reassured.
"I've got it," Ginny came up with an idea, "You should ask her to join Dean and me to Hogsmeade this Sunday. The two of you could tag along and since Dean and I are just friends, there wouldn't be any pressure for you."
"That's brilliant," he couldn't help but to agree. Finally, some progress could be made, and it would still be subtle.
"Go on, then," Harry ordered nicely as Ginny gave Neville a small nudge.
With a comforting smile from Hermione, he shakily got up and made his way over to where Luna was seated amongst the other fifth year Ravenclaws.
"Awe," Ginny faked a sniffle, "They grow up so fast."
Her two friends laughed at the antics, momentarily forgetting all of their troubles.
…
"Dray, please talk to me," Parkinson pleaded, having enough of the silent treatment.
"I have nothing to say to you," Malfoy rudely informed her, "And stop calling me that," he added, bitterly.
Realizing that she wouldn't be getting anywhere with her friend, Pansy turned to her boyfriend instead. "Blaise," she put a hand on his arm, "Can't you forgive me?"
Looking into her hopeful eyes, he still declined. "Now's really not the best time, Pans," he told her. Only several hours had passed since their quarrel; it was simply too soon to forgive and forget.
"This is absurd," the brown-eyed girl sighed in frustration. "I was only trying to help you-"
"Nobody asked you to," Draco spat, glaring fiercely at her.
"You're my best friend-" she tried explaining.
"Was," the blonde quickly corrected in the heat of the moment.
Pansy moved back, as if she had been punched in the stomach. Even Blaise gave his mate a disapproving look. The Slytherin's words had been entirely too harsh.
"Fine," she collected herself and stood up from the table. "I'll just be going, then." The girl hastily made her way out of the great hall, preventing the other two teens from catching sight of her now watery eyes.
"Pansy-" Blaise tried calling out for her. Regretfully, it had been to no avail for she merely quickened her pace upon hearing her boyfriend, obviously wanting to be left alone.
"Happy now?" he asked Draco sarcastically as their friend exited the room.
Despite the fact that the opposite teen didn't answer, he at least had the decency to appear guilty for what he had done.
…
Hermione had watched the entire display amongst the Slytherins unfold before her. She couldn't help but to feel bad for the other brunette because the prefect had been in her shoes just moments ago.
Noticing his friend's distress, along with having also seen what happened, Harry spoke up. "You should go talk to her," he offered, knowing that was exactly what Hermione wanted to do.
"Are you sure?" she asked, not wanting to upset him for a third time.
He nodded before replying, "Yeah," he said, "Parkinson's been nice enough lately and she didn't really deserve what Malfoy and Zabini told her, either."
Both Ginny and Hermione beamed at Harry for that. Evidently, their friend was making progress.
"Just go," the raven-haired teen gave her a gentle push. "It's not that big of a deal," he included, still receiving admiring stares from the girls.
"I'll see you later, then?" Hermione asked Ginny and Harry, standing up in the process.
"Of course," Harry answered at the same time the red-head had said, "Definitely."
Giving them a short smile, Hermione hurried out of the great hall, hoping that the Slytherin hadn't gotten too far.
…
"Pansy?" the brunette called out, rounding the corner that lead into the dungeons.
"What do you want, Granger?" the now-found girl asked with her back turned, about to descend the stairs ahead.
"Are you alright?" she got to the point, noting how Parkinson brought a hand to her face, clearly trying to wipe all evidence of any weakness away.
"Why do you care?" Pansy questioned with an uncharacteristically small voice, still not facing the other girl.
Hermione took a deep breath. This was going to be difficult.
"Because-" she went to say, 'you're my friend,' but were they really? Only several conversations had been held between the two and while they had been civil, that didn't necessarily make them best mates.
"I just do, okay?" Hermione concluded, not knowing how else to put it.
She could hear the opposite prefect laugh softly, finding humor in her uncertain tone. Finally, Pansy turned around, puffy-eyed and all.
"It's Draco and Blaise," she explained, not allowing Granger to comment on her pathetic appearance. "They still refuse to talk with me despite the fact that I hardly did anything wrong…" she drifted off, reminiscing about what had taken place only ten minutes ago.
"They'll come around," Hermione reassured her, taking a step closer as well. "Just tell Draco how you were merely attempting to help-"
"Don't you think I've tried?" she asked. "Both in the common room and at the table, as you very well noticed, neither of them let me get more than a word or two out before telling me to bugger off. Draco just drawled on about how I ruined his chances with Weaselette and Blaise only kept staring at me as if I had betrayed him or something," Pansy crossed her arms, "They're being complete prudes."
Hermione had to stifle a laugh at that. "Well, I wouldn't say Malfoy's chances have been entirely demolished," she let the other girl know. "If it's any consolation, Ginny and Dean are no longer together."
Parkinson's eyes lit up, if only slightly. "But would she really want anything to do with him after today?" she inquired. Granger knew far more about the red-head than she did, afterall.
"I'm not sure," Hermione admitted. "She did tell Harry to stay out of it, which could be a good sign. Clearly, she's willing to deal with Malfoy herself at some point."
"That's fortunate, I suppose," Pansy said, inwardly knowing that could be equally much of a bad thing as good.
The taller teen nodded and, for a first, placed a comforting hand upon Parkinson's shoulder. "Just give the boys a bit of time," Hermione advised. "After a day or two, try talking with them again and don't take no for an answer, alright?" she smiled.
Getting over the shock of Granger actually touching her, Pansy smirked. "Since when have I ever done that?"
"Oh lovely, she's back," Hermione said, feigning annoyance.
The Slytherin lightly hit her arm for the comment, innocent or not.
"Ouch," the bushy-haired brunette acted hurt for a moment before letting out a laugh along with Pansy, whom she had successfully cheered up.
"I'm going to head down to the common room now," Parkinson told the other girl once the giggles had died down. She then yawned, "It's been a rather long day."
"It definitely has," Hermione agreed without hesitation.
"I'll see you around?" Pansy asked prior to taking her leave. She had grown somewhat fond of the girl she used to tease and wanted to keep speaking with her.
Granger grinned widely, "Sure, if you'd like."
"I would," she admitted, finally stepping onto the staircase, waving goodbye upon turning away.
Hermione let out a breath, feeling so much better than she had earlier that afternoon. Now, all she wanted to do was curl up by the fireplace with a good book.
…
Around seven o'clock that evening, Ginny and Dean could be found in the center of the common room, arranging times for their outing to Hogsmeade along with Neville. Apparently, the prefect had managed a yes from Luna and would be joining the others on the following Sunday after this next.
"Hey, 'Mione," said Harry, joining her by the fire.
Setting her book down, Hermione looked up at her friend with a forced smile. She had been remembering the conversation she overheard between her friend and Professor Snape with a heavy heart. For one thing, the brunette had yet to tell Harry of the disturbing things she had learned and, for another, knew that she would have to speak with the Professor at least by tomorrow for help. It didn't matter that the teen was no longer residing with his relatives. They couldn't get away with it, as Severus had said. It was that, along with the fact that Harry would be better off speaking with somebody about his past, that made Hermione all the more determined to do something about it.
"Something wrong?" he asked, breaking Hermione's reverie.
"No," she quickly lied, not wanting him to worry. "I'm just trying to decide what I should write about for my Ancient Runes essay."
"You know that's not even due for another two weeks, don't you?" Harry asked amusedly, letting the small lie to pass for now.
"Please, this is Hermione we're talking about," said Dean, who had clearly finished his conversation with Ginny and Neville as all three had approached them.
"Yeah, I'm surprised she hasn't finished it already," Ginny teased.
"Very funny," Hermione said dryly, a small frown upon her face.
"C'mon," Dean laughed, "We're only joking."
"She knows that," Harry chucked at the look his friend was giving him.
"I can answer for myself, thank you very much," she informed him playfully.
"I'm off to bed," Neville spoke up once the teasing subsided. "You two coming?" he asked Harry and Dean.
They both nodded and Harry tiredly stood from his previous seat beside the fireplace. He then offered a hand to Hermione in order to help her up as well.
"Don't forget about our 'date' Weasley," Dean told the red-head, messing around.
"I would never," Ginny went along with it.
"Night, guys," Neville said, following the darker boy out of the common room and up the small flight of stairs.
"Goodnight," they all replied. Hermione then turned to Harry and gave him a small hug, something that had become a nightly affair.
Smiling warmly at his best friend, Harry bid the girls goodnight and took off after the other two teens.
"Want to walk up together?" Ginny asked; turning to Hermione after the boys had left.
"Sure," she agreed, lacing her arm through the youngest Weasley's, going up to their respective dormitories.
…
Bright and early the next morning, Harry found himself out at the quidditch pitch along with many other of his house-mates who were all determined to make the team this year.
Unfortunately, he couldn't take them all and had the horrible pleasure of informing those who did not make the team, why. The only upside was when Harry got to make the day of those who had managed to earn a spot.
Those students were: Katie Bell (the only person, along with Harry who had managed to keep their place on the team), Ginny Weasley and Demelza Robins (replacing Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet from last year), Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote were chosen as beaters, and Dean Thomas had been picked for keeper. Cormac McLaggen, much to Hermione and Ginny's pleasure, did not make the cut.
"Thanks, Harry," Katie came up to him as tryouts ended. "I know you didn't have to keep me on the team-"
"Katie, you earned it, trust me," Ginny commented, standing beside her friend.
"So did you," Bell patted her on the shoulder and gave Harry a grateful smile before trailing off after Dean, whom she had seemed rather cozy with as of late.
"They'd make a good couple," Ginny thought, watching her other friends walk away. "Don't you think?"
Harry looked back at her in surprise. He hadn't expected her to be over Thomas so soon. "I suppose," he answered a few moments later.
"They would," the girl decided, "Just like two other people I know," she smiled knowingly at Harry, picking up her broom and walking towards the shed afterwards.
"You mean Neville and Luna?" he followed her, not catching on to who she was truly speaking of.
"Not exactly," Ginny replied, locking the old Nimbus 2000 away.
"Then who-" Harry suddenly became tinged with scarlet as he realized who she meant.
The red-head merely laughed and left her friend alone to his thoughts, making her way back up to the castle.
'Perceptive brat,' Harry thought to himself before mounting his Firebolt once more, deciding to fly around for a bit before his meeting with Remus to be held later that day.
…
While her friend was roaming the skies, Hermione could be found standing outside the Potions Master's door.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the heavy wooden door, waiting for the man open it.
"Miss Granger," Severus greeted her with a sneer upon his face.
"Sir," she began quickly, not wanting the Professor to send her away. "I need to speak with you," Hermione told him.
"Surely it can wait until class," Snape went to close the door, annoyed.
"It honestly can't, sir," she was begging now, "Please," the prefect looked at him sincerely, standing her ground all the same. "It's important."
"Oh?" he questioned, a bit snidely.
Hermione nodded, "It's-" she hesitated, "It's about Harry, Professor," the brunette admitted. "I overheard your conversation with him yesterday," at the frustrated look Snape shot her, she quickly apologized, "I didn't intend to, I swear-"
"Come inside Miss Granger," he sighed heavily. "This is not the place to discuss it." Snape then allowed her inside, already knowing that it would be impossible to ignore her request. When Granger wanted to know something, there was truly no stopping her. Information and her friends were everything to the girl. This topic in particular just happened to include both.
Nervous, but more so determined, Hermione went in. She pushed all feelings of guilt aside momentarily, already mentally agreeing to talk about this with Harry that night, once it was too late for him to stop her. At least this way she could help him and still not be keeping any secrets.
Either way, this was something she had to do.
A/N:Whew…eleven pages later and chapter twenty-three is finally complete!
Please, let me know what you thought of it :)
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Well, hope to see you soon!