"Ron..." Ginny began as left Hermione's side and walked over to Ron, who was shaking with anger. "Ron, calm down." She tried to put her hand on his shoulder for comfort, but he pulled away quickly.
"Calm down?" he said as he turned around to see Ginny and Harry looking at him with concern. "Who knows what he did to her!" The common room's door opened just then and in came none other than a very frightened Lavender. She was all red and she was clenching her school books with both hands. She quickly walked over to Ron and latched onto him, throwing her hands around her neck. Ron didn't say a word.
"Ron, darling, I heard you from all the way outside!" She let go of him and grabbed both of Ron's hands, which were still shaking. "What's happened?"
Harry stepped forward and spoke. "It's Hermione; we think someone did something to her."
"Why can't you see Harry?" Ron let go of Lavender's hands in anger. "It was Draco! Who else could it be?"
Lavender's hands trembled. She smiled at Harry.
"Harry, who else would it be? I mean...Draco hates Hermione," Lavender said, trying to maintain a calm voice. Harry looked closely at Lavender and then at Ron.
"We're wasting time here," Ron walked over to the common room doors. "I'm going to go find Draco right now." He stormed out, leaving a very nervous Lavender.
She stared at the door that had just slammed and then turned to Ginny and Harry. Both were still seated next to Hermione. She walked towards them.
"W-well if you will excuse me..." She began to walk to the girls' door. "I'm very tired." She smiled at Harry and walked up the stairs that led to the dorms. Ginny stared after her and then looked back at Harry.
"Harry…do you think there's something off about that Lavender girl?"
Harry hesitated. He knew he had to like his best friend's girlfriend, but he too felt that something was off about her.
"Yeah." he said.
Ron sprinted towards the Great Hall. "Wait till I find you Draco Malfoy…"
He finally reached the Hall. To his dismay, the only people in the Hall were a few Gryffindor students doing homework on their House table. The rest of the Hall was empty. Ron caught a glimpse of his friend Seamus Finnigan.
"Seamus!" Ron yelled across the Hall, walking towards the table of students.
Seamus startled. He had never heard Ron yell and was a bit cautious as he raised his hand and waved.
"Seamus, have you seen Malfoy?" Ron asked as he arrived at the long wooden table. Seamus nodded, still scared of how Ron was acting.
"He was here a few minutes ago, and then he took his buddies and left the Hall."
"Well, do you know where he is now?" Ron was still getting closer to Seamus, as if he was hiding something.
"U-um. Well, they must be in the Slytherin Common Room."
When Ron heard this, he left the table and walked out the doors. He readied himself to sprint down into the dungeons towards the Slytherin Common Room, but stopped himself when he saw Hermione waiting by the doors.
"Hermione, what are you doing here?" Ron asked, stopping next to her. Hermione had her arms crossed her face had adopted a mad expression.
"Ron, I know what you're going to do, and I'm warning you right now, don't do it."
"He, he hurt you!" Ron pointed in the direction of the Slytherin common room. At that moment, a boy came up the stairs that led to the common room. A boy with pale, slicked back blond hair. Draco.
"Oi!" Draco began as he saw Ron. "Will you shut your trap?" He took a look at Hermione before continuing. "We're trying to have some fun down there."
Ron's hands were clenched into fists and he was biting his lip as if that would stop him from responding with an angry retort. Hermione quickly moved towards Ron and grabbed his arm to hold him back. She gave Malfoy a look.
"Alright, we'll go. Sorry..." she said as she pushed Ron away from Draco.
"Sorry?" Ron pulled away from Hermione. "Why would you apologize to this little piece of trash?"
Draco sneered and took out his wand. "Better watch what you say to me, Weasel-Bee."
Ron turned towards Draco, and reached for his wand. "Ron, no!" Hermione pleaded.
Draco and Ron stared at each other.
"You're the one who should be saying sorry to her, Malfoy, after what you did you her!" Draco raised an eyebrow.
"What I did to her?"
"Yeah! You left her on the floor crying, that's what did you do to her!" Hermione froze
.
"I didn't do anything to her!" Draco got closer to Ron. "Instead of threatening me, you should say thank you to me for saving her!" Hermione jumped and grabbed Ron.
"Ron, lets go, McGonagall will be here any minute."
"What do you mean you saved her?" Ron gave out a laugh. "You, save Hermione?"
Draco gave Ron a furious look."Yeah, from that fucking girlfriend of yours."
Hermione let out a gasp and Ron looked over at her.
"What does he mean, Hermione? What does this have to do with Lavender?"
Hermione looked around the corridor, now very nervous. Her face began to heat with embarrassment, all eyes on her. Draco smiled.
"Yeah, Granger, tell him what I mean."