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Prompt 38 - Serenade

Hermione hadn't expected anyone to be in the eighth year common room when she entered; her humming ceasing the moment she saw that she wasn't going to spend the next fortnight alone. From what she could gather, she had heard of no other eighth year staying. All were either going home to their families or their friend's families. With her parents still in Australia and desperately in need of a break from watching Ron fall head over heels for Pansy and her likewise, Hermione had just decided to stay at Hogwarts for some time to herself; though that's not what she told her friends. She hadn't really lied, she really was going to revise for the upcoming NEWTS; she just didn't want to be honest about how badly she was still hurting months later.

Now she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do in this situation; given that she would be spending the next fortnight – basically alone – with Theo Nott.

From where she stood, she watched him drum his fingers against the table in some complicated fashion as he bent over parchments. Every so often the drumming would stop and be replaced his quill tapping as he grabbed a book. His quill stopping only long enough to scratch out whatever he was writing.

Curious, more than anything, Hermione made her way quietly over to the quiet Slytherin. Of all the Slytherins, he was the one that everyone knew the least about; though he had had everyone talking the last couple of days before the start of Christmas hols with the odd toss-up he had had with Malfoy. She herself had been so taken back at the sound of voice at all, that it produced any sound at all, that she saw it as an excuse to get out of the common room for a bit without using the library excuse one more time. However, she hadn't found him; he had seemingly disappeared on Hogwarts grounds that afternoon and evening. Only to return just before curfew, even quieter than before.

Quietly, trying not to disturb him, she took a seat in the empty chair next to him. Unfortunately, her curiosity overwhelmed her and she quietly asked, "Do you need any help?"

She watched as his head shot up. His crystal clear, pale green eyes wide in amazement as he stared at her unblinkingly; his quill dropping out of his hand with a soft whoosh. She felt her cheeks redden under the weight of his gaze while silently wishing she had left him alone.

"I'll just leave you alone," she muttered, standing back up and moving away from the table.

She was almost to the stairs when she heard him say, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone else was going to be staying here for the holidays."

Turning back around, she gave him her best forgiving smile and replied, "That's okay. You weren't the only one. Good luck on..."

"I could use some help if you are still interested," he said quickly, his words taking on a staccato tone as he forced them out. "You can tell me no."

Carefully, she made her way back and responded, "So what are you working on?"

"Heir charms."

"For Pansy," she whispered, her voice falling in the same manner her heart did. She should have known that he would be working on something for her.

"Yes," he responded without a care in the world. Hermione found herself a bit taken back by his tone. There was something lingering under the casual way in which he spoke but she could have sworn he was holding much more in. "If you don't want to help, that's okay..."

"No I want to help," she said quickly, sitting in the chair she had just vacated moments ago. Before adding quietly, "It just hurts."

"I understand. So how much do you know..."

"What do you mean, you understand," she asked, trying desperately to figure out the puzzle he was presenting to her in the last few minutes.

Shaking his head, he explained, "Exactly what I said."

"But how?"

"There is a world outside this castle."

"You aren't going to tell me."

"Ten points to Gryffindor," Theo retorted quickly, grabbing a book that was on the floor by him and handing it to Hermione. "This will help you get an overview of the known charms."

Hermione sighed and took the book from him. Thumbing the pages as quietly as she could as she turned the pages, skimming the words, trying to take them in in spite of her mind being else where.

Finally she whispered, "Does the pain ever really go away?"

"No," he replied, his voice distant and sad. "You just learn to live with it."

"Do you ever think you will find someone like that again?"

"No. Do you?"

"No. And I think that's what hurts the most."