Chapter 13: Hermione's Point of View
Hermione doesn't know what else to pack.
She's packed almost everything; books, food, clothes, more books, camping material, water, and even more books. But somehow, she feels she is missing something.
It is a beautiful day, and everyone is out for Hogsmeade except her. She decided to stay back to pack the things for tonight. She had received Draco's letter a few hours ago, telling her to be there at midnight. In other circumstances, Hermione would be pretty scared to go out alone in a forest full of monsters with nothing but a backpack, but this is clearly different.
The sun is shining, no trace of clouds or rain. She can see the beautiful sea ahead of the castle, the water glistening under the sunlight. Students run down the Hogsmeade Hills for fun, and jump into the lake as a last resort. The seventh-year girls are sitting under a tree, casting flirtative looks at the boys in the lake. Everyone seems to have fun and be happy. Not her.
Hermione sighs and bounces up from her bed. Just then, Ginny comes in, not noticing her. She walks to her bunk and lounges on her bed with her homework. Hermione stands there. "Er, Hello?"
Ginny jumps, almost falling off her bed. She sees Hermione and her eyes widen. "Hi."
Hopefully, Ginny has forgotten their fight the other night. Or maybe she forgives her. Hermione crosses her fingers, praying that she hasn't lost her best friend.
Of course, she had jinxed it. "What are you doing here, today? It's Hogsmeade weekend. You should be out with Ron and Harry," Ginny avoids her eyes.
"I couldn't. I had to—do something first," Hermione lies blatantly. Who can sound that obvious?
Ginny raises her eyebrows. "Going somewhere, tonight? Perhaps the Slytherin common room? Or your secret little meetings with—"
"Shut up," Hermione snaps. She has no time for Ginny's mockery. "Just stop. "
"Oh, so you are? Tell me, Hermione, do you go off there every day? You come in at two in the morning and keep muttering to yourself about cabinets and herbs."
"Ginny," she says through gritted teeth. "I have absolutely no idea about what you're talking about. It's none of your business of what I'm up to, anyways."
"It is my business!" Ginny is close to tears now. "I'm your best friend, and I always will be, no matter what! I'm not worried about Malfoy, I'm worried about you! I told you before, you don't know what he's making up or what he's telling the truth about! He tries to charm you, convince you he's good and pure at heart, and then god knows what will happen to you once Voldemort and his family realizes he's been taking help from you! How do you know when trust him?"
Hermione opens her mouth, but closes it again. Part of what Ginny said is true, she has to admit. Draco wasn't at all a truthful person all the time.
"He may be lying, but I will help any person who's in distress or who needs help. He doesn't know what to do, and he won't know anything without me. These days, I've come to care for him. To love him. I can't just let go now. He believes in me."
"Do you believe in him?" She asks shortly.
"Yes. Yes, I do believe in him, and I always will."
Ginny takes a deep breath. "Do whatever you want to do, Hermione. Just remember that this person has called you a Mudblood you're entire life. His father gave me to Voldemort and let me get possessed. This person works for the man that killed Harry Potter's parents."
Hermione bites her lip. "I know what he did. But I also know that he is different now. That behind his hard exterior lays a changed man. I can never deny it. Ever."