Hermione was walking through the mid levels of the castle on her prefect patrol. She was still grumpy over Ron laughing at and mocking her earlier in the day. Harry's obsession with Draco was also getting on her nerves. A great many things were getting on her nerves.
As she came to a little used end of the castle she heard something strange, it sounded like someone singing with soulful beauty that she almost began to cry. She recognized the song as an old hymnal from the Episcopal church. By the time she traced the sound to the chapel they had begun to sing Poor Wayfaring Stranger with such a sad haunting power that she froze in the doorway, a single tear tracing down her cheek.
She stepped into the chapel and sat in one of the wooden pews to listen. In the dim light she could barely see the singer but soon recognized the broad shoulders and close shorn hair of Vincent Crabbe. She was torn between running and staying when he reached the end of the song.
Rising to try and leave before he caught her she tripped and knocked down several books with a loud thump. Crabbe spun and stared at her. Deciding to speak to him she said, "You sing very beautifully. I'm sorry I interrupted."
He looked like he was processing her words before grunting softly, "Thank you."
"I'll just go now." She said awkwardly heading for the door.
"Wait." He commanded, then repeated it again as a softer question. "Wait please."
Hermione paused as he walked closer to her. "Please don't tell anyone about this. Ok?"
Hermione nodded, "No problem. Although I was being honest."
Crabbe nodded as he walked past her, he paused then turning said, "The Weasley kid ain't no good for you. You and Potter make a better couple."
Taken aback Hermione didn't know what to say before he went on, "Oh and his obsession with Draco is warranted. Watch out for the ferret." He seemed to want to say more but turned and lumbered off quickly like he was afraid to betray anything else.
Hermione blinked several times as she stared at the empty space he had been standing trying to understand what happened. Turning to look at the large stained glass window she thought about what he said. Maybe she should take Harry's concerns a bit more seriously.
OfficerDonNZ: True. Hermione initiating and pushing it, then Neville getting his own too.
