Hi everyone! I recently read the most incredible Hermione/Cormac story and really wanted to write my own. This is a short collection of moments between the two of them starting from right after the Slug Club party in 6th year through the end of the final battle in their 7th year. Enjoy!
"Hermione, wait up!" Hermione all but groaned in annoyance as Cormac McLaggen caught up with her in the hallway on the way to the Gryffindor tower. It had been an awful night at the Slug Club. Cormac had spent most of the evening boasting about himself and trying to flirt with her. She knew it had been a bad idea to invite him to the party in an attempt to make Ron jealous, but she didn't realize that quite literally all the rumors about his ego were true. She had spent the rest of the time hiding from him.
"Yes?" She said with much irritation.
"Sorry I left you," he said. "I had an...incident and Snape made me come to his office for a chat. It's all sorted out now and I'm free for the rest of the evening" he continued brightly.
Hermione felt her eye twitch. "You didn't leave me. I left you, Cormac. I shouldn't have invited you and honestly, I'm not interested. I'd like to go to bed now." She turned to leave, not wanting to continue this conversation any longer.
Cormac grabbed her arm gently. "I'm not an idiot, Hermione. I know you only invited me to make Weasley jealous. I was completely on board just because I don't particularly like the guy."
"Okay, and?" She asked exasperatedly. The more he talked, the more annoyed she became. She knew she was being incredibly rude to him, but she couldn't handle it anymore.
"Why don't you like me, Hermione?" How thick could he be? Hermione paused for a moment gathering her thoughts.
"Look, Cormac. I'm not trying to be rude to you. But you've spent the entire evening together doing nothing but boasting about yourself. Not one single question or comment about anything remotely related to me. You were so oblivious to how other people are feeling that you completely misread the signals and tried to kiss me, not once, but multiple times. And now here you are, chasing after me when all I want to do is be alone. To top it off, your only concern is why I don't like you - again, it's always about you."
Cormac stood in stunned silence, his shoulders slouching and he looked down at his feet. Hermione felt her heart pang at his obvious sadness.
"I'm sorry, Cormac. That call came out much harsher than I intended." She fiddled with her hair nervously. An awkward silence filled the air between them.
Finally he got the courage to speak. "I-I'm truly sorry for my behavior tonight. Can I at least walk you to the stairs?"
Hermione studied his face carefully. Yes, he was being genuine. She sighed and nodded. The two of them walked into the Gryffindor common room which was thankfully empty. At the foot of the staircase up to the girls' dorms, she looked at him. The glow of the fireplace made him appear warm and soft. Hermione finally understood why despite his attitude, the girls at Hogwarts found him attractive. He was actually very handsome.
"I'm sorry it wasn't quite the night you hoped for," she offered. "And I'm sorry I invited you under false pretenses, even if you knew what they were."
At this, Cormac gave her a cheeky grin. "Don't worry about anything, Hermione. And listen, I know I'm not your favorite person in the world, but if you ever need to talk about your issues with that clown or need someone to make him jealous again, I'm your guy. I promise I will behave."
Hermione softened at this. Cormac McLaggen could be a prat, but perhaps she had misjudged him.
"Thank you. Have a good night, Cormac." She smiled at him and went upstairs, her mood dramatically improved.
Hermione's good mood from the previous night didn't last too long as she tried her best to ignore Ron and Lavender practically snogging at breakfast. Her tactic of trying to make him jealous had backfired spectacularly, only sending him further into Lavender's arms. Topping it off, he all but ignored her now. Harry had been in a foul mood all morning from his nightmares and wasn't talking much either.
She felt a pair of eyes on her and turned to the far end of the table to investigate. Sure enough, Cormac was staring at her. When he realized he'd been caught, he gave her a sheepish smile and turned his attention back to his breakfast.
Her thoughts turned to the night before. Cormac had been a total pill, but a completely different person when they said goodnight. He had been remorseful and gave her a real apology for his behavior. Despite her initial dislike of him, it did make her heart warm when she thought back to that moment. Maybe no one had ever called him out like that before. She wondered if anything would come of their interaction.
Hermione stood with Harry away from all the other students on the platform waiting for the train. It was time to leave for the winter holidays and she couldn't wait to go back home, away from Ron and Lavender.
"Uh-oh, McLaggen's coming over here," Harry warned.
Hermione was surprised to see him indeed approaching. He stopped in front of her, and nodded at Harry in greeting. "Hermione, do you mind if we talk for a minute?"
"Um, alright. Sure," she replied. She gave Harry a reassuring nudge.
Harry looked at Cormac suspiciously. Hermione hadn't told him what happened after the Slug Club party. "I'll wait for you at the train doors, Hermione," he said before leaving them alone.
"I just wanted to say I hope you have a good winter break and Happy Christmas," Cormac finally said once Harry was out of earshot.
"Thank you. You too, Cormac."
"And about the other night, I'm sorry again."
She smiled and shook her head. "You don't need to apologize again, Cormac. I think we were both out of sorts."
A cold breeze flew across the platform, causing her hair to fly everywhere. At the same time, the conductor announced that it was time to board the train.
"Well, I think that's our cue," she said, still trying to tame her hair.
"Here," he reached a hand out and delicately tucked a few spare curls behind her ear. Hermione felt a rush of warmth rise to her cheeks.
"Thanks," she said a bit flustered. He noticed her obvious embarrassment and chuckled.
"Don't worry, Hermione. You're not interested - I know. But a guy can hope right?"
Feeling bold, she reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye, Cormac. Have a Happy Christmas!"
Before she could see his reaction, she quickly walked away with a slight bounce in her step and boarded the train.
When they returned from break she was too busy with planning and helping Harry for Hermione to have much time to herself. Thankfully, Ron and Lavender had broken up and things finally seemed right with the three of them again. Ron even seemed like he was finally coming around to noticing Hermione in a romantic way.
She and Cormac didn't speak to each other. Occasionally they would smile at each other in passing, but he left her alone. She couldn't deny that a part of her felt a little bit sad about it.
She did notice that his behavior had changed since coming back. It seemed like he was making an effort to not be as arrogant as before. There were no longer rumors about him dating around and being one of the Gryffindor playboys. Instead, he spent most of his time with his 7th year friends and had his head buried in textbooks when he wasn't with them.
On Valentine's day she received an expensive box of chocolates. There was no note, but she knew it was from him. She smiled brightly at him in acknowledgement across the hallway, to which he gave her his trademark grin before they went their separate ways.
Hermione sat nestled in an overstuffed armchair by the fire in the Gryffindor common room. It was late, but she couldn't seem to fall asleep, so rather than tossing and turning in bed, she'd decided to read in the cozy room and enjoy the peace and quiet since everyone else had long gone to bed.
A familiar voice cut through the peaceful cackling of the fireplace.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Cormac's voice, with its distinct blend of charm and mischief, echoed in the common room.
Startled, Hermione looked up from her book to find Cormac standing at the bottom of the stairs to the boy's dorm, his silhouette outlined by the dim light.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Cormac asked, making his way towards her.
Hermione closed her book, setting it aside. "Unfortunately not."
He sank onto the couch next to her. "Mind if I join you?"
A small smile tugged at Hermione's lips. "Of course not."
"Would you like some chocolate?" Cormac asked, reaching into his pocket.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "You have more chocolate?"
He pulled out a small box of assorted chocolates and candies. "I saw you much you enjoyed my Valentine's Day gift and decided to get some more for myself. I hadn't finished them yet though."
Hermione selected a delicate heart-shaped chocolate, studying it before taking a tentative bite. "They're delicious once again. Thank you, Cormac."
His eyes locked onto hers, a warmth in their depths. "Glad you like them. Valentine's Day or not, it's never too late for more chocolate."
They shared a quiet laugh, the air between them light and filled with a newfound ease. As the night wore on, they continued to talk, the topics shifting effortlessly from quidditch, to classes, to their favorite hobbies. She was surprised at how comfortable she had become around him.
Cormac leaned back, watching her with an appreciative gaze. "You know, Granger, you're quite enchanting when you're lost in thought."
A blush crept onto Hermione's cheeks, but she met his gaze with a playful glint in her eyes. "And you, Cormac McLaggen, are quite skilled at surprising people with late-night chocolates-" her sentence was cut off as she couldn't keep from suppressing a yawn.
He chuckled and stood up. "I think that's our cue to finally go to sleep." He helped her to her feet as she agreed.
She smiled to herself as she finally got into bed. It had been a wonderful evening.
"Crooks!" Hermione called out into the courtyard. "Where are you, blasted cat!"
A flicker of a fluffy orange tail behind the fountain caught her eye. As she rounded the fountain she discovered an unexpected scene. Cormac was kneeling on the ground, tenderly petting Crookshanks who affectionately nuzzled into his knee.
"What a handsome boy you are!" She heard him muttering. "Handsome, Granger gives you too many treats."
"I certainly do not!" She retorted, hands on her hips. However, her smile betrayed her annoyed tone. Cormac looked up sheepishly and offered a guilty smile.
"You must admit, he's gotten a bit heavier," he observed.
Hermione made a dramatic gasp and feigned offense. "My baby is absolutely perfect. You take that back."
Cormac gathered her cat in his arms and stood up. Hermione was shocked. "He doesn't usually let other people hold him."
"I must be quite a special fellow then huh?" Cormac said teasingly, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and handed Crookshanks to her.
She couldn't help but blush. "You just might be."
Hermione sat on the floor of the clock tower, her gaze fixed solemnly on the school grounds below. Harry and Ron had gone back to the dorms to begin packing for what would be a difficult mission ahead of them. Dumbledore was dead and everyone was still in shock. The world had changed forever and she knew she wouldn't be back for her final year at Hogwarts. Her path would be to follow Harry to defeat Voldemort.
A familiar voice broke her out of her thoughts. "I thought I'd find you up here."
"Cormac," she responded in surprise. He sat down next to her and looked sadly at the ledge not far from where they were.
"This is where it happened?"
"Yes..Harry saw everything. It's awful," she fought back tears. He shifted closer to her so that their shoulders were touching, a comforting closeness that felt more reassuring than anything else that day.
"I was worried about you," he confessed. "During the attack on the school, I didn't know where you were. But then I saw you at Dumbledore's funeral and I knew that you were okay."
She rested her head on his shoulder in response, enjoying the warmth of his body and absorbing his words.
"We're not coming back to Hogwarts next year," she revealed.
"I imagine you and Weasley will be going with Potter somewhere extremely dangerous," he said with a frown. "And getting into loads of trouble."
"Something like that..."
"Well," he said, seeming unsure of himself. "Whatever happens, I'll be thinking of you."
"You've changed," she pointed out. "What happened to that self-absorbed boy who I took to the Slug Club party?"
"Maybe he decided to get his act together after a harsh reality check from a beautiful girl," he teased.
"Oh really?" She teased. "Are you saying that I made you want to be a better man?"
"Is the idea so unbelievable?"
"If it's true, then I'm very happy to have been such a positive influence on you, Cormac."
The two of them sat in a comfortable silence watching the peaceful grounds below, unsure of what was to come next. Despite her feelings for Ron, Cormac had managed to find a place in her heart. The future remained uncertain, but in Cormac's presence, Hermione found solace—a glimmer of hope in the midst of uncertainty.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron followed Neville through the tunnel leading into Hogwarts, her heart beating wildly. What would they find there?
As Harry stepped through the round door, cheers broke out and filled the room. All the students crowded around Harry, taking turns giving him hugs.
Hermione scanned the room frantically, looking for any sign of Cormac. A surge of relief washed over her as she spotted him in the back. His eyes locked onto hers and softened. He looked tired and stressed, but still the same. After weeks on the run, she could only imagine how awful she must have looked to him.
The sounds of Harry explaining their mission to the group became static noise as Hermione could only focus on Cormac. After everything she and the boys had been through, the thought of him was always in the back of her mind - wondering where he was and praying every day he was alive. She too would listen to the radio in the tent anxiously listening for any mention of his name among the list of the deceased.
When Ginny came in to warn them that Snape was aware of what was going on, everyone started to put on their robes and chatter about a plan. Cormac remained where he was in the back of the room and tilted his head at her. Wordlessly, she swiftly crossed the room and embraced him in a rather bone crushing hug. He wasted no time wrapping his arms around her just as tightly.
"You're safe," she said, unable to keep a quiver out of her voice.
"You're safe," he replied reassuringly. "I've been so worried."
"A little worse for the wear though," she said with a small smile. "I didn't know you'd be here."
"I was forced to come back. We all were," Cormac revealed, acknowledging the new ministry laws under the Death Eaters.
"I'm sorry," she said sadly. She had heard all students were forced to return under the new ministry laws. She thought it only applied to students who hadn't graduated.
Cormac slowly let her go and nodded towards the door where everyone was gathering. "I think we'd better go."
Hermione reached for his hand and gave it a small squeeze before returning to Harry and Ron who hadn't noticed her absence.
The battle was finally over. They had done it. Voldemort was gone. After chucking the remains of the elder wand into the ravine, Harry left to go check on the students and teachers still in the Great Hall. Hermione sat with Ron on the broken bridge, their hands entwined in the remnants of the war.
Ron fidgeted for a bit, appearing uneasy before finally gathering the courage to speak. "Hermione...I saw you and Cormac when we arrived at Hogwarts."
Hermione met his gaze. "Nothing happened between me and Cormac, Ron."
He sighed and reluctantly released her hands. "No, but he cares for you. And you care for him."
Hermione looked down at her lap, unable to deny how she felt anymore. "I'm sorry, Ron."
He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "It's alright, Mione. You and I wouldn't have worked in the long-term anyway. I think we both know that."
"So...we're alright?" She asked. Her inquiry hung in the air between them.
After what seemed like forever, Ron smiled sadly. "Of course." His attention shifted behind her. "I think I'd better go back to my family now. There's someone waiting to talk to you."
She followed his gaze to see Cormac leaning against the stone railing patiently.
Turning, Hermione spotted Cormac leaning against the stone railing. Despite the weariness on his face from the battle, he somehow looked even more handsome than before. He nodded at Ron politely as the redhead passed him and walked into the Great Hall. After Ron was gone from view, he approached her and stopped right in front of her.
"So..." she began uncertainly.
"So..." he replied, reaching a hand up to her face and tracing the cut on her lip. "Have I earned a second chance with you?"
Hermione placed her hand on his, leaning into his touch. With a new determination, she stood on her toes, closed the gap, and kissed him. "Yes. You certainly have."