Chapter Eight
Hermione woke up on the 31st with a heavy heart. She got dressed quickly and headed down to the Great Hall before anyone else. She grabbed a few pieces for toast and some fruit from the tables before she made her way to the abandoned class room above the central hall. There she found Harry, sitting on the floor with his knees pulled to his chest, staring at the spot where the Mirror of Erised was in their first year. "Good morning," She said as she sat down next to him. He said nothing and she pulled the tiny breakfast out of her bag and set it in front of him. Again, he said nothing but that was how it usually went. Every year for the last five years Hermione and Ron had found Harry in the classroom. Every they sat with him as he mourned. Every year they took care of him. Except this year it was just Hermione, Ron was too caught up in his own stuff to be concerned for his best friend's well being.
Hermione stood in the stands of the Quidditch pitch for the first game of the season, wrapped in her winter cloak as November had brought frigid winds. "They should really hold the season during the warmer months." Neville said as he cradled his cup of hot cocoa. "Every Quidditch player would fail their exams if they did that." Hermione responded. Neville nodded "Fair point."
The game was well underway with Gryffindor in the lead. Hermione found the game much more enjoyable without Ron barking statistics and moves in her ear. Though that didn't mean she was fully free of annoyances. Lavender and Parvarti sat only a few seats away and she could hear pretty much everything. "He looks so good in his uniform, think he'll wear it next time we meet up?" She barely resisted the urge to gag.
Hermione and Neville just settled down after a particularly good save when she heard Lavender again. "God, the only reason she's even cheering for the team in the first place is because he's on it now." Hermione felt her chest tighten, she was going to ignore them but someone had other plans. "Are you that daft Lavender?" Neville yelled. "Not only is one of the chasers her best friend but Hermione and the team captain are pretty much inseparable, which you would notice if you took the time to try to bond with anyone in Ron's friend group aside from him." He finished with a huff and turned back to the game. Hermione stared at him in awe and the two girls were stunned into silence. "Thanks Neville," She whispered. "Anytime 'Mione."
The stands were going crazy as everyone raced down to congratulate Gryffindor on the first win of the season. As soon as she hit the grass Hermione ran straight to Harry and pulled him into a hug. "Your first win as captain!" She yelled "I'm so proud of you!" Harry laughed nervously as he returned her hug. "I can't believe I did it." He said. "I can!" A voice yelled, the two turned to find Ginny walking towards them. Hermione gave her a hug too. "He had as working our asses off at practice. Katie said he could give Wood a run for his money." Harry blushed. "You were great Gin," Hermione said. "Playing the Hufflepuffs was easier than playing my brothers." They could hear giggling across the pitch and could see Lavender hanging all over Ron from where they were. "Speaking of brothers," Ginny trailed off "Has anyone been able to congratulate him yet?" Hermione shook her head. "Neville was heading over there to see him but I don't think he made it." Ginny rolled her eyes. "C'mon lets head back to the castle then."
That evening the students took their normal spots at dinner, Ron next to Harry, Harry next to Hermione, and Hermione next to Neville. Things were going fine until, "Won won!" Lavender called as she approached them. Hermione just rolled her eyes and went back to her dinner. "Oh, hey Lavender." 'Won won' responded. Hermione heard Harry gasp slightly and felt him scoot closer to her, she looked up and watched as Lavender squeezed herself between the two boys. "Do you mind if I sit with you guys tonight?" Harry exchanged a glance with Hermione who's face was scrunched up. "Uh, yeah." Ron answered. Once Lavender got seated and everyone stopped adjusted Hermione turned back to Ginny, "The slowing charm can be a bit hard to get the hang of because you have to aim properly while the target is-"
"So Won won I was so impressed with how well you did in the game today." Lavender interrupted. Hermione glared at the blonde, "Anyway," She started. "The key is concentration. We can pract-"
"Harry you did really well too!" The blonde witch practically yelled again. Hermione huffed. "Uh... Thanks?" Harry said uncertainly. "It must be amazing being Quidditch captain." She said. "Kinda I guess? It's a bit stressful to be honest." He responded with a confused expression. "Yeah it sounds like a lot of fun." It was obvious by Lavender's response that she was really listening to him. "How's Defense going this year?" Now it was Harry's face that scrunched up, he realized quickly what she was doing. "It's not great, Snape butchers the subject-"
"Oh! In Divination today Professor Trelawney said my third eye was very open." Ginny barely managed to stifle a snort and Hermione was silently fuming. How far was Lavender going push this fake interest in Harry. "We didn't see you around much on Halloween, what were you getting into?" She asked in almost a flirty manner. The small group of kids went silent. Hermione watched as Harry's knuckles went white. "Oh you know, not much. Just mourning the brutal murder of my parents who I never got to know." As if to prove how little she was actually paying attention Lavender showed almost no reaction to what he had just said. She was too busy playing with Ron's leg under the table. Hermione reach out and gently squeezed Harry's hand. "Do you want to take a walk with me down to-"
"Harry! Did Ron tell you that Parvarti is also really good at Defense?" Lavender interrupted again. At this point Hermione realized that there was no way she was going to be able to get a single word in. She quietly finished her plate. She felt bad when she ignored Neville's attempt to talk to her but it wasn't worth it, Lavender would probably just turn her attempts towards him.
When her plate was clear she stood up and left the hall without a word. Once she made it to the Common Room she made a beeline for the overly large grandfather clock in the corner. She pushed lightly on the glass of the clock and it swung open revealing a hidden room. Inside were a few beat up couches, a worn armchair, and a wood stove that was always lit. She had come across the room in her third year during her fight with Ron. She used it to escape everyone else. The room must have had some charms placed on it because no one ever noticed her entering and exiting and no one else had ever found it. She thanked the castle for it's small miracles and settled into one of the couches. She pulled out the book Sirius sent her and started reading. The calm quiet of the room slowly seeped into her and she felt her shoulders relax and her anger slowly ebb.
A/N I know this is late but I have a good reason. I started reading Fourth Wing and forgot what time was.