Hermione's Furry Little Problem

Harry embraced Hermione as tightly as he could, his own green eyes brimming with tears of humiliation, pain, and anger. He didn’t care that Uncle Vernon was going to jail. Harry was just ashamed that everybody now knew what a reject--what a freak he was. It had been bad enough that everybody in the wizarding world thought that Harry was either a saviour or a serpent, but now in the muggle world everybody would know him as a worthless-possibly dangerous-piece of rubbish.

Harry couldn’t bring himself to say a word to Hermione. It was worse for her. His parents had been gone a long, long time. And his tormentor, Uncle Vernon was gone now too. People already thought Harry was a freak. He was used to it. Harry put his own pain aside and silently held Hermione close as she sobbed through their whole first lesson.

Parvati grew anxious when she missed Harry and Hermione in Charms. She knew something was wrong. Hermione and Harry never missed a lesson if they could help it. And Hermione had seemed very agitated at breakfast time. As the rest of the Gryffindor second years made their way to Herbology, Parvati dashed in the opposite direction through the castle.

Silent tears dripped from the end of Harry’s nose and his cheeks, wetting Hermione’s trembling tail as she continued to sob in his arms. An urgent knocking at the door startled Harry. Angry at being disturbed, he lashed out.

“Go away. Leave us alone...” Harry shouted hoarsely. But just uttering the words after the lengthy silence was too much for Harry and the dam burst. Parvati’s stomach churned when she heard Harry wrenching huge sobs on the other side of the door. She performed an unlocking charm and burst into the sitting room.

“Oh No! Harry, Hermione... What’s wrong?” Parvati cried, her own eyes filling with tears.

She spotted the muggle newspaper and Hermione’s letter on the table. Parvati gasped in horror as she read the top article. Now she knew where Harry’s scars had come from. Why hadn’t he ever told anyone how awful his family was? He’d always made it sound like they were just selfish, bigoted, pushy gits-nothing as dreadful as all of the beatings his uncle had given him.

Then Parvati’s eyes lit upon Hermione’s letter and quickly digested the information. She came over dizzy and faint. Parvati’s knees collapsed, but gentle hands caught her and set her in a comfy chair. Luna peered with concern into Parvati’s tear-filled eyes.

“I’ll go and get Madame Pomfrey...” Luna said softly. “Wait here with them. I’ll be right back.”

Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall put the traumatised young couple to bed in their own room and gave them a sleeping draught. They left Luna and Parvati with instructions for one of them to remain with Harry and Hermione at all times until the next morning when Madame Pomfrey would look in on them again.

Poppy and Minerva shared a somber cup of tea in Madame Pomfrey’s office.

“I should have seen the signs...” Poppy wept. “The scars. I thought... I don’t know what I thought. I never suspected... Mr Potter never said...”

Poppy’s tears dripped into her tea. Minerva had a pinched expression, looking thoroughly distressed.

“There, there, Poppy...” She said comfortingly, “You couldn’t have known. But I know someone who could have, and mark my words, the Headmaster is going to get an earful tonight.” Minerva concluded angrily.

“And POOR Miss Granger...” sobbed Poppy, “It’s just dreadful! How could any parents send their child to be chopped into bits by butchers just because they look a bit different? And... and she’s so pretty too... That lovely tail...”

“That will NOT be happening...” Minerva said with authority. “I can assure you Poppy! I refuse to allow Miss Granger to be coerced by her parents into being mutilated.”

“Th... that’s good then. Thank you Minerva.” Poppy stopped crying and dabbed her cheeks. She knew that Minerva was as good as her word.

Luna had spent the evening sitting in the comfy chair next to Harry and Hermione’s bed. She closed her copy of Through the Looking Glass when Parvati came to take over. They exchanged places and Parvati settled in the chair next to the bed.

“Look after them.” Luna whispered, before giving Parvati a kiss goodnight.

When morning came, Harry woke to find Parvati asleep on the bed with one arm around Hermione. Despite the dull ache of pain inside of him, he felt a sudden surge of affection for the two girls. He gave them both a kiss on the forehead, stirring them.

Hermione blinked sleepily at Harry, gave him a sad little smile and pulled him in for a real kiss. She then turned to Parvati who was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and surprised her with a kiss on the lips.

“Thank you for being there Parvati. You’re the best friend that Harry and I have ever had.” Hermione said with utmost sincerity. She knew now just how true that was, and Harry didn’t contradict her.

Now awake, Parvati kissed Hermione back. Then Parvati leaned over Hermione and gave Harry a proper kiss, her long black lashes glistening slightly with tears.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone Harry?” Parvati asked.

Harry flushed, his eyes downcast.

“I... I dunno really. I... I know it’s not true in my head, but... but, it’s almost like I feel that if I told anyone, I would be admitting that I deserved it for being a freak. As long as I didn’t tell anyone, nobody would know what a weirdo and a loser I am.”

Both girls looked horrified.

“Oh, Harry that’s awful.” Squeaked Hermione, her ears drooping as she hugged Harry. Parvati embraced Harry too.

“I love you so much Harry.” Hermione said, “You’re the nicest boy I’ve ever met. You’ve NEVER been a loser or a freak. You’re a Gryffindor.”

“I love you too Hermione.” Harry replied softly. Then his features and his voice hardened. “I love ALL of you. I don’t want you to get surgery Hermione. I love you just the way you are.”

Parvati started crying quietly as her heart melted for her two best friends.