Shifting the Balance

Chapter 24


Hermione sat on the couch in her common room with Ginny by her side. She got detention, but was for now confined to her common room until further notice. She could have a companion with her that could help her calm down. She chose Ginny.

“How in the world did this happen?” Ginny asked.

“So I quess that you are revering to the argument I and Malfoy had?”

“Yes of course! Everyone is talking about it!” Ginny said in an exciting voice.

“There is nothing exciting about it.” Hermione said.

“What was it about?”

“Just the same thing. I hate him, because he is a pureblood bastard who thinks he’s better then me. And he thinks that I’m nothing than a foul mudblood.

End of story.”

Hermione pulled her knees up and gathered her arms around them. Ginny cocked her head to the side and took in Hermione. “There’s something you’re not telling me. I mean…look at you. You look like hell!”

“Thanks. I feel a lot better.” Hermione mocked.

“No I’m serious Hermione. Something’s up!”

Hermione glanced at Malfoys door.

“Nothing’s up, Ginny.”

“I don’t mind if you keep things to yourself. But I have my own thoughts.”

“What thoughts?” Hermione snapped.

“I think something’s up between you and Malfoy. And don’t interrupt me!
I saw the way he looked at you this morning at breakfast. He looked ready to tear you apart.
And then you are at each others throats within hours. It’s not normal.
The way you fight. You can’t hate each other that much! The way you two fight…people don’t fight like that unless there’s passion!”

Hermione rolled her eyes at her friends words. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“There is something between the two of you! Don’t tell me something different, I know it’s true. The way he looks at you says it all! And this fight just proves I’m right. You can act like it means nothing, but why are you up here with me trembling and looking like crap. Why are your eyes glued to Malfoy’s dorm? Merlin Hermione, how long have you been holding this all inside?”

Ginny’s face looked worriedly into Hermione’s. And Merlin, Hermione wanted to cry, confide in her friend, to tell her that she felt dead on the inside, that her insides felt like stone, too heavy to carry around any longer.
Hermione took a deep breath and a sob escaped from her throat.

“Ginny, it was awfull! The way he screamed at me, the hatred in his words.”
Hermione paused and looked at his door again.
“I’ve been sleeping with Malfoy, Ginny. And Merlin help me, but I liked it. I liked the way he made me feel. Although I knew it could never last, at least I thought that in the beginning. That he would get tired of me or that I would end it because he was being a prat.”

Ginny remained silent and listened to her friend speak.

“But as weeks passed by, I only wanted him more. And then right after Christmas he told me that he didn’t want things to continue. He tried to let me down easy, almost giving me a break-up speech. As if that would make the situation any better. I got so angry, Ginny. I screamed for him to get out. Then we had this major fight in transfiguration. And I’m so tired. I can’t wait for today to end.”

Ginny was quiet for a moment.
“So he broke it off? With what reason exactly?”

Hermione turned towards her friend. She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.
“He has the mark Ginny! He broke it off, because when we graduate he will be called.
After we leave school he will be a Death Eater, going on rampages, hurting and killing all kind of innocent people. People like me, Giny! We will probably end up killing each other after school!”

Ginny wrapped her arms around Hermione and hugged her tight. “I’m sorry Hermione.”
Hermione cried in Ginny’s arms like a child and she didn’t care. She cried until there was nothing left and she felt numb.

“I know it hurts. But I can’t pretend that I’m not relieved he broke it off. It means he didn’t want to hurt you. At least no more then he already did. I think he really cares for you Hermione.”

Hermione looked up at her friend. “How so? How could he possibly care for me? He hates me! That was pretty obvious today.”

“I don’t think so Hermione. Think for a moment. Malfoy is a bastard to begin with. But when he broke it off with you, he actually proved that he cared. Well, and today…he was being a bastard again.
But isn’t it how it works with him? Always masking his emotions and he’d rather be snapping at things than to admit he has any feelings what so ever! That’s Malfoy in a nutshell, I think!”

Ginny smiled sadly at Hermione.

“I really don’t know Ginny. After all this time I can’t even say that I know Malfoy that well.”

Ginny took in Hermione and then something important dawned on her. This girl in front of her was heartbroken.

“You fell for him!”

Hermione turned her head to Ginny and she didn’t even have to speak. Her eyes said it all and Ginny had her answer.

“What are you going to do Hermione? I mean, you could go to Dumbledore. You could just turn him in…or you could wait. Wait and see what will happen. You have time. Both of you!”

“I don’t know Ginny. I really don’t!”

“And what about Harry and Ron?”

Hermione turned to her friend pleadingly.
“I can’t tell them. They would never understand! Ginny please, don’t tell them anything!”

“I won’t. But if they catch on, on their own I mean, then I won’t lie to them.”

“Thanks Ginny. I hate to ask you for these kind of favors. But I’m scared.”

“It’s alright for now.” Ginny said.

The two girls sat in silence when the portrait swung open and Professor McGonagall walked into the head common room.

Hermione stood up.

“Please sit back down, miss Granger. I need to have a word with you!” Her voice was all businesslike and Hermione shivered.

***


In the dorm above the common room Malfoy woke with a splitting headache.
Muffled voices were heard through his door. It seemed to be late in the afternoon, because the sunlight was blinding him. Malfoy tried to remember what he actually was doing in bed. Then it came back to him.

Stupid mudblood Granger.

And it sounded like she was downstairs. Anger bubbled again as if it never left.
Swifltly Malfoy put on his pyama bottoms and swung his door open. Malfoy run down the staires, almost crashing down completely. He came at a stumbling halt in the middle of the common room. Three pair eyes looked at him in shock.

Ginny blinked a couple of times before she set her eyes on Hermione. Hermione was pointedly not looking at him. Professor McGonagall was gritting her teeth and looking down on Malfoys bare chest.

“Mister Malfoy. It’s good that you came down. But could you PLEASE COVER YOURSELF!”

Malfoy mouth hung open as he looked down his bare chest. All anger ebbed away and he realised he was making a spectacle of himself. Then he looked at Mcgonagall and cringed at the sour look on her face. He caught a glimpse of Granger looking at him. She looked like shit. Next to her Red was glaring at him.
With a scowl on his face he turned and sprinted up the stairs.

Hermione turned to meet Ginny’s worried gaze. “Just stay calm. Whatever he does or says.”

Hermione took a deep breath and postured herself just in time. Malfoy came bolting off the stairs again. He just pulled his shirt down as he reached the end of the stairs, giving him a careless look.
Hermione felt a stab in her chest and ignored the fact that he still looked good. Even if he just woke up, even after being hit with a curse, even after being a complete and utter rodent arse.

Malfoy looked at the three woman. Feeling slightly at unease in the company of so much gryffindor feminity.

“What? Did I miss something or has the Gryffindor debate club just moved to the Head common room?” Malfoy sneered.

“Hardly.” Hermione answered coldly. Red sat by her side looking ready to tear into his jugular with her bare teeth.

“And why are you here? How did you ‘weasel’ your way out of Potters arms? Vermin repellent perhaps?”

“You’re one to talk, bouncing off the stairs like fat, big-arsed basted-ended-screwt on cocaine! How very Malfoy-like indeed!” Ginny retorted.

Hermione couldn’t help but snigger. Malfoy narrowed his eyes at her.
“Children please! Enough with the banter, I really don’t want to deduct house points as well tonight.”

At once Mcgonagall had their full attention.

“So, I guess this isn’t a social visit?” Malfoy drawled as he took a seat into a large armchair.

“I’m here to inform you of the consequences of your behaviour during my class. Professor Snape couldn’t be here unfortunately. So I have agreed with professor Dumbledore to decide the suitable punishment for you both.” Her eyes bore into Hermione and Draco.

“Both of you will be helping Madam Pince this week in the Library. Madam Pince will give you chores every night after dinner until eight. You will perform your chores together, when not, say one is slacking off or unwilling, the area of your work will be magically cut off. Making it impossible to leave until the chore of the evening is done. Together!
After the chore you will return to your dorm immediately. Both off you can’t leave your dorm after eight, this will be your curfew for this week. Your detention will begin tomorrow night.”

Hermione heard Malfoy grunt. She agreed with him. This was going to be one hell of a week.
Hermione sighed heavily.

“But tomorrow is a Saturday!” Ginny exclaimed.
McGonagall raised her sharp eyes at Ginny who shrunk back immediately.

“Any questions?” McGonagall looked down at both students.

Malfoy softly cleared his throat. Hermione took a chance and glanced at Malfoy.
His brows were furrowed and his eyes were cast down as he opened his mouth to speak.

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but do you really think Granger and I will live through out this week? I mean, you’ve seen us. We’re not exactly on good terms.”

“That is not my problem mister Malfoy. I suggest the two of you get past your differences, or this will be indeed a miserable ordeal, for both of you!” McGonagall looked sharply at Hermione.

“Now, if there aren’t any more questions? This will be all and I bid you a good night.
Miss Weasly, you will come with me. Dinner will start momentarily.

Reluctantly Ginny walked with her Head of House. When they reached the portrait hole Ginny looked back at Hermione. Her head was bowed and she was staring off into space. Malfoy was slumped into his chair, head back and tapping his fingers on the armrests.

“If they don’t work this out now, things will only tend to get worse. They need this, miss Weasly. I have faith in them. And so should you.”

Ginny looked at the elderly woman and smiled politely. But on the inside she was worried sick of what was going to happen behind that portrait.


***


AN: Rais your hand if you're wondering what will happen this upcoming week and can't wait to find out. Haha. And can anyone suggest a fitting little for this chapter. Im at a los.