Shifting the Balance

Autors note: So...sencond chapter is up. The ending is different. So let me know what you think.
Wanted to thank my beta again for the wonderfull work!! Thanks Oli.


Chapter 2

The next morning Hermione woke up with a terrible headache. Just what she needed to begin another wonderful day, she thought sarcastically.


She went over to her mirror and her face fell. The bruise on her face was more visible then ever. Softly she touched it and flinched at the contact. She felt her eyes burning. In no time tears were forming.

She really didn’t need any questions asked, not today. She went over to the bathroom and tried to cover herself up with make-up. But it just looked worse.

Frustrated she threw her make-up in the sink. She washed her face again and turned back to the mirror. She glared at her reflection. Angrily she kicked against the door.

She leaned against the sink. She would have to go to Madam Pomfrey first.


Suddenly the other door swung open. Malfoy stood in the doorway looking very annoyed.

“What are you doing in there mudblood. What’s with all the thumping?”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

“Not being raped again, are you??” Malfoy smirked.

Hermione’s temper flared and she gave him her best ‘eat shit’ look.

“Pig!! Just leave me alone, Malfoy. Don’t you have to torment some first years?”


Malfoy quirked an eyebrow, he thought of how he spend last night with Crabbe and Goyle and did just that.

“Look you woke me this morning. AGAIN!” He gave her a meaningful look.

“Just keep the damn noise down in the mornings!”

“I ought to slap that smug face of yours, again”, she murmured under her breath.


“What was that mudblood?”

Hermione’s head shot up and she looked at him with fiery eyes. Then Malfoy saw the bruise on her left cheek. He fumbled in his pyjama shirt and found his wand. He took it out and held it in front of him. Hermione eyes widened and she stepped back.

Malfoy smirked at her fear, he just loved it. She was afraid, no denying that.


Hermione backed away until she felt the sink in her back. She was trapped.


“Malfoy, I don’t know what you’re up to, but you won’t get away with it!”

Malfoy just kept closing in with his wand outstretched. He held it close to her face, she still looked defiantly at him. Then Malfoy uttered a curse and Hermione closed her eyes when she saw a flash of light come at her. She screamed and fell sideways to the ground. Malfoy chuckled and then she heard his bathroom door close.



Slowly Hermione opened her eyes. She felt alright. Quickly she scrambled to the bathroom mirror. She almost expected to have a gigantic boil or some other nasty thing attached to her head. She looked closely and then she noticed.

Her bruise was fading. It was almost vanished completely. Hermione was stunned. What was this crazy world coming to?


****

At breakfast Hermione sat next to Ginny, who was telling her all sorts of disgusting things about Harry.


“I mean, how he looks when he just leaves the quidditch-field…”

Hermione twirled her spoon in her cold porridge.

“…it should be illegal. If he only knew what I want to do to him…”

Hermione looked over at her friend and smiled.

“I’m sorry Ginny. I’m not that hungry. I’m going to the library to study.”

Her friend sighed.

“Now there’s a shocker! I wouldn’t have guessed!”



As Hermione got up Harry and Ron just got to the table. “Going studying Hermione?” Harry asked. Ron snorted behind him. Hermione rolled her eyes. “You know me to well!” She said sarcastically. She waved to Ginny and left the Great Hall.


When she entered the Library it was real quiet. Just how she liked it. Few students came to the library this early.


When she moved to the back section, she noticed a student sitting at one of the large tables. Hermione was surprised. When she got closer she recognised Malfoy sitting there. Hermione stopped. She wanted to turn but somehow her hand touched the spot where her bruise ought to be. She had to say something. Her feet had a mind of its own and began walking to the large table.

A few feet away Hermione hesitated again. Malfoy was stretching himself, putting both arms in the air. It reminded her of a large cat, like a cheetah stretching in the afternoon sun.

Slowly she got closer and that’s when Malfoy noticed her.


“Granger?” It was more a question then a greeting.

His eyes quirked up in surprise.


“Yes. Ehm…” Hermione began.

She shifted from one leg to another. The words wouldn’t come.

“Having trouble forming words again I see!” Malfoy drawled.

Her posture changed. Malfoy could see anger in her eyes. He smirked.

“Shut up Malfoy!” Hermione glared at the blonde in front of her.

“I don’t even know why I bothered to come here.”

“There I agree with you. Why on earth would you seek me out?” He glared back at her.

“Have nothing better to do? No naïve young students to seduce and take to your dorm?”


Hermione was getting red in the face. This was ridiculous. How on earth could she apologise to him. He was being a complete arse!


“You know what? Just forget it!” She angrily crossed her arms over one another.

“Even after 6 years it’s not possible to talk to you!” She turned her back to him.

Malfoy stared up at her. He looked annoyed.

“Granger, I don’t want to talk to you!” There was a pause.

“I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“Well tough!” She turned around again.

“I’m not going until I have the chance to say what I have to.”

“Well, then I am leaving!” Malfoy gathered his things in his leather bag.

“What?” Hermione looked incredulous.

Hermione walked up at him and prevented him from getting up. Her hand pushed against his shoulder.


Malfoy glared at her. “Don’t touch me!”

He slapped her hand away’. “You don’t want to get in my way, Granger.”

“I’m already in your way, Malfoy! If you just let me say this we can both go!”

She looked down on him, watching his reaction.

“What Granger? What is so sodding important that you have to annoy me beyond belief?”

He got up frustrated and stilled before her. He gave her a scowl.

Hermione rolled her eyes at Malfoys obvious attempt to be intimidating.

“I wanted to say thanks for fixing my cheek. But you make it utterly impossible to so much as speak to your holiness.”

Malfoy looked tiredly at her. He was about to open his mouth. But it was no use to break through the ranting.

Granger was turning red again. A small line formed between her eyebrows. Again he tried to put an end to the Know-it-all banter.

“Granger, I really have better….”

Malfoy was cut off again.

“I’m NOT FINISHED!!!” She yelled. Her eyes flared at him.

“I cannot understand why you would do that. It’s very clear you still hate me.

Every chance you get you’re cruel to me.” She paused for a moment.

Malfoy had enough of the yelling girl in front of him. He tried to pass her.

Granger stepped in front of him and began yelling again.

“And to make fun of me in that way. After what happened. I can’t understand why you would do that! You really must be a cruel bastard to sink that low.”


Malfoy narrowed his eyes at her words. “Is this your way to say thanks Granger?

Don’t even bother to say anything. I don’t accept your gratitude. Frankly it makes me sick!”


Hermione frowned. Her arms found their place in front of her chest again.

“You can’t even accept a thank you?” She huffed. He didn’t answer.

“No, not from me you can’t. Of course not.

What a fool I am to think you would do something decent in your Life.”

“I’m leaving Granger. Get out of my way!” His voice was low and menacing.


Hermione stepped sideways. Giving him room to leave.

“Tell anybody what happened in the common room and I will make sure you can never use your legs again.” Warned Hermione.


Malfoy walked out of the library. Not bothering to acknowledge her or her words.



***



Authors Note: Thank you all for reviewing. It really makes the writing more interesting.