Shifting the Balance
Harsh Words
Chapter 3
~ Harsh Words ~
Hermione quickly made her way to her first class, Advanced transfiguration.
The class was paired up in couples. Hermione had to do her assignment with Neville.
Harry was of course coupled with Ron. They were trying hard to transfigure their book into an eagle. But their effort wasn’t a great success. Hermione and Neville grinned when a large winged book soared over their heads.
When the bell rang Neville and Hermione were petting their eagle, that switched back into a book at the sound of the bell. Hermione gathered her things and walked with Neville to the Great Hall.
Neville sat next to Hermione. As Hermione was filling her plate, Ron and Harry made their way to the Gryffindor table. Both had a sour face. They were still bickering about Transfiguration as they took their seat.
“Well I just hope we don’t get paired up with Potions again.” Huffed Ron.
“No I really hope we’re not!” Agreed Harry.
They glared at each other for a while.
“Now come on you two! This isn’t worth fighting over!” Hermione said.
Harry turned to his other best friend. “Heh, Mione. We know.” Harry paused and filled his plate. “How are you doing? Hexed Malfoy yet?” Harry smirked at Ron.
“No, not Yet. But I think I’m getting there soon.” Hermione smiled.
“He isn’t bothering you Hermione? Not giving you a hard time?” Ron asked.
“’Well lets just say Malfoy is being his annoying self.” Hermione started an a muffin.
Hermione looked over as noise was made at the Slytherin table. Zambini and Malfoy sat in the middle, and a lot of girls from Slytherin were surrounding them. Apparently Zambini just said something very funny, because the girl next to him was trying to catch his attention by almost laughing her head off. Next to him Malfoy squirmed in his seat as a blonde girl almost tried to crawl onto his lap. These girls were practically swooning over the two boys. Hermione frowned at this.
Biting in her muffin she looked over at Ron and Harry. They were in the middle of a heated conversation. Quidditch no doubt! Hermione smiled at Neville who was watching the heated exchange as well.
***
Soon they left for Potions.
Hermione made her way to the dungeons, with Harry and Ron flanking her.
They walked to their seats and Hermoine smiled as Neville sat next to her again
Ron was playing with his quill and made a mess of his scroll as the quill spurted ink like it had a mind of his own. Harry looked over and laughed. Ron glared at his friend. Then they both stared into space.
Suddenly the door swung open and a gruff looking Snape entered the room. His black robe was billowing behind him. He stopped abruptly in front of the class. He glared, then spun around to point his wand at the door. The door shut with a bang.
“I don’t have to tell you how disappointed I am. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry at your test results!” He sneered as he turned towards the class again.
“’Some of you don’t deserve the time I spend on you.” Snape glared at Harry and Neville.
Hermione felt sorry for them. There was a pause.
The class was silent with trepidation.
“Turn to page 164!” Snape turned away briskly and began scribbling onto the blackboard.
Suddenly he faced the class again.
“There is something I need from the greenhouse.” Snape let his black eyes glide over the students.
“Malfoy! Take this key and go over professor Sprout to get some stink sap!” Snape held a small key into his hand.
Hermione looked back to see Malfoy raise his eyebrows.
“But Sir, surely there is someone more…adequate to fulfil this task!”
Snape narrowed his eyes at the blonde Slytherin.
“You wish to talk back to me, young Malfoy? I can assure you, refusing this task won’t only cost you your house points….Now….. I don’t have all day.”
Malfoy quickly stood up and as he went past the Griffendors he shot Hermione a look. Hermione smiled cruelly back at him. Serves him right!
“Is something funny miss Granger?” Snape bellowed.
“No, Sir!” Hermione jumped in her seat.
“Then I guess you don’t mind if you join mister Malfoy on his errand.”
“But Sir,” Hermione began.
“10 points from Gryffindor for talking back.” In the back the Slytherins were laughing. Hermione closed her eyes.
Slowly she stood up and walked over to the front. There Malfoy stood with a grin on his face. She scowled at him.
“Make sure I don’t regret sending the two of you. If you want to kill each other; you have to wait until class is over. Do you understand?”
“Yes Sir.” Both answered.
***
Malfoy walked out of the classroom. Not even bothering to wait for her.
Quickly she tried to catch up. But he walked so fast, it was difficult.
“Hey! He sent both of us. So slow down!”
“I don’t feel the need to slow down. The sooner we get this over with the better.”
Hermione sneered at Malfoys back. Silently she walked beside him.
“Fine by me!” She added.
“Like I couldn’t care less if it isn’t fine with you.”
“God! You really can’t help yourself can you! You always have to be the bastard.” Hermione said exasperated.
“Better a bastard then a suck up.” Malfoy threw her way. He glanced at her.
“What’s that suppose to mean?” Hermione looked at him through narrowed eyes.
“Yes Sir, of course Sir, can I kiss your ass Sir?” Malfoy said in a whining voice.
Hermione was getting warm again. Anger rising with every step she took. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.
“Lets not talk, please. I think that’s best.” She rubbed her forehead feeling a headache coming up. Malfoy didn’t answer but walked beside her silently.
Soon they were outside the castle and made their way to the greenhouse.
Madam Pomfrey was really helpful. Enthusiastically she tried to tell the two teenagers everything there is to know about stink sap and its origin. About ten minutes later they stood outside the greenhouse again. None spoke for a while. Malfoy put the bottle of stink sap in his leather bag.
“Yeah, let’s just go.” Malfoy spoke first.
Hermione followed him while Malfoy made his way over the grass.
She couldn’t stop thinking about what happened with Lenn. And with Malfoy after that.
It was all she thought about these last two days. She wanted to be sure Malfoy had kept his mouth shut. So against her better judgement she had to ask.
“Malfoy, have you told anyone. About….you know?” Hermione wrung her hands together nervously.
Malfoy stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. He looked very annoyed. Not good.
“I can’t believe you are asking this. Again!” He walked backwards creating distance.
He turned, but swiftly turned back again.
“You know what, Granger? Every time you open your mouth to me, is one time to many!
Just leave me the hell alone.” His voice was harsh as he spoke.
“Well excuse me for wanting to find some answers! I just wanted to make sure.” Hermione started walking again.
“And you can’t blame me for trying to figure you out.” Hermione whispered.
“What are you yammering on about? Is it your date gone wrong again? What? Do I have to invite him up so he can finish the job he started?”
Hermione’s eyes widened at his words.
“Maybe that would shut you up.” Malfoy whispered more to himself.
“I can’t believe how you could say these things! Whenever you open your mouth foul crudeness comes out.”
“Yes, that’s just me. What do you expect Mudblood? Me to be nice now we share a common room?”
Hermione didn’t seem to register his jibe to her parentage and blood.
“I really don’t understand.
One moment you try to hurt me as much as possible, the next you make sure Lenn is a bloody pulp.”
“Just stop your questions. God! You try to analyse everything. Just stop it Granger.
This conversation is over!”
“What? Just because you say so?” Hermione raised her eyebrows.
“Yes! I’m warning you! Drop it already.” Malfoy stroked a hand through his hair.
“No Malfoy! I want to know why you did what you did yesterday.” Hermione put her hands on her hips.
Angrily Malfoy turned to her.
“You want to know? Huh?” Malfoy yelled at her. Hermione’s breath hitched in her throat.
“I regret every second of it. Every hour of the day I regret it more. I should just have minded my own business. Should’ve just left you there. Then I would have heard the rumours from others. Maybe even gloat that you’ve gotten hurt. Hell I would probably treasure such a message.
I would laugh at you with my friends as we pass you in the hallways. Tell you I heard you were a lousy shag. I would make sure you could see me shake Lenn’s hand.” He paused.
Hermione couldn’t say anything. Words wouldn’t come. She could feel the prickling of tears behind her eyes.
“…I wish I hadn’t stopped him. You deserve nothing Granger.”
A single tear reached her cheek. Malfoy had his back to her, but she could still remember his coldness seeping into his eyes as he spoke. Face white and hard.
Angrily she rubbed away her fallen tears. Bastard didn’t deserve them. When she looked up Malfoy was almost at the castle. Her legs moved towards the castle as well.
***
In the potion classroom Malfoy Snape was waiting while the class read.
Malfoy silently opened the door and stepped inside. He didn’t close it behind him.
Carelessly he slammed the bottle of stink sap onto the desk.
“Where is miss Granger?” Snape asked.
“She is coming Sir.” Malfoy answered and made his way to his seat.
The professor took the bottle and examined it. He nodded appreciative.
Malfoy sat behind his desk when Granger came in. She looked at Snape who nodded. As she went to her seat she glared at him. Malfoy caught her gaze and averted his eyes.
Hermione sat down, it was hard to keep herself from shaking. She was angry. But mostly she was hurt. She didn’t look at Malfoy for the rest of the lesson.
***