Shifting the Balance

A.N: So chapter 4 is up, hope you like. Thanks again for my wonderfull beta: Oli!!!


Chapter 4

~ Bruised ~


Hermione was at the library early. She wanted to get a great deal of studying done. The weekend was about to begin and it was better to get started. She had to write a paper on Advanced Potions and solve an assignment for Arithmancy.


Hermione tapped her quill on the large wooden table. In thought she didn’t notice a certain Ravenclaw fifth year approaching her.

“Well, well, well. Look what we have here!”


Lenn walked over to the large study table and leaned onto it in front of Hermione.

Hermione gasped when the boy towered over her. She felt anxiety rise instantly.


“Leave me alone, Lenn. Just leave. And I wont report what happened”

Subtly she looked where Madam Pince could be. The old hoot always had a nose for trouble.
It seemed she was no-where in site.

“Better watch your mouth fridge little twat. There’s no one around to protect you now.”


Lenn leaned in more close and Hermione backed away.

“I don’t need anyone. I can hex you myself just fine!” Hermione spat vehemently. Her eyes narrowed at the boy in front of her.


“Better get going now Feartrent.” Hermione spoke his last name with much contempt she could muster.
Her hand touched her wand in her robe.


Suddenly Lenn took hold of the front of her robe with two hands. Hermione was yanked out of her chair and lifted easily by force.


Letting out a scream she tried to grasp her wand, but couldn’t reach it.


Lenn pulled her closer and tried to cover her lips with his.


Hermione was slapping her arms around wildly.


Then wringing them onto his neck, trying to push him away.

But Lenn kept his firm grip on her.


Then he pushed her off. He looked at her menacingly.

“You know what Granger. Last time we didn’t finish what you started.” Lenn had a rather evil gleam in his eyes.


“What? No, you tried to rape me! I didn’t start ANYTHING!” Hermione voice raised.

She tried desperately to reach her wand again. Lenn saw this and threw Hermione back in her seat again.

Hermione eyes widened when she smacked against the chair and tipped over with it. She fell hard on her back. Tears sprang in her eyes from the pain.

Lenn was approaching again and Hermione tried to crawl onto her feet.


“Get away from me!”

“Just how I like it. A bitch on her knees in front of me!” Lenn smiled.


When Hermione got to her feet she tried to dash out of his way. But his hand came in contact with her face, smacking her to the ground again.


“Stay where you are, you whore!”


Hermione trembled when her hand came up to cover her face, trying to block a second blow that was sure to come.


When Lenn raised his arm to hit her again, Hermione finally got to her wand. Quickly she got it out and held it in front of her while she scrambled away from him.


Lenn kicked her in the shins, but Hermione kept a firm hold on her wand and screamed ‘BIND’. Ropes shot out of her wand and did a full body bind on the large boy in front of her.
Hermione got to her feet and ran out of the Library forgetting her satchel and schoolwork.




***




Hermione ran all the way up the stairs. Never stopping.


When she got to the large portrait she whispered ‘unite’ and dashed inside.


There she crashed into Malfoy who was just leaving the Common room.


“Watch yourself there Granger!”

Malfoy stepped back and looked at the girl.

Hermione quickly averted her eyes and walked away from Malfoy.


“Hold on. Did something happen?”


Hermione froze in her path. Why is it that every time I get roughened up, Malfoy is first in line to notice?

Hermione didn’t say anything. Maybe if she just kept walking she would make it to her dorm.

She started to move again.

Malfoy quickly stepped in front of her. “Hey! Don’t you walk away from me.”


He put an arm up to prevent her from walking off again.

Hermione looked up. “It’s not your concern!”

Malfoys eyes got colder by the minute. Frosty blue surfacing beneath the stormy grey.

He looked Hermione up and down.

“No, perhaps its not. But I still have look at you, don’t I?” He drawled.


“It’s me who has to look at your filthy legs, your scratches and marks.”


Malfoy began to pace in front of her.

Hermione wasn’t up to this, this confrontation with Malfoy. She just wanted to go up to her room.

Malfoy looked angrily up at her. What the hell was he angry at her for?

He had no right!

“Your face is bruised again. What did you do? Landed on Lenn’s fist for a second time?”


Hermione felt tears begin to sting the backs of her eyes.

“Stop talking to me! It’s none of your goddamn business!” Hermione spat.


“It IS my GODDAMN business!!” Malfoy yelled.

“You make it my business whenever you walk in here, looking like a hippogriff has just had its way with you.


I have to look at your bleeding knees again, your robe torn and that disgusting face of yours.

You have cried again, haven’t you?”


Malfoy came close to her face and Hermione averted her eyes. Coldly she stared at the wall. Malfoy snorted.


“God, your so weak I want to vomit!” He looked away from her.


A sob escaped Hermione’s throat. Angrily she wiped away her tears.


“Great more tears. How helpful!”


“STOP TALKING!” Hermione screeched.


Furiously she looked up at him. He looked back at her with similar burning eyes.

Hermione softly spoke first.


“Why are you like this?” Malfoy looked at her.

“Like what?” He asked.

“Like how you are!”


He didn’t answer. He turned away from her.

Malfoy walked out of the portrait hole and closed it softly after him.

Hermione was left behind staring at the closed portrait hole.




***




Arthor's Note: Malfoy stil being a bastard. you gotta love it...
Please refew!!