Strength in What Remains Behind

Hermione

The day was relatively normal despite the events of the previous evening. I settled into my usual routine with great satisfaction. It was true I had detention again today, but it was with Professor McGonagall this time, so I was looking forward to it. I would rather not have had to go at all, of course, but since I was going to have to serve it, it couldn't have been with a better teacher.

During the day, I snuck a few glances at Harry, as I often did when I thought it was safe. I wonder, not for the first time, who Harry was attracted to. I knew how Ron felt; he'd always been the type to wear his heart on his sleeve. Harry, however, was more of a mystery. I don't know why I was so curious about it. I had no intention of acting on my feelings. I suppose it was just idle curiosity. Wouldn't it be funny, though, if Harry was actually interested in Ron? The image of it -me mooning after Harry, Harry mooning after Ron, and Ron mooning after me- was inexplicably hilarious, though I refused to tell the boys why I was laughing. There were certain things I would never share with them, despite how close we were.

The peace of the day was broken just before dinner. We happened upon Ginny crying in the hallway, a shamefaced Draco watching her. Ron immediately assumed the worst and shouting began. Harry kept out of it, though I could see his hand was on his wand, ready to draw when Ron needed him to. I kept out of it too, because something wasn't right about it. Ginny wasn't helpless. If Draco had been picking on her, she would have given him back as much as he gave, or more, even. For that matter, I doubt Draco would have looked nearly as guilty if his aim was to torment her. I rather looked like they were a couple breaking up.

Professor Snape swooped down on us out of nowhere, just as the wands came out. For once, I was glad to see him. Uncharacteristically, he didn't seize the opportunity to take points from Gryffindor... until Ron gave him some lip, anyway. I couldn't chide Ron about that, either; I had lost the house much more of the past two days. The Professor barely spared me a glance as he broke it up and sent us off on our way. I, for my part, studied him while making a show of comforting Ginny. I was testing myself to see if there was any reaction to his proximity today. Thankfully, there was none. He was restored as a sexless figure of authority. I was not harboring secret feelings for him; it was merely hormones and extenuating circumstances.

I offered to take Ginny back to the common room, but she had calmed down by then and insisted on going on to dinner. I told her I was always willing to listen if she ever needed to talk about something, giving her hand a friendly squeeze as I did so. I hoped she understood. If Ginny and Draco really were involved in a clandestine relationship, she would need a friend she could trust to confide in and I was willing to be that friend. I had so many secrets of my own that taking on one of hers couldn't be much of a strain.

Dinner was pleasant. There was nothing to distract me from my work or to make me late for detention today, for which I was grateful. Professor McGonagall awarded me 30 points for being punctual, which was slightly embarrassing, as it was obvious she was doing it to counteract Professor Snape's deductions for tardiness. I kept quiet about it, though. 110 points in total had seemed a bit much, given the slight nature of my transgressions. I was not given another detention today, for which I was supremely grateful.

That night, I slight peacefully, and any dreams that visited that evening were gone before morning.