Hermione Granger and the Two Lovers

Chapter Twenty-Two

Hermione and Harry went down to the Great Hall together at about seven. At about a quarter after seven, Ron joined them. "Why didn't you wait for me, this morning?" he asked. "I mean, that's what we're supposed to do, isn't it?"

"Sorry, Ron," Hermione apologized, glancing at Harry. "I woke up at about 3:30 and couldn't sleep because of the storm."

"Do you always wake up early in the morning?" Ron asked. "You woke up early when you saw Malfoy in the Great Hall, in the hospital wing, and this morning. Is this a Muggle thing?"

"No. Ron, I just haven't been sleeping well, it is no big deal," Hermione told him.

Should she tell Ron about Harry? No, Harry would tell Ron if he wanted him to know.

"Hermione, are you listening?" Ron said impatiently.

"No," Hermione answered. "What were you saying?"

"I was asking why you're eating a letter for breakfast," he said, noticing a letter in her cereal bowl.

Hermione tore the envelope open and read it to herself.

Dear Hermione,

We heard about. Are you okay? How many times have we told you not to run on the stairs? But, the important thing is that you're okay. I hope Harry and Ron are well. Please be careful from now on. Also, please remember what your father told you in the car before terms started. Have a safe rest of the year.

Lots of Love,

Mum and Dad

"Who is it from?" Ron asked after Hermione set down the letter.

"Mum and Dad. Telling me how stupid I was for running up the stairs," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"You're not stupid," Ron encouraged her, grabbing hold of her hand. "You're brilliant, and your parents know that, they're just getting over the initial shock." Ron kissed her on the cheek and Hermione blushed a bit.

*~*~*~*~*

The first class of the day was Transfiguration. Harry left breakfast early, since he was done his breakfast and needed to practice his Animagus transformation.

Ron and Hermione left the Great Hall together, and Ron carried her books for her.

"Well, looky here," A cold voice said behind them. "It's the Mudblood and the Weasel."

Hermione and Ron turned around, glaring at Malfoy. Hermione tightened her grip on her wand in her pocket.

"Malfoy, if I weren't Head Boy, I'd-"

"You'd do what?" Malfoy interrupted. "Belch slugs at me?" Malfoy howled with laughter.

Hermione stepped forward, trying to scare Malfoy by giving him the Mad-Eye Moody Eye.

"Back off, Mudblood. I wouldn't want you getting my robes dirty," Malfoy sneered. "Everyone knows that Weasel Boy, here, couldn't afford new ones for me."

Ron stepped in front of Malfoy, making a fist and cracking his knuckles threateningly. Hermione moved between Ron and Malfoy.

"WHAT, THE BLOODY HELL, ARE YOU DOING?" Ron yelled.

"Ron," Hermione said calmly. ""He wants you to do this so he can get you in trouble."

"DID YOU HEAR WHAT HE CALLED YOU?" Ron yelled.

"Yes," Hermione whispered. "But I don't want you getting in trouble because of what he calls me."

"Yeah, that's right," Malfoy agreed. "Listen to what your Mud-"

"SHUT IT MALFOY!" Hermione shouted.

Hermione grabbed a hold of Ron's arm and pushed past Malfoy, dragging Ron around the corner.

Ron was breathing heavily, as if he were ready to kill.

"Ron, you need to control yourself," Hermione told him.

"I know..." Ron said with a sigh. "I just can't believe anyone could call someone that horrible name."

"Yeah..." Hermione agreed. "Well, we had better get to Transfiguration."

"Yeah, I think McGonagall is still mad at me for running out of her class the other day when you woke up."