It's Not That Easy

"Why do you always say things like that, Ron? There's really no need to be so defensive."

"Don't you call me defensive!"

"See, Ron, you're doing it right now."

"Lay off, Hermione, nobody wants to listen to you. Just because you think you know everything, doesn't mean I have to listen to you."

Ron paused for a moment and then decided to leave while he was ahead. As Ron strode off in an angry manner, Hermione remained still.

"Well that was unnecessary," Hermione said aloud to no one in particular.

It was getting late and Hermione didn't want to show up in the common room after curfew. As a prefect, she was obligated to set a good example.

As Hermione strolled down the hallway she passed a huddle of Slytherins crowded around what appeared to be a very overweight brown rabbit. Hermione slowed her pace slightly and began to walk on the pads of her feet in the attempt to get a better view, without actually joining the throng.

Suddenly the unpleasant rabbit transformed into Goyle. Hermione stopped in her tracks and turned to fully face Malfoy's dim henchman. He had a huge grin on his face, obviously quite proud of himself.

Hermione didn't know quite what to think. Goyle, or even Crabbe for that matter, had never showed any real talent in anything. But being an Animagus, that was impressive.

Just then, a first year Slytherin girl turned around, reminding Hermione that she should leave before she drew any more attention to herself. Hermione turned and started to walk quietly away, when Malfoy's voice rang through the corridor.

"What do you think you're doing, Granger?" said Malfoy. Quiet sniggers escaped from the mouths of those around him. "You should be more careful. It's risky for a mudblood like yourself to be strolling around at night. In these dangerous times, you just can't be too careful."

Hermione really didn't want to deal with Malfoy, so she quickened her pace.

"Didn't your mother teach you to look at people when they're talking to you?"

Hermione was almost to the turn in the corridor. If she could just get around the corner...

"I myself am not surprised. Her filthy Muggle parents were probably too busy getting attacked by regurgitating toilets." The other Slytherins were right on queue with their cruel laughs.

Encouraged by the support of his fellow pure-bloods Malfoy continued, "Everyone thinks she's soooo clever, that girl. But she doesn't have any real talent. At least not anything useful. What is she going to do... shout herbology facts at the Dark Lord?"

Tears began to fill her eyes and just as she turned the corner, escaping the taunting, she began to cry.

Although Hermione didn't want to enter the common room late, her desire not to be seen in such a venerable state was greater. She walked quickly, making a trail of tear drops on the floor behind her. Finally she reached her new destination.

Just as she was about to open the door of the girls' lavatory, the door swung towards her to reveal Ginny holding a pile of books.

Hermione quickly tried to wipe her eyes, but it was too late.

"Are you okay, Hermione?" Ginny said in a soft voice.

"No, no, don't worry about me, I'm fine. I've just got something stuck in my eye."

"Come on, Hermione, I may not be as clever as you are, but I can tell that's not true. Now... what's really going on? If Ron's been giving you a hard time, I'd be glad to hex him for you."

"No, it's not Ron. I just ran into some obnoxious Slytherins in the corridor. It's nothing to worry about."

"You know, Hermione... I wouldn't normally let you off the hook this easily, but lucky for you, I have to get to detention with Snape."

Ginny stepped around Hermione and began to walk briskly down the corridor. Suddenly Ginny stopped and turned around, "Have a nice evening. I hope everything works out for you."

"I'll be just fine," said Hermione trying to sound as mature as possible. She waited until Ginny turned the corner before entering the bathroom. Hermione walked over to the sink and flushed her face with water, but the distinct redness that comes from crying for too long wouldn't go away.