waite waite 1 1 2003-05-09T22:06:00Z 2003-05-09T22:07:00Z 2 942 5370 plymouth 44 12 6300 10.2625 Clean Clean MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Forgiven
Chapter 4.
The months into the term drifted by, simultaneously Harry drifted away from Hermione and Ron. His time was wholly consumed with Cho. Every morning he would scoff his breakfast before rushing off to meet her before classes, he'd walk her to her lesson, before trekking back to his own even if Cho's was at an opposite end of the castle. It drove Hermione mad seeing him behave like an obedient, compliant puppy, answering Cho's every beck and call. Harry's free periods, lunchtimes, study lessons were all spent sitting with Cho, usually accompanied by her gaggle of screeching friends, but occasionally alone. Every evening Harry would disappear after dinner for hours past curfew, and would return late and head straight to bed. At first Ron had speculated about what Harry and Cho got up to in this time, but seeing Hermione's expression and the black mood the subject got her into he soon gave up. The rare conversations between the trio became increasingly strained, Harry and Ron managed to talk reasonably amiably, though Hermione could see that Ron was hurt by his best friend's abandonment. She knew how it felt, their best friend, who they had stood by, protected and shared everything with for their entire school lives was cutting them out of his life. Conversations between herself and Harry alone were almost nonexistent, on the sporadic chances they were left alone for a few minutes the talk was forced and awkward, Hermione resented that Harry didn't appear to notice how he was ripping their friendship apart and her underlying but ever present feelings for him. Harry couldn't grasp why they were becoming distanced, and began to believe Cho's suggestions for the growing breech.
One morning in mid December at breakfast Ron was chatting contentedly to Seamus about a comical divination lesson and Harry was mouthing words to Cho across the noisy hall, Hermione looked up from her food to see the post arrive. Owls of all calibre swooped in from the high windows, a minute owl zooming at alarming speed through the air caught Hermione's eye. It was heading straight for her. A moment later the owl crashed into her bowl of cereal, spraying milk and cornflakes every where.
"Pig!" Ron yelled plucking the indignantly hooting owl from the bowl with a distasteful look. "Sorry 'Mione." He said with an apologetic grin, Hermione smiled back.
"No problem." She replied rubbing a damp patch on her pleated skirt with a napkin. "What does the letter say?" She asked noticing Ron's astonished expression and spreading grin.
"It's Dad!" He exclaimed smiling broadly, "He's got a promotion!"
"That's great!" Hermione shrieked happily. "He totally deserves it." She added. Ron nodded agreeing and turned to pass the letter up the table to Fred and George. Hermione jumped up,
"I've gotta head to the library quickly before Arithmancy. I'll see you both later!" She said grabbing her robes and bag. Ron nodded and tapped Harry's shoulder.
"Huh? What?" Harry asked looking bewildered. Hermione gritted her teeth,
"Never mind. Ron's got news for you." She added, before speeding across the hall.
Hermione rushed into the library, she needed to pick up her favourite quill which she had left behind in her favourite secluded study booth. Greeting Madam Pince a small smile she strode to the back of the library and turned left into a small, unnoticeable gap between two towering bookcases. Reaching out her hand to pull open the heavy mahogany door that segregated the tiny room she paused, certain she had heard voices within the room. It was odd as she assumed no one else knew of the room as she had never run into anyone in there and found it a fantastically undisturbed and private place to revise. Hermione raised her hand to knock when she heard a voice she recognised, leaning forward she pressed her ear to the panelling.
"Roger I've told you. He's nothing to me…" Cho's sharp voice trailed off slightly muffled by the thick wood, Hermione shifted to try and regain the conversation, when she caught it again it was a boy's voice.
"And Potter knows you don't like him in that way?" The boy asked his voice deep and husky,
"Of course not." Hermione heard Cho snap. "Where would that get me? Honestly Roger don't you listen!" She scolded crossly, however seconds later Hermione heard a stifled thump and Cho giggle, and the boy moan.
"I can't help it if the boy is obsessed with me." Cho whined, before giggling seductively again. Hermione drew back fury etched across her face. It was bad enough her best friend being torn away from her, but by someone who didn't even respect him. Hermione knew Cho had a mean streak but had just assumed it was directed at her and Ron because she was jealous or insecure about the bond they had with Harry. Hermione was irate, well Cho had shown her true colours and Hermione was not going to let her get away with it. Moving swiftly away from the door Hermione seated herself at a table facing the crack between the bookshelves so as to not miss whoever should exit the tiny room. In the comfortable armchair she waited. She didn't have to sit long, a few minutes passed before Roger Davies; the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain swaggered out looking extremely pleased and wiping a smudge of red from his jaw line. He spotted Hermione and waved.
"Hey Hermione." He greeted her with a friendly smile, which Hermione returned falsely, and then he headed out of the large library double doors, flashing a charming smile to Madam Pince. A moment later Cho emerged, she was flushed, her usually immaculate hair was slightly ruffled, her pleated skirt was hitched up at the side and Hermione noticed her shirt was buttoned the wrong way up. Cho met Hermione's glare and for a moment looked worried, her hand flew to pull down her skirt and smooth her hair, then her gaze becoming icy and challenging. Hermione's teeth ground together as she fought against the desire to stand up and wipe the arrogant self-satisfied expression from Cho's face.
"Problem, Granger?" Cho demanded after a minute. Hermione stared at her with disgust, and deciding not to grace her with an answer, she grabbed her bag and stalked out ahead of her into the castle in search of Harry, leaving her quill forgotten.