Don't Act Like You Know Me

Year 5 - Hatred

"Impedimenta!" Madame Hooch yelled. Harry and George flew off of Draco instantly, each onto their backs. 

McGonagall angrily trampled onto the field. "What on Earth do you two think you're doing?" she shouted.

Harry got himself off of the ground, briefly dusted himself off. Draco crouched up into a ball as Harry tried to advance on him again but was unsuccessful. Madame Hooch stepped in between them and pointed her wand into Harry's chin. "Don't make me stupify you, Potter."

Hermione didn't take her eyes off of Draco. He was curled up in a ball, covered in blood, and crying. It wasn't emotional crying, though. His face was horizontal to the ground, facing to the side. His eyes looked cold and dead like there was no person left inside of him. The tears dripping from his eyes silently rolled down his cheeks. There was no expression whatsoever. 

Harry had now stopped writhing. He didn't take his eyes off of Malfoy's crumpled body, breathing heavily. McGonagall trudged up, snagged Harry's left elbow and George's right. "My office. Now," she said furiously. 

Hermione wanted to run to Draco. She didn't even watch Harry leave. She wanted to scoop him up in her arms and protect him so no one would ever be able to hurt him ever again. Honestly, she didn't care anymore. Without thinking, Hermione approached Malfoy's side and bent down next to him. She placed a gentle hand on his back. A tremble went through him when she did.

"Hermione," Ron tried to pull her away. She resisted. "Hermione, get up." She didn't move. "Get up," he whispered.

"I'm trying to check if Harry's just mauled him to death, Ronald!" Hermione snapped back. "Draco?" she asked gently. Draco rolled onto his back, facing up. 

He groaned and opened his eyes hesitantly. As soon as he saw Hermione's face looking back at him, he desperately tried to get away from her. "Get off of me!" he whimpered. His attempts to get away from her were mostly unsuccessful since he was very severely injured.

"Yeah, get back to your filthy little Gryffindors, you filthy little Mudblood," Crabbe snarled. Hermione could feel her blood boil. She glanced at Draco. He had a slightly uncomfortable look on his face, but only Hermione could tell. Hermione looked back at Crabbe, pondering whether or not she should yell at him. She looked back at Draco once more and detected the tiniest negatory shake of his head. Her fingers curled into fists as she tried to calm down. Hermione stood up next to Ron. 

"Piss off, Crabbe. The only girl that will kiss you is your Mum, anyway," Ron scoffed. Hermione's lips tugged at a smile. Draco looked a tiny bit amused.

"Weasley may as well be the worst Quidditch player in Hogwarts history, but he's not wrong," Draco chuckled. As he did so, he clutched his stomach in pain. Crabbe rolled his eyes in defeat. "Merlin's beard. Can someone take me to a hospital bed, please? Make it snappy, too." Crabbe and Goyle each grabbed one of Malfoy's shoulders and dragged him back to the castle.

"What the hell, Hermione? He's our enemy!" Ron said.

"He's still a person, nevertheless."

"We're supposed to be on Harry's side."

"I know that. Both of them were in the wrong, both of them deserve to be equally punished. Although, Harry did beat Draco's face in."

"Draco's too much of a scaredy-cat to do that to Harry."

"Still, he didn't."

"And Harry didn't verbally assault him."

"An eye for an eye." Hermione turned to walk back to the castle.