Granger Danger ⇗ Fred Weasley

Ch. 33: Coolest Girl

dedicated to W3asleySweaters for the amazing cover :) I like the feel of it for this chapter!

Ch. 33: Coolest Girl

Song For This Chapter: Coolest Girl - AVPS [starts at 3:45ish, best link I could find]

"Elle, I-I just want to be alone right now," Hermione sobbed sitting in a vacant corridor where the breaking moonlight could filter through. I paused, the feelings of both anger and depression licked through me, filling me with confliction. How was I supposed to know whether to go back and beat Ron to a bloody pulp or ignore Hermione's protests and sit beside her.

The choice had been decided even before the options crossed my mind. "Of course I'm not leaving, 'Mione," I sighed, tucking my legs under my body as I sat on the cold, stone steps beside her, pushing loose hair behind my ear. "You have always been there when I needed you - even when I didn't want you, I added under my breath, earning a huff of a chuckle from my sister. "It's time I return the favor."

Sniffling, Hermione rubbed a hand under her eyes and pulled out her wand, muttering a light charm under her breath. I watched as the littered leaves around us rose up and formed tiny, twittering birds that sung sweet, melodic tunes. "C-charm spell," her voice quivered, "I'm just pr-acticing."

The sound of shuffling feet filled the both of our ears as Harry slowly peeked around the corner, adjusting his glasses over his unsure gaze. "Well, they're really good, Hermione."

Attempting to soothe the way Hermione's shoulders shook with her bottled up sobs, I rubbed her arms, thinking of something to say but coming up empty. I was brought back to my fourth year at Hogwarts. All the Fred drama, all the stupid times I'd spent crying. And for what?

I wanted to tell her that everything was going to be alright, that everything was going to get better. But, what did I know? The world was falling to shit around us, and all we could see was the assholes we were in love with. I hardly doubted those words would cheer up Hermione.

Harry sat down on the opposite side of my sister and took her hand, softly. She let out an unrestrained sob and shook her head, a trail of tears escaping down her cheeks. You look pretty today, 'Mione, I remembered to tell her. She'd dedicated an hour this morning to working expensive hair gel through her locks, the same kind I'd pretty much stocked up on in third year, and applying a small amount of make-up.

She'd planned on asking Ron to the dance for Christmas, but now...

"H-How does it feel, Harry?" Hermione sniffled, using a mittened hand to wipe at her tears. "How does it feel when yo-ou see Dean with Ginny?" Beside her, I fell silent.

"Wha-?" Harry breathed out, brow crumpling as he watched my sister begin to break down beside us. Neither of us knew what to do, how to help her. "I, uh, -"

"-I know," Hermione's lip quivered as more tears gathered at the base of her chin, dripping onto our gripped hands. "I see the way you look at her. You're my best friend."

Part of myself wanted to insert a joking 'Ouch,' but I realized that this was neither the time nor place. She'd merely think that I was truly offended. I parted my lips to put in my two cents, but I was cut off by an obnoxiously loud giggle that echoed and bounced off the stone walls of the corridor we were seated in.

Lavender and Ron bounded through the hall and skid to a quick stop as they saw the sad scene in front of them. A curt giggle left Lavender's lips, making me want to choke her, and she pat a shy hand over her mouth. "Oops, I think this room is taken," she lowered her voice to Ron, as if it would keep us from hearing her.