Hermione X Reader // Harry Potter LGBTQ Fanfiction

Chapter 8

I entered the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom with Willow. Most of the class was already there, and professor Lupin arrived a few minutes later.

"You won't need any books for this lesson, only your wands." He announced. "Today you will learn to face a Boggart."
As he said that, the wardrobe behind him trembled.
"To defeat a Boggart, you need to transform your biggest fear into something funny, and say Riddikulus."

All the students formed a line, and Lupin opened the wardrobe. Instantly, the Boggart rushed out and transformed into Snape. Neville, who was first in the line, pointed a shaky wand and front of him, closed his eyes, and yelled "Riddikulus!"
Snape was suddenly wearing Neville's grandma's clothes. The whole class started laughing. A few students passed after Neville until it was Willow's turn.

The Boggart turned into an enormous snake. Willow cast the spell and the snake turned into a moving rope. Then, it was my turn. I slowly moved forward. The rope got bigger and turned into my parents. They were advancing towards me, angry looks on their faces. I quickly pointed my wand towards them and shouted "Riddikulus!". Their clothes turned into clown clothes and the whole class laughed. Except me. No one was supposed to know that my biggest fear was my parents. By the end of the lesson, everyone seemed to have forgotten about this, except Willow.

At the end of the day, she caught up with me as we headed back to the Gryffindor common room.
"Why did your parents show up when you faced the Boggart?"
I looked away.
"Personal reasons..." I mumbled.
"Is everything okay at home?" She inquired.
"Everything's fine, it's just... Something happened and I don't want to talk about it." I answered.
She was wise enough not to ask another question, and just squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

Later, as I was sitting in a couch in the common room scratching Caramel, the three inseparables approached me.
"Hello there. Why are you three surrounding me all of a sudden?" I asked them.
The ginger look uncomfortable.
"I just realized, I don't even know your name ginger head."
"I'm Ron" He answered.
"Actually, we wanted to ask you a question." Said Hermione.
"Well, ask away." I replied, trying to sound casual.

"Why did the Boggart turn into your parents?" Harry asked cautiously. "Are they mean to you?"
I laughed.
"Oh, so first you yell at me and then you're worried? Are you bipolar?" I snapped.
"Hey, I said sorry!"
I knew that and I had forgiven him, partially at least, but I just didn't want to answer the question.
"I just had a small conflict with my parents, none of your business."

Willow arrived behind me and tapped my shoulder. I turned around. She was staring at the three in front of me, an eyebrow raised.
"Your brother wants to speak to you, he's outside." She informed me.
I winced. The four of them were now looking at me suspiciously. I smiled and quickly stood up and walked out of the common room.

Draco was waiting in the corridor.
"What do you want?" I scowled.
He turned around. He tried to look stern, but I knew him well enough to know he felt bad.
"Look, I'm sorry about what I said. I didn't mean it." He said in a hushed voice.
He hated apologies, and I took some pleasure in seeing him apologise.
"Sure you didn't." I answered harshly.
I was still mad at him. He knew this was no subject to joke about. Our parents could be... Intimidating. Especially about being in Slytherin, acting like a Slytherin and being loyal to Voldemort. Even though that part was mainly because they were scared of him.

Harry chose this moment to get out of the common room into the corridor. As he stared at us, an idea formed in my mind. Without thinking, I walked towards him and hugged him tightly. He froze, surprised.
"Play along" I whispered in his ear.
Hesitant, he slowly wrapped his arms around me. I let him go and turned back towards Draco. He was staring at us in shock, his mouth half opened.
"Close your mouth you're going to catch flies." I laughed, before dragging Harry back into the common room.

As soon as the door closed behind us, I let go of Harry's hand and he turned to face me.
"What was that?" He whispered furiously.
"Did you see the look on his face!" I laughed.
A half smile formed on Harry's lips.
"I have to admit it was pretty amazing. But why did you do that?"
"We're... Not on the best terms lately." I answered, laconic.

Willow walked towards us.
"What did your brother want want?" She asked, and, raising an eyebrow, she added "And why are you two laughing together? I thought you hated each other?"
"We did, but Potter apologized." I answered.
"Don't tell me you're going to call me Potter like your brother!" Complained Harry.
"I guess I am." I replied, a playful smile on my lips.
He groaned and I laughed while Willow stared at us in bewilderment.