Hermione carefully shifted her bag and winced slightly as it fell against her sore back. Madame Pomfrey might be able to mend bones in a few minutes, but the whole process had left Hermione in a fair amount of pain. She had spent two days in the hospital wing with Malfoy. After that first morning it had been in stiff silence. Professor Dumbledore had come to talk to them later that afternoon. With a dubious look to Hermione, Malfoy had stuck with the fabricated story. Before the Headmaster had left, he had asked Hermione if there was anything else that she would like to add. The doubt was obvious in his twinkling eyes, but he hadn't seemed angry, only amused. Hermione had felt a deep urge to tell him the truth, tell him everything, but then she thought of Malfoy, lying broken and bleeding on the ground. She thought of how she had turned to run, to leave him, and Hermione shuddered. Professor Dumbledore had left the hospital wing without an answer from Hermione.
Hermione tried switching her book bag to the other shoulder only to find that this hurt even more. She moved over to a small alcove off to the side in the hallway, trying to avoid the jostling students around her. Harry and Ron had been helping her with her bag, but now she was on her way to Arithmancy while they were off to the other side of the school for Divination. Hermione glanced at her watch; class would be starting in only a few minutes. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to swing her bag back onto her back when a voice called out.
"Hullo Hermione, what're you doing? Hiding from monsters or Malfoy?" Fred and George Weasley were standing there grinning at her.
The fact that a manticore was being kept on school grounds had been hushed up by the faculty, so of course, everyone knew about it. Few details were known though; both Hermione and Malfoy had refused to speak much about it to anyone. Many students were wondering just what had a Gryffindor and a Slytherin been doing outside after hours together?
"Where are you headed?" Fred asked her.
"To Arithmancy," she answered, returning their smiles.
"We're gong to Transfiguration, that's not too far from your class, we'll help you get there." George said.
"Here, let me get that for you." Fred moved forward and took a hold of Hermione's bag. With a loud Oomph, he crashed into the wall. "Crikey Hermione, what do you carry in this thing?"
"Here Fred, let me help." George came forward and grasped the other strap and nearly knelt to the floor. "Can't...hold...on."
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them, a bemused glint in her eyes. "It's not that heavy." She told them.
"Is she kidding George? She must have the whole library in this bag." Fred tried to appear strained as he struggled to hold the bag.
George leaned against the wall to try and get a better grip on the strap. "You must be the strongest girl in the world Hermione."
Fred sank to his knees, faking an expression of pain. "I think I've pulled something." He gave a loud, exaggerated moan that drew glances from passing students.
"Oh, you too are being ridiculous," Hermione, snapped at them. "Just give it here, I'll manage."
"No, No fair damsel!" Fred jumped easily to his feet.
"As your knights in shining armor, we must make sure that you make it safely to your destination." George bowed to her.
With a deep sigh, Hermione followed Fred and George towards class. They held her book bag between them like a precious icon. As they passed through the hall they called out to the other students to hear.
"Make way for the Lady Hermione and her noble library."
Hermione rubbed her forehead. The scene that the twins were creating did have its benefits. The students parted to watch the procession and Hermione no longer had to worry about bumping into other people. She reached for her bag when they reached the door of her class, but Fred and George wouldn't hear of it. They escorted her into the room and up to her seat. Malfoy was already there, watching her with his slate eyes. Fred and George each gave him a dark look before they turned back to Hermione and bowed to her again.
