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-HERMIONE WATCHED AS ADHARA WALKED AWAY, LEAVING HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EMPTY CORRIDOR. She shook her head and started walking towards the staircases of the Gryffindor tower.
On the way there, she couldn't stop thinking about what Adhara had said. The many things Adhara said.
She was too in thought to notice Harry, who had just come out of the portrait. "-Mione?"
Her head snapped up. "Sorry, I was in thought."
"I could see that." chuckled Harry as he took her hand, walking into the Gryffindor common room. "What's on your mind, anyway?"
She stayed quiet for a few minutes until they sat down on the couch by the fireplace, while Ron was busy playing chess with a second year. "Addie." She finally replied.
"Yeah? What about her?"
"She's changed."
"Of course, she has." said Harry as if it was obvious.
Her eyes bore into his. "What?" She sharply asked.
Not thinking too much about it, he shrugged. "Well, it's just that I've noticed as well. I thought that was obvious?"
"But Harry.. how could you notice? You haven't talked to her."
At this, Harry sheepishly scratched his neck. "Actually, I have. We always see each other on top of the Astronomy tower at night."
"What? Why? Since when?"
"A few days, I suppose. She stays quiet and lets me talk most times, but when something's on her mind, she talks about it and I listen."
Hermione gaped. How had she not known this? How had anyone not know this? "What- what does she talk about?"
"That I cannot say," he said. "but 'Mione she's.."
She frowned when he became quiet. "She's what?"
"Just.. just give her time, alright? Be patient."
Ron's head snapped up, only now noticing them. He walked over to them and sat down. "We lost, didn't we?"
He had just been out of the hospital wing, not talking to anybody except the second year he was playing chess with a few minutes ago.
"Yes. They cheated." Hermione gritted out, snatching the nearest daily prophet to have a look.
"That's obvious." chuckled Ron, trying not to wince at the pain his head was in. "But it's Adhara."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Harry, suddenly defensive.
"Well, everyone loves her." started Ron, not noticing how Hermione was no longer reading the daily prophet. "She's got all the teachers- even McGonagall- wrapped around her finger. They believe her with no doubt, no matter what."
"So, you're saying that she won just because she cheated?" Hermione asked, genuinely curious.
Ron nodded and gave her a look. "Didn't you see how I blocked her first shot just before I got injured?"
"Or it was just because of the fact that she didn't throw the quaffle with all her might like she always does." Harry pointed out.
"Well, whatever it was- she won with cheating. I don't blame her, mate." Ron said, patting Harry's back. "She loves to cheat."
Harry and Ron both simultaneously looked at Hermione, who was starting to connect the dots. She gasped, "What?"
"Hermione, it's just a rumor-"
"Who?" She stood up, looking at the two boys. "Who has she been meeting up with?"
"Like I said: just a rumor, we're not sure-"
"Some say she still meets up with that Nott girl." Ron cut Harry off. "Others say she's starting to hook up with Parkinson. There are even some girls claiming that they had hooked up with her."
Hermione was on the verge of breaking down, which made Harry slap Ron's head, earning a groan from the boy. "Ron, you idiot! Those are just rumors! Hermione, do not believe something with no proof."
"But-"
"As far as I know, you and Adhara had broken up last time because of you not trusting her." Harry pointed out.
Hermione's shoulder slumped. She sat back down, looking like she was in thought. "How do I get her back?"
"What do you mean?"
"I want her to go through what she's making me go through."
Harry looked at her as if she was dumb. "Mione, that's your worst idea ever. Do not do that-"
"I've heard Cormac's got a thing for you, Mione." Ron cut Harry off.
"He's vile!"
"You can make Adhara jealous by that." said Ron, while Harry's attempts to stop Hermione was getting ignored.
The gears started working in Hermione's head. Her eyes lightened up, "I'll ask Cormac to the Slug Club party that's happening soon!"
Harry groaned, watching as she stood up. "This is going to end badly."
