Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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A few days passed, which consisted of Harry trying to avoid Lockhart and Colin as best as he could. Hermione busied her days with working on homework and studying to make sure she still did good. On the side, she tried to learn more about her family's history on top of why Barty Crouch Jr. wanted to get her so badly to the point he warned Malfoy not to even hurt her. 

One day, while deciding on having tea with Hagrid, they begun discussing why Barty Crouch Jr. was so determined to get Hermione. 

"Well he did say someone ordered him to get you. Remember in Borgin and Burkes, Hermione? When Darco's father asked Barty why he would want you and he said that it was on the orders of a certain someone." Harry told her. 

"And he could be the one, who owns Winky!" Ron blurted out, "The Crouch family is also an old wizarding family! And Winky did say something about if you got hurt her master would hurt her for it... and Malfoy was clearly warned not to hurt you by Barty... it all makes sense!" 

"But who would want me to not be here? And what's this truth I'm not supposed to figure out? And why would Barty care if Malfoy hurt me or not?" Hermione asked. The two shook their heads that they had no clue to those questions. 

Hermione was thrilled when Saturday had finally came. However she did wake up a bit earlier than she wanted to be woken up by Ron, who was shaking her up, and mumbling something about Harry being at Quidditch practice already. Hermione groaned while she proceeded to slip from her bed and change into her clothes. She retreated back to Ron who was in the common room, waiting for her. Ron soon was dragging Hermione down the corridors towards the quidditch field. Ron and Hermione were sitting in the stands, waiting for Harry to show up. It felt like days had went by till finally they saw Harry walking out onto the field. 

"Aren't you finished yet?" Ron blurted out. 

"We've haven't even started. Wood's been teaching us new moves." Harry told them. Hermione was drifting in and out of sleep when suddenly Ron jolted her back from her sleep. 

"Something's happening! The Slytherin team is on the field!" Ron shouted at her. Hermione's head shot up to find Ron was right. Gryffindor and Slytherin were facing each other. They hurried their way down the stands and towards Harry. 

"What's happening? Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?" Ron asked. Hermione turned to find Malfoy standing with the Slytherin team. 

"I'm the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley," Malfoy said, smugly, "Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our team." 

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in," Hermione shot at Malfoy, "They got in on pure talent." 

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," Malfoy said. Suddenly it was nearly like a fight brawl. Flint had to dive in front of Malfoy to stop Fred and George from jumping on him as Ron suddenly pulled out his wand. 

"You'll pay for that one! Eat slug!" Ron shouted. There was a flash of light before Ron went flying backwards. Hermione and Harry rushed over towards Ron. 

"Ron? Are you okay?" Hermione asked. Ron opened his mouth to speak but instead of words there was a large belch and slugs came pouring from his mouth. 

"We need to go to Hagrid's, it's nearest." Harry said as they grabbed Ron's arms and ran over the quidditch field. They were nearing the forest till they could see Hagrid's hut. They had reached within twenty feet of the hut when the door opened to find Lockhart striding out. 

"Behind here!" Harry hissed, dragging Ron behind a nearby bush. 

"It's a simple matter if you know what you're doing," he said loudly, "If you need help, you know where I am! I'll let you have a copy of my book. I'm surprised you haven't already got one-- I'll sign one tonight and send it over. Well, goodbye." 

Once he was gone, they slipped from the bush and knocked on the door. Hagrid had opened the door and allowed them in. After telling Hagrid of what had happened, he proceeded to hand Ron a bucket. 

"Better out than in," Hagrid advise them, "You just have to wait it out." 

"What did Lockhart want with you, Hagrid?" Harry asked. 

"Giving me advice on getting kelpies out of a well like I don't know." Hagrid said, sounding like he was offended, "And something about a banshee he banished. If one word of it is true, I'll eat my kettle." 

"If he's so terrible, why did Dumbledore hire him?" Hermione asked. 

"Because he was the only one for the job. And I do mean the only one. People think the job is jinxed so no one is too keen to take it." Hagrid explained, "Now-- who was Ron trying to curse?" 

"Malfoy. He called Hermione... Well, I'm not exactly sure what he called her." Harry stated. Hermione pushed herself off her seat as she crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the window. 

"He called me a Mudblood." Hermione said. Hagrid gasped. 

"He did not!" Hagrid growled. 

"What's a Mudblood?" Harry asked. 

"It's the most insulting thing to call someone!" Ron growled, gasping between the vomiting of slugs, "Mudblood's a really foul name for someone who is muggle-born-- you know, non-magic parents." 

"You see Harry," Hagrid said, "There are some wizards-- like the Malfoy Family-- who think they're better than everyone else because they're what people call pure-blood. It's ridiculous. Most wizards are half-blood or less." 

"I mean the rest us of know it doesn't make any difference at all. Look at Neville-- he's pure-blood and he can hardly stand a cauldron the right way up." Ron stated. 

"And they haven't invented a spell our Hermione can't do." Hagrid said proudly, "But maybe it was a good thing your wand backfired. Lucius Malfoy would've come marching up to school if you'd cursed his son. Least your not in trouble." 

It was nearly lunchtime when they were walking into the entrance hall when suddenly a voice rang out, "There you three are." 

They turned to find McGonagall walking towards them. 

"You three will do your detentions this evening." McGonagall told them, "Mr. Weasley, you will polishing the silver in the trophy room with Mr. Filch. Mr. Potter you will be helping Professor Lockhart answer his fan mail..." 

"Oh no-- Professor can't I go and do the trophy room, too?" Harry pleaded with McGonagall. 

"Certainly not. Professor Lockhart requested you particularity." McGonagall told him before turning over to Hermione, "And you Miss Granger will sort books with Madam Pince. No magic for either one of you. Eight o'clock sharp. The three of you."