Short Change Hero

Chapter 24: Love is a Suicide

WARNING: there are some light somewhat suggestive themes in this chapter.

Okay guys, so I am unsure about the direction of this new chapter. So please let me know your thoughts. I like where I am taking it but what about you guys.

Thank you so much for your comment, votes and follows. Keep them coming and comment if you have any questions. All feedback is welcome! -Madi

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor do I own any of the lyrics I quote in each chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Love is a Suicide

"You like the smell of blood,
When it's pumpin' like a factory,
Oh you like your words to cut,
You like to choose the best artillery,
I wonder who you're thinkin' of,
Who am I,
Am I the epitome,
Of everything you hate,
And you desire,
You love me like an enemy..."

Love is a Suicide by Natalia Kills

Wednesday October 30th, 1996

Just outside, in the court yard, Quarter till eleven in the morning

The sight of the fairly empty court yard this morning made Hermione feel comfortable. She preferred it when she could actually focus upon the quite, especially while studying. Turning her attention away from her book towards the sky, she sighed. She definitely appreciated the display of various clouds twisted in melding shades of grey that danced before her. It was midterm's week, which meant extra time spent studying, and less time spent with friends. Or that was Hermione's way of looking at things.

The past week and a half had been exceptionally quite, uneventful actually. The only thing that changed was the fact they were now allowed back in Hogsmeade for the first time since those tragic deaths. Apparently they found out who was doing it and are currently tracking said death eater north.

Other than that, it really was a monotonous week. The only thing that was out of place, was this odd absence of only thing that seemed to get on her nerves really. In her case it wasn't a thing, rather it was a person. She noted that he was also being out of character and incredulously well behaved as of late, and at one point it almost seemed as if he had started avoiding her.

Sucking in her bottom lip she realized that she had not spoken one word to Malfoy since that night, nor had he come to bother her, thankfully. Once she talked to her professors about him, being vague on the real reasoning for the immediate need for a partner change, they agreed with her. Somewhat...

Professor Snape changed her patrols to morning ones with until holiday break, while Slughorn had been rather insistent she not change partner's mid-term. He even went as far as saying that her potions grading average increased from working with Draco, and stating that there may be times where their personalities may clash but intellectually it was their best fit.

After a long debate, Slughorn made a deal, that until the week after midterms the class would work as individuals and afterword's they would see if they still felt the need to change. Hermione reluctantly agreed, but there was a small part of her, one she would never bring to light willingly, that was relived Slughorn said no.

Rolling her eyes, she pushed away thoughts of him, as always, not wanting to deal with them until after midterms at the very least. 'After next week, that first day will prove that it is in fact completely unnecessary to continue to have us working together. They'll see... They have to... I mean, I already told Harry and Ron it was worked out. So there's' that-'