Ten out of Ten by Morriganmercy

Day 4

- NOT MY STORY! All credit goes to @morriganmercy on a03!

Hermione ventured reluctantly from her room on the fourth day, but for once, Malfoy was nowhere to be seen. Gladly taking advantage of the respite, she quickly grabbed a handful of Floo powder and kneeled in front of the fireplace. Flames roared around her head as she called out for the Burrow, but it was only a few seconds before Molly appeared before her.

"Hermione!" she called in surprise. "Is everything all right, dear?" Her careful expression let Hermione know that at least one of the Weasley siblings had mentioned Hermione's odd behaviour the day before.

"Fine," Hermione answered, her voice tight. "I just wanted to ask Ron if he would be able to come round again today. I figured no one would be home at Grimmauld."

"No, of course," Molly said with a nod. "They'll be at work, too. Yes, I'll tell Ron when he gets home and ask him to pass along the message."

"Thank you, Molly."

The other woman gave her a warm smile, but Hermione could see the concern written into every line on Molly's face.

"Are you sure you're all right, dear?"

Hermione nodded weakly, but Molly continued on. "It's perfectly understandable if you're upset. If there's anything we can do—"

"No," Hermione interrupted. "I mean, thank you," she added to cover her rudeness. "But no, I just need to speak with the others, and that's... there's nothing..."

The waver in her voice was intensifying with every second Molly spent bestowing that supremely compassionate, maternal look on her, and Hermione shook her head to convey what her words couldn't. Then, she heard the sound of Malfoy's door opening upstairs.

"I have to go," she said quickly. "Thank you, Molly."

"Of course, dear—"

Hermione stood before the word was fully out, rushing to the side of the stairs and hiding next to them like a child as Malfoy descended. She could only hope he would bear left for the kitchen when he reached the bottom. If he turned for the sitting room and saw her—

But she would avoid certain death by mortification this time. As soon as she heard the sound of a kitchen cupboard opening, she dashed up the stairs and resolved to wait in her room until the coast was clear.

***

That evening, the sound of voices from downstairs roused Hermione from her reading. She jumped up, having forgotten that her friends would come through the Floo. She wished she'd told Molly to have them Apparate directly into her room, but in all honesty, that request would have done little to convince the Weasley matriarch that everything was fine, as Hermione had so vehemently suggested.

She quickly unlocked her door and poked her head into the hall.

"Up here, please!" she called out.

After a moment, she heard three sets of feet on the stairs and retreated, leaving the door cracked. Ron pushed it open, Harry and Ginny following behind. As soon as they crossed the threshold, Hermione rushed forward to close and lock the door again, adding a silencing charm for good measure.

"Well, I'd ask how you are," Ron started, brows raised at her paranoia, "but Mum's already told us you're fine."

"Looks like the same kind of fine she was during OWLs," Harry observed, taking in the floor covered with books and parchment.

"Hilarious," Hermione deadpanned. "I'd like to see either of you live with Malfoy for four days and still be alive much less fine."

That sobered them both.