The Silver Envelope

Hermione's Corner

Hermione watched as thick flurries of snow clumped on the panes of Hagrid's windows while he bustled around his small kitchen, fixing a kettle of tea and filling her in on the latest news from Hogwarts. His gigantic boarhound, Fang, drooled at her feet while Hermione scratched the dog's ears.
"The kids we get these days--yeh would believe 'em, Hermione! Half of 'em are as brilliant as you were back in the day, an' the other half are such bleedin' morons, I think Grawp could outwit
'em "
"How is Grawp?" Hermione asked as Hagrid set a large platter of his famous rock cakes on the table and settled himself heavily into the chair opposite hers. These days, Hagrid's beard was looking grayer and his twinkling eyes were a bit more lined. But other than that, not much had changed as far as Hermione could see. His hut was still as cozy as ever, his garden still perfectly unruly
"He's jus' fine. Talkin' in whole sentences these days! An' he's even learnin' a bit o' numbers-though he still has trouble remembering' what comes after five. We can go see 'im if you like, later
on He'd love to see ve "
Hermione was sure he would, but since she didn't feel much like being lifted into the air by a giant today, she politely declined.
Hagrid filled her in on the hottest Hogwarts gossip as she sipped tea, and she chimed in when it came to the few students she happened to know. Apparently Hagrid was friendly with a couple of the students who had represented the LGBT Rights Coalition at the Christmas charity ball. They were currently campaigning to change the rules regarding trans and non-binary students in their dormitory assignments. Hagrid didn't quite seem to understand the details of it all, as he kept referring to one student as a "non-binnery girl," but he seemed to be staunchly in support of their campaign nonetheless. Hermione made a mental note to write a letter to McGonagall to voice her support for the LGBT Rights Coalition. Perhaps she could help them draft a plan for the changes they needed to make to the dormitories.
"Now, what's goin' on with you, Hermione?" Hagrid asked. "I saw that article of yeh in the paper those lying scumbags! Obviously you wouldn't be goin' out wi' Malfoy."
Hermione pursed her lips.
"Er...well...that article wasn't entirely false," Hermione admitted.
Hagrid's eyes went wide.
"You went behind Ron's back wit-"
"No!" Hermione interrupted, throwing up her hands to stop him. "I never cheated on Ron! That bit is completely fabricated. But...I am sort of seeing Draco Malfoy.
Hagrid's bushy brows were furrowed in confusion.
"The same Malfoy that went to school with you?" he asked. "That little prick who bullied the lot o' ye?'
Looking down at her cup, Hermione pinched her face as she slowly nodded her confirmation.
She just had to get past this bit. Once Hagrid had time to process what she was saying and the shock had subsided, she would finally be able to talk to him. Desperately, she had been wishing for someone to talk to, someone who was removed from the situation and could perhaps give her some blunt advice.
That had always been the problem with Ron. Practically everyone she knew was also close with him, usually even closer. In her moments of doubt and dismay, she hadn't felt comfortable spilling her secrets to someone who had, after all, known Ron first. Not having anyone in whom she could confide her relationship problems had made her feel isolated and drained, and she was certain it was a major reason why she had stayed with him for so long. Sometimes, she needed an outside perspective on the things that were so close to her heart
"Hermione, that's...I don't know abou' that," Hagrid said, scratching his scruffy, bearded chin. "I mean, it's been a while, sure. But that's the kid who tried to get Buckbeak executed! He's the one who tried to murder Dumbledore. And didn' he almost kill Ron too?"
Hermione paled. Ever since she had started spending so much time with Draco in person, she had easily been able to put those parts of his past to rest in her mind, certain he was a changed person.
But now, listening to Hagrid, she realized her mistake. He would not be able to see past the person Draco had been while he was at Hogwarts. Draco as an adult was completely unknown to Hagrid.
She tried her best to explain. Told him that Draco had been seeing a mind healer, and had been working hard to unlearn the horrendous things he'd learned from his parents. She told him that he was one of her earliest and most generous supporters of S.P.E.W., and had been instrumental in helping her pass the SOCKS Act. She pled with Hagrid to understand that Draco had become one of her closest friends, and was one of the only people who had been on her side when she and Ron had split up.
But after all of it, Hagrid still looked dubious.
"But.." he said, when she finally paused to take a breath, "Hermione. It's Malfoy." She looked up at Hagrid, who was staring at her with concern, his cold tea now forgotten.
Hagrid had been one of her closest friends while she was at Hogwarts. There had been many times, particularly during her nastiest rows with Ron, that she had gone to visit with him, just to see a friendly face. He had always known what to say to make her feel less alone. But now, the usual warmth of Hagrid's hut seemed to have drained from the room. A lump formed in her throat. She looked down at her hands.
"Do you think I've made a mistake?" she asked quietly.
As if in answer, Fang whined at her feet, letting out a sleepy huff as he adjusted his head.
Hagrid looked uncomfortable.
"I've never known yeh to question yerself like this, Hermione," he said gently. "It's not like you."
Something awful gurgled in the pit of her stomach at his words. He was right. When had she begun to doubt herself? Was it because of Draco, or had it been going on before then? And most importantly, was Draco making it worse?
The answer to that question was too painful to consider at the moment.
Hagrid reached across the table to awkwardly pat her hand, engulfing hers with his gigantic fingers.
"Ye'll be alright, Hermione. I can' say I understand what yer goin' through, but I know you'll do what's right in the end," he said.
Hermione swallowed thickly, nodding.
Then, looking as if he might regret his next words, Hagrid added, "I think you should try and sort things out with Ron. Not that I think yeh should get back together-" he added hastily when she glared at him,
..to talk to 'im. It'd be a right shame to lose such a long friendship, tha's
For some reason, Hagrid's kind words broke through to her like no one else's had. Suddenly, she felt like an arse, not even allowing Ron to write to her to apologize. No wonder he didn't believe what she said she'd completely shut him out.
She stood, taking a deep breath.
"There's something I need to do," she said, going to bundle herself up.
"Thattagirl," Hagrid encouraged. She smiled at that, feeling a bit braver.