To a Better End

Chapter 17

September 19th 1942

Hermione was allowing herself five drops of Dreamless Sleep a night. As a result, she had been able to get adequate rest. Immersing herself into her studies helped, with something to focus on, she could think less of how bad the nights would be. It also served as a great way to begin solidifying a friendship with Tom. After much deliberation, she decided it was the best course of action.

Walburga remained defensive, having said a total of five words to Hermione since the first night. Druella on the other hand had been nothing but sweet. Hermione exchanged a few conversations with Lyall and Myrtle among some other students that she shared classes with. For all Myrtle was annoying in the future as a ghost, the version Hermione had attempted to befriend was neither dead nor prone to moaning. She was just awfully shy.

Classes were different from what Hermione had grown accustomed to in her own time. For starters, there was a great deal more fun during lessons. In the few classes they sat next to each other, Tom would whisper a joke or jot something funny down on the corner of his parchment. In classes where they were separated, Hermione often caught him staring at her from across the room. Sometimes he would smile, while other times she sensed suspicion in his eyes. To ease whatever potential tension that built in his mind, she would stick her tongue out, usually eliciting a smile or an eye roll from him.

As silly as it all was, it was part of what gave her hope.

Malfoy had made it a habit to walk her to breakfast every day, and her birthday was no exception. When Hermione woke up on Saturday, she walked through the common room and met Malfoy waiting at his usual spot. As soon as she approached him, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sugar quill with a huge smile.

"Happy Birthday, Granger. Any wishes?"

"Morning, Tonks. No wishes this time. Ask me again next year."

Hermione grabbed the sugar quill out of his hand and briskly walked to breakfast, hoping that no one else had heard anything about her birthday.

It was pointless hoping.

At her usual morning seat, there was a plate of pancakes with sprinkles that spelt out "Happy Birthday." Turning back, she glared at Malfoy, who just wore the most boyish grin she had seen from him in a long time.

With a grateful elbow to his side, she dug into her breakfast, knowing it would be much too sweet to finish. She supposed Malfoy knew that too because mid-way through eating, she caught him practically drooling over her plate. Wordlessly, she dropped her fork and slid the plate over to him. "Thank you," he said in an almost sing-song voice, immediately picking up her discarded fork to polish off the rest.

Hermione sipped her coffee as she watched him, rolling her eyes at his successful plan. Clever boy.

*****

October 26th 1942

Hermione was nothing if not a studious person, insistent on delving into things wholeheartedly. Her second round at school was no different. Which was how she found herself surrounded by books on Ancient Runes in her old corner of the library, taking a dangerously unintended nap.

Running again. Constant running. Running through the castle. Running through the forest. Running through a bank.

"Hermione?" someone whispered, shaking her shoulder.

With her wand gripped tightly in her hand, she shot up from her seat, instinctively throwing sparks out. She caught sight of a quick and powerful Protego , which thankfully blocked her attack. Blinking through the sleep-induced blurriness, she returned to her senses, covering her mouth at the realisation of what she'd done.