Willing change: revised edition

13

The next day went slow, Hermione felt like her head was splitting. She could vaguely remember messing with Dae then Chandra earlier. She ran away in panic. Now that Hermione was in her room that morning's events were becoming hazy. She hit her bed and crashed out. A few hours later she was woken by Ginny.

She rolled over and groaned. Ginny rolled her eyes.

“I was coming to talk to you about something, but you look and smell like you had a good night.”

Hermione sat up, rubbing her head.

“No… what is it?” 

Ginny took a breath and smiled.

“I came to tell you. I think I'm going to ask Luna back out.”

It was like Hermione's head instantly cleared and she sat up, ridged as she looked at her with wide eyes. Suddenly she remembered why Chandra ran off that morning. She has a big mouth. Which means there is no doubt that the four of them are together.

“Ginny. Please don't do that. Chandra is with her. And she's not the only one you would have to deal with.”

Ginny raised a brow.

“Who else is there?”

“Pansy for one but I'm more worried about the other one.”

“Who is?”

Hermione rubbed her neck, her head starting to spin again.

“Uh… Dae black. My Girlfriend's cousin.”

“Daedric doesn't have any female cousins our age, though. Do you mean her half-sister?”

“No her cousin-”

Hermione stopped mid sentence and looked to Ginny, red faced and wide eyed. Ginny gave her a shocked look.

“That's why you weren't at Christmas…you went with Draco….oh GOD it's not his mother is it?!”

Hermione shook her head.

“No! No it's not Cissy!”

Ginny froze. Her eyes narrowed for a second.

“Mione, only a few people call Narcissa, Cissy. Oh my God. Please tell me your not. Bellatrix Lestrange? Do you know what she did to Neville's parents!?”

“Ginny there is more to it than-”

“How is there more to it?”

Hermione paused for a moment before continuing.

“It bothers her when that is brought up. There is just more to it…”

Ginny looked panicked as she sat down on Hermione's bed.

“Hermione, even if so… she's Married. This is wrong.” 

Hermione gritted her teeth, trying not to get too worked up.

“I have spent years with my cousin ranting about Rodolphus Lestrange. He doesn't love her. He has beat her, degraded her. He is a huge part of why she is like she is!”

“Oh really then what's the rest then, Hermione?”

Hermione looked down.

“I- I don't know… Chandra wouldn't ever tell me… said I didn't need to know.” 

Ginny stood up. She pushed her hair out of her face and sighed. She went to talk when there was a screech outside the window. Mutt pressed the side of his face against the glass. Hermione let him in and he jumped on her shoulder, rubbing his beak in her hair. Ginny stared at him.