Do You Have a Pass? //Dramione AU//

4

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Hermione was so distracted at Spanish club after school that she spoke to one of the members in French instead. Needless to say, she went home early.

Except she didn't go home. She didn't want to face her parents, didn't want them to see a chink in her perfect daughter armor.

She tried to call Harry, but he didn't pick up. Checking the clock, she realized he was at basketball practice.

Hermione didn't know who else to talk to. She drove aimlessly, and somehow found herself at the Weasley house. She was suddenly gripped with a fervent need to see Ron. She thought maybe he'd make it okay. So she got out her car, and walked to ring to doorbell.

This behavior was not like Hermione. It was impulsive and reckless. Ron had a girlfriend to take care of.

Waiting for someone to answer the door supplied Hermione with enough sense to walk away. But just as she was turning, the door opened. Hermione took a breath and armed herself with excuses and fake smiles.

But Ron wasn't standing at the door. Ginny was, with her chihuahua, Pigwidgeon. And all of Hermione's excuses and masks fell to the floor.

A tear leaked out. Then another. "Can we talk?" Hermione asked. And then she dissolved into a puddle.

❀ DYHAP ❀

Hermione wasn't sure how long she cried. She didn't usually cry. In fact, she never did, not since that day...

She never allowed herself to lose control in this way. She had to be perfect, every second of everyday. It's all she had left.

But one glance into Ginny's warm, brown eyes just melted her. And she just didn't want to keep it in anymore. She thought that maybe she could trust Ginny with her imperfections.

Hermione opened her eyes. She was sitting on Ginny's bed. Ginny's room was covered in posters, but it wasn't girly. Hermione guessed growing up with six brothers had some effect on her.

Ginny was on the floor in front of her, her legs crossed. She had a small smile on her face, and her eyes asked a question. Do you want to talk about it?

Hermione took a deep breath. "Malfoy isn't getting expelled." she said bitterly.

Ginny's eyebrows raised, but she didn't speak.

"McGonagall said he needed a 'change in scenery'. She..." Here, Hermione hesitated. Most people, Ron and Harry included, liked to tease her about her seriousness when it came to hall monitoring. But it really did mean a lot to her.

Looking at Ginny, she somehow knew the redhead wouldn't judge her.

"She... well, he's now my co-head hall monitor."

"What?" Ginny said incredulously. "That makes no sense!"

Hermione shook her head solemnly, trying not to cry again.

"Can't you talk to her? She has to understand! You worked your butt off these last three years, and she can't just force some delinquent onto you! That is not your responsibility, you aren't a babysitter!"

Hermione was slightly touched that Ginny was so upset on her behalf. She smiled sadly. "I tried. But McGonagall basically accused me of being selfish and judgmental."

"This is... this is ridiculous. Honestly, Hermione, you should just quit. See how our school fares without you, with Malfoy in charge. That will have to show McGonagall some kind of sense."

Hermione met Ginny's eyes, and her heart swelled. Ginny was so kind, so good. Hermione wondered why they were never really friends before now.