Short Change Hero

Chapter 31: Chaos Is a Ladder

For this chapter I didn't have lyrics it was based around or that reminded me of the feel. It was Game of Thrones Music. I will list which songs this chapter was inspired by below which I recommend you listen to while reading.

Chaos Is a Ladder- Season 3

I Choose Violence- Season 6

Light of the Seven- Season 6

I Need You by My Side- Season 6

Let's Play a Game- Season 6

A Lannister Always Pays His Debts- Season 3

Dracarys- Season 3

All songs by Ramin Djawadi

Friday November 15th, 1996

In the Hallway nearing to the front entrance, Quarter past six at night

While almost every student resided in the Great Hall for dinner, Hermione promptly made her way through the halls and towards the front entrance of the Castle. Inhaling slightly, she began to chew upon her bottom lip while her grip upon the bunched cloth under her left arm tightened.

After nearly two weeks without a word from Malfoy she came to the decision to work on their semester project, alone. Which she was more than happy to do if her potions 'partner' wasn't up to the task of assisting in collecting and researching ingredients for a potion they were to make as their semester final.

When she first realized, he was avoiding her, she was angry and went right to Professor Slughorn's classroom. She attempted to explain that Malfoy was no longer a good fit with her to the Professor during midterms, and he simply stated that if anyone could keep him working in the class it would be her. He then added that it was far too late it the semester to change nor that it would be fair to other students to change and start over.

Shaking her head at the thought she rounded a corner and stopped when she saw two Aurors to her left guarding the entrance. It had been this way for the past two weeks, since the incident in the library, which was infuriating to say the least.

Hermione found it to be tedious since she wasn't allowed to leave to Castle without an escort to do the most mundane activities; such as sending a letter to her parents or even visiting Hagrid. Rolling her eyes, she shook out the ball of velvety material and did a double check to make sure she had her not only her wand but three vials in a small bag slung across her middle.

With a small sigh, she couldn't help but think back to the day that Malfoy decided to kiss her. It wasn't the way he avoided her afterwards that confused her. After spending these past few months with him, she was beginning to understand how he worked and when things happened, he would distance himself to think. Always thinking.

Tilting her head sideways as she readjusted the strap of her bag with one hand while the other held the cloak. It was obvious that the kiss was a way to distract her from the question he hadn't answered, it was the most plausible reasoning that made the most sense to her. He'd done it before, why should this time be any different?

The only irritating thing was that she fell for it a second time, knowing full well how he worked. Gritting her teeth lightly in annoyance the more she thought about it, rolled her eyes once more. Nibbling on her lip, she then checked to make sure she had everything that she needed for tonight.

'Vials, Bag, Wand, Cloak, Potions, Written list of Ingredients...' She thought to herself once more before nodding at her organizational skills with a small smile.