The Letters to No One - Romione

Chapter 38

'Hey,' Ginny said with a concerned look on her face as Hermione sat down opposite her at breakfast that Saturday morning. She had dark bags under her eyes from a lack of sleep and looked incredibly pale. 'Is everything alright?' She added when Hermione didn't reply.

'Everything is wonderful,' Hermione finally replied with a grimace, trying to force a smile.

'What are you doing this afternoon?' Ginny asked, too distracted to eat her breakfast.

'Not much,' Hermione replied. 'I'm going to the library to work.'

'I'm going to Hogsmeade with Harry and Ron,' Ginny said. 'You should come with us, it would be good for you to have a break.'

'I don't have time I'm sorry.' Hermione replied.

'If you're sure,' Ginny said and the two sat in silence, neither knowing what else to say to make the situation any better. Ginny watched closely as Hermione began to pour herself a bowl of cereal, her hand shaking as she tried to pick up the milk and pour it into the bowl. 'Let me,' Ginny said, taking the bottle off her and pouring the milk onto the cereal.

'Thanks,' Hermione muttered weakly, feeling embarrassed.

'Don't worry about it,' Ginny replied. 'Are you sure you're alright?' She repeated. She'd never seen Hermione look worse than she did in that moment. 'I haven't seen you in the great hall for weeks. Have you been eating? Have you been sleeping?'

Hermione ignored the questions, continuing to eat her breakfast. Ginny didn't need to hear an answer from Hermione to confirm what she already believed.

'You need to be careful,' Ginny muttered, trying to keep out of ear shot of a few first years that seemed to be listening in to their conversation. 'You're going to get ill Hermione. You're can't keep up with all of this work, it's not healthy. I'm sure if you talk to McGonagall then...'

'I'm fine,' Hermione replied angrily. 'Why does everyone think that I'm working too hard? That there's something wrong with me? I feel absolutely fine. There's no need to talk to McGonagall. I just need to eat this cereal and then I can go back to practicing for charms.'

'Hermione,' Ginny pleaded but it was no use. Hermione stood up, struggling to throw her bag onto her shoulder and pick up the couple of books that she'd placed on the seat next to her, and headed out of the great hall. Someone stopped her in her tracks as she attempted to climb the stairs back to the common room; she'd forgotten a book that she desperately needed.

'Aaagh!' Malfoy shrieked, looking at Hermione with a smirk. 'Looks like we've got ourselves another troll at Hogwarts.' He laughed, pointing at Hermione and causing Crabbe and Goyle to laugh too. 'Granger,' Malfoy said, drawling his words. 'You look awful.'

Hermione didn't have the energy to reply and pushed past him, but he stood in her path.

'Where's that boyfriend of yours when you need him?' Malfoy laughed, clearly agitated by Hermione's lack of response. 'Completely useless that one. But what can you expect from a Weasley?' Hermione noticed that a crowd had started to form behind Malfoy and she could see Ginny pushing her way through to the front. Hermione sighed. This was the last thing that she wanted. She was angry, of course. She wanted to punch Malfoy, but she kept back, not wanting to create an unnecessary situation. She had other things to do.

'Just let me go Malfoy,' Hermione said through gritted teeth and much to her relief he moved to the side, allowing her to walk past. She stood up to her full height, her bag on her shoulder and a couple of books held tightly into her chest. She felt a foot stick out, catching against her ankles and she fell flat on her face, the books scattering across the floor. Her wrist hurt, not so badly that it was broken, but still enough to make her want to burst into tears. She heard gasps, and also a few snickers, and felt Ginny rush to her side to help her up. She didn't say a word to Malfoy as she headed up the stairs and towards the common room.