Battle Scars Don't Fade

Chapter Fourteen: Familial Discord

Christmas break was finally over. I had never been so happy to be back at school with my normal crushing work load. I was in the great hall eating breakfast and doing some last minute reading when Hugo came up behind me and tapped my shoulder.  "I hope you're happy."

"Not particularly." And it was true. I hated fighting with my family. But it was worth it to fight for Scorpius. The ball had been magical, and things had actually gone rather well with his parents. Besides it wasn't just Scorpius, I was fighting for my beliefs. I honestly believed that they were going backwards from their progress.

"Well I'm sure you didn't know, but you caused Mom and Dad to fight all week long! They're so bad, I'm afraid they may get divorced!" he hissed. The words knocked the wind out of me. I knew mum and dad had been figthing but I didn't think it would be that bad. 

"I can't live my life tip toeing around them so that they don't fight!" I argued. 

"You don't have to "tip toe". You could date anyone, anyone except him! And yet!" Hugo plopped down next to me. 

"Look Hugo I'm sorry, but I can't help it." 

I opened my eyes and was immediately assaulted with all kinds of unpleasant things. My back and head ached, my mouth was dry and I was cold. Just because the tiny couch blanket had fallen off in the middle of the night. I sat up and rubbed my face, not feeling like I had slept at all. I stood up and stretched, heading into the kitchen. 

Hermione was sitting at the table, sipping black coffee and reading the paper. She didn't look up when I came in, but she pursed her lips. 

"Morning." I said cautiousily. 

"Mm." she said tersely. 

"Hermione, can we please talk about this!"

"Of course we can. If you're ready to say anything but 'Hermione, he's a Malfoy!'. 

"Do you really want our daughter to date a Malfoy?!"

"I didn't like Draco, Luscius, or Narcissa but you know what, Scorpius is different and better!"

"How?"

"How is he not? He's a polite, peaceful, young man. He loves our daughter."

"But that doesn't change the fact that he's a Malfoy! He will always be a Malfoy, and he is going to turn on us, on her!"

"I'm done doing this, talking to you! I'm going to my parents!" She said shoving the mug and the newspaper off of the table. The mug shattered, spilling the coffee everywhere, and ruining the newspaper. 

"Aren't you going to clean that up?" I asked incredulously.

"Nope!" she said as she marched up the stairs.

Quickly I whispered "Reparo" and fixed the mug, chasing her up the stairs. 

"Hermione, this is more immature than I ever thought you could be!"

"No you're immature for thinking exactly the same way as you did in high school!" she shrieked, while violently throwing things into her trunk.

"So you're really leaving, huh?" he said, turning his head slightly, thinking that I saw something move in the fire place. But my attention was called by Hermione closing the trunk, and beginning to turn and apparate. I caught her arm. 

"Please, Hermione..."

"No! I'll be back when you can actually get your head out of high school!" She slammed her fist on the trunk, and apparated. I felt empty as she disappeared.