Mischief Unmanaged ➰ H.P

XXIX. Uncertainties

After that short Holiday break, Hogwarts went back to its habitants usual routine. The morning starts with Dumbledores' mini speech and ends with a table full breakfast.

Hermione Granger grabbed her bowl of crab soup and clung her bag on her shoulder.

"Hey, where are you going?" asked Neville from beside her.

"Right there, at the other side." she pointed on the Slytherin table where Theodore Nott was waving hysterically back at her. "They missed me so much."

"What? Didn't you just spend your holiday with them?" Ron spoke after finishing his own soup.

"Oh yes, and I also shared a compartment with them on last night's trip." Hermione replied, lacing her words with sass. "Still missed them tho. Got to go."

Hermione went on her shoes but immediately retreated when Ron bolted up and grab her hand. "Talk to us please."

Annoyed about the few glances they earned, Hermione sank back on her seat, rolls her eyes and leans her arms on the table. "What is it?"

Neville fixed his own position, aiming to be the first one to open the topic.

"Ron and I are kind of having mixed emotions here Hermione and as of me, I am very not amused about you and those pricks sabotaging me by secretly going into the Lovegoods." Neville confessed which sent Hermione's eyebrow up.

"Okay Mr. Overprotective. Luna is safe and sound you see? They didn't do anything to her. In fact, Luna's father just saved Harry's life! Why are you two being so douche about it?"

"Are you forgetting something Hermione? Do we have to borrow a Pensieve to the headmaster and show you what exactly those four did to you at the school year's opening? Should we remind you how they turned you into campus whore faster than saying Dumbledores full name?" Ron interjected in front of her.

Hermione closed her eyes for a split second, trying to reason out their irrational behaviour.

Obviously they are your friends Hermione, they do care for you and you shouldn't be an arse about it. She chided in her head.

When Hermione opened her eyes again, a sincere smile also formed on her lips. Disregarding her already cold soup, she slowly pull her hand off of Ron's and carefully stood up.

"Fine. Ron, Neville, I get it. I am sorry for being insensitive but we're on our own now. You've got yourselves new accompany and so I am. Our friendship will be preserve as long as we stop questioning our life choices. I love you both," Hermione can't explain how she felt lighter upon saying it but she's glad they finally form into words.

"Hermione... Are you seriously going in there? You know where you belong. The hat put you here. Gryffindor is your home." Ron whispered.

"Yes. But a talking hat cannot know what my heart wants Ron. Those guys in their untidy Slytherin uniforms... they might been really rude to me and all but they are also the ones who brought out my real strength." Hermione gazed once again at Slytherin table, smiling to find Blaise beating his way to Draco who apparently stole his A. Christie's book.

"Alright Hermione. You should go, thank you for being honest and don't ever hesitate to approach us if ever they fail you." Neville warmly said.

Hermione gave them one last smile before heading towards the Slytherin table. She snatched the book from Draco's hand and tossed it back to Blaise.

"Norton's the killer. Poirot murdered him, deciding to put the justice in his hands." she said even before her butt hits the wooden chair.

"Fuuuck!" Blaise grunted, slamming the book on his forehead.