Anyone But Me

Chapter Thirty-Two

Hermione tossed her school bag on the floor and watched as it skidded to a stop against her trunk. She had just gotten back to the common room from checking out a book that she hoped would help decipher a rune that she was having a particularly hard time figuring out, when Lavender had started in on her conversation with Luna earlier.

"Did Pomfrey help you with your little problem Hermione?" The girl had asked with feigned concern.

She had just rolled her eyes and kept walking, trying her hardest not to let the chit get to her.

"That a no? Maybe we should petition McGonagall to have you removed from the dorm until you get it sorted..." A dirty blonde eyebrow had risen in challenge.

She had stopped instantly at the threat, her hands shaking at her side as she turned to face the witch, who was draped across the chair that she normally sat in. Puffed up like some brazen little peacock. The sneer she had used with Pansy settled onto Hermione's face as she responded slowly, making sure to pronounce each word clearly. "While you are at it you should let her know all of the secret spots you and Ron like to disappear to. I am certain she would be interested, you know how much trouble he would get in if he was found to be slacking on his duties."

The look of absolute confusion that had flitted across Lavender's face from her not backing down almost made her laugh, but the girl wasn't about to let her off now that she had new fuel to torment her with. She had tilted her head to the side before smirking. "You're just jealous."

A scoff was torn from her lips at the thought. "Do not flatter yourself, Brown."

"We both know that it's true 'Mione." Her voice dripped with contempt as she turned her nickname into a jeer.

"Ron? You think I am jealous of you over Ron?" Hermione had asked her incredulously.

"No... I know you are. Why else would you still be pissy over us dating?" The girl asked with a shrug of her shoulders.

She had shaken her head and taken a step closer so she could lower her voice, ensuring no one else would hear. "There is only one thing that we both know and that is... Every single time Ronald Weasley has you pressed up against a wall with his lips at your neck... It isn't you that he is imagining there with him. It isn't your name that he wants to be moaning into an ear. What you think is jealousy is really just pity for you both."

Hermione watched as the blood slowly drained from the girl's face and she instantly felt guilty. Once again she had found herself in the predicament of wishing she could go back in time for a redo. She should have just walked away...

Red splotches broke out across Lavender's cheeks as she kept her own voice barely above a whisper. "That is hilarious! You have done nothing but pine over my boyfriend for the last two years. He could have had you at any point, but he never made a move because he does not like you like that. Hell... He doesn't even like you at all anymore... So whatever grand delusions you have in your head are never going to happen. Got it?!"

Out of the corner of her eye she had noticed Harry and Ron come down from their dorm room and start to make their way over. She shook her head and sighed. "You can have him Lavender... The two of you deserve each other. I hope you have an amazing future filled with the childish games you like to play."

"You are such a bitch Hermione. It's a wonder anyone can put up with your presence for more than five seconds..." Lavender had vehemently whispered in the short amount of time it took for the two boys to approach.

They both picked up on the thick tension surrounding the little chat. Harry's forehead had wrinkled with worry and he looked like he was about to pull Hermione away while Ron had stared at the ground, scuffing the toe of his shoe against the stone. Obviously trying to pretend that if he ignored that situation it would go away.