Anyone But Me

Chapter Thirty-Six

When she entered the Great Hall her eyes automatically swung to the Slytherin table. She quickly ran over the different faces until she came upon the one she had been searching for... He was shaking his head at Crabbe and Goyle as they laughed raucously over something they found amusing. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips at his display of exasperation.

Caught up in her own little world, she didn't register the hiss that came from behind her before it was too late. What felt like a wall hit her shoulder with enough force that she was certain she was going to have a bruise, accompanied by a condescending taunt. "Get out of the way scum."

She knew who it was before even turning... The voice of the girl that used to berate her right along with Draco rang in her ears. Now that she knew what true fear was, the childish jibes didn't hold as much sway anymore. Instead death and pain were the forerunners that liked to play out in her subconscious over and over. She rolled her eyes and moved so she was facing the owner. "Still the same old tired insults, Parkinson."

"Do not think I have forgotten your little stunt the other day, worm." Pansy said, glaring at her as Hermione halted her progression to join her friends.

"Ohh... Another zinger. Such a good one, implying just how dirty I am twice in a row! Keep em' coming! I'm sure one of them will stick eventually..."

The girl's eyes widen at the brazenness of her insult. "I cannot wait for the day that I can spit on your lifeless carcass. You inexcusable waste..."

"I would be very careful with the next words to come out of your mouth, witch." Ginny's voice rang out. A well of gratitude swelled up inside of Hermione for the girl... Pansy was more likely to back down if she had reinforcements.

"Of Magic." The dark haired beauty sneered. Her unfortunate resemblance to a wrinkly pug making an appearance as her face distorted in anger.

Ginny reached for her wand, hidden in her robes, but Hermione grabbed her wrist to stop her. A quick shake of her head was enough to get the redhead's hand to reappear empty.

"Really Pansy? Waste of Magic, worm, scum, a dirty vile Mudblood... It's all the same. Don't you get it? I am all of those things. And. Proud. Of. It. So keep calling me exactly what I am, like it is supposed to hurt me. As for the day you dance over my rotting corpse... If it ever comes to pass... I hope you find the solace you seek because there is something deeply wrong with you. It is not normal to fantasize about the dead bodies of your classmates the way you do." She said defiantly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nott stand and start to make his way over to them while the rest of their group sat transfixed, watching the proceedings with blatant curiosity. She quickly rushed out, wanting to be far away before he made it over. "Come on Ginny... She isn't worth the detentions. Besides... I'm sure she has much better things to do with her time than waste it talking to Blood Traitors and Mudbloods."

Both of the girls stood there in shock at her unexpected outburst. She gave a quick roll of her eyes and turned away, heading towards the Gryffindor table. It took a second but Ginny hurried after her and asked in hushed tones over her shoulder. "Where did the stellar badass come from?"

"Oh you know... Sick of hearing the same crap every single day... The least they could do is get creative with the insults every once and a while. You know?" She said as a light blush crept into her cheeks from the girl's encouragement.

"I like this Hermione. You need to find more time with your Mystery Guy if he is going to bring out this side of you!" Her friend joked with her as they made their way down the aisle. An unusual pep in the redhead's step.

"Shhhh!" She hissed at the girl, sending a glare her way as she sat down a few feet from Harry, Ron and Neville. Who were all exchanging nervous glances, which meant they had seen the whole display take place.