When Hermione Fights

The Day After

Chapter beta: Dani ♥

Chapter translator: Aivy

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We were standing in front of the tapestry and the door was just disappearing in our backs as we saw a petite person with hectic red spots on her cheeks and a hand clapped over her mouth, running desperately through the corridor, sobbing.

Her long, light-brown hair wafted after her and when she saw us, her green eyes twitched fearfully and became wide. Her gaze fell on our clasped hands and her expression got a tad more hurt and sad. She quickened her pace even more, seeming very confused when she rushed towards the Astronomy Tower. It was strange that she was so far away from her territory, especially alone. I glanced carefully at Harry who wistfully followed the female student with his eyes.

"What is wrong with her?" he asked me worriedly and with a frown.

"Well, the Daily Prophet must have arrived and there probably is an article about Death Eaters getting arrested at the Ministry and as far as I know, her father was in the D-" I swallowed the rest, not wanting to remind Harry of Sirius, but he understood my allusion regardless.

"Yes, right. I heard Malfoy screaming 'Greengrass'. But what's the matter with her? She looked down," he said cluelessly. Nice to see that not everything changed overnight, I thought slightly spiteful and I was sorry for myself.

"Well Harry, I don't know what you would feel if your father's name is recognised as a Death Eater, plus everybody at school knowing it, and he's now rotting in Azkaban? Harry, not all are used to being the focus of everyone's attention as much as you!" I explained matter-of-factly and his eyes grew big.

"Oh, the poor girl. Do you think she's supporting... well, you know, Voldemort?" He looked at me in anxious anticipation of my assessment of Daphne because, as he said that night, he trusted my judgment. Well, I would be able to make him happy. Hopefully, this helped him a little to get over Sirius' loss.

"No, I don't think so. She doesn't appear to have the same stance as other Slytherins. Why don't you ask her?" I advised him encouragingly, patting his cheek.

"Um, how?!" he asked with uncertainty and looked in the direction where she had disappeared.

"Well," I visibly rolled my eyes, "there is no better moment than right now. Get your butt to the Astronomy Tower and hold a bloody handkerchief in front of her running nose. You'll be able to conjure one, right? And then you'll tell her that you're sorry and that you know that Azkaban is horrible but she should be happy that he's alive - after all, you lost someone yesterday and it would do you good to talk about it with some uninvolved who didn't know Siri... who didn't know him but is also struggling with a loss after that night. Maybe you will become closer. Be cool, Harry! Yesterday, when you faced the Dark Lord, you weren't scared, and believe me, Fudge shit himself when he saw Him for a very short moment! So go for it!" I pushed him resolutely in her direction.

"No, I can't do this; I don't even know her!" he protested, running a hand desperately through his shaggy hair.

"Yeah, and if you don't get a move on, you never will, Harry! We'll meet at noon at the hospital wing. I'll bring sandwiches. And now gather your lion courage and charge into battle! Comfort her, I'm serious. Ask her what she has to expect at home; others can also have difficult family situations! And there won't be a better chance to get her alone, far away from the other snakes. Take your chance. You like her!" I continued to implore him.

"Oh-oh, Hermione, why does it feel like you once again know more than you are telling me? As if you are trying to steer me gently into a certain direction?" That suspicious glimmer reappeared in his green eyes.