Breaking Hermione

Her Power

Hermione

I stormed off to Headmaster Dippets office, bitterness and rage clouding my thoughts. I couldn't get Tom's wickedly amused face out of my head. Whether I turned right or left he was there taunting me beyond endurance. I was sick of it. I stood panting outside of the office entrance, the weight of the situation crashing down on my shoulders.

I was in trouble. I had spoken back to a teacher. I had defied school rules... But at the same time I didn't give a damn, somehow. Or rather, I couldn't muster the energy nor the emotions to do so.

Of course, I had long since learnt that school rules weren't as important as I had always made them out to be. I walked up the spiral staircase that I had grown to love, feeling more confident as I climbed each step. I knew what I was doing. I wasn't in the wrong here. Was I?

I knocked twice on the large ornate door, anxiety starting to rear its ugly head only cutting off as the anger resurfaced again.

"Come in." Dippets merry voice invited.

I turned the door handle, stepping into the cosy room. I looked around bitterly, noticing how different the place looked without Dumbledore's furnishings and  ornaments adding that sentiment, that characteristic touch I had come to love.

And then I noticed someone sitting on the seat opposite Headmaster Dippet. Professor Dumbledore himself.

"Miss Granger." Dumbledore said, turning to face me. He was smiling. "You've chosen your timing well. The Headmaster and I were just discussing the situation between yourself and Mr Riddle."

"You were?" I approached, taking a seat on a plush armchair on Dumbledores left. "Have you reached a conclusion yet?" I asked boldly.

"Not as of now." Headmaster Dippet answered me. "Professor Flitwick has already, very kindly, filled us in on what has happened. But I think that we will need to hear from you what your perspective regarding all of this is. But firstly, I will offer you a drink. I really have quite a few bottles of Butterbeer from Rosmerta that I am keen to do away with."

"Considering the circumstances I'm not going to say no." I said. Dumbledore chuckled as Dippet placed a bottle before me.

"Now." Headmaster Dippet leant towards me, his hands clasped together. "What has happened between yourself and Tom? Is there anything you'd like to add? You do of course have awareness of the rules of this School, and if I am being honest with you I am very surprised to see you here."

"Its funny you should say that." I said, trying not to let any of the bitterness i was feeling creep into my voice, "Because I believe the situation has been ridiculously blown out of proportion. Tom Riddle should be the one getting questioned here. Not me."

"And why do you say that?" Dippet asked lightly.

"Well." I said calmly. "He is a bully. And a very undermined one at that."

"But you do understand that it is not only Tom that is at fault here." Dippet told me. "You have mocked him-"

"Only because he was provoking me!" I said indignantly.

"About what, exactly?" Dippet raised an eyebrow.

I felt my face turn red.

"Tom was... making sexual jokes regarding me. That was what pushed me over the edge. He was laughing about me with his friends."

"Professor Dumbledore." Headmaster Dippet gave the other a significant look, "Please can you get Tom from his class and bring him here."

"I can do it." I said at once. "I mean, I have to go back anyway."