Breaking Hermione

Dark Skies

Hermione

I staggered down the halls with all the coordination of a blast ended skrewt, haphazardly knocking into people left right and centre.

"Hey! Watch it!"

"Do you mind?"

I hauled myself forward, propelled by the thought of putting distance between myself and Tom Riddle and most importantly finding Corbin. Of course, I was still struggling with my leg and the sheer dose of sedatives in my system so I was a lot slower than I'd have liked. And finding Corbin was turning into a mission all in itself. I had no idea where he was. Where would Tom have hidden him? In that secret dungeon room of his behind his bookshelf? In the Room of Requirement? If so, then where the hell was I going?

Deciding on the spot try the Room of Requirement, I spun on my heel to begin the long trek back and collided with someone.

"Hey!"

"Can you just get out of my way-?" I flared, finally losing my temper.

"Hermione? Oh my God! It's me! Shit, it's been a while since I saw you."

Isabella Rey stood before me in the Hall, her green eyes wide, her expression confused. "Hold on. What the hell are you doing?" She demanded.

Isabella Rey was a Ravenclaw who I knew was in a somewhat difficult relationship with Daniel Dolohov, one of Tom's more estranged acquaintances from Slytherin House who had inadvertently proven himself to be a decent person.

"I'm... Look, I can't explain." I looked around warily. I couldn't stop to chat, I had to get out of here. "Now really isn't a good time-"

Isabella rolled her green eyes.

"Look. I know what you-"

"I'll catch up later, I really can't talk right now-"

"Hermione." Isabella snapped. "Listen!"

I paused, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Can you just let me talk? I know what is happening. Corbin told me everything." She explained in a rush.

"Corbin? Where is he? Is he ok? How do you know him?"

"One question at a time, woman!"

"Fine. But first can we just get out of here? It isn't safe out in the open like this."

"Follow me." Isabella lead the way back down the Hall.

"Wait! Let's go this way."

I turned in the opposite direction again but stopped dead in my tracks upon seeing the white blond head of Xavier Malfoy walking my way. He looked up, almost catching my eye but then turned to a friend on his left.

"Do you still think that's a good idea?" Isabella hissed in my ear. "Xavier has probably been told by Tom what's happened. Follow me! Hurry!"

We quickly wove our way back through the crowds of students, keeping as inconspicuous as we could while making our way over to the west side of the castle to Ravenclaw Tower. We stumbled up the spiral staircase finally stopping to catch our breath just outside the door.

"What the hell happened to you?" She gave me a sharp look which reminded me with a sudden jolt of Shalini. "Like I know Tom is after you but why are you walking weirdly?"

"It's the drugs." I sighed.

Isabella's eyebrows shot up. "The drugs? The hell is wrong with you?"