Hermione Riddle

The dissapearance of Cormac McClaggen

Hermione's pov
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"It is with great seriousness that I gather you here today. It has come to my attention that there was a row at the Hijinx Featival this evening and I would like to know what happened exactly." Dumbledore said in a grave tone. Immediately chatter and pointed fingers broke out in the room but Dumbledore hushed them. "Mister McClaggen, your story first."
"Well Headmaster, I met hermione at the three broomsticks, and she took me down to the alley where Locke and Key was located, and then she started sniffing with me, we got a little frisky and Malfoy came out of nowhere and went ballistic!" He said and Mrs, McClaggen sneered at me and the Malfoys.
"Don't worry darling, I won't let that harlot get away with anything." Mrs, McClaggen told her son.
"SHE IS NOT A HARLOT YOU-"
"Mister Malfoy, I ask you to please restrain yourself and tell your version of the events."
"Well Headmaster, I was actually looking for Hermione because she told me that she wasn't comfortable with Cormac as her date. I was walking by the alley when I heard her scream for help but was silenced, I decided to examine further, and found Cormac assaulting her against the wall. I didn't hesitate to throw him off her but he got back up, shoved me, then punched me so I punched back to defend myself and Hermione." He said and glared at Cormacs mother.
"That's a lie! My son would never assault anyone, much less a mudblood like her!" She said as if I wasn't there. Once again Dumbledore held up his arm to silence the room.
"Miss Granger, if you will."
"Well sir, I met up with Cormac at the three broomsticks as we agreed, and then Cormac suggested that we deliver our extra credit potions to Professor Snape. I agreed and he told me that Snape was at Locke and Key so I followed him down the alley where he...he...well he...he pinned me to the wa-all a-and he-e star-ar-ted kissing me-e." I stumble as I started to break down. "I told hi-im to sto-op but he wouldn't stop, HE WOULDN'T STOP! I yelled for help, but he silenced me and started to...we-ell...you know-ow...try-y to...yeah. Anyway-ay I Uh shut my um eyes, and then he stopped and Draco was standing over Cormac who punched Malfoy who knocked Cormac out." I said while rushing to the end of the story. I refrained from looking at any of the eyes that currently watched me.
"Well seeing as we have two stories confirming that Mister McClaggen indeed assaulted Miss Granger, I will be issuing his expulsion from Hogw-"
"Ahem, Albus." An all too familiar girly voice said while walking over to the Headmaster from the doorway. "Actually according to educational decree number 17, the High Inquisitor has the sole right to expel students, and educational decree number 21 declares that the High Inquisitor has the right to add or lessen punishments at will." She said and I braved myself for another detention.
"Oh Delores! Get off your high horse for once! A girl was molested!" Professor McGonnagal said exasperated as to where this lecture was headed.
"Nothing proves what Miss Granger said is true, and it is possible that Mister Malfoy saw what Miss Granger wanted him to see. She is not foreign to attention seeking, was this another one of your games to cause drama?" She seethed at me.
"Mister McClaggen, you are free to go, Mrs, McClaggen I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy I am truly sorry that your time was wasted by this girl today, Draco you may leave. Miss granger detention every night this month, you may leave." She said leaving me and Draco gaping. "Malfoys, Granger, leave. I need to talk to the professors and Headmaster alone." The pink lady said and I mutely exited the Headmasters office.
"Hermione dear don't you worry, they'll be hearing from our lawyers. We won't let him get away with this!" Narcissa said while gripping my face.
"It's too late, even with the best, it's Fudge against me, he hates Harry and me by extension, you'll lose the case." I said while staring at the ground. How had everything gone so wrong today? It started off great and went downhill so fast.
"Mione, he will get what he deserves, I promise you that." Draco said and I nodded.
"Mr. Malfoy. Could you please not tell them what happened." I pleaded Lucius who was still stone faced.
"They are your parents, they'll want to hear every detail. He won't get away with this injustice." Malfoy senior sneered in the direction of the McClaggens who were exiting the hallway.
"That's what I'm worried about, don't let him do anything too harsh." I said, now worried for my attacker.
"I can not control your father, you of all people should know that." He said and exited wordlessly with his wife.
A week went by without any disturbance. Nothing at all. And that is what kept me on edge. What were they planning to do to Cormac? When would they strike? And when would I stop getting night terrors full of Cormacs face?
It was Wednesday, January 8th, 1994. It was on that Wednesday that Cormac McClaggen disappeared without a trace. The day began normally, classes had since resumed and no one knew what happened at the festival, save for Cormac Draco and Ginny, who let me cry on her shoulder after writing lines into my skin. It was a sunny day, and the sun glistened off of the fresh snow on the ground. Another peculiar fact, the snow was untouched, so how did Cormac disappear? He wasn't present for any of our classes, and it wasn't until one of the boys told Professor McGonnagal that Cormac wasn't spotted all day, did the student body begin to worry. Every room in the castle was searched, even the room of requirement gave no clues as to Cormac's whereabouts. Even though there was a school wide search, I couldn't help but feel that it wasn't at all thorough, as Dumbledore took one glance inside the boys dorm then exited while giving me an eye twinkle but no smile. News of Cormac's disappearance spread like wildfire among the students, each giving a more outrageous rumor of how or where he disappeared to. I couldn't help but feel responsible for Cormac's sojourn, but at the same time I couldn't help but feel relieved that he was being brought to justice. Well, whatever justice was according to my parents. And it was with that thankfulness and relief in my mind, that I went to the owlery with a letter in my hand with a letter addressed to my parents.
Dear Mother and Father,
I suppose you have heard what had happened to me. And I also suppose that the disappearance of Cormac McClaggen was also your doing. So here it is: Thank you.
Give him hell (but not too much),
-Hermione R.
I looked over the brief letter when I noticed something different. I signed the letter with R instead of my usual G. I shook off the thought and searched for my owl, Terror. (An: bet y'all thought I forgot about the owl) I found her seated between Hedwig and Pigwidgeon, who was annoying the two large owls. I called for her and she flew down in front of me and peered up at me with her large brown eyes.
"I need you to deliver this home for me please." I said and she stuck out her talons in my direction. I tied on the letter. She flew away as I left the owlery, becoming a spec in the setting sun. I smiled into my scarf as I descended the tower. Maybe thing would work out just fine. Maybe in the end, it would all be okay.