Dramione - Hate Is A Strong Word

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

~Draco’s POV~

     I was sat on a couch in the common room, reading. I was beginning to wonder where Hermione was because it was quite late, when she suddenly burst into the common room. I was about to talk to her, but she fled straight into her room, without pausing to look at me. Tears were freely flowing down her face.

I couldn’t leave her alone in that state. I got up and went to her bedroom door, which she had just slammed shut. I knocked, listening carefully. She didn’t open the door, but sniffles came from behind it. I knocked again “Hermione, please let me in.” When she didn’t respond, I slowly nudged her door open, so as not to startle her. Once it was fully open I saw Hermione was stood looking in the mirror at herself. She had pulled her top down slightly so her bare shoulders were poking out, she stared intently at her shoulders, rubbing them.

As she met my gaze, in the mirror, she quickly covered her shoulders and attempted to smile at me. Her face was scarred with tears and her eye brimmed with a fresh set, ready to betray her smile. I stepped towards her, gently touching her shirt, so she would understand I was going to look at her shoulders. I pushed her top down slightly, uncovering her shoulders. I suddenly felt a strong feeling towards Hermione, being so close, coherent thoughts slipped from me. No. I just couldn’t. I had to stop thinking like that, for Hermione. She didn’t need me confusing her life, Ron was already doing a brilliant job at that. I needed to be there for her whenever she needed me.

Looking down at her shoulder I saw great, big, blue bruises beginning to form. The other shoulder mirror the first. I stroked them carefully, as if trying to make the hurt Hermione was going through, however small, disappear. Instantly, without warning, anger bubbled up inside of me. I stepped away from Hermione.

“Who did this?” Although I could already guess.

“Ron.” She said, as her eyes glassed over.

I grabbed her and pulled her in for a big, warm hug. I held her tightly and took her over to her bed where we sat embracing.

“What happened?” I said whilst stroking her hair. It smelt like green apples.

She shook her head, “I was walking back from the library and he grabbed me, pulled me into a broom cupboard and he kissed me, “I stiffened at the thought, “he wouldn’t stop, it was horrible, and when he did, he shook me, asking if we were together, I said yes so I could escape.” She sobbed. I held her even tighter.

“I will make him pay.” I spat, seething.

She turned to look me in the eyes and grabbed my face with her soft, delicate hands. “Don’t. Please, don’t.”

“Why shouldn’t I? Look what he’s done to you.”

“I know, but something has changed within him and it’s strange, this isn’t the Ron I know.” It sickened me she still cared for him.

“People change.” I said quietly.