Hermione Zabini

Chapter Sixteen

A/N: Do not worry, I did remember to update XD. Feel free to drop a vote because it brightens up my day :)

Harrys Pov

I had been watching Serafina for a while. Not like a stalker does, I just NEEDED to understand what was going on. 

I spoke to Ron. He said that its just my way of dealing with the grief that has taken over due to Hermione's death. 

Flashback

I had sat down and gotten comfy in the Gryffindor armchairs. I was staring at the fire that was blazing away, completely absorbed in my thoughts. The silence was to be broken however as not even a few moments later Ron comes crashing through the portrait hole, laughing and yelling along with his two older brothers, Fred and George. 

Ron drops himself into the seat next to me as Fred and George exchange looks and attempt to sneak into the Girls Dorms. Only to be thrown down the stairs a few seconds later and conveniently the gaggle of girls that were walking up those stairs at the same point in time, had fallen onto the twins.   

Ron watches them for a second, a small smirk appearing on his face. My attention doesn't waver from the fireplace. He watches until Fred and Geroge disappear out the common room with the group of girls then turns to face the fire also. 

After a few seconds of silence he clears his throat. 

'You okay mate?' He asks carefully as if I might go off like a bomb. In fairness I didn't blame in, the last few days I had been pretty much ignoring Ron and everyone else for that matter. I wasn't ready to tell him what I was doing that was keeping me occupied, so I pushed him away. But I was ready to talk now. 

'I find it strange.' I say and Ron turns to me fully. He turns his head questioningly and nods for me to go on. 

'Serafina reminds me so much of Hermione. Like, she is her but she isn't. Serafina... obviously isn't Hermione because she is pureblood and Slytherin but at the same time she really is...'

I look at Ron and he shakes his head looking at bit concerned. I sigh, I knew he wouldn't understand. 

'I don't get what you mean mate, you don't surely think..?' 

'No! No... at least I don't think so. I meant that doesn't she act a bit like Hermione? She has top grades like Hermione did and is kind to all the students exactly how she was! And...and she helps students from other houses, which isn't typical Slytherin behaviour.... she doesn't like quidditch either! Professor McGonagall really likes her and Professor McGonagall doesn't like any Slytherin...'

I trail off hoping that Ron understands. Silence. I study Ron's reaction and no understanding look passes his face. My hearts sinks. 'I am not crazy!' I blurt. 

Ron shakes his head. 'I never said you were mate... I just think... this is your way of coping, trying to find pieces of Hermione in other people...' 

I shake my head out of disbelief. 'Can't you see it though? I can...I have been studying her!'

'Maybe that is the problem...'

'What do you mean?' I speak sharply and Ron winces. 

'Studying her? This Zabini girl? A pureblood Slytherin Harry....' Ron speaks carefully, his face carefully neutral. 

'Alright then, how can you explain all the things that her and Hermione have in common?' I say harshly. 

'Hermione was the brightest witch but Zabini didn't go to school with us back then, she was in France and her private tutoring has obviously helped her greatly...she was probably top of her classes in France. As for how she acts... I don't know Harry it is quite odd that you are watching her and study her enough to know what she does... Look I understand where you are coming from I suppose but this isn't going to bring Hermione back!' Ron's face was flushed now and his chest rose and fell quickly, he was obviously worked up.