Draco's Obsession

Sobbing

Hermione's POV:

The past couple of days had become a nightmare for Hermione: interrogations, blame, questioning, manipulating, debating.

It had become too much for her.

After Neville had come looking for her, she spent nearly three hours being questioned on the tragic event and what had led to it.

Hermione had to relay everything, from Ron's betrayal, to her friendship with Draco, distancing herself from her friends, avoiding Ron during class and in her personal life, the altercation between Ron and Draco, to the night of the attack.

She felt exposed.

It was as though her life had replayed for the Hogwarts faculty to see and dissect. It unsettled her, but she did not have a choice.

Hermione could feel the judgment coming from the council as they had questioned her "relationship" with Malfoy.

They believed she had been bewitched and manipulated. As though she was forced into it.

Hermione figured that they were not viewing her as the heroine who risked her life for the Wizarding world. But as a woman who needed saving. A naive woman.

It seemed like they were trying to put the blame on Draco, rather than look at the situation for what it was. She thought that it'd be easier to blame Malfoy because of his history.

However, there was no justification for Ron's behaviour.

When she could not take it anymore, Hermione stormed out of Professor McGonagall's office, heading straight for her dormitory.

Unfortunately, that was not the best choice as she was again bombarded with questions from the Gryffindor students about what had happened. Some even questioned her loyalty.

Ignoring the voices of her peers, she had left the common room and headed straight for her dorm, where she found Ginny sitting on the end of her bed.

"Please, Ginny. I can't anymore," Hermione told her tiredly. She didn't think she could handle anymore questions.

"You think I want this?" Ginny asked annoyed. "I hate this. It's gone too far."

"Of course, it has. Look at what's happened. A student was injured tonight," Hermione explained.

"You mean Malfoy was injured."

Hermione paused for a moment, unable to make out Ginny's tone.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Ginny scoffed and stood from Hermione's bed. "You're kidding me, right? Your friendship with Malfoy has caused all of this."

Hermione looked at her friend as if she didn't even recognise her.

It was obvious that both Ginny and Blaise thought alike, and actually agreed on something. Except Ginny knew better than to insult her lineage.

But Hermione knew that she was to blame.

Hermione understood her part in this whole fiasco. She is not innocent, and never claimed to be.

But was it too much to ask for some freedom?

For some understanding?

"You know Ginny, I have tried to be understanding. I have tried to keep my distance from your brother. I gave up my friends to keep the peace. To allow myself some space. Some time to find myself. Find out who I am without Ron." Tears began streaking down her face as she expressed her grief and sadness. "I am tired. And Malfoy was the only one who did not fuss over what Ron did. He made me laugh. He brought some form of joy to my life. He brought me around his friends, making me feel less lonely. He didn't care about the rumours that even my friends have been discussing."