By the Flickering Firelight
The flickering lights of the orange flame danced across Hermione Granger's tear-strained face. The orange flame made her think of a certain red-head who she was currently mad at. She put her pale face into her hands, and cried hard. She had never been so depressed, and was surprised at the fact that it was because of one of her friends. "Hermione?" a voice asked from her left side. Hermione released her hands from her face and looked over to the boy's dormitory door. Harry stood there, a worried expression on his face.
Hermione quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and said as happily as she could, "Hey Harry." Harry wasn't fooled though. She had been crying. There was no doubt in his mind.
"Hermione, what's the matter?" Harry asked, walking down the stone steps that led to the dimly lit Gryffindor Common Room.
Hermione tried to look innocent as she said her next sentence, "Nothing." Harry plopped down beside her, and put his arms around her.
"Seriously, Hermione, what's the matter?" Harry lifted her chin so that she was looking into his marvelous green eyes. She felt safe right at that moment, like there weren't any problems or worries in her life. She never wanted him to let go.
"It's only Ron, no big deal," Hermione said, not convincing even her. Harry looked unconvinced.
"You don't usually cry when you and Ron have a fight over something stupid," Harry said, giving a small laugh to help cheer her up. She didn't laugh though. Harry noticed, and stopped laughing.
"It wasn't stupid Harry. He was really mean to me," Hermione said, stifling a sob. Harry held her tightly.
"What happened?" He asked. Hermione looked back into the flames, her eyes watering. Her eyes suddenly became angry, taking Harry aback.
"He insulted me," Hermione said, and Harry looked at her, unconvinced. "More than usual," She added when she saw Harry's look.
"How did he insult you?" Harry asked. Hermione's eyes watered again.
"He said that I was a disgrace to blood. That I didn't deserve to live, because I-I," Hermione couldn't seem to continue, and she buried her face in his shoulder. He felt a small patch of wetness on his shoulder, but he didn't care. He only cared about Hermione at the moment, and he wasn't feeling too friendly with Ron.
"Because you what?"
"Because I-I was a muggle-born," Hermione sobbed into Harry's shoulder, and Harry let out a small gasp.
"Ron would never say that!" Harry said, defensively. Hermione looked up at him fiercely.
"Oh, so you're taking sides with Ron?" Hermione asked, and Harry shook his head quickly.
"No, it's just hard to believe!" Harry said, defending himself from Hermione wrath.
"I know," Hermione said, burying her face into Harry's shoulder again.
"But why would he say such a thing?" Harry asked, and Hermione looked into the fire.
"He thought that I had killed his brother."
"What?" Harry shouted.
"Percy was killed in his office a few days ago, and Ron was mad. He thought I had done it because I was there that day, with Mr. Weasley," Hermione explained, and Harry calmed down a bit.
"I didn't know Percy had died." Harry looked into the fire as well.
"Me neither, until today."
"I can go tell him the truth if you want, or I could go kick his butt," Harry said, and gave a small laugh. Hermione did as well.
"Thank you Harry. Thanks so much!"
End