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*Hermione*
She had no idea why she was here, why she agreed to come to this stupid Welcome Back Ball. Her best friend insisted everything would be ok and he would stick by her the whole night. She scans the room but can’t find his black hair in the sea of people.
If you’re not here in 10 minutes, I’m leaving.
She finds a table close enough to the entrance but against the wall. She doesn’t want to be seen by anyone else that has made the decision to welcome him back after 10 years of being exiled. She keeps her eyes glued to the entrance patiently waiting, not wanting to miss Harry.
You have five more minutes.
She saw him first, what she didn’t expect to see was them. She starts tapping her foot on the floor and thrumming her fingers on the table angrily. Her face turns red, she was livid. She watches as they walk in, all three of them. She can’t believe her eyes at first. She had to do a double take, but she is sure, one hundred percent positive. The only thing she didn’t know was why.
Why are THEY here, with HIM?!
She watches as Kingsley walks right up to them and shakes their hands, like he has known them for years! After the four of them have a quick conversation, he kisses her on the cheek and pats him on the back. Then he leaves them alone to speak with the Minister of Magic, by themselves!
What the FUCK is going on?
She watches as he makes his way through the room talking to people. She was sure everyone was welcoming him back to England. No one knew where he went when he was exiled. The Daily Prophet had speculated he went to America, she doubted that. She looks back at the couple talking to Kingsley. No, she knows exactly where he went if they were with him.
How did he find out?
She has to look away, she can’t stand to look at them very long. It hurts. She hasn’t seen them in years. Tears were stinging her eyes, so she looked back at the crowd to find him again.
Where the fuck did that idiot go?
She finds him having a conversation with Harry. HARRY! He was supposed to be by her side! She wondered if he knew, no certainty not. He was her best friend. If he had known he would have told her. She watches how easy they have a conversation. They were just standing there talking to each other like they were old friends. She even saw Harry laugh. How could he be laughing knowing just how much pain she endured because of him.
Why did I decide to come to this godforsaken ball?!
Then all at once the pain comes rushing back all over again. He said so many vile things to her: “Mudblood”, “Know it all”, “Swot”, “Dirty blood.” He became a Death Eater, let other Death Eaters in the Castle, almost killed Dumbledore, and he just watched as she was tortured! She felt a few drops of water fall on her hand, which was now gripping the side of the table. She realizes tears are falling down her face and she’s hyperventilating. The start of a panic attack. She crouches down low beside a plant that was close to her table. She faces the wall, away from the party and prying eyes, and tries to get herself under control. She took several deep breaths, once she was calm, she cast a scourgify on her face. She didn’t want anyone seeing that she was upset.
Get your shit together!
Taking one last deep breath she stood up and turned back to face the party. She needed to see if he was still with Harry, but they weren’t where she last saw them. She looks out into the crowd and spots his blond head. He looked to be headed towards the bar, further back into the party.
I’m not done with you yet ferret.
She didn’t have a clear view of him where she was at, so she carefully maneuvers her way through the crowd. She finds a table that’s close to the back but has a clear view of him. She watches as he walks across the room and notices her on his arm. She still can’t fathom why she is there with him, and why they look to be very familiar with each other.
How does he even know them?
They stop at the bar and it's the first time he is facing her, so she has a full view of him. He has a genuine smile on his face. He looks so happy and that makes her even more angry.
Why does he get to be happy? Why does he get to spend time with them, and I can’t?
She turns her attention from him to her and notices the woman is staring straight at her. She stiffens but the woman just smiles and looks happily back at him. Him!
Of all people why HIM!?
Should she ask? Could she ask? She needs answers. She makes up her mind, she’s going to ask him. She has to know. So, Hermione summons all the Gryffindor courage she can and makes her way across the room to ask Draco Malfoy what the FUCK he thinks he is doing with HER parents.