Scars That Heal (Dramione Fanfiction) [COMPLETE]

16 - Velvet and Ink

November was a busy month at Hogwarts: there were two more Quidditch matches, resulting in Slytherin and Gryffindor almost tying for top spot, and with two more matches to go that year tensions were running high for the Gryffindor team. Ginny was re-doubling efforts to reach the top, which was making her very snappy and nervous. Hermione had to get her to sit down and think for a few minutes, just so she wouldn't bring on another breakdown.

"It's good for me, Hermione," she insisted, trying to get up and speak to Dean and Seamus. "I'm channeling these problems into a healthier place."

"No, not necessarily," Hermione rebuked, pushing her gently into her chair again. "You need to slow down. It's OK to still hurt, just take it easy."

Ginny was stubborn, and it took her catching a chest infection from a late night practice in sleet before she agreed she needed to slow down and stay calm.

"I just want us to do well!" she said bitterly from her bed in the Hospital Wing, "I want to feel like I've done something good."

"And you have," Hermione soothed her, "But you can't if you keep over-working yourself."

She would have done well to listen to her own advice, though. With exams coming up in May, Hermione was working far too hard. Every minute she wasn't revising or in class, she was planning ahead for her Support Sessions. They had been going well with very few mishaps, and some people had come to see her and said they were no longer coming because they had made them felt so much better. Hermione was relieved to hear that, but also felt like she wasn't needed anymore. She voiced this to Neville, who implored her to continue.

"If nothing else, I can make sure I'm extra kind to the suffering ones in my classes," he said. "I can understand that they've got enough on their minds without having to deal with catch-up homework." Hermione was reassured by this, and made sure she helped everyone to the best of her ability.

And at the back of her mind were the dreams, and the panic attack, and how Malfoy had helped her. She was confused by this, but was so grateful that she didn't have room to ponder it for too long. Hermione felt she needed to pay him back for it, to let him know that it had meant so much to her.

But on the last week in November, she had no time to think on it as it was the last Hogsmeade weekend of the term. She hadn't planned to meet with Harry and Ron again - although Ginny said that Harry was definitely coming - but she wanted to go into town anyway so she could buy some new quills. With her excess studying, most of their nibs had been damaged.

The morning of the visit Hermione ate as much breakfast as she could. She didn't have much money left, and didn't want to buy more food in Hogsmeade if she didn't have to. Hermione fetched her scarf and a pair of gloves from her dormitory before she left, knowing it would be bitterly cold outside. She was right, and by the time she and Ginny had met Harry by the fountain Hermione's feet felt like ice cubes. Stepping on the spot to stay warm, Hermione asked where Ron was.

"He's got a shift at the shop today. George wanted him in for another day as it's coming up to Christmas. We can go to see him later," Harry suggested, holding Ginny's hand. Hermione agreed, and they went to the Three Broomsticks to catch up. Harry had offered to pay for drinks, so they sat in one of the window booths and chatted.

Since she had very little interest in the conversation, Hermione's mind started drifting. Almost in a day-dream, she looked out the window at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, watching the colourful displays moving and dancing. Hermione got up and collected her scarf from the back of her chair.

"I'm going to see Ron now, guys," she said. Harry and Ginny, who were wrapped in each other's arms, looked away from each other for a moment.

"We were going to go later together. I thought we'd agreed to that, anyway."