Flagstones and Fire

I don't like the way you see through me

There is nothing you can't see

But you think the rooms are empty, bare

Well, shows how little you know about what's in there

And why do you still try to control everybody

Stare at them, try to learn about them, to study

You shouldn't talk only about what you know

We would be right where we are, the world wouldn't go

And yet you always act so conceitedly

Even when I admit that I am a brat, and you are mean to me

I am like a burr stuck in your side

No matter where you go, you just can't hide

Well, who's the mind reader now?

Well, who has the upper hand now?

***

"Wow, Hermione, you look terrible." I wondered how Neville could act so cheerfully. I supposed I did look bad; I had shadows under my eyes, my face was pale, and my hair was unkempt. I felt bad too. Stretched. 'Like too little butter spread over too much bread'.

"Thanks, Neville," I replied, and lifted the chair back, so I could sit at the table. It slipped; food went flying everywhere. A bowl of sweet potatoes laded on the hapless Neville's head. He blushed under his brown coating of marshmallows and yams. I threw up my hands, and demanded of the ceiling, "Where is the headmaster in times like these?"

"I don't know," Neville said, scooping potatoes from his hair. "Um, Hermione, could you fix me?"

"Why can't you do it yourself? You did graduate, didn't you?"

"Yes, but-"

"Are you a wizard or not?!" I shrieked. Other professors stared at me. Neville blanched, and threw down his napkin.

"Sorry I bothered you," Neville said shortly, and stormed from the Great Hall, leaving me with some angry professors.

"What did you do that for?" they asked. "Don't you know that Neville could end up in Mungo's again, like last time?"

"What do you mean?" I was getting hysterical. "Do you think that I'm the only one who ever puts him down? Do you think that I'm the only one who pushes him away? Look at yourselves! Do you think-" A hand was clapped over my mouth.

"Sorry, folks," Draco announced. "Show's over." He dragged me from the Hall. "I thought you knew," he told me, before pushing me to the dungeon's staircase.

"What else don't I know?" I said, following Draco. "Let's see, I don't know why you're acting all push-pushy around Neville, why there are mysterious fires breaking out all over, why Neville acts like he's afraid of me, why I haven't met the headmaster, and it's almost halfway through term! What else don't I know, then, let's make it an odd five! But, wait, is there something else I don't know? Voldemort is hiding in my closet? Well, that makes it an even six!" I had to stop for a breath.

"Two things," Draco said. We had reached the dungeons, and his bedroom. He opened the door. "sit down," he pointed at a chair. "And shut up. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I thought you'd know."

I opened my mouth again, and Draco had to gag me, to stop the flow of curses.

"Ah, silence," Draco reached in a cabinet. He pulled out two glasses, and a decanter. "I can't believe it's here."

We he took the gag out, I spit in his face. He smiled, and handed me a glass, full of brandy. "Drink, shut up, sit, and listen. Maybe get drunk. That's acceptable." I glared at Draco, who sat down across from me.

"Now, I-"

"I told you to shut up," he explained patiently. I shut up. He heaved a sigh, and leaned back in his chair. "Where to start? So, you know that Neville has always liked you?"

He did? But, I nodded anyway.

"Then why didn't you look at him?" Draco asked angrily. "The only reason he lives is for you!"

It is? Wow, I didn't know I has that effect on people. "Well, I didn't really-"

"Shut up. So, the only reason Neville lives is for you. When you almost died, fighting Voldemort, he went- crazy. Insane. He tried to kill himself, to be with you. We admitted him to Mungo's."

That's it? This is what you gagged me for?

"Then you act all distant to him. What else is he supposed to do? Now, Hermione, the only reason I wanted to talk to you was to warn you. Be Careful. I don't know how Neville thinks, but be very careful. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go do something."

He left me alone with the brandy. Sorry, Draco. But you shouldn't tempt me. Especially as I will have a splitting headache in the morning.

The brandy did nothing in making me forget. In fact, it did the opposite. Figures of the past rose from my mind, called by the liquor.

I saw Harry kneeling above me, crying. I felt the blood pooling on the ground beside me, the hot tears staining his rosy cheeks. Ron lay somewhere behind me, and I gripped his arm.

Then I saw my parents fighting again, and I watched from the stairway. I felt a glass bottle wiz by me, and I was in Potions class, watching Neville as his caldron exploded yet again, leaving me drenched in his potion.

"You really messed it up this time..." I muttered, as burns started to appear on my arms.

"It wasn't me !" Neville protested. "It was all your fault! All your fault! Not mine!"

"But it was your fault!" I yelled, and the whole class stopped and stared at me.

I was two years old again, and attending a wedding. I was dressed in white, and carried a basket of flour petals. The music started, and I was pushed down the aisle.

I walked slowly, looking at all the people. I got to the dais, and there was a shiny ring there on a pillow.

"Pretty!" I said softly. " I picked it up. No one paid attention to me.

"Dearly beloved," I heard a man in a funny hat say. "we have gathered here today.."

I didn't listen. I twirled the ring in my hand, and it dropped, onto the floor, and it rolled, down a crack.

"Hermione Granger!" a person screamed. "What did you do with the ring!"

"It was pretty!" I said softly. I started to cry, and all the people around me became an endless blur of light, in which the only true color was that of the last embers of the fire shining through the empty brandy bottle.

***

The sun was shining through the clouds of gray by the time I awoke the next morning. My sight was blurred, and I couldn't tell where I was. So I lay back down again.

Why did I ever listen to someone like Draco Malfoy? Let's see what I can do to kill him....No, not painful enough....No, too good for him.....Nothing. Drat it.

I wonder where I am. Not in my room. I think. Well, then, where. Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?

Nah. It's cooler already.

"Well, Hermione," a very loud voice said. "how did you enjoy the brandy?"

"Go away," I moaned. "Never again. Just go away..." I covered my head with a pillow.

"Here," A hand jerked the pillow away, and a very hot liquid was forced down my throat. I gasped, and the room became clearer.

"Thanks," I managed hoarsely.

"Aren't you going to apologize?"

"For what?"

"Drinking that whole bottle!"

"Do you really want an apology?"

"Yeah."

I swung my fit into the hair, and it hit a face very hard. "You happy now?"

"Did I really deserve that?"

"Yup. Thanks for making me feel better."

"Welcome. Now, can you help me stop the bleeding?"

"Must I?"

"Don't make me use all that stuff I found about you."

"Fine." I reached for my wand. Draco handed it to me. I healed his nose.

"Thanks."

I hit his nose again, and shoved his out the door. "Don't mention it."