It all started with a dance

4

Hermione got out of bed, the sun had risen and she went another night without rest, that day she was going back to Hogwarts, but if she was being truly honest was that she was terrified and not excited, she was standing in front of the mirror in hopes of trying to feel anything but fear, her heart was racing and her breathing was shallow, she was shaking and she feared if she let go of the sink she would collapse, her shirt was getting stuck to her back, loose sobs escaped her chest and tears streamed down her face

Breath, in and out

She tried to tell herself to no avail, she slowly made her way to the floor and brought her knees to her chest

She had to wait it out, she couldn't focus on anything else so she had to wait, time passed, she lost track of it, but eventually, her breathing began to slow down and her throat opened up, allowing her to breathe, she laid down on the cold tile floor and shivered, it cooled down her hot skin

After an hour she was able to regain senses of her body, her legs were no longer shaking violently and her hands were no longer numb, she got up and made her way to her room, casting a spell that would pack everything she needed, she walked to the kitchen, items were flying to the room so she had to be careful to avoid being hit by anything

Sitting on her sofa she looked out the window, Hermione felt numb, she didn't know what she felt anymore, there are moments, small moments, where she is truly happy, where there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but most of the time she was on autopilot, living day to day just letting time pass her, she's been like this ever since the war, it was like her mind had blocked out all emotions, she was a shell, and she didn't know when she'll get better

There was a knock at the door, she snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the door, letting out a deep sigh she got up and walked to it, opening it, Ginny walked in and smiled at Hermione

"You ready?"

Hermione nodded and summoned her luggage, making sure everything was in there she locked her apartment and Ginny apparated them to Kings Cross station and met up with Harry and Ron, they walked into the train and took seats in an empty cart, they talked about everything, when the conversation moved to quidditch, Hermione grabbed her book and began reading

Time passed and before Hermione knew it, it was time for her to go to the prefects' cabinet, grabbing her bag and walking out, she walked to the back of the train and entered the car

She was alone in there so she took a seat and continued reading, the cart door opened again and Hermione saw Draco stumbling in, Blaise was trying to keep the blond upright

"Mm-why am I here?" Draco asked, Hermione could clearly see he was drunk

"You're the head boy" Blaise answered

Hermione opened her bag and took out a vial containing her private stash of sobering potions, Blaise put Draco down on one of the couches and Draco took out a flask, Blaise sighed in defeat and looked up, making eye contact with Hermione

She didn't say anything but extended her hand that was holding the vial to the dark skin wizard, he eyed it suspiciously and Hermione pointed towards the drunk Slytherin

"Do you want it or not?" She asked him

Blaise took it and nodded in gratitude, he handed it to Draco, who pushed it away but eventually, Blaise gave up and dumped it down Draco's throat, Hermione saw the moment that the potion took effect

"You are so bloody annoying, you know that right?" Draco groaned in annoyance

"The only one who is annoying is you," Blaise said