Aurelian (Dramione)

Chapter 36: Frustration and Resentment

Hermione awoke from her rest feeling a little better. She assured herself that there was nothing else that could possibly happen that evening to upset her further, but she was wrong. When she returned with Draco after setting up monitoring spells on The Burrow and Malfoy Manor, Harry asked to speak with her. She accompanied him to the sitting room where the rest of the house was gathered. He apologized for making plans behind her back and vowed to never do so again, but his promise was not without condition. He assured her that it pained him to request it, but Harry insisted that she not leave Grimmauld Place unless her request was discussed and agreed upon by at least three other members of the Order of the Phoenix. To say that she was upset was an incredible understatement. Her prior outrage was nothing to the way she shouted her protests then. She looked to the others for support and felt betrayed when all of them seemed to side with Harry. Even Ginny, whom she'd counted on for support, believed that it was best for her to remain safe at Grimmauld Place.

Harry tried his best to explain himself but when he compared her situation with that of Sirius, when it was necessary for him to remain in the headquarters, she only became more enraged. It was not until Harry had threatened to place her under official house arrest, wards and all, that she resentfully surrendered.

Determined not to subject herself to any further emotional distress, Hermione returned to her room early, locking herself inside. The bottle of sleeping draught was still on the dresser from the night before and she consumed it eagerly. Draco would have to find somewhere else to sleep that night because she was not in the mood for anyone's company, including his.

When Friday morning dawned, Hermione awoke feeling a little better yet again. There was just something about sleep that allowed her to rise with a fresh start. That was not to say that she was not still bitter, only that the emotional ache had subsided somewhat. She was still quite upset with everyone for what she felt was an act of betrayal. She knew that they were doing it because they cared and wanted her to be safe, but she felt that they did not trust her judgment and lacked faith in her abilities.

It helped to see that she was not the only one whose comings and goings were monitored. Though she was, by far, the most restricted in the group, everyone's comings and goings were discussed. Ron, much to his mother's dismay, insisted upon returning to work. Harry agreed that it was a good idea because Ron had access to a lot of information and could keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. For his mother's sake, he swore not to go anywhere alone. Mr. Weasley also returned to work, but no one was really concerned as he would remain safe in his office at the Ministry. Ginny, of course, being Harry's girlfriend and the baby of the Weasley family, was watched nearly as closely as Hermione. She was given the right to go to her team practice that day, but only because Harry would escort her and would watch the entire time.

The heightened security over all the house's occupants helped Hermione to accept her position a little easier, but she was still bitter that they had stripped away her rights and her freedom. She knew it was because they cared, but it still felt like a punishment that she didn't deserve and it upset her.

They all watched her tentatively, waiting for her to approach them first, not wanting to upset her any more than they already had. She did not approach them though. She kept to herself most of the day, only allowing Aurelian's company. Harry was stunned when she spoke to him after breakfast, but it was very short and to the point. She had asked him to retrieve her research on the Fidelius Charm from the office, reminding him tartly that she would not be able to go herself. She walked away before he could answer, but only an hour later, he found her in the library and handed over the papers and books she had asked for. It was frustrating, monotonous work, but she had never appreciated it more. The difficulty of the work prevented her from thinking about other things. She was able to fully immerse herself in her books and translations. Aurelian came and went and Hermione was glad to take breaks to read, play, or sing with him.