After the "Horcrux Incident" as Hermione liked to call it, it'd be nice to say that everything went back to normal - that Harry, Ron, and Genevieve made more of an effort to make sure Hermione was up to date and Hermione found time and made an effort to join them in their mission. Unfortunately, things don't always go the way you want them to.
Two days after the incident, Dumbledore announced at breakfast that OWL results would be handed out during dinner and that the names of the new Head Boy and Head Girl would be posted after dinner. Needless to say, Hermione was a bundle of nerves the whole day. She found herself looking at the clock every few minutes willing it to move faster and she couldn't concentrate in any of her classes. Even when Neville spilled something on her shoe during potions that turned her shoe blue, she merely changed the colour back to black and murmured "Thank you, Neville". Speaking of Potions, Snape was rather relieved to finally have a day without Hermione's hand constantly in the air. He contemplated reprimanding her for not paying attention but he didn't want to remind her to concentrate and have that stupid hand constantly in his face for the rest of the class. All day, everyone (except of course for the Slytherins) kept coming up to Hermione to congratulate her and/or wish her luck. Everyone kept telling her that she would get it for sure. Hermione simply smiled back and thanked them. She didn't want to jinx it and so she didn't make any further comments.
Finally, dinner came. Hermione barely ate anything because she didn't think the butterflies in her stomach would let her keep food in it. Halfway through dinner, the school owls came in and dropped a parchment in front of every 7th year student. With trembling hands Hermione unrolled her parchment.
Hermione Granger, 7th year, Gryffindor
Ancient Runes – O
Arithmancy – O
Care of Magical Creatures – O
Charms – O
Defense Against the Dark Arts – O
Herbology – O
History of Magic – O
Muggle Studies – O
Potions – O
Transfiguration – O
O Outstanding, E Exceeds Expectations, A Acceptable, P Poor, D Dreadful, T Troll
With a huge sigh, and an even bigger smile on her face, Hermione rolled her parchment back up. She had done it. Straight Os was the best she could've gotten and she got it. All her hard work had paid off. She now just had to wait until the new Head Girl name was posted. At this point though, that was merely a formality. She did, after all get the best grades possible so there's really no reason why she wouldn't get it. For once in her life, Hermione wholeheartedly believed what others have been telling her all these years. Maybe she is smart. Maybe she does deserve Head Girl after all. A moan broke her out of her reverie.
"A D in Potions?! And a P in History of Magic?! Mum's gonna kill me!" Ron moaned. "It's not my fault that Snape hates us and that Binns is about as interesting as watching paint dry."
Everyone laughed. "I'm sure it'll be alright Ron," Hermione said.
"Yeah," said Ginny trying hard not to laugh. "I'm sure Mum won't kill you. Fred and George did worse on their exams and they're still alive. They're now both deaf in one ear but still alive." That had everyone going again. That is, until an owl flew in and dropped a very red piece of parchment in front of Ron.
"Bloody hell," Ron groaned. "I forgot they send out the scores to our parents at the same time."
"I'd get out of here and open it somewhere else mate," Harry warned. "You wouldn't want a repeat of what happened before do you?"
Ron gulped and ran out the Great Hall clutching the Howler in his hand.
"So Hermione," said Genevieve after everyone had calmed down and started showing others what they got. "How did you do?"
"Alright," said Hermione.
"Can I see it?"
"Sure," Hermione handed her parchment over and Genevieve gave Hermione hers.
Genevieve Harrington, 7th year, Gryffindor
Ancient Runes – O
Arithmancy – O
Care of Magical Creatures – O
Charms – O
Defense Against the Dark Arts – O
Divination – O
Flying - O
Herbology – O
History of Magic – O
Potions – O
Transfiguration – O
O Outstanding, E Exceeds Expectations, A Acceptable, P Poor, D Dreadful, T Troll
"Wow Genevieve," said Hermione. "You did great! Congratulations!"
"Not so bad yourself, Hermione," replied Genevieve with a smile.
As other students came up to talk to Genevieve, Hermione turned back to her food and noticed that Dumbledore was gone from his seat.
Hmm, he must've gone to post the list.
Wanting to see it before everyone else crowded around it, Hermione excused herself by saying she needed to go to the bathroom. She walked as fast as she thought she could without drawing attention to herself. Once she was out of the Great Hall, Hermione caught a glimpse of bright purple robes leaving the Entrance Hall.
That must be Dumbledore for sure.
Now that no one else was there to watch her, Hermione quickly ran to the Entrance Hall where sure enough, a white piece of paper was taped to the glass case which held the House Cup near the main door.
This is it.
Six years of hard work all came down to this simple, white piece of paper. Becoming Head Girl was what Hermione wanted the most. It was the only way of validating her place in the wizarding world – of confirming that she made the right choice in defying her parents' plan for her in the muggle world. Sure, she had helped Harry save the wizarding world a few times and one would think that that warranted a place in the magical world. Some might even say she deserved a place of honor for her actions. However, most people still gave Harry all the credit and while Hermione did not resent this, nor did she crave more attention, there were those who denied her involvement completely, saying that she was merely at the right place at the right time and, because of her association with Harry, had simply been "pulled along for the ride". Becoming Head Girl was her way of defining her place in this world on her own terms. After all, if, as is synonymous with the Head Girl/Boy position, she was deemed the best of the best, then surely she belonged here.
With a deep breath, Hermione looked up and read the paper.
Head Girl – Genevieve Harrington
oOoOoOoOoOo
Hermione stopped breathing. She heard a rushing sound in her ears and her head started to pound. Four words – four measly little words and her dream was shattered. She couldn't believe it! She read it over and over and over again.
Genevieve Harrington Genevieve Harrington Genevieve Harrington
Head Girl – Genevieve Harrington
This was not happening. This is a nightmare. Wake up Hermione. But she didn't. This was real. All her hard work... the rushing sound in her ears turned into buzzing. The buzzing became louder and louder. With a jolt, Hermione realized it was the sound of students coming out of the Great Hall. Coming out and headed her way. With tears blurring her eyes, Hermione ran in the opposite direction before anyone could see her.
oOoOoOoOoOo
After a few minutes of running, Hermione's lungs started to protest and the ache in her chest jolted her back to reality. She found herself outside the castle, on the shore of the lake. It was pretty windy and the wind stung her cheeks and chilled her through her thin school blouse. Hermione didn't care. She collapsed onto the grass and stared at her reflection in the dark water, replaying the past 6 years in her head. What had she done wrong? She worked so hard...
The smartest witch of her age. Hermione scoffed at the title. Obviously that wasn't good enough.
It's not that she was being arrogant, it's just that everyone's expectations of her – they were all so sure she was going to get it – made it an even greater (and more shocking) letdown.
Then Genevieve had to come in and take her dream away. She took –
Hermione jumped up. She had to make sure. She needed reassurance. She needed to know she still mattered. She needed Harry and Ron.
With that thought, she quickly ran back to the castle.