Tradition

01/10/96
Breakfast rolled around the next day and Hermione was out of the common room at a pace normally reserved for quidditch players in a match- determined to not bump into Harry or Ron. It was only once she’d reached the hall that it truest dawned on her what she’d signed up for, a meal with one of her worst enemies and their friends.
Astoria greeted her with a smile and introduced her to those she sat with; though Theo Nott and Blaise Zambini both seemed to be well acquainted with who she was, greeting her with sneers that could rival that of Parkinson’s, though the girl herself seemed to only look mildly uncomfortable at Hermiones sudden appearance at the slytherin table. This only served to make Hermione more determined to make it through this meal. Unsure of what to discuss, she thought it best to lead with an easy point of discussion, lessons.
“So, everyone finished the potions essay yet?”
“Not all of us are unbelievable try-hardships like yourself Granger,” Pansy drawled, suddenly seeming much more comfortable with her presence.
“Well, maybe that’s why your grade is so much lower than my own Parkinson”
Pansy looked shocked at Hermione’s response. Never before had she deigned to reply and never had Pansy thought Granger was possible of doing so. There was a moment of silence as the rest of the table took in what had just been said before laughter could be heard and the ice was broken between the group.
“Are you sure you’re not a slytherin Granger cause I’ve never seen someone put Pansy in her place like that before” Theo let out between bursts of laughter.
Hermiones face reddened, embarrassed by the attention being given to her by this group of people who would previously not looked twice at her.
Clearly trying to swerve the conversation away, Pansy quickly interjected “So just why are you here Granger?”
Unsure of how to respond, Hermione simply stared before the silence was taken up by Astoria.
“Her friends were being typical griffindors and me being the lovely person I am thought I’d take her in for the day”
Pansy scoffed,” The day you do something out of the kindness of your heart is the day Weasley buys designer clothes. What’s your motive here Tori?”
A silent conversation seems to happen but Hermione can’t keep up with it; the facial expressions of basically strangers being too complex to try and understand, before Pansy gets up from her seat and relocates to sit by Draco. The others in the group seem to get it though and quietly whisper and giggle amongst themselves at the revelation they seem to have had. This all happens so fast Hermione barely manages to keep up before the conversation is launched back into small talk about lessons and she’d never admit it but this breakfast, the one with those who are supposedly her enemies, was the most interesting one she’d had in months and it surprises even herself when she hears the words ,”can i join you guys again for lunch?” tumbling from her mouth.

And so she joins the group again for lunch and then for dinner, though Pansy doesn’t make the mistake of sitting down near them again for either instead opting to sit my Draco.
Just thinking about Pansy’s obsession with Draco Malfoy is enough to make Hermione feel sick. The idea of them together is horrifying to her; the two people she despises most in this world together?! Well they almost deserve each other, between Malfoy calling her a mudblood and Parkinson attacking her abilities it’s a wonder Hermione had any self esteem left, and yet she wouldn’t wish the curse of being stuck with Malfoy on Pansy. She didn’t understand what it was but Pansy always seemed to know when to back off at least, unlike Draco who would attack at any given opportunity- especially if it looked like it might make Granger cry.

Hermione pondered when Pansy had become a lesser evil in her mind as she walked the quiet path back to the common room by herself. She guessed it was when her friends had disregarded her feelings- at least Parkinson had never pretended to care in the first place.
“ ‘MIONE”
She didn’t even bother to turn her head, instead opting to increase her pace- maybe if she made it to her dorm faster she wouldn’t have to face them. A hand clamped down on her shoulder. Guess not then.
“We just wanna talk ‘mione,” Harry tried.
At her silence he continued,
“We didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just...well...you can’t really take part in the traditions and that’s not really our fault and since you know that we didn’t think you’d mind us talking about it”
“And why can’t i take part Harry? Explain it to me go on. Cause I know I saw other muggleborns going to participate so why not me?”
It was at this point that Ron decided he couldn’t stay quiet anymore.
“I just knew you hanging out with those slytherins was bad news. Infecting you with their stupid, evil views”
“What on earth do you mean Ronald?”
“Well everyone knows that they converted the muggleborns in their house so that the ministry wouldn’t completely outlaw dark magic and now you’re buying into their lies too. They’re evil ‘mione. I can’t even look at you anymore. You disgust me. Go hang out with your stupid slytherin friends. See if I care.”
This was the final straw.
Hermione once again stormed off from her friends, only this time when she headed towards the dungeons she knew exactly where she was going.