Why Would You Want to Crush Harry?

Hermione sat in the Hospital Wing and stared into space. Last time she'd been to the Hospital Wing, at least a dozen people had gone to visit her. In the past day, only Alavel had been there to check on her.

They're afraid of me. Just like Luna.

So there she sat, alone, a blanket over her legs, which she'd drawn into her chest.

"I suppose I've got no one to blame but myself," she muttered.

"What was that, Dear?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

"Nothing. Just talking to mys— thinking aloud."

"That's a little more like you."

Sally-Anne walked into the Hospital Wing. She smiled at Hermione, then sat in the bed beside her.

"You're not afraid of me?" Hermione asked.

"Terrified, but I don't think you'll hurt me on purpose."

"I'm glad all that work Rose did on your Diplomacy Modifier was worth it."

"Would you rather me lie?"

Hermione sighed, then shook her head.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like the past few months have been one long nightmare." Hermione looked away. "And it hasn't gotten any better. Rose is still gone."

Sally-Anne moved to Hermione's bed.

"Hermione, would you please look at me?"

"Why? My face is still wrong."

"Only if that's the way you choose to think about it."

Hermione sighed again, then glared at Sally-Anne.

"Why are you here?"

"Because I'm worried about you. We all are."

For a moment, Hermione saw Ron's face, just the way he'd looked in the library. She saw his face, full of contempt, and knew that it was all her fault.

"Even Ron."

Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"You're lying."

"I hate lying."

Hermione smirked. "You didn't deny it."

Sally-Anne's face took on a stern look, reminding her of Professor McGonagall. "Hermione, please stop playing games. We're all worried about you, and yes, they're all afraid of you, apart from Neville, who won't leave Luna's side apart from class, and can't get to her fast enough after class. Harry doesn't want to include you in his club anymore, because he doesn't want to risk you hurting someone. I'm not going to take it easy on you, because I know you can take it: You've made a mess of things this time. What are you going to do about it?"

Hermione sat and stared at Sally-Anne, trying to come up with an answer. No matter how hard she tried, nothing came to mind.

"I could've killed Luna," she said at last. "I should probably stay here for everyone's safety."

"Do you really want to stay here?"

"Of course not! But what else can I do?"

Sally-Anne gave her a gentle smile.

"Just worry about getting better. And remember that you don't need to get better right away. Professor Umbridge isn't out to get you, she's just someone the Ministry sent. Sure, the Minister should probably trust Professor Dumbledore more, but he's probably just scared. If He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named really did come back, it'd be terrifying. I think he just doesn't want to deal with that possibility."

"So we should just—"

"Let the adults handle it, please. You're not Rose, and no one's asking you to handle it. I know you feel powerless; I've felt it too. But this isn't the way to fix that."

Hermione couldn't get Ron's face out of her head, but something inside her said it was okay.

"I… I…" Tears rolled down her face. "I'm sorry about what I did to Ron."

"There, now," Sally-Anne said. "That's more like it. Worry about normal problems. We can all help with those."

Hermione scowled at Sally-Anne.

"I've missed that look. Don't go back to Ron, though; that's done. Besides, you've got to work on yourself before you're ready to be with someone again."

Hermione nodded. She hated admitting it, but Sally-Anne was right. She was in no shape to burden someone else with her problems.

"Just stay here," Sally-Anne said. "Rest up, and you'll feel better in no time."

She patted Hermione's knees, then stood up. "I'll tell Professor Vector to come by and visit. So long as you take it easy, I'm sure you two will find plenty to talk about."

"Thanks, Princess."

"You're welcome, Brain."

On her way out of the Hospital Wing, Sally-Anne bumped into a welcomed face.

"Good afternoon, Cedric," Sally-Anne said.

"Hey, Sally-Anne. Is Hermione…" He motioned down the corridor towards the Hospital Wing.

"She's awake, and apart from a load of self-pity, she's fine." Sally-Anne smiled. "I'm sure she'll be quite pleased to see you."

Cedric smiled back. "That's brilliant. I could use some good news today."

Sally-Anne frowned.

That can't be good.

"What happened?"

Cedric shrugged. "Nothing to worry about. Just… Cho and I broke up, that's all. Like I said, nothing to worry you about."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Cedric shook his head, looking a little forlorn. "It was going to happen eventually. With everything going on with Hermione, I've got my attention more on her than normal, and Cho keeps getting jealous of her."

"Some people can't understand that concern isn't the same as romantic interest, I suppose," Sally-Anne said, mentally filing the information away for later.

"Tell me about it."

"I've got to be off," Sally-Anne said, not wanting to get more into Cedric's personal life than she had too. She worried the temptation to use anything more she found out would be too great. "Thank you for visiting Hermione. I'm sure seeing you will cheer her up. Just… make sure she understands that your concern is only concern."

Cedric nodded understandingly. "I will. See you later."

"See you."

Sally-Anne started off, then remembered a question she'd been harboring for weeks.

"My apologies, but there's something I need to ask you."

Cedric chuckled, then turned around. "What is it?"

"How's Ellie doing?"

The smile faded from Cedric's face. "Not well. She sort of ignores people. Doesn't try to reach out to anyone. She's always been rather attached to Max, but lately he says she's just… distant."

Sally-Anne frowned, feeling a slight pang of guilt over the whole thing. Malfoy had been after her, and Harry and Ellie had been caught in the crossfire.

"Thank you. Max never seems to want to talk about her. I was starting to worry."

"We all are."

One look at Cedric's face told Sally-Anne that he both wanted to stop talking about Ellie and start moving towards Hermione.

"That's all, I promise. Enjoy your day."

Sally-Anne smiled again, then allowed Cedric to be on his way. A minute passed before another important piece of information hit her.

"Oh no," she said. "Harry!"

She walked as quickly as she could without running or breaking her posture. Fortunately, she ran into the one person that would understand her entire argument.

"Ms. Perks, it looks like you're rather close to breaking the 'no running' rule," Alavel said. "Care to explain why?"

"Cedric just broke up with Cho because she was jealous that he was spending so much time worrying about Hermione and maybe not as much about her, and knowing people that get jealous they tend to want to make people jealous back, so I'm trying to reach Harry before Cho does because I don't think he's entirely over her, and she'll be looking for an easy target to ask out and make Cedric jealous, and I don't want her using Harry like that."

"Ms. Perks, breathe."

Sally-Anne sucked in as much air as she could as soon as she finished talking. She then took a moment to calm herself down before hyperventilating.

"Thank you, Alavel."

"You're welcome. Now, supper will begin soon, and Mr. Potter sits at the Gryffindor table these days. In all likelihood, you'll reach him before Ms. Chang does. I don't think you need to worry quite as much as you are. Even if Ms. Chang reaches Mr. Potter before us, I doubt he'll so easily succumb to her attempts to use him."

"I hope so."

"Harry!"

Harry turned and smiled when he saw Cho approaching him. She smiled back at him with the same look she'd had just before Harry had tried getting her into Snape's lessons. His heart beat faster the closer she got.

"H-hey, Cho. What's… erm… hi!"

She laughed at his attempts to talk.

"How're you doing?" Harry finally managed.

"Not good."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Harry watched the smile fade from her face, then Cho burst into tears.

"Cedric and I broke up!"

Harry didn't know what to feel. At first, he was excited that Cho was available, then upset that she was upset. He chose to act on the feelings of upset, because he figured Alavel would've preferred that.

"I'm sorry."

He took a few steps closer to Cho. He started to move his arms in an awkward attempt to hug her, but she flung herself into his arms before he could get them fully raised.

"I'm really, really sorry."

They stood together in the corridor for a minute before Harry spoke up again.

"Cho, if… if it's alright with you… why don't… why don't we go to Hogsmeade on Sunday?"

Cho's sobs died down, and she looked up at Harry.

"Really?"

"Yeah. To… to help take your mind off things."

"I'd love that." She leaned up, kissed him on the cheek, then walked off. "I'll see you then."

"If not sooner!" Harry called back.

His run-in with Cho left him in high spirits up until he sat down for dinner.

"Harry, there you are," Sally-Anne said. "I wanted to warn you, Cedric and Cho broke up, so—"

"I know," Harry said, making no attempt to hide his excitement. "Cho told me."

Sally-Anne's smile visibly sank. "Oh. I see."

"What?"

"Why were you talking to Cho?"

"What's it matter to you?"

Sally-Anne closed her eyes for a second and took a breath. "That's not what I meant. Is everything alright?"

"Better than that, me and her are going to Hogsmeade this weekend." Harry had to fight to keep his voice down, even though they were masked by doublespeak. It'd become habit with he and his friends to activate it when they spoke. He never forgot, even as excited as he was.

"Oh."

Once again, Sally-Anne was visibly bothered by the news. Why couldn't she just be happy for him for once?

"What's wrong?"

"Cho broke up with Cedric because she was jealous of all the attention he was paying Hermione. I'm worried she asked you out to make Cedric jealous."

"She didn't ask me out, I asked her. I can do it without your help."

"I know that, I just… I don't want you to get hurt, that's all."

"Cho's not going to hurt me," Harry snapped. "That's your job, isn't it?"

He regretted the words the moment he said them, but he refused to back down. Instead, Harry stood up and moved down to where Ron was sitting with Lavender and Parvati. He tried to put the conversation with Sally-Anne out of his mind, and instead chose to focus on Cho. Even then, his biggest question still lurked in his mind, and he stole a glance at the Hufflepuff table.

Sure enough, Ellie was sitting alone, picking at some food. Conversations were going on around her, but she wasn't part of them. Part of him wanted to go talk to her, but he didn't know if he could trust her anymore. He was starting to think he couldn't trust Sally-Anne either, and he didn't trust Hermione around students at all.

Princess could be right about whats-her-name, you know.

It disturbed Harry that he heard Rose's voice in his head sometimes, but she had a point. What if Sally-Anne was right about Cho? Could he trust her?

All Harry knew was that he was running out of people he could trust. He glanced up at the teachers' table where Alavel sat next to Hagrid. The two spoke cheerfully together, even evoking the occasional laugh. He smiled at Alavel, who returned his smile just for a second.

At least I can trust Alavel.

Harry tuned back into the conversation Ron was having with the girls. It sounded like a dramatic version of their last Quidditch match from a few weeks ago. Harry joined in where he could, putting his concerns about everyone else in the back of his mind.

Luna woke up and found Tutela next to her.

"I'm okay," she whispered. "It… it was just a nightmare."

I will trap you in the worst of your dreams.

Neville's voice from her dreams sent shivers down her spine. She shook her head, trying to force the dream away.

<Toad's nice, right?>

<Nicer than anyone you've met.>

You will never again awaken, never know a life of happiness.

<I think there's a mean Neville.>

<It was just a dream, Moon. One of the other Lunas can worry about it.>

Luna washed and dressed. Then she worked on her hair. She tried to think how Toad always liked it.

She will die screaming and alone, abandoned by the friend who swore to protect her.

After she'd dropped her brush three times, Tutela hopped into her lap and curled up. Calmed by the presence of her guardian, she eventually made it through fixing her hair.

Even as she walked down to breakfast, she couldn't shake the memory. Why was one of the Nevilles so mean?

"Luna, are you alright?" Toad asked at breakfast.

"I'm okay." Even she didn't believe her smile.

"Bad dream?" he asked.

Luna paused for a moment, decided it wasn't a question meant to trick her, then nodded.

It's alright. It's only a dream.

Luna looked at Toad's face, but all she could see was the lifeless gaze of the Neville from her dream. She heard his voice, speaking slowly and menacingly.

"I think I'll take a walk outside today," she said.

"That sounds fun. When were you planning on going?"

"Just me," Luna said. "I don't know when."

After breakfast, Luna walked outside to where she knew no one went. It was a peaceful morning as she walked along the vegetable patch. Although no snow had fallen yet, there was a chill in the air. It sent shivers through her body, but her ring kept her comfortable. When she reached her destination, she touched the pendant her sister had given her in May. It saddened her a little to think that it was the last thing she'd gotten from Rose.

Luna walked over and sat down in the shade of the Whomping Willow.

"Salutations."

"Ah, good morning to you, Luna Lovegood. What a fine morning it is, wouldn't you say?"

Luna thought back to her dream and frowned as she shifted in place. "Not really. I had a bad dream."

"I'm so terribly sorry to hear that. Would you care to talk about it?"

"Not really. I just wanted to go somewhere where no one else would be."

"Please, stay as long as you like. If you feel the desire for some invigorating conversation, don't hesitate to let me know. As always, I merely request that you refrain from touching me or entering my personal space."

Luna nodded, knowing how much the Whomping Willow hated being touched. She'd watched unfortunate birds fly into the Willow, only to be thrown back out. It kept other students away, so she didn't mind. She just liked the opportunity to be alone.

Sally-Anne walked into a familiar pink room the following day and found Professor Umbridge waiting for her. It concerned her that she'd been summoned to her office, especially given the events of the past several days. Still, it also could've been completely innocent, so she chose to keep a positive attitude.

"Ms. Perks, right on schedule." Umbridge motioned to the seat in front of her desk. "Please, take a seat."

Sally-Anne did as she was told, keeping her posture straight and a neutral expression on her face.

Umbridge slid a cup and saucer closer to her. "Would you care for some tea?"

Sally-Anne's fist instinct was to accept, but she remembered teachings from both her mother and Rose.

Always have someone check for poison before accepting a drink from anyone. Detect poison is a low-level spell, so someone should have it on hand.

If you don't see it poured, assume it's drugged. Even if they're having the same thing, you can't know if they put something in yours and not theirs.

"I haven't had much of an appetite all day, I'm afraid," Sally-Anne said as politely as she could manage. "That's very kind of you to offer, though."

Umbridge eyed her for a moment, which Sally-Anne took to study the look. Smile small, but not a frown, eyes focused, head tilted just a little. What Sally-Anne was looking at was a practiced look.

"Suite yourself," Umbridge said, withdrawing the saucer. "I heard there was an incident involving one of your friends, although I haven't received details yet. Would you happen to know anything about it?"

As much as Sally-Anne didn't agree with what her friends were doing and really wanted them to stop, she got a bad feeling about telling Umbridge. Specifically, the fact that Professor Dumbledore hadn't seen fit to inform Umbridge. Further, getting Umbridge involved would almost certainly set off Hermione, and that was the last thing any of them wanted.

"Has someone mentioned to you the incident last year at the World Cup?" Sally-Anne asked.

"Is it important?"

"To this, yes. I'm sure you're aware that there were Death Eaters there?"

"Why, that's preposterous," Umbridge scoffed. "I'd heard of the reports, but they were simply troubled individuals dressed as Death Eaters."

Sally-Anne couldn't deny her claim; in fact, it seemed more than likely that the people at the World Cup had just been imitators, not old followers proclaiming Voldemort's coming rise to power. At least, she hoped they weren't. If they had been, that implied that the plan had been secured from the very beginning.

"Whatever they were, one of them used the Cruciatus Curse on my friend Hermione. She's still not quite right, that's all. She had a panic attack, but now Madame Pomfrey's got her secured in the Hospital Wing, and only a few of us are allowed to visit her."

Umbridge sipped her own tea, retaining the neutral look. "I see. And no one saw fit to inform me of this?"

"I don't know what to tell you, Professor. I'm only a prefect, I don't decide who tells you what, apart from myself, of course."

Umbridge took another sip of her tea, then placed her cup on its own saucer. "Thank you for telling me all this."

"Will that be all?"

"One last thing. You've grown understandably fond of the staff here, and with Professor Dumbledore's recent claims of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returning to power, no one would blame you for believing him. After all, you've grown accustomed to them telling you the facts."

Sally-Anne was certain she knew where Umbridge was leading her, but she listened nonetheless.

"I assure you I am not your enemy, despite what some may think."

"I know. The Ministry's just trying to do what's right."

Umbridge smiled at her.

"What a bright girl you are."

"I wouldn't call myself bright, but certainly more mature than my peers."

"Quite."

"And even though I trust Harry — we are friends, of course — I understand you can't act on anything he's said. While his word is enough for Professor Dumbledore, it can't be enough for the Ministry. He's just one person. I think calling him a liar in class might've been a little much, but he and Professor Dumbledore shouldn't be pushing so hard."

While Sally-Anne spoke, Umbridge picked up her cup and took another sip of tea. She placed it down when Sally-Anne finished, eyeing her with a look Sally-Anne didn't recognize. It seemed a cross between suspicion and interest.

"They're making claims without proof," Umbridge said. "The Ministry is simply keeping order. If people were all so gullible, there would be mass panic. One boy's hurt feelings are a small price to pay for order, wouldn't you agree?"

Sally-Anne frowned. Harry was her best friend; she'd had a crush on him for years. But even then, looking at the bigger picture, even if Voldemort was still alive, it would surely be easier for the Ministry to handle him without mass panic. People believed all sorts of myths about him; with hysteria to exaggerate the danger, allowing people to believe he'd returned would only cause problems.

"I suppose that makes sense," Sally-Anne said slowly. "Harry's had lots of people telling him he's wrong about this or that. If I can get him to ease up about this one, would you mind not calling him a liar in front of everyone again?"

Without taking her eyes off Sally-Anne, Umbridge took another sip of tea.

"I see now why McGonagall chose you to be a prefect." She gave a small hum of thought. "I suppose your request is reasonable. I shall consider it."

Sally-Anne smiled and nodded.

"I appreciate that. Will that be all?"

"For now." Umbridge drew a black quill from a drawer and placed it on her desk. "I look forward to meeting with you again, Ms. Perks. You've certainly given me a good start to my day."

"I'm glad I could be of assistance."

Sally-Anne stood up and straightened her dress.

"Please send the next person in when you see them."

Sally-Anne nodded and left Umbridge's office. After looking around, she spotted the next person.

"Luna?"

Luna looked up at Sally-Anne from her spot on the floor.

"Salutations, Princess."

"Neville's been worried sick about you," Sally-Anne said. "He says he's hardly spoken to you in days."

A look crossed Luna's face that made her look an awful lot like a kicked puppy. "Oh. I guess I haven't."

Sally-Anne crouched down next to her and rested a hand on Luna's shoulder. "Whatever it is, he'd want you to talk to him about it." Whispering, she added, "I think he's rather keen on you."

Luna blushed, something Sally-Anne was certain she'd never seen Luna do.

"You think?"

"I do. Find him after you talk to Professor Umbridge. The two of you can sort it out together."

Luna smiled sheepishly, another expression with which Sally-Anne was unfamiliar from Luna.

"And if you fancy him, ask him out. You'll regret not asking him more; trust me, I know."

"I suppose you would."

Sally-Anne was pleased that she didn't have to explain something to Luna, although she had a feeling that she and Luna were thinking of two completely different things.

"Anyway, Professor Umbridge is ready for you. Try not to get into too much trouble, okay?"

Luna responded with a silent grin.

She's gonna get into trouble, Sally-Anne thought as she walked away.

At dinner, there was still no sign of Luna. Neville sighed. He wanted to find her and talk to her, but if she needed space for some reason, he didn't want to bother her. Acting mostly on instinct, he sat down at the Ravenclaw table.

"Lovegood's not here," Roger said through a mouthful of food. "Think she's in her room or something."

"I noticed," Neville said. "Is it alright if I sit here anyway?"

"Sure! Most of us are too afraid of you to kick you out!"

Neville couldn't help but laugh. Rose had enjoyed the same privileges for the same reasons.

"Thanks, I think."

Neville spotted Melody a few seats down from him and decided to move closer.

"Melody, have you seen Luna?"

Melody shook her head.

"Not since this morning. She said she had to meet with Professor Umbridge about something."

Neville frowned as a bad feeling swept over him. He turned his head slowly, hoping to avoid drawing suspicion, to the teachers' table. Sure enough, Umbridge was not in her seat.

"When did you last see her?" he asked calmly, his eyes still fixed on the teachers' table.

"This morning." Melody squeezed her eyes shut. "I can't think when. I'm sorry!"

Neville turned back to her and smiled. "There's no need to apologize. I'll see what I can find out."

With that, Neville took off from dinner and headed straight for Umbridge's office. He didn't think it'd do any good, but if Moon were in trouble, he was determined to be there for her.