Make Him Pay

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There were many things that Hermione Granger wished she could forget. 

The Wizarding War was one of them.

Not that peace and prosperity were bad things. The vanquishing of the Dark Lord meant that life could continue as normal. Hogwarts would reopen. Babies could be born into wizarding families without the threat of impending doom ruining their first birthdays.

But the massive cloud behind that silver lining was that Hermione was somewhat of a celebrity now. And if there was one thing she hated more than anything, it was excessive attention. 

The voice of her best friend yanked her back into the present. 

"Are you ready?" Harry whispered to her. 

Hermione, Harry, and Ron walked arm in arm down the corridor. Torches flickered merrily in their holdings as they made their way to the Great Hall. The chatter of excited voices bounced off the stone walls and ceiling. Hermione took a deep breath and nodded. Harry fixed her with a stare that said, "It'll be over soon."

They had reached the doors of the Great Hall, where a good portion of the school had already been seated. Hermione suddenly became very interested in her shoes as she made her way between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. 

Whispers followed the three young wizards as they continued down the table. Hermione kept her eyes trained at the ground. 

After what seemed like an eternity, they reached their usual spot along the bench. Hermione sat down quickly, glancing around to see if anyone was still staring. Of course, many people were. Fascinated Second Years peered down the table at her. Admiring Third years whispered excitedly. One Fourth Year was even pointing at Harry's scar and talking animatedly to his friend. Hermione fought the urge to roll her eyes. Although there were about fifty people staring at her and her friends, she tried to focus on the fact that she was back at her favorite place in the world. And no amount of whispers could change that. 

To Hermione's intense relief, Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium. All eyes turned to the headmistress.

"Greetings, students!" she exclaimed. The hall went silent. "Old and new, young and not-so-young, witches and wizards of all Houses. I am excited to announce the beginning of a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" The chamber erupted with applause. 

Suddenly, her expression shifted, from celebratory to solemn. There was a change in the energy of the room. The silence seemed to melt into the walls. 

"I know that it has been a hard summer for all of us."

A few pair of eyes shifted in Hermione's direction. 

"You all have been through quite the ordeal. Even now, months in the wake of disaster, we are still rebuilding a shaken community. I implore you, students, to use this time as a way to meet new friends. Let us try to forgive those with whom we've argued and become acquainted with those we may be unfamiliar with. If the recent turmoil has shown me anything, it is that life is momentary. I want you all to take care and cherish the time you have left in this castle. Don't let your prejudice work against you."

The silence following McGonagall's speech was deafening. Although she hadn't said it explicitly, Hermione could tell that the entire room saw right through her words.  she was saying, discreetly. There was a small smattering of applause around the Hall. Hermione clapped once or twice, but she couldn't help feeling that the headmistress's request was going to be a difficult one to fulfill. Try as she might, her grudge against the Slytherins ran deep. She could hardly even believe that some of them had decided to return to Hogwarts- after all, they had been on the losing side of the Wizarding War. 

She risked a glance across the room and, to her disappointment, found what she was looking for.

A familiar set of cold, grey eyes. 

Neither Malfoy nor Hermione made any acknowledgement toward each other. They simply held each others gaze. Hermione felt something electric begin at the base of her spine. Malfoy's stare bore into hers. 

And then, so subtly she could've imagined it, Malfoy nodded curtly. It wasn't friendly, nor was it territorial. It was something of a neutral acknowledgement. Nothing like the sneers and taunts that Malfoy had previously thrown at Hermione and her friends. 

McGonagall's words rang in her ears.

Before she could think more on the subject, Professor McGonagall's final exclamation echoed dully in her ears. 

"Dig in!"

The plates filled suddenly with food and everyone around Hermione excitedly began piling their plates. She quickly shifted her gaze away from the Slytherin table. Harry and Ron seemed totally unbothered as they loaded up their dishes. Hermione tried to wipe that grey stare from her mind. It was her first night back in her favorite place in the world. She should enjoy herself. 

When she looked back toward him, Draco was talking animatedly with the rest of his Slytherin cronies. He was obviously mimicking someone- his face was twisted into a sneer as the table around him rocked with laughter. 

Perhaps nothing had changed after all.

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