That day after classes, we were all sitting in the common room going over our Transfiguration homework. It was only four thirty but the sky had turned an ominous grey and night seemed to be coming nearer. Before we knew it, it had begun to snow. The snowflakes fluttered to the ground softly and coated the grounds with white. Snow had accumulated on the window-sills too and in the distance Hagrid's hut loomed out of the fog that had started to gather a while ago.

Harry was siting in one of the armchairs by the fire with Ginny next to him while Abby plopped down on the armchair opposite Harry. I took my favourite window seat and got started with my homework immediately while Ron talked to Vanessa about something.

We were all working peacefully, the only noise being of the quills scratching on the parchment. The fire was roaring and the orange embers were enough to hypnotise anyone who looked closely at them.

I was nearly done with my essay and was just going over it once more when Ron spoke,

"Hey Hermione," he began. "Could you go over this for me? I think I got some things wrong." Oh now he talks to me! When he wants his homework done! I could feel my cheeks reddening and my temper flaring up.

"Look at the chapter in the textbook, Ron. It's all explained very well in there."

"But you can just go over my work and correct it. The textbook is so darn thick."

"Well, that's how I did it," I stated simply. I couldn't tell why, but Ron was seriously getting to me right now. He had been prancing about laughing with Vanessa and had completely ignored Ginny and I, until now that is. And what he said next hurt even more.

"Well, Hermione, I'm sorry to say that not all of us are genius nerds! Not to mention bossy know-it-alls."

I couldn't believe he had just gone there. Sure he had always teased me about studying and worrying too much, but never like this. Not this cruelly.

I could see Vanessa in the background with her hand on her mouth and a smug look on her face. That girl was seriously annoying me now. I didn't bother replying and just tried to ignore everyone as I looked over my essay one last time, but when Vanessa's girly voice cut through my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel even angrier.

"Do you want me to do it for you, Ron?"

"Yeah, please," Ron sighed as Vanessa reached out to grab the parchment from Ron's outstretched hand, her smile only got wider if that was even possible.

"Excuse me," I said, getting up from the window-seat, and carefully avoided Ron's legs as I made my way towards the girls' dormitories.

"Mione, it's only five thirty," Harry called, his voice laced with concern. I turned around just enough to look him in the eye and say,

"I'll see you at dinner, Harry," and I couldn't stop the single tear running down my face. Harry looked back at me sadly and nodded while Ginny just looked at me, trying to convey some sort of silent message. Oh well, I wasn't in the mood to make out silent messages anyway. She could tell me later. I walked up the staircase leading to my dorm and as soon as I opened the door, I dropped my bag on the floor and made for my bed. I made sure the curtains were fully drawn around me before I buried my face into the pillows.

I cried for around half an hour, until I couldn't stand it anymore. I had gained nothing in the past thirty minutes and it wasn't likely I would in the future either. So I decided to go to the library. Reading always calmed me down. When I got to the common-room, it was to find Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione playing exploding snap with Vanessa and Abby though Ginny seemed out of it. I pushed it to the back of my mind and concentrated on getting to portrait hole without getting noticed. As I opened the door however, I saw Harry's eyes dart towards me. They were filled with sympathy and kindness. But I decided to ignore it and walked on.

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The library was empty except for a few students. The smell of paper and ink mixed with roses reached my nose and I smiled, glad to be there. There was no smell I loved more than this one. To me, it was like stepping into a whole other world, one where no one would judge you or make rash comments about you. You would always be protected in this vast, untamed world that was full of places you could go and people you could meet through books.

I made my way towards a desk at the back and plopped down. Opening my bag, I got some parchment out along-with a quill and an ink bottle. I figured I'd better get started on some Charms homework so I went down the aisle to get a reference book.

*********************

About four hours had gone by and I was done with all my homework that was due Monday. That should give me some time to get some N.E.W.T prep done. I had managed to clear my head and was now feeling fairly better, although I had made up my mind not to talk to Ron or Vanessa. I was putting away my Potions essay when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I saw that it was Harry, his eyes filled with concern. It looked like he had run all the way here.

"Hermione," he whispered. "What are you doing here?"

"Homework," I stated firmly, avoiding his gaze. The truth was as soon as I had locked eyes with him, I had started to feel hurt all over again while Ron's words replayed in my mind. It seemed like those four hours of being absorbed in books had done no good at all.

"Hermione, come on," Harry said with a weak, wavering smile. "It's been four hours since you left. You need to rest."

"Harry, I'm fine," I told him but even I could make out the falseness in my tone. "Really, I am."

"No, you're not," he stated, dragging me to my feet and slinging my bag over his own shoulder.

It was dark outside and the only light in the deserted corridors was coming from the windows. The moon was full outside and moonlight was filtering in through the glass windows.

"Harry..." I started but was cut off by Harry's hand on my mouth, shushing me.

"Not here, Filch might see us and I forgot to bring my invisibility cloak."

We walked through the empty corridors until we came to the portrait hole. I pulled on Harry's sleeve and be turned around.

"Are they still in there?" I asked.

"No, now come on, you need to eat. Ginny's waiting too."

Ginny was propped up on her elbows by the fire and had a plate of roasted chicken in front of her. Her hair was almost the same colour as the fire.

"Hermione," she said as she stood up, facing me. "Where the bloody hell were you? You've been gone for four hours and we've been worried sick! Look at you, you look like you just woke up! And all because of that....that..."

"Git?"Harry offered. "Prat?"

"I was talking about that cow, Vanessa but yeah, Ron's acting like an idiot too," Ginny replied. I almost smiled. Almost.

"Look, guys, I'm okay, alright? I really couldn't care less about what people say about me." I grinned, well I hoped it was a grin anyway. It was, thankfully because Harry's expression changed and he pulled me into a warm, brotherly hug. Ginny soon joined and only after I had been forced to eat a whole roasted chicken with baked potatoes was I allowed to go to bed.

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A/N

So I really hope you liked this and thanks so much for reading. It would mean loads if you could vote and comment too! And i am so sorry for the late update but hopefully now i'll update sooner since i'm done with one of my other books. Check it out if you haven't already. It's a vampire/werewolf book and it's called THE SILVERLIGHT :-)