-Eden's Crush, "Love This Way"

As she went through the hallways people looked at her and frowned. It was as if she'd performed an Unforgivable Curse. But she hadn't. She'd just beaten up her ex-boyfriend. And he had deserved it in her opinion.

Hermione took a seat in Dumbledore's circular office. The atmosphere in the office was friendly, but Hermione was scared out of her wits. She didn't think she'd be expelled, but fighting was very much against the rules. Especially fighting of the non-wand kind.

"Hermione," said Dumbledore, his voice strong and stern, but calm all at the same time. "There is a lot we need to talk about."

Hermione looked down at her lap, wringing her hands still.

"I didn't mean to really hurt him...physically. I just---" Tears tried to force their way out of her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. She was done crying. She had to be strong now. "--it got out of hand. My emotions ran away with me."

Dumbledore gave her a sad look, but said nothing.

"I'm sorry," she said to her lap.

"Miss Granger, I am very displeased with your actions towards Mr. Zabini, but that is not really why I wanted to speak with you."

Hermione looked up, "It's not?"

Dumbledore smiled kindly, "No."

"Well, what is it---that you wanted to see me about, then?"

"Mr. Wood."

Hermione looked back at her lap, feeling very ashamed of herself. "I suppose you know that I fell asleep in his office, then."

"Yes, it was I who found you."

"You? But Harry....and Ron."

"I asked them to wake you up. I wanted to save you a little embarrassment."

Hermione smiled slightly, "Thank you."

Dumbledore nodded as if to say it was nothing. He put his hands on his desk and leaned forward. "What is going on between you and Mr. Wood, Hermione?"

"Nothing," she replied hastily. "We're just friends. I mean....he's a Professor."

"Yes, He is." Dumbledore sat back in his chair, lost in thought. He was quiet for a bit.

Hermione was glad of that, she had so many thoughts in her brain that she couldn't keep them straight. They kept swirling and swirling around, and she couldn't distinguish one from the other.

She sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Am I going to be expelled?"

"No," said Dumbledore, shocked. "Of course not."

"Oh," was all Hermione could say.

"You will have detention for breaking Mr. Zabini's nose, however. He has placed a complaint on you....detention for a week. If it happens again, Miss Granger, I'll have to take more drastic measures. His parents wanted you to be expelled."

Hermione laughed, "I'm sure they did. Is there any way to put in a complaint on a thoughtless bastard? One who goes around using girls for their bodies and then tossing them aside?" She suddenly realized what she'd said. She blushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to swear."

"I understand you have been through quite a lot over the last holidays," Dumbledore stated impassively.

She just nodded. "He was horrible to me."

"I don't doubt it," Dumbledore muttered to himself. To her, he said, "I am glad that Professor Wood was there for you....but you have to find someone else to turn to from now on. He has already had two warnings. Three strikes and you're out." Dumbledore waved his hand, "Muggle saying."

"I know," she laughed a little. Her expression remained serious. "I don't want him to get in trouble. He just happened to be there." She shrugged. "It won't happen again, sir."

"Good," smiled Dumbledore. "If you should need to talk, my office is always open. Well, open when you know the password."

"Thank you, Professor."

Dumbledore nodded, "Of course. I also suggest that you confide in Misters Potter and Weasley. They may be a big help, I think, in you getting back on your feet."

Hermione nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Hermione, I must ask another question. I don't really want to---but given the circumstances....."

"Blaise used me, sir. He pretended to like me just to get me to sleep with him." Hermione blushed and looked down at her feet.

"That was not my question, although I thank you for saying so. It helps to get things out." Dumbledore paused. "Miss Granger, do you have romantic feelings for Mr. Wood?"

Hermione's head snapped up and she stared at Dumbledore's blue eyes. She could almost see his mind working behind those half-moon spectacles.

She shook her head quickly, "No." She thought probably she was very transparent, it wasn't like Dumbledore had been born yesterday after all. "If I did, sir, I wouldn't act upon them."

"I know that, Hermione. It's not you I'm worried about."

"What do you mean?" Hermione questioned, her stomach suddenly hurting.

Dumbledore sighed, "You do know the effect you've had one some of the boys around here."

Hermione blushed a deeper shade of red, "Sort of."

"Well, sometimes people throw caution to the wind when their minds are not working properly. This could be the cause of a pretty girl...." His voice trailed off and his eyes landed on Hermione once more. "I want you to be careful...and I want you to keep your eyes open."

"Constant vigilance," whispered Hermione, nodding. "I understand."

"Good. Now, then. Do you wish to speak to me about anything else?"

Hermione would have liked nothing more than to escape from the constricting office and go to her room. But Dumbledore was being so nice. She felt trapped and she felt like his eyes were burning into her. When, in fact, Dumbledore was looking at Fawkes, who sat preening himself.

Hermione let her eyes wander around the room, finally landing on Fawkes as well.

"Do you think there's something going on between me and Professor Wood?" she asked the phoenix.

"No," answered Dumbledore, "but I think there could be....if you were given the chance."

"You know everything that's going on, don't you?" Hermione hadn't meant to sound rude, but really she was paying him a compliment.

He took it as so, "Yes," he chuckled. "Like I've told Mr. Potter, I don't need a cloak to be invisible."

Hermione nodded. There was some finality in his voice, so she stood. She was ready to leave anyway. She'd be up all night doing her work.

"Remember, Miss Granger, if you should need to talk."

She nodded before taking her leave from the office.

There was someone leaning against the wall next to the portrait hole when Hermione rounded the corner. Her mind was swimming with Dumbledore's talk. She nearly walked right into him, would have too if he hadn't spoken.

"Are you expelled?" Oliver asked, standing up and watching as Hermione made her way to the portrait.

"No," she said. "He just wanted to---er---talk to me about some things."

"I told him about you and Blaise. I hope you're not upset."

She shook her head and looked down at her shoes, "No. It's okay. I'm glad he didn't fire you."

"Yet," Oliver sighed. Hermione almost laughed out loud. He sounded just like her.

"Oliver?" Hermione ventured, not caring what the outcome of this question was.

"Hmm?" Oliver looked from the portrait to her. It was obvious the Fat Lady was interested to hear what they had to say. She was staring down at them with a most contemptuous smile playing on her painted lips.

Hermione took a deep breath, "Dumbledore seems to think there's something going on between us. Is there?"

Oliver looked like he was going to throw up. Hermione took that as a 'no.' Her heart sank considerably lower than it had in the last 24 hours.

"Is there?" Oliver echoed.

Hermione shrugged, "No."

"No," Oliver stated. "You're just an old friend." He sighed. "I better go to bed. If I'm caught with you again...."

"You'll get fired," Hermione finished. "I understand."

He started to walk off, but turned back to her. His face shown concern of a measure she had never seen before. "If you need someone to talk to.....go find Harry. He's a good lad."

Hermione nodded, feeling like she was going to break down completely and drown in her own tears. She pulled her chin up and looked him square in his lovely brown eyes, "I will. Thanks."

Oliver nodded and then disappeared down the stairs. She watched him go until she could no longer see the outline of his body. She leaned against the wall, feeling very faint. Hermione wasn't sure she'd be able to catch her breath ever again.

"I'm sorry, dear." Whispered the Fat Lady.

Hermione gave her a heavyhearted look, "Thank you. Chudley Cannons."

The portrait swung open and Hermione went through. The common room was still ablaze with activity, but Hermione wasn't up for it.

She spotted Harry and Ron sitting alone playing Wizard's Chess. As she walked across the room, heads turned to stare at her dispirited face. Hermione ignored all of them, keeping her eyes on Harry and Ron's chessboard.

She plopped down in a heavy armchair next to Harry and leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder.

Harry gave Ron a look that said, "What's going on?"

Ron shrugged back and mouthed, "Dunno." He cleared his throat and spoke to Hermione, "What's wrong?"

"He broke up with me!" She wailed, tears springing from her eyes at once. "And we weren't even dating!"

Harry placed an arm around her shoulders gently. He wasn't really sure what to do. He didn't know what she needed at that moment.

But Hermione did. She knew what she needed. And his name was Oliver Wood.

|