"Breaking Points"

-DURING BREAKFAST, THE MALFOY SIBLINGS GOT LETTERS FROM LUCIUS AND NARCISSA. Adhara read hers, lips quirking up when she was done. She stood up afterwards and grabbed her bag.

"Where to?" Draco asked, folding the letter in his hands and putting it in his bag. "Classes don't start yet."

Adhara nodded. "I know. I'm going to the library."

Adhara didn't go to class. Instead, she skipped the classes she had and spent her time in the library, a book in her hands as she stared out the window.

It felt peaceful.

Being alone.

That peace was interrupted by none other than her godfather, Severus Snape. "Why are you not in classes, Ms. Malfoy?"

   "Black-Malfoy," corrected his goddaughter, earning an eyeroll from the man.  She then sighed and looked out the window again. "I'm not in the mood to go to classes, Sev."

   "Going to classes doesn't depend on your mood," pointed out the man with a raised eyebrow. "I suggest you head to your class, unless you want twenty points from Slytherin taken."

   "Take it." Adhara shrugged carelessly.

   Snape's eyes narrowed. "Pardon?"

   "Take the points. I'm sorry, Sev, but I just need some time alone."

   Snape looked at her for a moment, then turned around and left, his robes flowing behind him. He let the girl be.

   Adhara was on the Astronomy tower that night. She hoped Sirius wouldn't come. She wanted more time alone, if she was being honest. After the talk she had with Sirius the next before, she felt nothing but hurt. But she also felt relief.

   Relief over the fact that for once, she cried on her biological father's shoulder.

   She sighed and pulled out a cigarette from her pocket, lighting it up with her wand. She put the lit cigarette to her lips and inhaled, the familiar smoke entering her lungs just before she exhaled and let it out.

   Footsteps behind her made her shoulders slump. She turned around and opened her mouth, but immediately closed it. "Hermione," she said in shock.

   She did not expect Hermione to be the one behind her. They hadn't talked in months.

   Hermione seemed to have shock and anger in her eyes. "You quit headgirl for me?" She rushed straight to the point, her mouth parting in shock when Adhara didn't answer and continued smoking instead. "Why would you do that?!"

   "Why wouldn't I?" Adhara shot back with a raised eyebrow, seeming undisturbed. But she was.

   She hadn't wanted Hermione to ever find out. She knew how guilty Hermione would feel and how horrible Hermione would feel if she knew she wasn't the first choice. Because Hermione had cared for her academics and studying, way before Adhara had even started attending Hogwarts.

   The other girl scoffed in disbelief. "Why would you?" She asked again. "It was your position. Why would you push it onto me?"

   Adhara's brows furrowed in confusion. "Do you not like being headgirl? It's an amazing opportunity, Hermione."

   "That's the point! It is an amazing opportunity and you gave it up for me." Hermione finally said.

   Understanding dawned upon Adhara's face. "Mia- "

"I am not your 'Mia' anymore, Adhara." Hermione cut the girl off, looking guilty when Adhara flinched.

They were quiet for a moment, until Adhara whispered while looking away, "I think you should leave."

"Not without you telling me why you gave up this opportunity. Adhara, if you were the first choice, obviously you deserved it. You shouldn't have given it to me."

"No." Adhara shook her head, putting her cigarette to her lips and taking a drag. She exhaled, then said, "I know how hard you've worked these years on your studies, Hermione. You deserved this."

Hermione walked up to her and stood next to the taller girl, holding onto the railing as she looked at her. The girl was too busy looking at the dark night sky. "I don't understand, Adhara. Make me understand."

Adhara inhaled the cigarette again for the last time, then exhaled and crushed it with her shoe. She turned to the side, looking at Hermione's beautiful eyes. "Do you give me permission to say whatever I want to say?"

"Why are you asking that?"

"Because what I say, would be disrespectful to your relationship with Weasley."

Hermione bit her lip in thought, then nodded. "It's alright. I give you permission. But only if you tell me the truth."

Adhara took a deep breath, then let it out. She took a step towards the girl, looking into her eyes still. "I love you, Hermione. I gave up that opportunity and pushed it onto you, because I want the best for you. Because I love you."

Hermione's mouth parted in shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was she even hearing right?

"Addie.."

That nickname from her lips.

Adhara looked away immediately, clenching her jaw in an effort to stop herself. "You should leave, Hermione." She whispered softly. "I don't want to do something I'd regret."

Reluctantly, the other girl nodded and turned around. But something made her stop and gasp.

Adhara frowned and turned around, rolling her eyes immediately at who was there.

"Ron," Hermione finally choked out.

Ron Weasley looked between them, his eyes stopping on Adhara. He clenched his jaw and left, rushing down the spiral staircase immediately.

Adhara watched as Hermione immediately rushed after him. And just like that, Ron was chosen over Adhara by Hermione.

"Ron!" Hermione tried when they finally reached the last stair, trying to pull the boy's arm who scoffed and pulled his arm away.

"I was looking for you. I was worried. It was time for our headgirl and headboy duties, but you seem occupied." He explained, glaring at the girl infront of him.

Hermione's eyes teared up. "Ron, it's not what you think."

"She told you she loves you, Hermione." He pointed out with a look of disbelief. "You've wanted to hear that for so long. I refuse to come in the way of it."

She shook her head rapidly. "Ron, what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm breaking up with you," concluded the boy infront of her, looking straight into her eyes. "Leave me alone, Hermione."

Hermione watched as the boy left, shock engulfing her. She slowly sat down on the stairs and let out a sob, not believing what she had put herself into.

She didn't want Ron to leave her. She didn't even do anything wrong.

In the midst of her tears, Hermione knew who would listen and comfort her. She looked up, debating it. She finally came to a conclusion and stood up, walking up the spiral staircase.

She needed Adhara.