Part Two

Disclaimer: JKR owns it all.

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“How dare you,” Hermione said softly, backing away from him.

Percy raised a hand, nursing his already-bruising cheek.

“Christ woman, raised by a banshee, were you?” he muttered. Hermione moved towards him and slapped him again.

“You do NOT Obliviate people, Percy! You do NOT! It is an Unforgivable in and of itself! What possessed you to do something like that?” she screamed.

“He deserved it,” Percy’s voice rang out. “War hero, my arse! The man was a bloody Death Eater. He killed Dumbledore…”

“You have no right to talk about Dumbledore,” Hermione said slowly, dangerously. “You are upset because he was right and you were wrong!”

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“He’s not right! People with pasts like that…”

“He has been forgiven!” Hermione raised her wand.

“He casts Avada Kedavras and is worshipped. I cast an Obliviate…”

“He always knew where he stood!” Hermione said insistently. “He fought for what he knew was right, and he did what he had to so that he could do so! He is a hero of the highest caliber!”

“You say that only because you love him,” Percy said snidely.

Hermione put her hands on her hips. “What are you, Percy? Jealous?” she asked, her voice dripping in sarcasm.

“Not of you,” Percy snickered.

---

“Why you…” Ron leapt to his feet, but Fred pulled him back down forcibly.

“You git,” Fred muttered. “She’s going to tear him from limb to limb, and you’re blocking my view!”

“Sorry,” Ron said.

“Percy,” Hermione was continuing, “there’s no polite way to describe what I think of you. If you think you’re getting away with this you’re wrong…”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Percy said pompously. “Do you love him or not?”

Everyone took in their breath.

“I’ve always wondered what happened in the cellar at Grimmauld,” Tonks whispered playfully.

“Tonks…” Remus said through gritted teeth. “She’s answering.”

---

“Why does it matter?” Hermione asked softly. “I have always been someone outraged by injustice. If you want to laugh about SPEW, go ahead. Ron does all the time.” She glanced at Ron, who grinned widely. Hermione smiled and turned back to Percy. “Don’t you realize, in all your pompous arrogance, that there are some things worth fighting for? There are people in this room who have fought for decades.” She glanced at Remus and Minerva. “And if it was them in that room, I would be right here, doing the same thing. Because they deserve better. They deserve appreciation, not derision, and honor, not an Obliviate cast by those who see in the heroes what they themselves are lacking.”

---

For once in his life, Percy was stunned into silence.

“Why…” he started, but Hermione raised a hand.

“I don’t want to hear it. I’d appreciate it if you would kindly drag your sorry arse out of the room. This room is for people who care about him and them alone.”

Percy swallowed and quickly exited the room.

“Well said, Hermione,” Minerva said.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Tonks chimed in.

“I’m glad you slapped him,” Ron added. “Mum’s never let us do it. Glad someone got to.”

“Do you love him?” Remus asked suddenly.

Hermione stood, her back to them, oblivious to her surroundings, her tears spattering to the floor. “Of course I do.”