"Because after I told them why Pansy was upset, I told them why I'd gotten so angry with her. What she said to you." He looked down at the floor. "What I said about you, years ago." It felt like he was trying to wriggle out of it, adding that years ago disclaimer, but it had been years ago – that was the truth. But it still felt dishonest. He had said fucking awful things about Hermione, things that made him feel sick to his stomach with shame and revulsion now, and he bloody well deserved to take the consequences for it. Merlin, Hermione was corrupting him – turning him into some sort of noble Gryffindor martyr type, eager to throw himself on his sword.