They Sold Hermione's Smile

They Sold Hermione's Smile

Staring at her toes 

then just wiggling her nose 

isn't gonna make their eyes open wide

I'm thinking that she knows 

but still thinks it's worth a go 

and there's no big crowd here to shout her down

Money burns like ice on her bare skin

melting her insides with the expected precision

This is what she's told

This is what she's told

This how she fits the mould

This is how Hermione's smile was sold

I remember it so wide

Not from haughtiness or pride

Just that open hope found floating alone

Not that she never frowned

But the reasons then were sound

Not stolen, twisted, broken from words unspoken

Burnt into her eyes, not in tattooed skin

These things can't be erased once they've been etched in

This is what she's told

This is what she's told

This what we'll see define her soul

This is how Hermione's smile was sold

Burning in her heart, tightening her skin

Bright and wide is now a Christmas card grin

This is what she's told

This is what she's told

This isn't what they call control

This is how Hermione's smile was sold