Friends
Authors Note: I'm more of a reader than a writer. I'm not proud of this story. Because I took a Fiction Writing course, I'm actually quite good at proofreading other authors' stories and giving constructive criticism/advice. You know what they say, "Those who can't do, teach."
"Hey, Granger?"
Without looking up from her copy of Advanced Transfiguration she replied, "Yes, Malfoy?" She had a feeling an essay would be assigned soon, so it was imperative she re-read the book.
"We're friends, right?"
She furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at Malfoy. For the first time, she noticed how uncomfortable he looked. His hands were fiddling with the edge of his robes. His eyes, trained on the floor, exuded complete vulnerability. This behavior was not Malfoy-like in the least. But then again, when she really thought about it, he wasn't really the same boy who tried and failed to kill Dumbledore in sixth year. When he became Head Boy three months ago, she had expected constant arguments, or at best, complete silence between them. Instead, he had maintained civil conversations with her. He had even thanked her for helping him with a Potions essay by buying her an assortment of books by both wizards and muggles. And when Harry and Ron came to visit during a Hogsmeade trip, she and Ginny had invited him along, much to Ron and Harry's chagrin.
"Of course," she replied and gave him a warm smile.
At this, Malfoy relaxed and returned the smile. "Even if your boyfriend and pseudo-brother hate me?"
"They don't hate you..." she lied.
Malfoy snorted. "You're a bad liar."
"I know."
"You know, since we're friends, you should care about my well being," Malfoy said in a matter-of-factly.
Hermione looked indignant. "I do!"
"Then you and Ginny should have never left me alone with Potter and Weasley during that Hogsmeade trip." Malfoy shuddered.
"But-"
"I know what you were trying to do." He smirked at the Head Girl. "You and Ginny wanted us to magically become friends are something."
"You guys seemed alright when we came back," Hermione pointed out. She closed her book and placed it on the coffee table as Malfoy sat beside her on the couch.
"That was after they threatened me with unforgivable curses if I do anything to you."
Hermione raised her eyebrows and smiled. "They said that?"
Malfoy looked aghast. "Why are you smiling?"
She tried her best to contain her smile. "I mean, that was very wrong of them. I'll reprimand them later." She smiled again.
Malfoy shook his head. "Well, while you were gone, I did get to know them better."
"Really?" Hermione asked.
There was a bit of quasi-comfortable silence between the two students before Malfoy spoke again. "Weasley really loves you. I mean really."
A wave of longing filled Hermione's chest. For an absurd moment, she considered sneaking out of Hogwarts just to hear Ron's voice. "I really love him, too." She looked at the floor to hide her Cheshire-cat grin from Malfoy. "I'm really lucky."
"He's lucky," Malfoy said softly, looking at the floor.
Hermione wondered if she'd ever get used to this new Malfoy.