Hermione dropped the letters by her place, and then apparated to the Burrow. Ron was outside, just sitting. She walked up to him, smiling. Ron heard footsteps and looked up. He smiled. "Hermione…" She sat beside him."
"So, what are you doing out here by yourself, Ron?" Hermione asked, looking at him. He shrugged and smiled. He had a stick in his hand and was drawing circles in the dirt with it. "It's quiet out here, unlike inside. Mum has been yelling at Fred for quite some time. For what reason, I haven't a clue." Hermione nodded.
"That's understandable" She replied as she nodded. Ron nodded with her. "So, what have you been up to?" He asked her.
"Oh, well, I went to the Three Broomsticks…" Ron raised an eyebrow.
"You did?" Hermione nodded.
"Yeah, I actually had sent you a letter for you to meet me there, but Draco showed up instead." Ron looked at her oddly.
"What?"
"You called him by his first name." He made a face. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Anyway, he had received all the letters I've been sending, so he brought them to me at the Three Broomsticks." Ron nodded slowly.
"Don't hang around Malfoy." Hermione raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why can't I?" Hermione asked him. She wasn't sure why she did though.
"Why? Because he isn't one to hang around with. He's not your friend, nor will he ever be." Hermione pressed her lips tightly together.
"He could end up being a friend." She crossed her arms. Ron scoffed. Hermione frowned.
"Believe me, Hermione." Ron stood up, brushing dust off his pants with his hands. "Stay away from him." Hermione stood up also.
"You can't make me, Ron." Hermione said defiantly. Ron looked at her.
"What's with you, Hermione? This is the bloke that's called you names since ever. He was involved with You-Know-Who, and has watched you suffer." Hermione swallowed.
"He was forced to, Ron! You know this." Hermione replied, raising her voice slightly. Ron narrowed his eyes.
"Why are you defending him? Honestly, Hermione.." Hermione sighed.
"Whatever, Ron. I'm leaving." Ron shrugged as he headed to the Burrow. He didn't want Hermione to leave, but her attitude about Draco Malfoy was irking him. Hermione apparated to her place and grabbed the letters, throwing them into the fire. She didn't need them anymore, anyway. She walked over to her desk and sat down. She took a quill and some paper. She started writing a letter to Draco. It invited him to her residence, for tea. She didn't know what compelled her to do this.
She gave the letter to her owl to take to Draco. Hermione walked into a different room. In it was a piano. She sat on the piano bench and began to play.