Sometimes, life is a series of disappointments broken only by dark spells of depression, but this would not be Hermione's life. Going to the finest Wizarding School in Britain for years, being friends with someone actually in the history books she loved so much, her life was adventure after adventure surrounded by her two best friends – her self-empowerment was interrupted by a loud noise from the other side of the room, her trance broken, she looked up to see Malfoy laying out on the couch coughing rather loudly and then falling back into a heap on the cushions. She looked over at him, slightly repulsed by his nearly translucent color.
"Malfoy, you should probably go to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfery has Pepperup potion you know."
"Bite me granger."
"Touchy. I was just trying to help." She said, walking over to her bag, grabbing out her potions book and starting the essay that was due next week. She was writing quickly, trying to get it done so she could work on her muggle studies work, but was once again interrupted. This time it was Neville, he walked in through the door, carelessly dropping his things onto the ground; Luna was beside him helping him pick it up. Hermione smiled at them, Draco only glared, no doubt jealous he wasn't the most blonde in the room.
Neville took Luna up over to the guys dorm, leaving Hermione back with Draco. She looked over at him again, he was sounding progressively more disgusting, and it was getting harder and harder to concentrate on her studies.
"Malfoy, take care of that cough or go into the guys dorm I'm trying to work on my essay."
"Jeez Granger don't get your knickers in a twist, clearly I can't go in there, who knows what I'd walk in on." He said, shuddering.
"Fine, what can I do to either make you leave or stop coughing?"
"Calm your tits Granger I'll leave just stop your incessant yammering." He said, getting up and heading for the door. She sighed, you can't please everyone. She continued writing her essay. She fell asleep on her desk, the next thing she knew Neville was waking her up.
"Hermione you need to get some rest, you keep doing this."
"Yes I know, I'm sorry." She mumbled,
"Yeah well, I'm heading back to bed, you should do the same."
"Okay okay." She said, gathering her things as he walked the other way. As she finished collecting her things in walked a sneezing Draco. She sighed, noticing that he had ignored her completely. Not surprising to her in the slightest. She rubbed her eyes, heading into the dormitory.
The next morning Hermione started heading to herbology, passing by Professor McGonagall having a conversation with Professor Slughorn,
"Please Horace! If Dolores is truly going to become Minister of Magic as you've said we've got more to worry about then just classes, we'll discuss this later." She said, seeing Hermione's wandering eyes, she looked down slightly embarrassed and continued off to class.
"What are you doing over here?" Draco asked as Hermione walked in to the owlery.
"Writing Ron." She said truthfully,
"Oh, Weasleby huh?"
"Yeah, he and I sort of had a, a thing during the battle, but he wasn't too happy about me leaving for another year here."
"Oh." He said, starting to cough. She frowned.
"You're not even going to bother to take care of yourself…" she said, sending off her owl.
"Granger, my life doesn't concern you."
"What no Mudblood insult this time?"
"Well considering McGonagall now gives out detention for it I can say it's hardly worth my time thanks." He said, walking off, leaving his letter on the railing. She watching him walk away, grabbing it tentatively and looking down inconspicuously.
"Dear Astoria,
I'm writing to tell you that the betrothal is off. My mother isn't pushing it, and since my father's credibility was under question no one listens to him anymore, the fact of it is with the Dark Lord out of the picture my family's name is dirt, your mother asked me to do this because the Malfoy name doesn't mean anything any longer,
-Draco Malfoy
She frowned, noting the clearly negative note to the letter, she pocketed it, deciding she'd return it to him when she saw him next, whenever that may be.
