Here's chapter 4 everyone! Sorry it's taken so long! Chapter 5 will be up soon, maybe even today :)
Hermione sighed as she sat with Ginny in the common room. The boys were at practice and Hermione was trying to avoid returning to the Head's common room.
She hadn't had anymore interactions with Malfoy, aside from duties, like the one last week when he was throwing chairs, but the less she had to look at him, the better.
Ginny was finishing an essay. She had been exempt from Quidditch tonight since Harry wanted to work exclusively with Ron's keeper skills and only needed two Chasers to do so. In all honesty he had told her she was the best and he didn't want Ron to feel too much pressure. Hermione knew he liked Ginny. It was obvious. Too bad she was with Dean, Hermione thought. Ginny and Harry would be perfect.
The sound of Ginny setting down her paper and quill brought Hermione out of her reverie.
"So," said Ginny leaning back comfortably in her chair, "How's life with the ferret?"
"Well" said Hermione rolling her eyes and kneeling more comfortably on the couch, "It's annoying, but not as bad as I thought it would be."
"What's that mean?" Ginny said, "I need details 'Mione! It's gotta be awful right?"
"No not really. I mean he's a git and an ass, but to tell you the truth we haven't really interacted at all besides our Head duties and even then during patrol we split up. He's really much quieter than normal," she said her eyebrows knitting together with a contemplative look crossing her face.
"That doesn't sound like Malfoy at all! He usually never passes up an opportunity to berate you."
"I know, I think there's something wrong with him."
"Why do you care?" Ginny asked, a smile tugging at the tips of her mouth.
"I just want to know why he's... distracted. There could be something seriously wrong," Hermione said looking at her friend with a quizzical stare.
"I will ask you again, why do you care?" Ginny said raising an eyebrow and trying to hide a smirk.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, not missing the slight smirk.
"I just mean, why would you care if there's something wrong with him, do you care about him?" Ginny said.
"I don't care about him exactly-"
"Bullshit!" Ginny said pointing at Hermione accusingly.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked now completely exasperated.
Ginny just smiled devilishly and whispered, "I know he's a git, and Harry even thinks he's a death eater, but come on Hermione you have to admit that he's…well he's…you know…"
"He's what Ginny?" Hermione hissed in anger.
"HE'S HOT GODAMMIT!" exclaimed Ginny excitedly.
Hermione froze in shock. "That's what you think? What the fuck Ginny? Ew no! You think I…ew no!"
"Come on Hermione, I know you aren't blind, you can obviously see that he's gorgeous. Usually some of the biggest gits are really really…really sexy!"
Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. But when it began to sink in her mind started whirring. What is going on with me, she thought, because I can't possibly think that he's hot right?
When she finally found her voice again, Hermione said, "Ginny, that's ridiculous! I do not think he's hot. I mean sure he, well I mean he, you know has like nice…"
Ginny stared at her as she trailed off hanging on her every word.
"Yes Hermione? What is it? What's nice about him?" Ginny asked teasingly.
Hermione cursed herself for her slip up, but thanked Merlin that there was no one else in the Common Room.
"Well you know, I've always, well I've always kinda liked his um…his hair," Hermione whispered the last part, blushing slightly.
"I knew it! I knew you liked him!" Ginny cried pointing at her.
"Shhh Ginny, be quiet, you'll wake the whole castle!" Hermione whispered angrily, "And I do not like him, I just think his hair is, you know, pretty."
Despite herself she couldn't help but giggle. It had been so long since she'd had some decent girl talk. Ginny was now up on her knees and was ready to say what she truly was trying to get at.
"You know Hermione, if you really do like him I don't care."
"Ginny I-"
"No listen. I know Harry and Ron would totally kill you, but honestly I don't think Malfoy's a Death Eater, and even if he is, well I don't think his heart is in it. He's always just seemed like a bully to me. Someone who's scared. I don't think he's really someone for you to be afraid of. I even think under the right circumstances, the two of you could have been friends."
"Well I don't think I'll ever be friends with Malfoy, but I guess I have no choice but to admit that I think he's attractive," Hermione said sheepishly.
"Awww that's so cute!" Ginny exclaimed, "You're falling for him!"
"No! I just think he's hot! Geez Ginny, now can we please change the subject. Even if I don't think he's a death eater, it doesn't change the fact that he's an ass."
"Ok fine what do you want to talk about? Please don't say me and Dean, cause that's not gonna last much longer," Ginny said rolling her eyes.
"Well then Ginny, who do you like?" Hermione said now eager to discuss this topic.
"Why do I have to like anyone? Why can't I just be single?" Ginny asked, her feminist side coming out.
"Nope, you interrogated me, I must do the same for you!" Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"Ugh fine! I like…I might like…oh never mind!"
"WHO?" Hermione exclaimed.
"Um…"
"Spit it out!" Hermione said laughing.
"I've got a little crush on Harry!"
"Harry Potter? I knew it!" Hermione said sitting back satisfied.
"Please don't tell him! I'm not ready, besides I don't even think he likes me," Ginny said sadly.
"Oh I think he does Ginny!"
"I don't know, but anyway, please don't say anything, I'm still with Dean for now and I think we're gonna try working things out. We just keep arguing about stupid shit."
"Ok Ginny, but if you want me to figure it out, let me know," Hermione said smiling.
"I should go to bed," Ginny said.
"Yeah I should be getting back to the Heads Dorm," Hermione said groaning.
"You know you love it," Ginny said winking.
The two friends hugged goodnight and Hermione made her way out of the Gryffindor Common Room, her head full of confused thoughts.
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