Hey guys. So I've been getting great feedback, thanks guys.
So, NarniaMagicLOTRDisneyLover, i can't repsond to you through PM so thanks for your review. If you want Draco to make it better you'll just have to wait and see. I will keep practicing and hopefully you all will see an improvement with my writing.
As for the rest of you i PMed you with my comments and immense thanks. Also thanks to LADYHINATA23. You have no idea how much your support means to me, you really don't. Thank you so much.
And the disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.
There we go, on with the story:
What was he playing at? Draco had never shown any interesting in Hermione before, what was he doing with her now? All types of the questions were reeling through Harry's mind as he looked at Hermione. She turnd to face him and looked startled. He mush have been staring. He turned back to the gibberish that was supposed to be french. He knew he would be failing without her but he couldn't bring himself to do the work on his own. Harry turned his thoughts back to Draco's recent attention. He must want to use her for something; that's the only logical explanation. Or he could like her, the little voice in his head said. Oh shut up, he told himself. Not until you consider all the options, the voice replied. There is only one option, he returned, he's obviously using her!
"Oh my god, I'm having and argument with myself." Harry said quietly.
"What's that?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing," he responded, "Just talking to myself about this stupid homework." She nodded.
"Well you better put it away, the bell's about to ring." She said, grabbing her bag from under the table. He put his folders away and stood up just as the bell rang.
As he reached the door, Draco appeared next to them. He smiled at Hermione, Harry shot a glare in his direction. Noticing this, Draco rolled his eyes and walked away. But he wasn't gone for long, he and Hermione had Gym with him that period. He got changed, shooting Draco loathing looks the whole time. (AN: Is that creepy?)
When their teacher told them to get partners, Draco strode over to Hermione, who had thrown her hair into a loose ponytail, and claimed her before Harry could. Harry was forced to partner with Max, a boy he had only spoken to once.
When Draco walked over to her, Hermione was shocked. Twice in one day? What was he doing? Hermione noticed that Draco was standing almost protectively next to her; a little too close in her opinion. She met Harry's eyes and he pulled a face. She smiled apologetically at him and shrugged, turning her attention to the teacher. They had just begun soccer and the teacher was explaining how they would start by passing the ball. When he let them go, Draco seized her by the arm and dragged her to the far end of the gym.
"Ow." she said when he finally released her.
"Sorry. Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't appreciate the manhandling." She responded rubbing her arm. He smiled a little before walking a short distance away and sending the ball her way. She stopped it with ease and sent it back. They did this in silence for a few minutes before Draco finally spoke.
"So, what were you helping pretty boy with this time?"
"French homework. And don't call him that."She replied.
"Pretty boy can't do his own work?" he sent back, ignoring her command.
"Why do you even care?" She shot at him.
"It just doesn't seem fair that you should have the workload of two people, that's all." he said shrugging. Hermione shook her head didn't reply. They continued in silence until the teacher told them to line up for their cooldown.
Harry watched Draco and Hermione the whole period, silently seething. Poor Max, he was on the receiving end of all of Harry's vicious balls. Harry saw them talking and anger bubbled inside of him. Draco had no right to take her like that. Sure, he could talk to her outside of class, actually no he couldn't, but he had no place taking her from him like that. Who did he think he was? Harry sent another hard ball at Max, nearly knocking him over. He looked apologetically at him as he steadied himself.
"Why do you care so much?"
"What?" Harry hadn't been expecting to talk to Max.
"Why do you care so much that he's talking to her?" Max asked again. Maybe he wasn't as unobservant as he looked, thought Harry.
"Umm, it's just I'm not okay with him taking her like that." Harry replied. How much do you tell a person you never talk to about your problems, he wondered.
"Maybe you should just give her space," Max said, "She's never branched out before, let her try something knew."
"And how would you know she's never branched out before?" Harry asked, his temper rising visibly.
"Calm down. She and I had to do a project together when you were absent a few weeks ago." Max said, holding his hands up."She seemed very shy, and I think that you might be oppressing her a bit too much." Harry made to give an angry response. "But that's just my opinion. What do i know? You're supposed to be her best friend." Just then, their teacher called them for their cool down.
When Hermione walked into the locker room she found Marisa waiting on one of the benches. She got up and followed Hermione to her locker. She waited until Hermione was done changing before talking.
"So what the deal with you and Harry?' she asked.
"What do you mean?" Hermione replied, fixing her hair in the mirror.
"Like, are you two together or something?"
"No! We're just friends. Best friends, but just friends." Unfortunately, she added to herself. Marisa smiled and nodded. Hermione made her way out the door and into the gym again. She went and say next to Harry, Marisa sitting on his other side.
The teacher called Marisa up to get set up with her locker and such, leaving Harry and Hermione alone.
"So so and Malfoy were getting pretty cozy there." he said.
"We were just doing what we were told. It's not my fault he got to me first!" She replied. The bell chose then to ring.
"You could have said no!" he said.
"What if I wanted to be different today. You don't have to be my only friend, you know!" With this, she stormed off leaving him dumbstruck in the bleachers.
What was that about? He trudged to History, thinking how he would pass a note to her asking about it. He took his seat in front of her and ripped out another piece of paper.
What was that about?
He tossed it over his shoulder. Thirty seconds later, a wad of paper hit the back of his head and bounced into this lap. He unraveled it and read her response.
What was what about?
You just totally blew up at me!
No I didn't. I think you're just overreacting about this Draco thing.
How am I overreacting? Is it wrong to be protective over my best friend?
No, but the minute someone shows interest you don't need to freak out.
I'm not freaking out. I'm just curious why he's talking to you now of all times.
Maybe he just wants to be friendly. Some people are like that.
Yeah, but Draco Malfoy? When has he ever been friendly.
There's a first time for everything.
I think it's suspicious.
I think you're reading too much into this.
Whatever. Just don't get mad at me when it bites you in the ass.
I won't because it's not going to.
And how can you be so sure of that?
Well, I can't, but if it does then it will be my problem, not yours. And it's not like anything had happened. It's only been a day
Of course it's my problem! Its my job to protect you!
I don't need protecting!
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. I hope I'm not interrupting your conversation." Each turned bright red. They had been caught. "Now put that away before I make you read it to all of us." Mr. Holmes said sternly. Harry hastily shoved it onto his folder, but not before looking at his scribbled response.
I care about you too much to see you get hurt.
He sighed and reluctantly turned his attention to the lesson. Soon after, the bell rand and he made his way to French where they met up with Risa, who had spent the last period on the other side of the room. She came and sat in front of him, turning to face him.
"Why'd you and Hermione get in trouble? What were you talking about?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just stuff." he replied.
"Was it about how she stormed off earlier?"
"You saw that?" he asked
Yes. What did you say?" she responded.
"Nothing. I was just being a good friend." he exclaimed.
"Clearly she didn't think you were"
"Whose side are you on here!"
"Neither. Gosh, aren't you touchy?" she said, turning back to the front. He leaned forward and whispered,
"I'll tell you later." She nodded and he focused on the lesson. For once. When the bell rang he sprinted out of the room to his locker. Dumping his books in his locker, he scanned the hall for Risa.
"You ready to go?" he heard behind him. Turning around he saw Risa standing behind him, her bag slung over her shoulder.
"Yeah. Let's just find Hermione and we'll go." he replied.
"So what did you do to her?" She asked as they walked down the hallway.
"Nothing! I'm just trying to protect her!
"Protect her from what?"
"That." he said, pointing. She followed his finger and saw Draco messing around by his locker. Even as they watched, they saw Draco stop what he was doing, look across the hallway and make his way over to Hermione. He slid in front of her, his back to her locker. He shrugged and grinned impishly. She rolled her eyes as words were exchanged and laughed at whatever he said after that.
"Hold on." Harry said, pulling his phone from his pocket. He sent Hermione a quick message. Watching, he saw her pull her phone from her pocket, look at it, then put it back. Harry stared in disbelief. She had just blown him off for Draco Malfoy. (AN: So would I :P he's prettier) He heard Risa chuckle next to him.
"Think this is funny, do you?" he asked
"Actually, yes." she said turning to him, her raised eyebrows daring him to challenge her. He sighed in defeat.
"Come on" she said, grabbing his arm.
"Where?"
"To get her. Clearly you're not going to do it on your own." She dragged him over to Hermione and Draco. Hermione turned at their approach.
"Are you coming with us?" Risa asked.
"Coming where?" Draco asked.
"Umm...they're showing me around town."
"Not that it matter to you." Harry interjected bitterly.
"You're welcome to come, actually." Risa said, shooting Harry a devious smile, to which he responded with a glare.
"Don't mind if I do." Draco said.
"Let me grab my coat." Hermione said. She cleared her throat, gesturing for Draco to move from in front of her locker, which he did. She pulled her jacket on and shut her locker.
"Shall we?" She asked. Harry nodded and grabbed her arm pulling her and Risa on either side of him. He dragged her down the hallway, Draco jogging behind them. When they reached the sidewalk her put Hermione closest to the street, forcing Draco to walk on the other side of Risa.
"I'm Draco." He said sticking his hand out.
"Risa." She shook his hand.
"Where you from?"
"North. Connecticut." she replied. Draco nodded and kept walking.
"Why did you invite him?" Harry asked Risa.
"Because I wanted to see if he's as bad at you think." She replied.
"He me."
"So, Har, where are we taking her?" Hermione asked.
"Let's start with food. Juniors?" he suggested.
"Sounds good." she responded. They walked up the hill and down the street. Arriving at Junior's, they found a table while Hermione and to order a pie. Draco followed a few minutes later.
"Hey, 'Mione." called the boy behind the counter.
"Hi, Sam." she replied.
"Who's that?" Draco asked.
"My brother." she responded. Draco nodded. They reached the counter and were greeted by a smiling face with blue eyes and brown hair not unlike Hermione's. He had a sprinkling of freckles. The family resemblance was obvious.
"Sam, Draco. Draco, Sam." she made introductions as they shook hands.
"What can I get you guys?" Sam asked.
"The usual for me and Harry. And umm, one second." she turned around. "Marisa, what do you want?"
"Just a plain is fine." she called back.
"You heard her. And Draco, whatever you want." Hermione looked around while he ordered.
"Why don't you go sit down?" Hermione said. "Sam and I will bring it over when it's ready." She leaned on the counter as Sam came back from giving the order to Ralph, the chef.
"So...this is and interesting development." Sam said.
"What is?" Hermione asked, dreading the following conversation.
"You and Draco Malfoy. Since when have you been friends?"
"Ummm, it's recent. And you do you know Draco Malfoy?"
" I hear things over at my school." Sam went to the other regional high school in the area.
"Really. And what would a bunch of Raiders care about one Brave?" she inquired.
"We just hear about his endeavors. Usually they're the more popular junior girls, not lowly little sophomores like yourself. That's just below him." Sam replied.
"Well, it don't plan on being one of his 'endeavors'. I didn't even plan on him coming. Marisa invited him."
"Yeah, who is she?" he asked.
"New girl. Same schedule. Drooling over Harry." she sighed. Sam gave her a knowing look.
"Anyways," she said, shaking out of her reverie, "We're showing her around town."
"Hmmm...something tells me you're not particularly happy with that." Sam said.
"what gave it away?"
" OH there were a few signs."
"Hey, chatterboxes," Ralph called from the back. "Give me a hand with these."
"Sorry." They called in unison and went to grab the plates from Ralph.
"Hey, Sammy." Harry said.
" Shut up, Harriet." Sam replied. Hermione smiled at the interaction.
"Hello, there. Sam Granger. Older brother of this twat over here" he said slinging his arm around Hermione, who shrugged it off with a roll of her eyes.
"Marisa Spencer. Older sibling of no one present." she replied, shaking is proffered hand.
"Let me know if you guys need anything." Sam said as he walked away.
"So that's your brother?" Marisa asked Hermione. She nodded. "Cute." she said. Hermione choked on her drink.
"Sorry," She sputtered, "But did you just call my brother cute?"
Marisa laughed, "Yeah, in a boyish sort of way. He reminds me of a friend back home is all. Jack."
"Okay, but just a warning,"Hermione said, "That alien life form I call my brother is no where near normal, so I'd steer clear. It's worked for me for 15 years and I"m still normal." This earned a cough from Harry.
"Yeah, normal's definitely the word I would use to describe you. Definitely before wanker, crazy, and completely insane." Hermione put on a mock hurt face and the table laughed.
From the other side of the room, Sam watched his sister's table with interest.
"'Mione, you may not intend to be one of his endeavors, but you're sure going to be one." he muttered.
"You know, talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity. But you're right," Ralph said. "That's so going to happen." They were of course, talking about they way Draco was looking at Hermione as she joked around with Harry. A small smile on his lips and a softness in his eyes.
"Without a doubt." Sam and Ralph said together.
So a longer update 1) making up for not updating yesterday, sorry, I'm a bum and 2) because it was requested that i make the chapters longer. How's this? Let me know...Next time is conclusion of the day, angsty Harry, and sentimental Draco...See you tomorrow lovlies!