Written for:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Moresome May
Triad: Lucius/Hermione/LilyLeaving Early
Prompt: Dialogue: "I wish I could understand."
Learning
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Lily crossed her arms over her chest. "You're not even trying."
Lucius glared at her. "I wish I could understand, but you're not being patient with me."
Hermione looked from one to other as if she was watching a tennis match. "Will you two calm down."
Lily turned her glare onto Hermione. "You know he's not trying, right?"
Lucius leveled his own glare on Hermione as well. "Tell her she expects too much too soon."
Hermione let out a weary sigh and massaged her forehead. "I knew this would happen. You both are hotheads. I knew there was no way one could teach the other something."
They shouted simultaneously.
"I knew you'd take her side!"
"I knew you'd take his side!"
Hermione groaned in frustration. "I'm not taking anyone's side, but you both need to cool off."
Lily snorted derisively. "I thought Lucius wanted to learn something about our culture."
"I wasn't expecting a sport."
"You play Quidditch. What's the big deal?"
"Cricket is different from Quidditch!" Lucius yelled.
"That's enough!" Hermione angrily interrupted. "Lily, you think Lucius isn't trying his hardest because it's a Muggle sport, and he thinks he's too good for it. And Lucius, you're getting frustrated because it's hard, and you're used to being good at everything you do. Lily, calm down. Lucius, stop worrying about being the best. It's about having fun. Do I make myself clear?"
Lily and Lucius stared at the ground. "Yes, Hermione," they chorused.
Lucius suddenly looked up, his gaze locking with Hermione's. "If it's about having fun, why aren't you playing?"
Hermione stubbornly crossed her arms over her chest. "Because it's not fun for me."
Lily and Lucius finally smiled.
It terrified Hermione."W-what?" she hesitantly asked.
"If I'm playing, you're playing," Lucius demanded.
"That's not fair," Hermione argued.
"I think it's very fair," Lily countered.
Hermione poured. How could she let them turn it on her?
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(word count: 316)