Hermione's POV
I watched as Draco walked to the Slytherin table and sat down. I was really hurt when he didn't return my smile. In fact, he completely ignored me. Maybe, he was pretending to ignore me because, you know, Ron and Harry were sitting beside me. But, then they both were engulfed in their Quidditch talk. Or, maybe, he didn't see me. But, then again, I saw him look at me. This left me with the last option: He is mad at me. I tried not to feel mad at him, for being mad at me, because he has every right to do so. It was my fault. But not to worry, because when he hears the reason for my absence the other day, he'll forgive me.
"Hermione?!" Harry said as he waved his hand in front of me and brought me back in the present.
"Wh-What?" I replied.
"Earth to Hermione." Ron intervened.
"Yes, I am listening!"
"No, you aren't."
"That's just so dumb, Ron. If I wasn't listening then, how on Earth I would've been able to reply to you."
"That's what I am trying to say! You didn't answer my question!"
"You didn't ask me any question, Ron."
"Yes, I did."
"No. I didn't hear you asking me anything." I said losing my patience.
"Exactly my point!" Ron said, snapping his fingers.
"STOP IT, YOU TOO!" Harry fortunately exclaimed. Fortunately, because I saw myself losing this argument.
"Okay." Ron and I said in unison. At this, we both turned pink with embarrassment as it's extremely rare that we do anything in sync. Whereas, Harry choked on his juice and laughed saying "Both of you are so unbelievable!"
"It's not like that, Harry." Ron and I said in unison….again and turned pink with embarrassment….again and at this Harry roared with laughter…again.
I stood up abruptly and realized that Ron did that too. At this, we looked at each other and started laughing and Harry laughed still harder, if possible.
Draco's POV
I felt like a fool for ignoring Hermione, because she doesn't seemed to care. This really was a killer for my ego. I shouldn't have followed that book, really.
I watched her laughing with that Weasley and that Potter and my hatred for them increased tenfold. I was so jealous that I couldn't eat anymore so, I stood up.
"What's up, Draco?" Crabbe asked. "Going somewhere?"
"Yes, I am full." I replied.
"But, you didn't even eat a full crispbread."
"I just said that I am full. Didn't you hear me?"
"I did. But…" Crabbe started.
"I don't want to eat anymore. No more discussions." I said and walked out.
I went back to the dungeons and lay down on my bed. I felt upset because Hermione apparently doesn't seem to care whether I am mad at her or not. Of course, she wouldn't care. She has a family whom she loves and cares for, two best friends with whom she is most comfortable whereas I am just a small part of her life. So why would she really care for me, when she has so many people?
I am not saying that I am all alone. I also have friends, but they are not my real friends, they're just called this when actually they're sycophants. Contradicting this is my family, who are my real family but they don't give a damn about me.
So, I have always craved for love which I got from the little friendship with Hermione. In such a small time, she has become the biggest part of my life. I feel most comfortable with her, as she never expects anything. I can be me when I am with her, the real me. Her smile, her touch, her eyes makes me feel at home.
'But she doesn't care for you' a voice in my head said. 'You love and care for her more than Weasley and Potter, but still she prefers them over you.' That dreaded voice continued. 'But it's your fault Draco. You should have told her your feelings so much before. You should've made her realize that you are more important than that Potter and Weasley.'
"No, no it's not like that. I-" I started to say but the voice cut me off. 'You are more important than everyone else. She has to understand this. She has to love you back.' With this, the voice went away. But my mind kept repeating what it said. 'She has to love you back.'
'She has to love you back.'
'She has to love you back.'
'She has to love you back.'
"Yes," I said determinedly. "She has to love me back. I will make her love me back."
