Happy Thursday everyone! I just wanted to say that every review is read, appreciated, and has made me smile. I'm floored that I've hit over 100 follows on my story. I told my husband (who is not into fanfic at all) that I was writing a little story and hoped to get 50 followers. So, to say that I'm shocked is an understatement.
Enjoy your day, because tomorrow is FriYay, which means the weekend!
...……...
Hermione was used to whispers and stares. She'd endured them all her years at Hogwarts. Be it because of her blood status, her brilliant brain, or her bushy hair. She'd learned to ignore them, even though they were more positive nowadays due to her being a war heroine, it was just in her nature to keep moving on. She slid into her normal seat next to Harry for breakfast and smiled at him and Ginny. "Good Morning, you two."
"Gooood morning, Hermione." Ginny replied in a flirtatious voice. "Anything new happen this week?"
"No? I don't think so. Why?" Hermione asked with genuine curiosity.
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Except For maybe the fact that the whole school is talking about you."
Shocked, she asked her "Why would they be talking about me?"
"Hmm. I don't know. Probably the fact that you've willingly partnered with Theodore Nott for your Prick class, bond class? and Padma saw you with Nott, Zabini, and freaking Malfoy in the library last night."
"Yes. And?"
"And they are Slytherins!"
"I thought this whole prejudice thing was over now. Thanks to the boy who can't die sitting in between us." She gestured with her hand at Harry.
"Man." Harry coughed as he took another bite of his toast. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I'm just curious." Ginny faked innocence.
"I mean. Theo isn't bad on the eyes. He's tall, muscular, has a great.." Harry shot her a warning look. ".. hair. I just don't want you to lose focus on the class you're in together because things could get messy." She smiled at Hermione.
"I've already told you. Theo and I are just friends. He's also friends with Zabini, and Malfoy. Them joining us was forced and only lasted two minutes before Theo managed to piss off Malfoy."
"Right. I believe you, but good luck convincing the rest of the school."
Hermione ignored her comment, not really caring what the school would think, and moved the conversation on."He apologized to me, by the way."
"You already told us. On the train, right?"
"No. Um. Im talking about Malfoy." Hermione whispered.
Both Harry and Ginny stopped their eating and stared at Hermione, eyes as big as saucers.
Harry couldn't believe what she said. "He apologized?"
"Well, sort of. He apologized, but it didn't seem sincere at first so I stormed out of the library. Then he ran after me and it sounded more genuine, but he seemed.. annoyed? Like it was killing him to even speak to me. It was rather Malfoy, if you know what I mean. Angry at the world, and everyone beneath him sort of attitude. Then he took off towards the Slytherin Dorms. I didn't even get a chance to respond."
Ginny furrowed her brows. "That's strange."
"I forgave him a long time ago. Him asking for forgiveness was for him, not me. I just wish he could act like a decent human being. I'm not... mud. I won't dirty his precious image if he spoke to me"
...
That afternoon Hermione was propped up against a tree enjoying the sunshine and good book. Saturday's were meant for relaxing and studying, but only just a little less than weekdays. After searching the grounds for Draco, Theo and Blaise skipped down the hill after spotting Hermione.
"Hello Deary!" sang Theo. "You haven't happened to have seen the blonde prat today have you? About yay high, grey eyes, smug look stuck on his face." He was holding his hand in mock measurement above his own head to demonstrate Draco's height.
Hermione didn't look up from her book, because she, too, was annoyed with Theo. He'd put her in a very uncomfortable situation and she doesn't like being caught off guard.
"Nope." She clipped. "And I wouldn't mind if you got lost, too."
Blaise chuckled. Theo has a natural talent for creating messes and watching him squirm never gets old.
"Are you mad at me, too?"
"What gave it away, Theo? I figured you'd get the hint when I didn't show for our run this morning."
"I, uhh, wouldn't know. I've been looking for Draco since I got up." He paused. After a few silent seconds, he gathered his thoughts of how he'd be able to get back into Hermione's good graces. "How about I clear things up. I'm sorry for leaving you with Draco last night. There seems to be a misunderstanding, though. Draco thought I was forcing his hand at making him apologize to you, but I was actually just trying to get him to ask you if he could join our run club. I thought it would be funny to mess with him about that, but obviously that went over his head and ... well.. it's too long to explain everything, but, again, he thought I was talking about making him apologize to you. He left last night and we haven't seen him since. I know he's been back because his stuff is moved around but I need to apologize to him, too."
Hermione groaned. "Sometimes I hate how nice I am. I saw him on the running trail about twenty minutes ago." She was suddenly being pulled up from the ground. Theo's strong arms were wrapped around her lifting her completely off the ground. "Can't... breath!"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I owe you two butter beers! I promise!" He carefully placed her back on her feet before taking off towards the boulder.
Blaise propped his shoulder on the tree Hermione was just leaning on, watching his friend run down the hill towards the trail. "So, Granger. You seeing anyone these days?"
"We are literally in the same class to find a soul mate, Zabini. No. I am not seeing anyone and have no interest in that until I'm bonded."
"I've heard you can sway the magic's opinion.."
"Save it, you prat."
"Whoa there, just casually asking a pretty girl if she's willing to take a chance. You know where to find me if you change your mind." He winked as he pushed off the tree following in Theo's footsteps towards the running path.
...
Theo hid behind the large boulder waiting for Draco to come in sight. It wasn't long before he could see the toe head in the distance jogging with heavy, angry steps. The sunshine reflecting off his hair really stood out in the green landscaping around the castle grounds.
This was his chance.
"Draco!" He called out. "Just let me explain."
Draco didn't stop. He didn't even acknowledge him. He just kept going as if he didn't hear anything. Of course Theo knew he'd have to run after him at this point so jumped to it, slowly inching his way up to his best friend. "I'm sorry." He was panting a little bit. Draco had upped the pace and Theo wasn't prepared. "I know you weren't ready to talk to Granger about apologizing, but I was actually talking about our run club. I told you you needed to ask her. Remember?"
Draco stopped mid run causing Theo to be a few steps ahead now. He turned to look at Draco. "I didn't mean for that to happen. I swear it."
"You arse. I thought you were forcing my hand like you said you would. I wasn't ready and my apology was shit. So, now she probably hates me even more."
"Nah. She has a heart of gold. Gryffindor Gold. She doesn't hate you. She doesn't like you one bit, but she doesn't hate you." He wiped his brow. "Can you forgive me? I promise I'll.. be more considerate of your feelings. You know I cope with sarcasm and goofing off. I can talk to her if you'd like."
"Yes. I forgive you, but you're still a prick. And no, I'll handle it. In MY time."
"You two girls done making up? I'm starving." Blaise chirped, coming out of nowhere, again.
Draco inwardly jumped, hoping no one saw the flinch. "How the fuck do you do that, Blaise?"
He shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't know what he was talking about. "I've been here practically the whole time. You two were just too busy sucking face to notice."
Draco rolled his eyes at the comment. He still wasn't in the mood for smart remarks, but agreed that he, too, was hungry. "Let's go get cleaned up for dinner."
On their way up, Draco saw that Hermione was sitting next to a tree with a book. It was the newest edition of Hogwarts: A History. How did she get it so fast, he wondered. He'd owled his mother yesterday to see if she could send Poppy over to the bookstore for a copy. She shifted and moved her bush.. no, curls..they were curls now, out of her face. The sun was bringing out the honey color that mixed with the brown. When did she change? Where was that massive bush she sported? She must've heard them coming and raised her head to look. They locked eyes for just a moment before Theo opened his stupid mouth again. "Want me to ask her for a picture, Draco?"
"Shut up." It was all he could say. He knew he'd been caught staring, and there was no way out of it other than staying calm and keeping the banter to a minimum. He was just curious. Their argument was about her, after all.
Theo just couldn't help but make things awkward. "Care to walk with us back go the castle? We're going to go clean up before dinner." He called out as they were nearing her.
No. No. No. Please say no. Draco was begging her silently in his head for her to say no.
"Sure. I am a bit hungry now that you mention it."
"Where are your normal body guards off to?"
He asked her.
"Harry and Ginny are playing pick up quidditch, and Ron is God's know where. Probably in a broom closet sucking Lavenders face."
"Oh. Right. Well, let us walk you to the stairs and see you off." Theo grinned real big causing Hermione to giggle. "Thank you kind sir. If only you were a gentleman all the time and not when you want my forgiveness." She winked and linked his arm in hers.
They reached the stairs where they'd split from Hermione. Theo's bubbly attitude had made its way back in full force. "Hope you have a great evening, Hermione. See you bright and early tomorrow?"
"Yeah. See you then, Theo. Uh. Have a good evening, Blaise." She blushed. "Malfoy." A nod.
...
6 am Sunday morning was cool and crisp. Hermione spent the evening studying after supper and mingling with Harry and Ginny in the common room. Ron and Lavender were there physically, but mentally occupied with one another which made for an awkward friend circle by the the fire.
Stretching by the boulder Hermione saw not one, but two figures walking towards her. The sun was not fully awake yet, so it was hard to make out who it was. She moved her hand towards her wand as a precaution, but quickly realized it was just Theo and.. Malfoy? What the hell is he doing here.
"Good morning, Beautiful" Theo said in a song song voice.
