Chapter 7: The Squabble

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Hermione continued eating hurriedly, not minding Ron and Harry whispering to each other.

"Seriously, Ron," Harry murmured to Ron, glancing at Hermione at his every word, "I think Hermione likes you too, despite the fact that he goes out with Draco most of the time." He elbowed Ron on the rib. Ron let out a small yelp but way deep inside etched a wide grin on his heart.

Harry nodded. He must've read Ron's reaction that is marked on his face.

Hermione placed her spoon and fork on one side of the plate, got a table napkin, folded it and used it to wipe off the dirt on her mouth. I hate eating sausages. she thought, It always makes my lips feel oily.

As soon as she put the now oily table napkin beside her plate, the whole Gryffindor stood in unison. At last, the tables and chairs that filled the Great Hall left the hall with a POOF! Hogwarts students and Dumbledore were the only people visible in the room. After a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence, footsteps started to march down towards the Great Hall as it's sound pounded the walls of the Great Hall and shot to the ears of the students.

Professor McGonagall appeared standing on the entrance of the Great Hall, her hair tied on a usual bun, wearing her typical teaching robes and pointy witch hat. She wore a confused look on her face. Beside her were Professors Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout. They all wore those funny confused looks on their faces, lines marked their foreheads. Their arms crossed on front of their chests, aiming their heads high up. They were all tapping their feet impatiently.

Students were trying not to burst out in laughter. They were teachers. They need to be respected. Dumbledore broke the long eerie silence that occupied the Great Hall.

"As you can see, Hogwarts students," Dumbledore began, "the heads of houses are here to assist and teach you while I am away." Students started looking from side to side as questions swirled around their heads.

"Don't worry, my students, I will be here before the Yule Ball." Dumbledore continued with a friendly smile, his eyes twinkling as usual.

The heads of houses marched down the aisle towards Dumbledore. Students gave way to them and made a zipper-like effect. Once they reached the front they turned in unison and faced the students altogether. Dumbledore apparated and left with a small POP!

Professor McGonagall raised her arms and clapped two times as a signal that they need to start now. "Let's get moving students. Boys, get your partners and I want all of you to fall in line properly."

The students of Hogwarts acted like red ants running around the Great Hall. Each male ant was looking for their partners. Some started falling in line while a lot were still searching for their dates.

Draco was looking for Hermione. He went to a group of girls who were waiting for their partners to get them. One of them was Harry's very noticeable partner. Draco shooked his head when he found out that Hermione wasn't there. He began pushing away every person that blocked his way. He wanted to speed up but it's really just crowded. Draco placed his hands on the shoulder of two people beside him and pushed himself up. He breathed for air and tried to look around. He was looking for a bushy haired brunette but all he could see was Harry's giant date. He lost his temper. Someone was tugging him down. He jumped back in to the bunch of people in the Great Hall. He drew out his wand and pointed it to the girl in front of him.

"I found you!" the girl said with a cheery smile.

Draco groaned and said "Expelliar . . . What?"

He was cut in mid sentence when a girl just said she found him. Then he examined the girl over the people that were moving. It's like the girl and him were the only ones still and frozen unlike the other people scampering around them.

"Are you trying to get me killed, Draco Malfoy, after you attempted to kiss me this morning?" the familiar girl said reluctantly.

People around them faced them and were shocked that Hermione Granger, the Gryffindor know-it-all and Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince had been really going out.

Draco noticed the brown hair curls that hung above her shoulders and that voice.

"M. . . Mione? Is that you?" Draco said. He ducked as someone from Gryffindor with red hair almost punched him on the face with no reason.

He tried to look back to find out who it was but he needed to focus on Mione and apologize to her.

"I'm. . . I'm sorry, Mione. I didn't mean to. . . to do something to you." Draco said.

"You know, Draco, if I haven't said I found you, I probably knocked my head against the wall now!" Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"I didn't. . . I shouldn't. . . I'm sorry!" Draco stammered and bowed down his head. He cursed under his breath.

"WHAT? You're even cursing me under your breath! You're unbelievable, MALFOY!" Hermione raised her voice.

Draco looked at Hermione when she mentioned his last name. He was already used to hear Hermione say his first name.

"Yes, MALFOY! You heard me right! I am calling you by your last name. I don't care if you call me. . . Mudblood! I just don't want to hear you calling me Mione ever again!"

Hermione made a face on Malfoy, spun her heel and ran out of the Great Hall, out of the crowd, and most especially out of Malfoy's view.


Draco tried to get out of the crowd just like what Hermione did but he couldn't. How did Mione do that? he wondered. He suddenly got out of the crowd bit by bit, glanced one more time at the chaotic crowd, and stepped out of the Great Hall.

At first, Draco didn't know where to find Hermione but as he searched further, he heard someone sobbing. The sobbing was so soft that you wouldn't hear it if you were talking with someone though you are only two in the vicinity. You should really listen carefully to know where Hermione is.

Draco followed carefully the soft sobbing and knew that it was Mione.

Well, I really didn't mean to hex her. No! I really wanted to hex her. I mean not her. I was just so annoyed by the crowd that's why I wanted to hex people on my way because I need to go get Mione as soon as possible. Then, I didn't know that she was already there. So. . . It's not my fault. It really is my fault. If it wasn't for that stupid chaotic crowd, I wouldn't draw out my wand. I'm really sorry, Mione.

Draco heard Mione's sobbing louder and louder. He turned the corner and went straight ahead. He stopped wondering when he noticed that he lost Mione's sobbing. He went back and turned that corner again where he turned a while ago. He, again, heard Mione's soft sobbing loud. He continued wondering.

I was just. . . freaked out, okay! What Mione said was true. If she hadn't spoke out I would've gotten her taken to the hospital wing. Then, something occurred to Draco. Who was that guy who almost punched me in my face? Was that. . . Weasley? Gryffindor school robes. Red hair. Yup. That probably was Weasley. Wait, he's jealous! Draco smirked, his eyes glinting as he thought of an idea. Weasley really has feelings for my Mione. Well, if he wants Mione back, he'll have to pass and challenge me first. Right! I'll send Weasley a letter later and we'll talk about Mione.

Draco lost his thoughts when he found himself in front of the Hogwarts library door. He could hear Hermione sobbing through the large wooden door. He opened it slowly, trying not to make it creak but it creaked. He stepped inside the library.

He really wasn't used to going to the library that's why it always seems new to him. The strong smell of books reached his nose when he sniffed and he almost sneezed. Why? There's a whole lot of rooms in this castle but why did she chose the library?

He moved his eyes around the library and walked towards the Transfiguration section where he heard a loud thud. It's like someone dropped a thick old book.

Hermione picked up the book that she accidentally fell. She heard someone approaching her. She tried to carry the book but it was too heavy. She wiped away her tears and knelt to pick the book properly. She tried to do it quickly but she was too late. Draco found her.

Draco ran towards Hermione and picked up the book himself. Hermione stood up slowly and sniffed.

"Thanks." Hermione mumbled and started to walk away.

Draco reached for her arm and held it tightly. Hermione turned to him but she lowered her face.

"Mione." Draco whispered.

Hermione flinched when Draco mentioned her nickname.

"You heard what I said." Draco continued. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do it. I wasn't hoping that it would turn out to be you." Draco frowned.

Hermione faced Draco and saw the frown etched on his face. "So if it weren't me, you'll continue to cast a spell on that person. What if it was Ginnny, or Harry, or. . . or Ron?"

"Well. . . Well. . ." Draco stuttered.

"Well?" Hermione solicited.

"C'mon, Mione. Can't you see I'm sorry?"

"Hadn't it occurred to you that if you continued to do that, you could hurt someone." Hermione asked.

"That is what I was supposed to do." Draco said in his low voice.

"The Draco I know is the one that changed already. He would never dare to hurt someone. I'm your friend Draco." Hermione explained.

"Could you forgive me, Mione? Could you give me another chance? The Mione I know is the one that is forgiving and beautiful.

Hermione giggled. "Oh! The Draco I know is the one that is a coward."

"Hey! I gave you forgiving and beautiful while I get lazy in return?" Draco wore his usual heart-melting smile.

"Well, charming could do."

Draco began to hug Hermione and carried her up. The library was filled with laughter and giggles. But the two don't know that someone was eavesdropping at them. Outside the library, Ron Weasley heard the whole conversation.


Ron saw the whole thing that happened in the Great Hall. When Hermione went out of the Great Hall, he knew that she was heading to the library already. She spends her time whether she's happy or sad in the library.

His face was red in anger and in jealousy. He wanted to talk with Malfoy immediately.

He suddenly heard them approaching the library door. Ron glanced around and looked for a classroom to hide but the classrooms are on the second floor so he hid behind a large statue.

The door creaked open and Hermione and Draco went out of the library together. Ron glared at Draco and whispered a curse under his breath. Draco flinched and looked around and stared at the statue behind him. He smirked. Ron closed his eyes and prayed he wouldn't see him. He heard their footsteps heading towards the Great Hall. Ron sighed. He followed them and continued to practice for the ball.


Draco and Hermione entered the Great Hall and found everyone dancing already. Hermione saw Harry and his tall partner dancing uncomfortably. She chuckled. Draco held her hand and pulled her towards the center of the Hall.

"1, 2, 3. . . Then turn." Professor Snape said, clapping his hand to the beat of the music that filled the Great Hall. The music was replaced by the boys' groaning when the girls accidentally stepped on their feet in unison.

Hermione laughed.

"I don't need to experience that now because I already felt that this morning." Draco snorted.

"1, 2, 3. . . 1, 2, 3. . . Then turn again." Professor Snape said.

The Hall was again filled with ouch's.

At the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Ron enter the Great Hall. His face was tomato red. He went straight to his saucer-like eyed Hufflepuff partner. Where did he come from?

And the Yule Ball practice went perfectly for Draco and Hermione and sadly for the others.


The clock stroke 7 and Draco pulled out the drawer on his bedside table. He took out a quill and ink and a piece of parchment. He scribbled something. He folded it and went out of his dormitory, out of the Slytherin common room and went straight towards the owlery.

He visited his light brown owl and gave it the piece of folded parchment.

"Send this to Ron Weasley." Draco said with a smirk, his eyes once again glinting as he locked his eyes on the moonlight.


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