Chapter Nine: A Shoulder To Cry On
Hermione choked on sobs over her Butterbeer as Draco either sat and watched, not believing what he was doing, or added the occasion, "I know, I know."
"And you know what the worst part is?" Hermione said, looking at Draco with eyes he thought only a person with a hangover could have.
"What's that?" He asked.
"I thought he loved me!" Hermione sobbed. "We've been together since August, and I thought he loved me!"
"It happens to the best of us," Draco said. He motioned for another Butterbeer. "Ron's a git. I've said it for years."
Hermione hiccupped into her empty glass.
"I take back what I said earlier," she said.
"Hmm?" Draco asked.
"What I said earlier," Hermione thanked Madame Rosmerta for the new Butterbeer. "About being nice to my friends. You don't have to be nice to Ron anymore. Or Lavender."
Draco laughed. "Really?"
"Hex his bits off for all I care," Hermione said bitterly. "Or glue Lavender's legs together."
"Her knees should get to know one another," Draco said, nodding his head. "She sounds like Pansy Parkinson. You know, Pansy said that she's slept with half the Quidditch team?"
"That's hardly impressive," Hermione sipped her Butterbeer. "By the way, you can't sleep with three and a half people. Besides, most women have between four and seven partners."
"I meant she slept with half the school team," Draco clarified, wincing. "Since fourth year."
"But that would mean...the Weasley's...Harry..."
"Oh, not the Gryffindors," Draco scoffed. "She thinks they're scum. No, she slept with Muliciber, Diggory..."
"No way!" Hermione's eyes lit up. "But Diggory was with Cho!"
"I know," Draco motioned for her to lean in closer. "But it all get's them in the end. I heard once she peed in the Forbidden Forest, and got a Bowtruckle in her…um…"
"No way!" Hermione laughed. "Stop, you're making Butterbeer come out my nose."
"Trust me, it's better than Firewhiskey!" Draco winced. "Hearing about Blaise getting caught by McGonagall… let me tell you, my nose burned for a while."
Hermione drained her Butterbeer. "Thanks, Draco."
"No problem. What are friends for?"
"You're really trying, aren't you? Hermione said, taking her coat from him.
"Trying what?" Draco looked bewildered.
"Trying to be nice to me."
"I'm not trying, Hermione," Draco mock scoffed. "I just can't stand seeing a girl cry."
Hermione put down 10 sickles on the table. "I can't believe I had 5. I've never had 5 Butterbeers!"
"I got it," Draco said, pulling out sickles from his pocket.
"You don't have to," Hermione said, her hand over his.
"But I want to, like I said, what are friends for?" He smiled.
"Oh no," Hermione mocked being scared. "I got my yucky Mudblood germs all over you!"
Draco took her face in his hands, "Hermione, don't ever call yourself a Mudblood again."
"Let's go back to the castle," Hermione said, taking Draco's hand in her own. "Thanks for this Draco; you really are turning out to be not so bad."
"What can I say, I am a great guy when you get to know me," Draco said, noticing Hermione hadn't let go of his hand yet.
