A/N: So, I know this is a short chapter, and again, it's a bit of a space-filler. But that's just because I want what follows this chapter to be in one, and not split up, so enjoy, and hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon (:
-xo!
Hermione's POV:
Days passed and things remained the same. Ron wasn't interfering, and her time with Dracoalways left her speechless. The only problem was, Ginny and Harry weren't speaking to her either. They just don't understand, she told herself, sure that was the answer. But perhaps… Perhaps they felt betrayed as well. Draco was, after all, their worst enemy. Maybe she was making a mistake. But… The way her heart fluttered whenever Draco would touch her told her otherwise. She knew this was the right thing, for her, and Harry and Ginny would come around eventually.
Hermione was in the Great Hall for breakfast this particular Saturday morning. She sat at the Gryffindor table alone; not many people were there – They were already lining up at the Quidditch pitch for the game that afternoon between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Hermione smiled at the idea. Normally, she'd be first in line to see her three best friends play, but today… She wasn't sure her presence would be appreciated.
That was when the mail arrived and an owl swooped over her head, dropping an envelope on the table right in front of her.
Meet me at the Room of Requirement this evening at 8. You know where it is.
D
The note was simple, yet Hermione couldn't stop the smile that took over her face. When she realized others were probably staring at her ridiculously love-struck expression, Hermione stood from the table, collecting her books and hurrying out of the Great Hall.
Glancing at the clock that hung in the Entrance Hall, Hermione decided that perhaps she would make an appearance at the Quidditch game. It was only 11 – There were still another 9 hours before she had to meet Draco.
It was nearing the end of October and the weather was finally starting to cool down, so Hermione took a detour to her dormitory to collect a jacket and hat before she made her way down to the pitch. As she walked out of the castle and toward the goal posts she could see in the distance, Hermione couldn't help but think about what had happened over the past few months. She also couldn't help the days she would walk down here with Ron or Ginny, back when it was just Harry playing on the team.
Pulling her from her thoughts, she noticed Luna and Neville walking just up ahead. She picked up her pace to catch up with them and slowed when she reached Luna's side. "Hello, you two," Hermione said, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Hermione, hi," Neville said, smiling down at her. He hadn't become any more graceful over the last year, and this caused Hermione's smile to widen. She did, however, notice that he and Luna were holding hands. "How are you?" he asked, his expression telling her he was obviously happy to see her.
"I'm great, actually. How are you two?" she asked, her eyes drifting down to their hands.
Neville let out a nervous chuckle and smiled sheepishly. "Couldn't be better," he answered, smiling down at Luna.
"Oh, yes," she added, her familiarly distant voice a pleasure for Hermione to hear. "Everything's perfect."
"Do you mind if I walk down to the pitch with you?" Hermione asked, hopeful that he wouldn't ask questions. In sixth year, Hermione often watched the Quidditch games alone, as Harry, Ron and Ginny were all playing.
Neville's smile widened and he nodded his head toward the pitch. "Of course not. The more the merrier. But, we'd better hurry. It's about to start," he answered, tugging Luna along as they hurried their way down to the pitch.
Hermione smiled to herself as they climbed up into the stands, finding a good place to watch. It was nice to finally associate with some of her old friends. As much as she enjoyed spending her time with Draco, she had to admit, she missed all of her friends – Neville, Luna, Dean, Seamus… The thought caused her to sigh, though she hoped no one would notice it.
They watched the game without saying much, only cheering whenever Gryffindor scored or made a good play. During a timeout that Harry called, Luna turned to Hermione as Neville was busy talking to Dean and Seamus. "Are you sure you're okay?" Luna asked her. "You don't seem like yourself." Hermione knew what she meant. She knew why she hadn't seen her friends in ages. She and Draco hadn't exactly kept their friendship a secret. She was sure everyone in the school knew about it by now.
"Everything is so different this year," Hermione murmured, ambiguously answering Luna's question. "It's hard to believe that just a few months ago…" She trailed off, thinking of how exactly where they were now standing had been set afire during the final battle. She sighed, her shoulders slumping as her eyes wandered out toward the pitch, looking at the players as the game resumed.
"We've all changed so much," Hermione continued. "It's just so hard to slip back into our old lives…" She didn't look back at Luna – Her eyes stayed trained on the players on their brooms. Then finally, her eyes landed on him. It was the first time she'd seen him since… Since that night. Her breathing got caught in her throat and her eyes widened. She remembered the menacing look in his eyes, and how different he looked, compared to now. She noticed the grin on his face as he stopped a goal, his best friend flying by and giving him a high-five.
"I think… I think I'm going to go, Luna," Hermione said quietly, noticing that Luna's attention had returned to the game. Hermione couldn't stand being there and having to look at him, Ron, like things were completely normal, like he hadn't done those terrible things to her. "I'll… See you later," she said softly, nodding a goodbye to Luna and Neville.
Walking away from the pitch, Hermione finally let go of the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The tears trickled from her eyes as she walked up toward the castle. Just seeing Ron hurt her more than she could imagine. Everything seemed to be so normal for a few moments, that she had nearly forgotten what he'd done, and what they had all been through just a few months ago.
Hurrying straight up to her dormitory, Hermione realized she still had a few hours before she had to meet Draco. With a heavy sigh, she pulled her books from her bag and started in on a Defense Against the Dark Arts assignment Professor Wayland had set for them.
Hours later, with her assignment completed, Hermione thought it might be prudent to get visit the Great Hall for something to eat. When she was seated for her meal, alone at one end of the table, Hermione realized that she hadn't seen Draco around all day.
With a soft sigh, she ate her meal and quickly hurried up to her dormitory again, avoiding confrontation with anyone. She changed her clothes into a deep blue blouse and a pleated, black skirt. After fastening her shoes, she looked into the mirror and decided she would pin her hair up into a bun. A few curls spilled down around her face, and she topped things off with a bit of her favorite perfume. She didn't tend to spend much time on herself – This was the most effort she'd put into her look in ages. When she glanced at the clock on the wall, it was seven thirty – Just enough time to get to the Room of Requirement.
As she made her way there, she wondered what he would possibly have planned. She noticed him standing just outside where the doorway should be and she smiled.
"You're early," he noted, looking at the watch on his wrist. She shrugged, approaching him and taking his hand. "I had a feeling you would be, so I had things set up for hours." He grinned and used his free hand to push his blonde hair out of his face.
Both of them turned to face the door, and as Draco looked up at it, a very old, heavy, wooden door appeared in front of them. Hermione had never seen this door before – She'd never been in this room.
Hermione watched Draco carefully as he reached forward, pushing the door open. Then he turned to her, gave her a small, timid smile – Another thing Hermione hadn't seen before – and lead her into the Room.
