A/N: (This is really long, by the way.)
If you guys have been wondering why I didn't update any sooner... Well... it was because I was reading this fantastic story! It's called "Sucker Punch" by riptey. I'm telling you, this is such a great Dramione story. I could not stop reading it. I really recommend you all to go and read this story (after you finish reading this chapter of course) and you will definitely love it as much as I did. "Sucker Punch" doesn't have as many reviews as it should have considering how awesome it really was. This person takes Hermione and Draco's characters and molds them in such a way that I can't even explain it except that it is such a great job!
Next on the agenda is my favorite character. If you haven't figured it out already, it's Hermione. I love her! I love that she's such a great student, an awesome friend, and so righteous. I wish I could be her (and this is why I am writing a story in her perspective). I actually like that she's such a know-it-all because I know that (unfortunately/fortunately) I was also called that when I was younger. And although it bothered me then, it certainly doesn't now because then I think "Wow, that's just like Hermione." LOL Yes, I'm pathetic but it's okay because I love that about myself and I love the Harry Potter world and it's such a great part of my life that I actually don't know what I'd be doing without it... Writing Twilight fanfiction? Nahhh! :)
And last, these are a couple of other stories that have kept me busy as well: "Here Comes the Sun" by human28, "As the Sun Rises" by Adjacent, "Draco and Hermione read FanFiction" by potatocrazy4, and "Whatever I want?" by Ms. Louis Cordice Zabini. A couple are complete while the others are works in progress. But they're all great! So I recommend you check them if you're in need of a good read :)
Anyway, back to the story. Hope you guys enjoy!
Disclaimer: JK Rowling is the awesomest person ever because she wrote the Harry Potter series! Gotta love her :)
Chapter 11
Hermione tried to talk Ginny and Pansy out of a birthday party for her the entire walk back to the Three Broomsticks. Although it actually wasn't a long walk, two girls who want to plan a party can get a lot done in just a few minutes time. Hermione sighed, relieved when they finally reached the pub. Malfoy entered first and Blaise stayed behind to hold the door open for the girls.
"Thanks, Blaise," Hermione smiled at his gentlemanly manners.
"Always a pleasure," Blaise replied back, the first time Hermione saw a charming smile on his face. He doesn't look half bad... Hermione shook her head. One Slytherin was enough to be thinking about. As they neared the back of the pub, they could see a large round table with her friends already seated. It was Harry, Ron, and Lavender seated one after the other. Even Padma and Parvati decided to join them, sitting next to Lavender. Then it was Ginny, Pansy, and... Oh no! Malfoy. Hermione froze but was forced to keep walking as a hand lightly pushed on her back. It was Blaise. Hermione dejectedly sat down next to Malfoy, as Blaise sat down on her left, almost completing the circle of people they made. I feel really weird sitting in between two Slytherins.
"Hey, Hermione," called Harry from across, "What did you get?"
"Oh, just some quills and candy..." answered Hermione, not sure whether she was being too loud since she was next to the Scowling King. She was sitting up straight not wanting to upset either one of the Slytherins, although she wasn't really worried about Blaise.
"You forgot about the birthday bracelet I bought you," Ginny grinned from her right. Ugh... Not again... Hermione covered her face with her hands, groaning inwardly. Ginny, not caring that this was making Hermione uncomfortable, continued, "And we decided that there will be a party for Hermione's 18th birthday in our common room on the 21st, which is a Friday, even though her birthday is actually on the 19th, which is unfortunately a Wednesday and also a school night. Please bring all presents to the party, and monetary presents are also acceptable. Everyone shall dress to impress, and make sure to spread the word to all of Hermione's friends and classmates." After Ginny was finished with her declarations, the other four girls clapped happily and started chatting again about the decorations and what kinds of dresses they'll be wearing. This was giving Hermione a headache. Harry and Ron were talking about Quidditch again, not seeing that Hermione wasn't a happy camper.
"Don't worry," said Blaise, giving her a gentle nudge with his shoulder. Hermione finally put her hands down and looked at him miserably. "I'll help you plan your escape route if you want." Hermione let out a laugh, realizing he was trying to make her feel better.
"Thanks," she said, "I think I'll need to." He just smiled at her in return. Well, this is certainly a surprise. He's actually nice, unlike some people. Hermione took a quick glance to her right and was surprised to see that Malfoy was glaring at Blaise with his hands clenched. Apparently, there's some tension between these two. I wonder if Malfoy swings the other way. At this Hermione giggled, which shook Malfoy out of his glaring to look at her oddly.
"Sorry..." Hermione muttered, trying to cover up what happened, "Just remembered something from the other day..."
"No problem," said Blaise with another charming smile. What is up with him smiling today?
"Yeah," replied Malfoy suddenly. Hermione looked to her right. "No problem." Malfoy stiffly smiled at her. Did he just smile? Hermione sent him a confused look. Just then, Madam Rosmerta came.
"Hello, everyone," greeted the older, yet still attractive, barmaid kindly, "How are you all today?" A chorus of "Good" and "Great" was heard, with one "Just perfect" from a dreamy eyed Ron. Lavender slapped him, jokingly, while everyone laughed at him.
"Well, what can I get for you?" asked Madam Rosmerta. Everyone ordered her newest drink, the Flaming Flamingo, a delicious fruit smoothie that came in a flamingo shaped glass with flames on top, which were non-harmful as they were made with magic. They also ordered sandwiches and salad on the side. When the food arrived, everyone started eating, relieving Hermione from having to talk. Towards the middle of the meal, people started chatting once more.
"So, Hermione," started Blaise, "are you excited for classes?" Hermione finished a bite of her sandwich before she answered.
"Yes," Hermione said, "But especially for Ancient Runes."
"Really?" asked Blaise, "You're taking it? Well, then I guess we'll be seeing each other more often since I'm taking it as well."
"You are, too?" Hermione quickly looked at Malfoy, who was stabbing his salad really hard, "That's great." She smiled at him before taking another bite of her sandwich.
"Yes," Blaise nodded, "It is because now you can be my study buddy. Other people in that class," Blaise pointedly looked at Malfoy, "Aren't as... adept... in learning as you are. And I know you are the best." He grinned at her before Malfoy interrupted.
"Granger may be the best in the class," Malfoy addressed Blaise, with a scowl, "But it doesn't mean you're even close to her." Hermione looked down at her food. Awkward!
"Aww, Draco," replied Pansy from his right, "That was so sweet! See, Hermione, I told you he likes you!" Hermione's eyes widened, as she looked at Pansy and then Malfoy. She felt her face turn red, but felt better knowing she wasn't the only one embarrassed, as Malfoy's cheeks turned a pale pink.
"He doesn't like you more than I do," Blaise said, winking at her as he put his arm around her shoulders. Hermione's face turned even redder, as she sat there, ramrod straight, not knowing what to do or say. Hermione could feel Malfoy's eyes boring through her to Blaise. Uh... What is going on? Her thoughts were voiced with Ron.
"What are you doing?" Ron practically yelled across the table. "Why do you have your arm around Hermione?"
"Yeah," drawled Malfoy, apparently getting his confidence back, "Why do you have your arm around her?" Blaise slowly took his arm off, but kept his smile in place.
"You know," Blaise answered, "Just being friendly and trying to keep inter-house unity and all that stuff Dumbledore talks about." He leaned in close to Hermione and only so she could hear, said, "Sorry if that made you uncomfortable. I was just trying to make a point. Didn't mean to creep you out." Hermione nodded, glad that his arm was off of her. Ron's my knight in shining armor. But I don't know what point Blaise was trying to make. He should've warned me, at least, so-
"Just don't do it again," said Ron, before going back to his lunch. Hermione laughed before finishing up her salad. However, she couldn't help but notice that Malfoy was stabbing his salad once again. The meal was a bit quieter towards the end. Nevertheless, Ginny and the girls kept planning her birthday in such detail that it could've been her wedding that they were planning. Oh my gosh! What will happen when it is my wedding? I definitely do not want her planning it. Once the meal was over, everyone placed their portion of the bill on the table and got up to leave. Hermione didn't miss the fact that Blaise held out his hand to help her, smiling at her, as she took it just to be polite. Nor did she miss the fact that Malfoy brushed past her and walked out to wait for everyone. Slytherins are so weird.
As the group left the Three Broomsticks to go back to Hogwarts, Hermione stayed behind the group, lost in her own thoughts. Thank Merlin classes start tomorrow. This was a really odd weekend. First with befriending Slytherins and then having said Slytherins do weird things. Like right now. Why does Blaise keep turning around every couple minutes to smile at me? It's creepy. And Malfoy hasn't said a thing after that incident. Why is he towards the back anyway? Shouldn't he be with Blaise or Pansy? And speaking of Pansy, she's just as crazy as Ginny! Going around, planning my birthday party. What if I don't want a party? Hermione unknowingly pouted. She started kicking around a rock and walking up to it before kicking it forward again. Parties are for party animals. I rather have a nice dinner or maybe a movie night. I don't need-
"Oomph!" Hermione wasn't watching where she was going, following the rock instead, and bumped right into Malfoy. He stumbled and fell forward as she fell on top of him.
"Granger," huffed Malfoy, "Don't you watch where you're walking?" Hermione quickly got up before holding her hand out to help him. Surprisingly, he took it. Why is his hand so cold? Well, it is cold outside, therefore, it would be cold. "Granger?" he repeated, looking at her quizzically, "Can I have my hand back?"
"Oh!" exclaimed Hermione, feeling herself blush. She was still holding his hand and let it go quickly. "Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." She avoided his gaze, but when she realized he wasn't going to say anything, she looked up at him. He was looking amused.
"Should we get going?" Malfoy asked, with a small smile. Are his eyes twinkling? Hermione shook her head, trying to get those weird thoughts out of her head.
"Yeah," Hermione nodded, trying to walk fast so she could get away from him. But he met her pace and they walked back to the castle, side by side, albeit a bit awkwardly for Hermione.
"There you are!" yelled Harry, who was standing next to the entrance. Hermione waved back and smiled, happy that she was able to escape and not have to think about what happened.
So there you have it! Sorry it's a bit shorter than the other ones. Read and Review Please :)
Also I realized that there was no way for me to reply back to my anonymous reviews so I thought I'd might as well reply back here:
Farah: I completely agree with you on this matter- Hermione is awesome! She is also my favorite (as you might have read) and that's why I love reading/writing about her. Thanks for your review :)
Lk1995: Thank you so much for your review :) I really do understand your point of view when you say that Pansy has a big hand in bringing Hermione and Draco together. Although there will be other people/events that will bring them together (or not ;) ), Pansy does seem like the one who is pushing for their friendship right now. I'm glad that you were able to notice that a seemingly insignificant character might not be so insignificant after all :)
