Chapter 11
Note: I don't own anything. To answer some questions, I update every 1-2 weeks and of course I'll finish this, don't worry!
Once we were at the clearing I noticed Harry's messy black hair and ran over, giving him a huge hug. I decided to completely ignore Ron.
"Harry!" I said, beaming, "How have you been? I've missed you!"
"Yeah, you too, Hermione. Listen, let's go get something to eat and then we can talk about all this. I'm starving."
"Sure, Harry!" I said, "I can't wait to see everyone again."
"Are you still mad at Ron?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I am," I replied, "And until he apologizes, I will be."
"Oh," Harry said, looking dejected.
After breakfast we didn't have any classes as it was Saturday. I spent our free time catching up with Harry and Ginny.
"How was the trip, then?" Harry asked, an arm around Ginny.
"Great," I said, "Though not very intellectual. We were done with everything in a week. I swear, they don't even give half the homework load they used to."
"Glad to see you're still our old Hermione," Ginny snorted.
I rolled my eyes, "Well, I'd better get going."
"Where?" Harry asked.
"The library," I replied.
"The library?" Harry wondered, "Why would you need to go there?"
"I-I'll just go now," I hurried off out of the portrait hole.
The truth was, I wanted to do some research on the spell Malfoy had used. When I opened the door to the library, I felt as though I was back home. Maybe I do spend a bit of time there, but with its beautiful, wise books, it was honestly an amazing place to find information.
But where should I start? I could possibly be a dark curse, I hadn't ever heard of it before. Since the students in eighth year were allowed in the Restricted Section without a pass, I thought it would be a good place to start. Taking a tottering stack of books, I went to sit at my usual table. I spread out the books, their bindings old and worn.
I had just cracked open a promising looking one entitled 'The Darkest of Curses: A History' when I saw Malfoy strutting into the library.
"Granger," he noticed, and he took the seat next to me.
"What do you want?" I asked irritably, I really wanted to figure out what this spell was.
"What are you looking for?" Malfoy retaliated, scanning my pile of Restricted Books.
"Just a spell," I casually answered.
Malfoy frowned, "What kind of spell would you be looking for in these books?"
"I haven't got a clue," I said, "I just guessed it would be a dark one."
"Describe it to me, maybe I'd know."
I debated with myself on whether or I should describe it to him. I could just make him think it was a coincidence, couldn't I? I didn't know what to say, "Um, okay," I said finally, still ambivalent, "It had purple rays of light," I began remembering the scene.
Malfoy tensed for only the briefest of moments before saying, "Anything else?"
Tentatively, "And then the words 'Eximomalus.'"
"Hermione," he said, staring straight at me, his face slightly angry, "Were you watching me?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, staring right back at him.
"You know exactly what I mean," Malfoy said, now leaning in so close that I could feel his breath, "Don't you?"
"Yes," I said, giving up. Though what I had done was reprehensible; his intensity was hard to withstand.
Malfoy sighed and ran his fingers through his blonde hair, "It was nothing. A fake spell, I completely made it up."
"You didn't," I argued, "What was it?"
"I won't tell you," Malfoy said, standing up, "And it's not in any of those books so don't waste your time. If you knew what was best for you, you wouldn't meddle with things that don't concern you."
"I just want to help you, Malfoy."
Malfoy's eyes softened and he leaned over to hug me. No one else was there because my normal seat was away from the noises and disturbances of the main library, "You don't need to. I'm fine," Malfoy said.
"What about that spell? What about all the pain you're in? And yes, I did notice it. What about your father? What about your mother?" There were tears in my eyes.
"Hermione," Malfoy said, looking back at me, his hands in mine, "It's okay. I've got it all sorted out."
"Really?" I asked, "You're not just saying that?"
Malfoy sighed and murmured, "There's only so far I'm willing to lie for you."
"What?" I was thoroughly confused.
"See you later, then," Malfoy said, getting up, "Don't worry yourself over nothing."
I sighed and closed the books, I believed Malfoy when he said the spell wouldn't be in any of these books. I hadn't expected too much, either way. I couldn't help but feel even more determined now to find out what that spell was.
I returned the books to their places and went out into the halls of Hogwarts.
"Hermione!" Ginny called, "I knew you'd be in the library, that's why I was coming to see you."
"Oh, hi Ginny," I said, bursting out of my bubble of thoughts.
"You seem preoccupied," Ginny noticed.
"So I was that obvious?" I asked.
"What is it?" Ginny asked.
I was at a loss on how to reply. I still hadn't told anyone about my change in opinion about Malfoy. Of course, he was still an arrogant person but he wasn't as much of a bigot as I thought. I tried to keep my expression casual, "Nothing, just work."
"Hermione, you've got to relax more!"
"I know," I laughed, "Want to go down for lunch?"
Before I knew it, it was Monday. I had spent the weekend catching up with everyone, save Ron. Waking up, I tried to tame my hair and ended up putting it in a ponytail so it didn't seem so messy. I had some fruits and a pancake for breakfast.
"I'm so excited for classes!" I said, grinning broadly.
"Hermione!" Harry groaned, "Lay off it, will you?"
"What?" I said, popping a strawberry into my mouth enthusiastically.
"Don't remind me!" Harry said as Ginny giggled.
"We missed a whole month of classes," I reminded him.
"And what a great month that was," Harry said.
"Don't you care about academics at all, Harry?"
"It's just that you care too much."
I gave up as the cloud of owls came in. The damp birds sprayed rainwater on everything. A large brown one landed near me and soon I was busy reading the Daily Prophet; there wasn't anything significant.
I walked down to the dungeons alone since Harry had gone with Ron.
"One month left in our partner projects," Slughorn said when our obstreperous class had calmed down.
"I'm so glad," Lavender whispered to me.
I nodded back though I didn't mind it. At Slughorn's directions, we went to sit at our tables.
"Hello Granger," Malfoy greeted.
"Malfoy," I acknowledged. I turned to look back at Professor Slughorn.
"Sir?" I asked, "What's the next part of our project?"
"Glad you asked," Slughorn said happily, "It won't take up too much of your time since the other teachers need to catch you up. You and your partner will write a report on one of the review prompts at the back of your books."
There were some groans, though I was glad. Essays were enjoyable to write.
"Don't worry!" Slughorn assured, "You'll have the next two works to work on it and revise it. Plenty of time! But I do expect it'll be written well. Length doesn't matter as long as you're able to answer the question with real details. In class, for the next two weeks, we'll learn about the Dark Potions. Of course, we won't be able to make them, but it's good to know in case you're faced with one."
We took copious notes on dark witches and wizards from the past who had been well-known for using potions. When the class was over, I turned to Malfoy, "Let's start working on our essay! Where do you want to meet to start?"
"Merlin, Hermione," Malfoy complained, "Ever heard of something called procrastination?"
"Oh no!" I cried, "That's terrible! How will we be able to revise it? Or if we don't understand anything we won't have time ask Professor Slughorn!"
Malfoy laughed, "Fine, how about tomorrow in the library? Where you usually sit."
"How do you know where that is?" I asked suspiciously.
"Hermione, you've basically lived in that one place since first year."
"That's not true!" I said, trying to be mad, though my smile gave me away.
"Hermione!" Ron said, coming over to our table, "The class is over!"
"I'm aware," I said coldly.
"What are you doing with that Death Eater?"
"Shut up," I said angrily, "Just go away, okay?"
I slammed my book shut after he left and shoved my things into my bag.
"He really gets to you, doesn't he?" Malfoy asked, his face seemed expressionless.
"Yes," I said tersely, I picked up my bag and went out so I could go to Defense.
After a tiring day and loads of homework, I made my way down to dinner. I saw Neville and Ginny sitting at the end of the table.
"Hello!" I called out.
"Hi, Hermione!" Neville said, smiling, "Want to sit with us?"
"Sure," I said, sitting down next to Neville, across from Ginny. We talked about a variety of topics from teachers issuing too much homework to Ginny wanting to join the Holyhead Harpies Quidditch team someday.
"Where's Harry?" I asked finally, noticing his absence.
"Here," Harry said, sliding down next to Ginny, "I've been looking for Ron, actually."
"Oh," I said, a part of me wondered where he was. I finished eating, "I'm going to the Common Room," I announced, leaving.
"Bye," Neville said, waving.
On my way up, I took a longer route, not sure whether or not I wanted to find Ron.
I was about to go up the last flight of stairs to the Fat Lady's portrait when I heard Ron's voice from a dark corridor.
He was yelling but I couldn't make out what he was saying. Drawing out my wand, I followed his voice to a single classroom. Light streamed out of it since it was slightly ajar.
I relaxed when I heard that the other yelling voice was Malfoy and not an intruder or something similar.
"Who are you to tell me what Hermione thinks!" Ron yelled. I stiffened at the mention of my name and stood near the door
"Because you're hurting her!" Malfoy yelled, "You don't know how much she cares about you and you're acting like a complete jerk."
"Me?" Ron said loudly, "What about you, Death Eater?"
"Is that the only insult you've got in your tiny brain?"
I heard Ron splutter, "Well why do you even care?"
"I have my reasons," Malfoy said, "But you should care, you're her friend, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I am," Ron said, "And I know her more than you do, who are you supposed to be? Her boyfriend?"
I couldn't take it anymore. I stormed in the classroom, "He may as well be my boyfriend!" I said angrily to Ron, "He cares more than you any day."
The two of them looked surprised to see me for a moment.
"Hermione, as your friend I don't think you should even be near this dangerous person. He's a Malfoy! He's the reason the Death Eaters came to Hogwarts; the reason Fred is dead!" With that, Ron stormed out.
Malfoy sat down on an old, dusty desk, "The weasel is right," he said, his head bowed down, "It is my fault."
"It's not!" I said, going over by his side.
"But I was the one who brought the Death Eaters here and because of what I did so many people died. Don't you see? I killed them!"
"Don't take Ron's words to heart, you're not a bad person," I said, now standing right in front of him.
"You wouldn't know," Malfoy said.
"I would!" I replied, "I've seen bad wizards and good ones. I'm sure I can tell the difference."
"You're too innocent."
"Are not!" I said.
Malfoy smirked, "You are," I smiled back; at least he wasn't upset anymore, "Remind me what you said earlier."
"What?" I asked, confused.
"About me being a good boyfriend."
I groaned and blushed, "I was just making a point!"
"Sure you were," Malfoy said sarcastically.
"Malfoy!" I said, embarrassed, "I was!" Malfoy smirked again, "Draco Malfoy! Stop it!"
"Or what?"
"I hate you."
"So I've been told."
"Good night!" I stressed, going up to leave.
"Thanks," I heard Malfoy whisper.
I wasn't sure if I was supposed to hear it or not so I went upstairs pretending I hadn't heard.
"So you're back," Ron said from one of the armchairs near the fire.
I ignored him.
"I bet you were really chummy with that ferret just now, weren't you?"
"It's none of your concern," I said heatedly, feeling my temper rise, "And his name is Malfoy."
"What about Malfoy?" Harry said coming into the Common Room.
"Hermione's boyfriend," Ron said.
"He's not," I told Harry, "That would never happen."
"You said it yourself," Ron yelled. The few fifth years working at a table got up to leave to their dormitories.
"If you were my other choice, of course!"
"Hermione! Ron! Stop it!" Harry called out, "Just make up or something! I hate your fights."
"I'm sorry, Harry," I said, "But if this is how he is now I don't think I should be his friend at all."
I went up to the girls' dormitories and undressed before flopping down on my bed. When I finally got my temper in check, I thought maybe it wasn't Ron's fault. Ever since Fred had been killed he seemed different. Not as weird as George who wasn't even talking much anymore, but he must have been much more shaken than Harry and I.
Did Malfoy really think he was the reason Hogwarts had been attacked? With Voldemort on the rise it was bound to happen soon anyway. And what did he mean by, "There's only so far I'm willing to lie for you?" With these thoughts running through my head, I was vaguely embarrassed about blushing in front of Malfoy yet again in the old classroom before falling asleep.
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