Tenderness in a Poem

CHAPTER ELEVEN- NEW DETAILS

After his long embrace with Hermione, Harry pried the girl's fingers from his back. He was sure he would have deep grooves where her hands had been; she had held on as if Harry was dying and she would never hold him again. It was once like that, drowning in the death grip of lost friendship, but now, things were looking better. There was a new beginning at the edge of the horizon, and it wasn't bleak or deserted anymore. It was full of people who cared, well maybe not full, but there were at least two people, Hermione and Draco.

Speaking of Draco, Harry wondered when they would meet in the Library again for a midnight rendezvous. A week had passed, and not even a hint of a meeting. Harry had tried to get the Slytherin's attention during and after class, but nothing. The boy was basically ignoring Harry, at least that's what it felt like. Could Draco be bored with Harry already? Was that even possible? They had only met in the Library a few times, except the last time had ended in very close proximity. What the hell did that mean? did Draco want to kiss Harry? Did Harry even want to kiss Draco? A flip of Harry's stomach told him that yes, he kind of did. Was that wrong?

"Harry?" Hermione sniffled, wiping the tears from her face. "What's on your mind?"

Startled, Harry looked at his friend with confusion. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking."

"About Ron?" she asked. "Because he would be here now if he didn't have Quidditch practice. He was against the idea of my coming to talk with you after last week, it was only because he couldn't be here. I'm sure of it. He must be dying from the inside holding everything in. He won't talk about any of it."

Awkwardly, Harry answered with a grunt. He hadn't been thinking of Ron. Actually, Ron had been the last thing on his mind.

"Just don't hate him, Harry," Hermione pleaded.

"Why would I hate him?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from his words. " He only ran away from my problems faster than I could, with you by his side."

"Harry, he didn't know what to do. We didn't know what to do."

"It doesn't matter. He didn't apologize. If he cared so much, he would be here by your side, making amends."

"He would if he could-"

"But he can't, right?"

Hermione nodded.

"It doesn't even matter. He showed he couldn't be a friend. If this was his first time, I would have forgiven him, but Ron did this in our fourth year. Never does he take my side first, it's always last."

"Oh Harry he-"

"Don't make up excuses for him. It can't be justified. I have a new best friend now," blurted Harry.

Hermione's eyes widened as large as quarters. "You replaced us?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant," he scrambled for the lost words in his mind, "I don't know what I meant. It's nothing. Just forget it." Harry shook his head and walked away from the brunette, towards the hallway outside his dorm.

Hermione tugged at his arm as it swung past her. "Who are you talking about? You haven't been seen in anyone's company since mine or Ron's. Are you delusional? Are you sick?"

"No!" Harry was angry again. "I'm not making it up. I meet them in the Library when everyone else is sleeping."

"Who? Tell me," Hermione suddenly became giddy. "Do you have a crush on her? Is she pretty? What is she like? Do I know her?"

Harry felt very sheepish immediately, color creeping across his pale cheeks. "It isn't a girl, persay."

"What do you mean 'persay'? Is it a girl or not?"

"Not"

"Are you serious? When did this all happen?"

"Recently. It's not like I asked for it. It just…fell in my lap."

"Ooh. That is exciting. But you haven't said who it is!!!"

"Draco," Harry mumbled incoherently.

She held her hand up to her ear, "Repeat that, please."

"Draco Malfoy."


A/N: Hope you have liked these last two chapters. I wanted to add more Hermione and Harry action because I believe that friendships can last through thick and thin. I also believe forgiveness is in everyone, no matter how foul a person they are. As for Ron, I have a plan for him, don't worry!!