Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Rowling. :) She's great, isn't she? Chapter 11 is here! Enjoy! R&R
Jealousy
Another week passed so quickly. Everyone in Hogwarts especially the 8th years are starting to get busy in their classes. The whole 8th year dorm is at chaos because everyone is cramming their homework and studying for their N.E. and it's a surprise because the chaos is not caused by a certain Granger-Malfoy fight. Their usual banter and shouting is replaced by civil nods and sometimes stealing glances to each other.
"Uhhmm.. Mione…. – "
"Ronald! How many times did I tell you to not call me that?!" Hermione glared at Ron. They're seating on their common room doing their homework that Hermione managed to finish already, a week before the submission. "You can still call me Hermione even if you're asking me a favor. What is it?"
"Sorry Hermione." Ron said. "I was just thinking, if you can let us have a look on your Charms essay. I still don't understand the – "
"You mean, let you copy a couple of sentence from my essay because as I can see yours is still a couple of inches short."
Ron smiles sweetly to her. "You're so brilliant Hermione. That's exactly what I'm going to ask you."
"No." Hermione answered simply.
"I told you she's not letting us copy hers." It's Harry that speaks, nudging Ron's elbow.
The two continue racking their brains to add something else on their essay while Hermione go back on reading a book.
"This is bloody torture!" Ron complains after a couple of minutes, still unable to add any valuable information on his essay. "I'm applying to become an Auror after we graduate and I bet this rubbish will help me on my future work."
Hermione snaps the book she's reading and glared at Ron. "If you began working with that essay a couple of days ago, you should finish it now! And writing an essay is not rubbish, Ron!"
"No Hermione, essay is for Ministry employees who work behind their desks. Being an Auror is working in action. You're not going to write an essay while you're rounding up Death-eaters." Ron retorted back to her. Harry remains silent, knowing better to anger Hermione.
"Well, unfortunate for you Ronald! You should pass Charms before you can enroll to the Auror Training Program and that means you should finish that essay!"
"Hermione…Help us here please. We've been practicing for Quidditch; Professor McGonagall let us join our house team even if we're on the 8th year's program that's why we didn't able to start this rubbi – this essay." Ron began. "You can't turn down your best friends, can you?"
"Oh please!" Hermione said. "You're always putting Quidditch above – " Hermione is unable to finished what she's saying because Ron and Harry is doing that Can-You-Really-Say-No-To-This-Puppy-Eyes face. "And don't get me started with that look!"
"Please Hermione…" The two said in unison.
Hermione eyed them angrily, then after a few seconds her face softened and she releases a very deep sigh. "That puppy look never fails you to get what you want." She shakes her head and smiles to her two best friends, the two people she treasured the most. "Let me get this straight, this will be the last time I'm helping you with your assignments."
Harry and Ron smiles and nod their heads.
"Ok. I'm lending you my notes. You can get valuable information with that and I'll check your work after. And be sure to finish that before you plan to practice for Quidditch for Merlin's sake!" Hermione said the last sentence louder that makes the two jumps on their seats.
The two make their way to either Hermione's side and they squeeze Hermione in a very tight hug.
"Have we told you that you're the greatest witch we ever lay our eyes to?" Ron asked smiling while still hugging her.
"Yeah.. I always hear that when you're asking me to help you with your essays." Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"No Hermione." Harry said. "You're the greatest friend we ever had."
Hermione laugh. "Yeah.. Whatever.. And boys, enough with the hugging. It's getting soppy." She said sarcastically.
"Thanks Hermione. We love you so much!" Ron gave her last hug then he kissed her cheek.
"Don't let Lavender hear you say that." Hermione warn him. "I don't want to end up dueling with her just because she get all jealous because of your actions."
Hermione can already feel her skin burning where Ron had kissed her. After the war, they have tried to bring their relationship to the next level, it just didn't work out. And they both agree to just stay as friends but sometimes Ron's soppiness is still affecting her. She handed them her notes and she leaves the common room and head to the library to compose herself.
###
Draco is sitting by the window watching her other mates do their homework. "They never learn, always working during last-minute." He thought. His eyes fall on the trio sitting by the fire. He can't help it but he always caught himself watching the brunette with great interest.
She's shouting about something Weasley said. Even though she's furious and glaring, she is still – pretty. Damn it! He needed someone to talk to about his crazy fantasy about Granger. Blaise is the first choice but he bet, that boy can help him.
He almost stands to his seat when Potter and Weasley hug her. "Oh how I wish it's me hugging her." Granger is laughing hard and it seems like she's enjoying it and he feels something stir on his heart. This feeling is new and he can't quite place the meaning of that. He tries every ounce of his strength not to punch Weasley when he kissed Granger on her cheek and he can see that Granger is blushing. "Damn it! What's happening to me?"
He watched as Granger stood and exit the dorm. "I knew exactly where she's going." He smirks and follows Hermione outside to the library.
###
Hermione is sitting on her usual place in the library. Her quite 5 minutes is interrupted when a blonde ferret approach her. He took the sit opposite to her and makes himself comfortable before Hermione said something, not bothering to take her eyes off the book she's reading.
"Not because, I didn't waste my time anymore fighting with you, means I want your company."
"Hi to you too." Draco said to her smirking.
For the second time that day, she snapped the book she's reading and faced him. "What do you want Malfoy? I come here because the common room is too crowded, but here you are, disrupting my treasured quiet time."
"Getting troubled with the Weasley Paradise, I see." Malfoy said to her. Then he brings his feet on the table and lean on his chair.
"What?! And can't you sit properly – "
"I saw what Weasley did." Malfoy said smirking. "It seems like you didn't enjoy that kiss."
Hermione closed her book and crossed her arms on her chest. "I didn't know you're quite paying attention on my everyday lives, especially on my love life." She said with a smirk.
Draco's been shocked by her answer. He didn't saw that coming but he already mastered the mask of indifference. "Well, your Public Display of Attention with the Weaselbee is quite obvious Granger."
"Well, sorry to disappoint you Malfoy but I'm not dating him. We used to but that's over and we're still friends, if that's what you're asking. And his name is Ron! Don't call him rude names."
Draco's inside is jumping in gladness. That's what he needed to hear. "Yeah.. You can do better than him." It's too late to take back his words. Hermione's eyes narrowed in confusion and then she smirks to him.
"I smell jealousy." Hermione said to him.
"Wha – What?! Jealous? With whom? With the Red-Hair-Weasley? I'm obviously 100 times good-looking than him! And you deserve me better than – " Draco explains to her and Hermione can't help but smile. "You deserve someone better – What are you smiling at?!"
Hermione gather her things before standing. She walks toward him then she smiles at him and pats his cheek while saying. "Yeah.. That's definitely called jealousy."
With that, she exits the library leaving a very embarrassed Draco Malfoy.
"I'm not jealous!" Draco shouted back to her but Hermione is already far to hear him. "Yeah.. Maybe, I am." He sighs and he bang his head to the table. "Merlin help me."
Author's Note: R&R please.. :) Lovely reviews will flutter my heart..