Chapter 7
After the rehearsal, Draco and Hermione found themselves walking out of the auditorium putting as much distance between them as they possibly could. It was pretty hard for them to accept that they would have to balance both their studies and their rehearsals.
Draco would not be Draco if he just walked off without saying anything to Hermione. When they crossed a considerable distance from the auditorium, his masculine voice stopped her.
"Granger, you know that we have to come here everyday for those stupid rehearsals."
She nodded without saying anything. To be honest, she grew rather exhausted with today's events. She wanted to go home, take a long warm shower and relax in her bed.
"I don't like seeing you and talking to you, Granger."
"I have so many important things I should be doing right now," he rambled on as if he were talking to himself; avoiding Hermione's eyes and looking away from her in the other direction.
"The feelings are mutual, Malfoy, " Hermione replied; holding her bag tightly over her right shoulder; standing firmly on the ground.
"What time shall we be meeting here tomorrow for the rehearsals?" Hermione asked him; pure indifference written all over her face.
"Miss Rachael said somewhere between 2:00 pm- 2:30pm after the classes," he answered; looking back at Hermione.
"See you tomorrow, Malfoy," Hermione said; stepping away and whirling her back on him; her bag swaying in the process.
….
After the meeting, Hermione found herself sitting at a table with Harry and Ron at the pub where they would usually meet. This was the place which allowed her to pour her entire being to the two friends with whom she could be herself. It was around 3:00pm.
"I saw Crabbe and Goyle going to Malfoy's garage with some weird black bag, " Ron said; sipping white wine all the while looking at Hermione with a pensive expression.
"What is the big deal about it?" Hermione asked him; raising her eyebrows as if they would rocket off her face.
"They were also spotted around a prohibited area where gallons of heroin are shipped to foreign countries, " Ron continued; putting down his wine glass on the table.
"Maybe, they had some important work there, " Hermione countered; still not being able to see the reason behind Ron's words.
"Perhaps, you are right, " he concurred; spreading both his hands on the table.
"It is just that this recent case of drug smuggling has been constantly on my mind, " he said; waving off his right hand in a dismissive gesture.
"Just, don't think about it, " Hermione advised him; patting his left hand in the effort of making him take things easy.
"You guys are forgetting that I am also sitting at the same table, " Harry chimed in; leaning closer to his two best friends.
"Guys, let's just enjoy this day, " Harry said; raising his wine glass.
The afternoon went pretty much the way Hermione wanted. Warm animated conversations with two of the most kindred spirits she deemed to be her best friends. They would never break this mutual deal of meeting here and sharing their hectic life experiences no matter busy they got.
