Chapter 4 – Too close for comfort

The next day; the Weasleys were in a kind of daze. Even Fred and George who were normally happy and energetic seemed depressed. Harry and Hermione didn't know what to say to Ron or how to act around him. If they talked for too long he'd snap at them; so they decided to keep conversation to a minimum.

Malfoy was having a bad day too. All he could think about was Ron and Hermione holding hands. He was sickened at the very thought and just wished the image would go away. 'Weasley doesn't deserve Hermione; that red-haired prat!' He was so deep in loathing Ron that he wasn't looking where he was going and bumped into someone; who fell to the floor.

"Watch it you-"he broke off as he realised it was Hermione. Absentmindedly, he held out his hand. She looked at the hand as though it had dog crap smeared on it. "What are you playing at Malfoy?!" Malfoy quickly pulled his hand back. "Nothing Herm-gran- Mudblood" and he walked away leaving Hermione rather confused. Pansy was watching from around a corner with an annoyed look on her face. Ron and Harry walked by Hermione who was still on the floor.

"Ron? Could you help me up please?" "Busy" Ron said tonelessly and he walked off up the corridor. Hermione was even more confused. "What is it with boys today?" she said to Harry as he helped her up. "His still upset about his dad" Harry replied. "Wait, boys? Who else do you mean?" Harry asked curiously. "Oh, no one in particular" Hermione answered.

Malfoy walked back to his common room thinking to himself. 'Why did I call her Mudblood? Why didn't I help her up? This isn't like you Malfoy, how can you like a Mudblood?' For the second time today, Malfoy bumped into someone; this time it was Pansy Parkinson. "Hiya Dracikins! Why so glum?" she said as she titled her head with a fake look of concern. "Nothing, get outta my way" Malfoy snapped. "Oooh!!! Touchy touchy! Is it because of that Granger you like so much?" "Fuck off!" Malfoy yelled and he stalked off in the direction of the library; thinking as he went: 'I hate Granger that bitch. She must be stupid to like Weasley so much'.

(AN: This is around 8 pm) Harry and Hermione walked through the portrait hole and into the Gryffindor common room. They saw Ron sitting by the fireplace deep in thought. He didn't even look up when they entered the room. "Ron, are you ok?" Hermione asked timidly. Ron didn't answer. "Ron, me and Harry are really worried about you, why won't you talk to us?" Ron stood up and turned to face his two best friends.

"It's none of your business" Ron replied to Hermione flatly. "Ron, you can't talk to Hermione like that" Harry told him. "Harry! Stay out of this!" Ron yelled. "Please Ron, calm down. If you talk to us maybe we can help you" Hermione said. "Help me?! What can you possibly do to help me?! YOU CAN'T GET MY DAD'S JOB BACK CAN YOU!?!" Ron yelled. It was lucky that they were the only ones in the common room.

"Well, no. But we can help you to feel better" Hermione replied with tears in her eyes. "FEEL BETTER! HOW WILL THAT HELP ME?! HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY MAKE ME FEEL BETTER!? Ron yelled at Hermione. "Ron please stop yelling at me!" Hermione said; tears streaming down her face. "YOU KNOW I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS RIGHT NOW! I'M TOO BUSY FOR A GIRLFRIEND! WE'RE OVER HERMIONE!!!"

Hermione looked at Ron with tears flowing down her cheeks. "Fine" she croaked and she ran out of the common room in the direction of the library. Ron looked shocked at what he had just done. He looked at Harry who looked at him with hate in his eyes. "How could you do that to Hermione eh?!" Harry said with slightly an angry voice. 

Harry turned to leave but heard sobs from behind him. He turned round and saw Ron with tears on his cheeks. "I'm so sorry Harry; I never meant to say those things! They just came out!" Harry walked over to him and let Ron cry on his shoulder. "It's ok Ron" Harry said as Ron took his head off his shoulder and tried to wipe his tears away. "I'm sure Hermione will understand if you explain to her" Harry said reassuringly. "No she won't Harry. I've waited so long to have her and now I've lost her, maybe for ever".

Hermione ran to the library as fast as she could. Tears were still staining her cheeks as she pushed open the library doors. The library appeared empty except for a pale faced boy with blonde hair. "Malfoy" Hermione muttered. "What are you doing here Mudblood?" Malfoy said. Hermione burst into tears. Forgetting that he didn't want to like a Mudblood anymore, Malfoy rushed over to her. "Hermione what's wrong?" Malfoy asked concerned. "Nothing" Hermione snapped as she sat down on a couch. "Broke up with Weasel?" Malfoy asked with a note of jealousy in his voice.

"Yes if you must know" Hermione said to him, trying to hold back her tears. But she couldn't handle it, she started to cry again. Malfoy sat down beside her and put his arm around her and laid her head on his shoulder. Hermione felt safe in Draco's arms. She couldn't explain why; she began to feel a tingly feeling in her stomach.

Malfoy felt the most happy he had ever been. He loved having Hermione in his arms, close enough to smell her hair, to feel her soft skin against his. They both looked up into each other's eyes. Their faces were inches apart now and they both seemed to be waiting for one of them to make the first move. Malfoy did and their lips touched into a long kiss.

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Hi! I hoped you liked my chapter. Sorry if you're a Hermione and Ron fan, (sorry to soapbox!) Please review!