Chapter 1 - Jealousy

Draco gripped Hermione's hand tightly as they stepped off the curb into the noisy streets. Last night, like all the other nights in their Seasons Mansion, was exhausting. In the end, Draco had spent the night in Hermione's room, accompanying her, consoling her...

The couple was stopped suddenly by a shriek of recognition. Ginny Weasley.

Ever since that day when Ginny had a part in saving Hermione's life, they had kept close contact. At first Draco was annoyed that Hermione was spending more time with the redhead than with him but slowly he came to understand that their friendship was fragile and thus very important to Hermione. It did not matter much anyway. Whatever that makes Hermione happy makes Draco pleased.

Ginny Weasley dragged her boyfriend, Harry Potter, over to them. Hermione and Ginny chatted cheerfully and animatedly, which gave Draco some time to observe the somewhat sulky Harry Potter. His black hair was as usual a mess and it covered up the lightning scar on his forehead. Thankfully. His eyes looked greener than ever and he was no longer wearing his trademark glasses. Draco gave him a nod as a form of greeting and he returned it, only after some reluctance.

Hermione turned to Harry, as if noticing his presence for the first time. She took her time to gaze at Harry, which Draco found extremely disturbing. "Hi, Harry," she said softly. Draco heard the desperation in her voice and almost cringed.

Harry shrugged. Anger rose in Draco, but he said nothing, although thinking of how Harry could be so icy towards Hermione when they were best friends for almost ten years, since eleven.

An unreadable look came into Hermione's eyes, later identified as hurt. "Why don't we talk over lunch?" she suggested. Draco spotted the pathetic hopefulness and detested it.

A small but genuine smile from Harry relieved the other three. Ginny pried the helpless brunette's hand from Draco's fingers and they walked a few steps in front of Draco and Harry, gossiping like tomorrow was the end of the world. Draco and Harry walked in silence, both glancing at their partners in silent contentedness.

"Have you proposed to Weasley?" Draco asked finally, the first sign of a conversation.

Harry seemed surprised that Draco could actually ask a normal question that he stumbled through his answer. "N-no," he said hesitantly. "It never seems to be the right time. What about you?"

"You mean Ginny hasn't told you?" he asked, holding up the hand that wore the red and gold band proudly.

Harry glanced at Draco briefly and Draco could have sworn he caught the look of envy on Harry's face. He smirked to himself.

"I always knew you weren't much of an action guy but I never thought you would delay something like this," Draco said with a slight drawl in his voice. He paused. "Are you gay?"

Harry looked at him in horror. "No!" he exclaimed, so loudly that Hermione and Ginny stopped in front of Blue Swirls Café to stare questioningly at them.

Draco chuckled and dragged a ranting Harry towards them.

"I'm still dizzy," Harry complained and caused the girls to go into hysterics.

The unique name, Blue Swirls Café was, quite obviously, derived from the different sizes and shades of blue circles prints on the walls and ceilings.

"Try staring at the ceiling, dear," Ginny suggested and the girls went off, laughing again.

"You are not helping, Gin," he sulked.

Hermione stopped laughing, stood up and walked towards Harry until she was behind his seat. "Close your eyes," she murmured - he did as he was told - and placed her fingers on his temples and massaged his head.

Jealousy bubbled in Draco's throat as he bit back snide comments. He glanced over at Ginny and was not surprised to see her surprised. She, too, looked unhappy by Hermione's gesture.

Hermione dropped her ands and went back to her seat. Harry smiled broadly at Hermione. "Thanks 'Mione," he said. "I feel much better. No thanks to you, Gin."

The other three only heard till the part where he said "'Mione", each having different thoughts.

Hermione ducked her head, beaming and blushing. He forgave me!

I would appreciate if he doesn't behave so intimately with my best friend, Ginny thought irritably.

Draco was thinking... well, he was more likely cursing Harry. "Hermione... I'm having a headache too," he said, trying not to whine.

She waved him off airily. "Very funny, Draco," Hermione replied good-naturedly, as if thinking he was being childish.

"I do," he insisted.

Hermione rolled her eyes and went on sipping her cappuccino like Draco had not spoken.

A surge of anger passed through Draco as he stood up, so quickly that his chair rocked backwards and fell with a loud thud, causing many to turn their heads and stare.

He turned to Hermione and slapped her.

There was silence as everyone in the café watched Draco walk out heatedly. Then the gossips began.

Harry started to stand up to go after Draco but was pulled back by Ginny. She was grateful that someone could take her place to slap Hermione. She only felt slightly guilty as she watched Hermione's face changed from red to white.

"D-do you think he's angry at me?" she whispered to her friends.

Ginny started to nod solemnly while Harry channeled his attention to stirring his coffee.

Hermione fell back into her seat and turned her head upwards so that they would not see the tears glistening in her eyes.

Draco stuck his hands into his pockets, walking away from Blue Swirls Café with as much speed as he could muster. Why did I slap her? he questioned himself. He should have trusted her. After all they were engaged for two years and had stayed under one roof for god-knows how many years.

I will go home late tonight, he decided. So I wouldn't have to see her.

][ A u t h o r 's N o t e ][

In the next chapter... (1) Hermione runs away. (2) Draco appears at Ginny's doorstep. (3) What the red/gold ring and the silver/green ring do.

*Updates will be on every other day! (Except weekends. I find that nobody comes online during these 2 days.)