Title: Firefly
Chapter Fourteen: Revelations
Author: Kitty Malfoy
Disclaimer: Etc. Etc. Who cares! I don't own shit.
A/N: Yup…there's a lot of scenes in this chappy and the next from CI – enjoy!
****
The box of chocolates Ginny had brought her fooled Hermione's mind into a false sense of happiness but did nothing to ease the aching of her heart. Ginny had filled her role of "best friend" with gusto, even skipping her morning classes to be with her broken-hearted friend.
But Hermione wouldn't let her sadness infect the wild redhead and had demanded Ginny attend her afternoon classes. As Ginny slid out of Hermione's room and closed the door softly behind her Harry and Ron approached her.
"Draco-" Ginny didn't even get the chance to finish her statement before Harry interrupted.
"I knew it!" He growled pounding his fist into the palm of his other hand.
Her brother placed a strong hand on his friend's shoulder effectively preventing the angry boy from charging foolishly out of the common room and most likely do something stupid and involving the Slytherin Head Boy.
"No." Ron said firmly, "No one could have known this would happen."
Harry sighed and gave a slow nod of agreement.
"Besides," Ginny interjected; flicking a carrot-colored lock of hair over her shoulder, " 'Mione asked me to tell you: you're not to lay a hand on him."
"What?!" Ron's old temper came out before he could even think reasonably about Ginny's statement, "She can't seriously be taking his side here..."
"Power and wealth...or love? I can't believe she didn't see it coming." Harry pointed out.
Ginny didn't comment lest she accidentally say something against her best friend to whom she was completely devoted. She just shrugged and hoisted her satchel onto her shoulder. Shuffling dejectedly behind Ginny, the trio exited the deserted common room.
****
The next morning was Tuesday and Hermione was determined to return to her studies. As she rolled out of bed she gave her mirror's reflection a scowl just thinking about how her grades had started to slip.
After smashing her hollering alarm clock for the second time that year she shed her wrinkled nightgown and stumbled sleepily into her private bathroom.
The icy tap water helped shock her into wakefulness. By the time she rinsed the conditioner from her hair goose bumps were beginning to form along her arms and upper chest. Twisting off the water, Hermione blinked the beads of water from her eyes and pulled a fluffy maroon towel off the towel rack.
As she dried off she cast a simple drying spell on her hair and pulled it into a messy ponytail on top of her head. She hurriedly jumped into her uniform and grabbed her books while simultaneously starting a mad dash towards breakfast.
The Gryffindor table was surprised when Hermione came pelting into the Great Hall just after the start of breakfast. She was hardly in her seat across from Harry and Ron before she began inhaling her food.
"Uh – Hermione?" Ron mumbled with a mouth full of food.
"Mmm, can't talk." Hermione exclaimed between bites, "Library." She wiped her mouth off and started to stand up.
"Harry, it's impolite to stare; and don't talk with your mouth full, Ron."
And then she was gone.
" 'Bookworm Hermione' is back," Ron declared; pointing out the obvious.
"But is that good or bad?" Harry mused.
****
"Well done." Pansy purred as she cornered an annoyed Draco in the corner of the deserted Slytherin Common Room.
"Hermione?" Draco guessed. His lip curled into a sneer of disgust as Pansy pressed her large upper chest against him. He growled and shoved her roughly away.
Recovering quickly, Pansy produced two wine glasses and poured champagne into the crystal holder. "I thought we should celebrate."
Draco's eyes narrowed, but he accepted the glass nonetheless, " What shall we toast to?"
"Peering into her glass as she swirled the drink within a grin began to form on her face.
"To my triumph, of course."
He swallowed slowly. Of course Pansy would celebrate the humiliation of Hermione Granger
-=-Flashback-=-
"Oh my god. You are completely whipped, Draco."
"No I'm not."
"Look at yourself!" Pansy sneered. "You're a joke. She's turned you into jelly. What do you want to be one of those losers who walk down the halls holding hands and smiling? People used to respect you. They feared you and now you're going to throw that all away."
Draco stared at her; lost in thought.
"Poor Draco. He used to be cool, but now he's just another love struck faggot. One of the many."
Draco snorted and started to turn away when Pansy's cold voice cut in. "People don't change overnight." She hissed, "You and I are two of a kind. At least I have the guts to admit it."
She sipped her drink.
"You were gonna leave school a legend. Now you're gonna leave a joke."
This time Draco did turn away and made his way towards the portrait hole. "I'm willing to take my chances."
Pansy made a last-ditch insult at Draco's retreating form, "Don't do it, Draco. You'll not only ruin your reputation – you'll destroy hers!"
-=-End Flashback-=-
Draco cleared his throat tersely, "Not my choice of toast, but...it's your call." He raised his glass, "To your triumph over Hermione."
The champagne caught in his throat the moment Pansy began to laugh. He swallowed slowly and gave a small cough, "What's so funny?"
"Silly rabbit. My triumph isn't over her. It's over you."
His insides froze even though the anger quickly began to overpower his dread at hearing Pansy's next words, "C-Come again?"
"You were very much in love with her and you're still in love with her. But it amused me to make you ashamed of it. You gave up on the first person you ever loved because I threatened your reputation. You're just a toy, Draco. A little toy I like to play with. And now you've completely blown it with her...I think it's the saddest thing I've ever heard."
She smirked and clicked her glass to his before taking a sip, "Cheers." Draco, however, looked decidedly ill. His blood pounded in his ears and his head reeled.
Fuck...
*****
REVIEW!
OR NO MORE!
Kitty Malfoy
=^.^=
