Three's a Crowd
by Ankhsattva.



Hermione stormed away from the library as fast as she could, only mildly aware of Harry behind her, chattering nervously and trying to calm her down.

"Malfoy's just an idiot, don't let him get to you," Harry said, trying to put his hand on Hermione's shoulder and being brushed away. "Come on, he'd want you to get angry. You're giving him what he wants."

"Fine," Hermione snapped. "Now leave me alone."

Harry reeled back, surprised at this rare show of temper. He blinked a few times, opening his mouth to say something then thinking better of it and closing it.

Hermione sighed, and stood still. "I'm sorry, Harry. Malfoy just gets to me."

Harry nodded, and drew back close to his friend. "Ignore him, he isn't worth it."

"Ignore him.." Hermione gave a weak smile. "My parents always say to ignore bullies as well. I'll do that then."

They both stopped talking as Ron sprinted up to them.

"Had to give Malfoy a talking to," he panted, looking up at Hermione for approval then blinking, flushing and staring at the floor.

"And you didn't get a spell put on you?" Harry injected, looking Ron up and down.

"Nah," Ron grinned airily.

"Yes, well." Hermione started walking again. "I want to get to the common room so I can study in peace. Coming?" She glanced at her companions who were now trotting after her.

"Sure," Ron shrugged. "I haven't got anything else to do."

"And you want to study?" Hermione said in surprise, scanning Ron suspiciously. "Are you quite sure Malfoy didn't put a spell on you?"

Ron bit his lip. "Didn't say I wanted to study," he mumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets and suddenly looking very sheepish.

Hermione shrugged. "Fair enough then. Lets go."



As Hermione, Ron and Harry strolled into the common room Parvati looked up at them and grinned.

"Oi, Hermione, someone had a message for you!" she yelled across the room. "Draco Malfoy says he's sorry about earlier."

Hermione stopped in her tracks, eyes wide, mouth half open. Ron and Harry looked similarly stunned.

"What?" Harry and Hermione said at the same time.

Parvati shrugged. "That's all he said. Seemed really apologetic. Proper upset, like."

Ron flinched and tried to ignore the million insults lining up for Draco in his mind. "He's probably just leading us all on," he said. "You know Malfoy, anything to get some tears."

Hermione seemed a little unsure. Finally she shook her head, sat down and opened her books. "It doesn't matter either way," she muttered. "I don't forgive him."