Chapter 9
"You!" Shouted Ron, pointing a finger at Hermione.
"What?" She said innocently.
"Don't play innocent with me," Harry had nothing to say. He was upset Hermione lied, and kept this from them. But he could also see why she did. The reason was standing right in front of him, red-faced and yelling. Hermione just gave Ron a quizzical look.
"What are you talking about Ron?" She asked politely.
"I saw!" He said, "I saw you, and. . . and. . . and *him*!" barked Ron. Hermione went stiff.
"Harry and I saw you Hermione from the window. We saw you kiss him, we saw you hug him. We - saw - you - with - Draco -Malfoy!" Ron spat to her. She stopped breathing, her heart hammered wildly in her chest. She was sure it would burst from her rib cage at any moment.
"I don't know what you're talking about Ron," she crossed her arms.
"Don't you play stupid, Hermione Granger." He used her full name, and it sent chills down her spine. The look in his eyes didn't help the chilling feeling. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Then she looked back at Ron.
"Fine," She said, "You caught me, all right? I've been seeing Draco for the past few weeks. We've been meeting almost nightly. There, are you happy Ron?" Tears were filling her eyes, because Ron's hard look wouldn't soften.
"No I'm not happy!" He shouted. His face was turning purple. "I just can't believe you Hermione! Seeing Draco Malfoy! And behind Harry and mine's back! You lied to us!"
"I know, and I'm sorry. But you must see why I-"
"You have no reason! We're your best friends! And honestly Hermione, of all people! *Draco Malfoy*? He's a arse, and you know it."
"NO HE'S NOT!" Finally she found the true voice she wanted to use. "I know him Ron, and he isn't an arse. He's not like his father, or his fellow Slytherins! He's kind and sweet to me! He hasn't done a thing to harm me, and has promised me never to do so! I'm *happy* Ron! Why can't you be happy for me?"
"BECAUSE HE'S DRACO MALFOY!!!"
"So what! Ronald Weasly, you insufferable prat, look past your own selfishness will you?" Hermione was surprised at herself. She was handling herself well, under the circumstances. Ron just stared hard and her, and she stared right back. But this was much more than a friendly staring contest. Ron gave Hermione one last glare that said: 'I can't believe you.' And then stalked up the stairs to the boys' Dorms. Hermione heard a door slam shut.
Then the tears came. The pain and the sadness rushed over her like a broken river dam. Collapsing onto the couch she sobbed, just noticing Harry, sitting in an armchair.
"You don't hate me do you Harry?" She wept.
"No," He said, "of coarse not." He came over to her and sat. "I understand your reasoning Hermione. You were afraid. Of me and Ron I'd wager."
"Yes," she sniffed. Harry put an arm around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder and cried. Torn between friendship, and relationship.
"If what you say about Malfoy is true Hermione, I believe you. You're not one who usually lies. But I am upset you did lie to us."
A muffled apology came from his shoulder. He wrapped his other arm around her and rocked her gently until she calmed.
When she broke away, her eyes were puffy and red. "Thank you Harry," she said, sniffing.
"Hey," he told her, "It will be alright. Ron will get over it. It will take time, but he will. He cares a lot about you Hermione, but he's stubborn and doesn't like change, you know that."
"Uh huh," was all she managed. Harry hugged her once last time before they both headed off to bed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luckily for Hermione, it was Saturday the next day. She'd have time to think, and to talk to Draco about the incident of the previous night. She wasn't looking forward to reliving the conversation, but she had to tell Draco. He'd understand, and she knew it. Hermione spent most of her day off alone, in her dorm. The only place she was safe from Ron's piercing glares. Losing a best friend in less than an hour can be overwhelming. The thought tore her apart. Grabbing her most recent novel, she headed outside. It was another beautiful day, and she hated to waste it. Getting lost in a book is the way she gets away from the world. She can travel to anywhere in the world, letting her imagination take her wherever the book promised. It was a good escape, and she relied on it most of the time.
Sitting under her usual tree by the lake, she flipped open her book and began reading, enjoying the peacefulness, and the glassy surface of the lake. After about ten minutes of contently reading, she set her book down. Taking off her shoes and socks, she decided to stick her feet in the lake's waters. It was a humid day, and it would feel wonderful to swim, but she just opted for the toes and feet instead.
She rolled up her pants, lifted up her robes, and tested the waters. It was chilly, but not too cold. So she stepped in letting the ripples surround her, and enjoying the calm lap of the water on her ankles. She closed her eyes, sighed and smiled. Life's simple pleasures. A light breeze had her hair flowing gently around her face. She was relaxed, and in her own world and thoughts, loving the quiet and the calm.
Thinking she better get back up to Gryffindor Tower to start on the weekend's homework, she stepped out of the lake, and went back to her tree.
She sighed heavily as she climbed the stairs to the Common Room entrance. Knowing what was waiting for her there didn't help her mood. The second she did step in she knew Ron was by the fire with Harry. When she did enter, she hugged her book tight to her chest, and kept her head low. Then she entered her dorm, gathering her things to do her Charms homework. It was just a short essay, but she wanted to get it out of the way. She spread her book out with her parchment and ink on a table farthest from the place Ron and Harry were. She didn't even notice Harry watching her sit by herself.
"Hi," she her Harry's soft voice next to her.
"Hi Harry," she said, not looking up from her work. "I'm kinda busy right now."
"Well you can just be un-busy for a few minutes," He placed a hand on her ink bottle and closed it. He pulled out a chair and sat next to her.
"Where's Ron?" She asked, setting down her quill.
"He went to dinner." Harry said simply. Hermione didn't realize how long it'd been.
"So, How are you?"
"Fine," Hermione answered, "Could be better, though."
"Yeah," Harry smiled warmly at her. "Talk to Draco about it yet?" She was surprised by the question.
"No, I haven't had a chance to. Probably tonight though. Tonight, we're supposed to meet up." She answered, then directed she conversation somewhere else. "Harry, why aren't you angry with me?"
"Because Hermione. It's your choice who you're with, and you're a smart girl, so I don't doubt your decisions. As much as I dislike Malfoy, you seem to know what you're doing. If you say he's changed, I'm going to have to take your word for it." He responded with a smile.
"Thank you Harry. Now, I just wish Ron could see that too," she told him.
"He'll come around sometime."
"Yeah, I hope so."
"Harry!" it was Ron. He was standing by the portrait.
"Just a second Ron!" Harry called back.
"Come to dinner, eat something. You don't have to talk to Ron."
With a reluctant sigh she agreed and packed up her things. While Hermione put her things back in her room, Harry approached Ron.
"What were you doing?" asked Ron, arms crossed.
"Talking with Hermione." Harry said simply. "You have a problem with that?"
"Harry, she's going out with Draco Malfoy! Why are you being so nice to her? She's a traitor."
"Ron, she's a smart girl. She knows what the bloody hell she's doing. If you'd only get it through your thick skull." Harry glared at his best friend. He still couldn't believe his stupidity. Ron just shook his head at Harry and left back though the portrait after saying:
"I'll see you at dinner."
Hermione came down the stairs and smiled at Harry.
"Where did Ron go?"
"Back to Dinner," said Harry, "He had a problem with me talking to you." He explained the rest of the conversation to her on the way to the great hall.
Harry sat by Ron, and Hermione sat on Harry's other side. She quietly ate her dinner, trying not to bring attention to herself. She also didn't dare look at Ron.
"Ron, you are going to keep your mouth shut about Hermione and Malfoy aren't you?" Harry whispered.
"I don't know Harry," Ron answered. "Most likely not. It's her life after all. If she wants to go and ruin it by being with that-"
"Will you get over it already?!" Harry cried. And there was silence. Ron didn't say anything, and Harry didn't either. It was a moment for Ron to think over his thoughts. No matter what Harry, or anyone else said, Hermione was making a bad choice in Ron's opinion. When Hermione was finished, she didn't feel like hanging around, so she said a quiet good-bye to Harry, and left the great hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that night, Hermione was going to meet Draco. She was getting ready in front of her mirror when there was a knock on her dormitory door. Puzzled, she opened the door to find Harry standing there.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Here," He said, handing her a letter. "This just came for you by owl."
"Thanks," She said, looking at the letter in her hand. Her name was in Emerald Ink, so she knew whom it was from. Harry smiled, waved, and then went back down stairs. Sitting on her bed she opened the letter carefully.
Hermione,
I know this is short notice, but I can't see you tonight. I'm sorry. Pansy said she needed to talk to me about something important. If I tell her I couldn't she'd go ballistic. I'm sorry Hermione. Maybe we can see each other tomorrow night. Write back if you want.
Hermione was puzzled. Pansy wanted to *talk* to Draco? Not likely. Suddenly Hermione felt a surge of jealousy. Pansy Parkinson wanting to talk? Snowball's chance in hell, she thought. Hermione decided to write back.
~~ That's alright. We will see each other tomorrow then, usual place usual time.~~
They both had decided not to sign their names in any of the letters, just in case. Hermione shoved the letter back into its envelope, and went to find Harry. She needed to use Hedwig to get back to Draco.
First, she knocked on the boys' dorm. Ron answered.
"What?" He asked, giving her a disgusted look.
A/N:: I'd appreciate reviews on how I'm doing. I need to know if I'm getting any better at the cliffhangers! Thanks Much!!!!
~~~MICHELLE~~~
"You!" Shouted Ron, pointing a finger at Hermione.
"What?" She said innocently.
"Don't play innocent with me," Harry had nothing to say. He was upset Hermione lied, and kept this from them. But he could also see why she did. The reason was standing right in front of him, red-faced and yelling. Hermione just gave Ron a quizzical look.
"What are you talking about Ron?" She asked politely.
"I saw!" He said, "I saw you, and. . . and. . . and *him*!" barked Ron. Hermione went stiff.
"Harry and I saw you Hermione from the window. We saw you kiss him, we saw you hug him. We - saw - you - with - Draco -Malfoy!" Ron spat to her. She stopped breathing, her heart hammered wildly in her chest. She was sure it would burst from her rib cage at any moment.
"I don't know what you're talking about Ron," she crossed her arms.
"Don't you play stupid, Hermione Granger." He used her full name, and it sent chills down her spine. The look in his eyes didn't help the chilling feeling. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Then she looked back at Ron.
"Fine," She said, "You caught me, all right? I've been seeing Draco for the past few weeks. We've been meeting almost nightly. There, are you happy Ron?" Tears were filling her eyes, because Ron's hard look wouldn't soften.
"No I'm not happy!" He shouted. His face was turning purple. "I just can't believe you Hermione! Seeing Draco Malfoy! And behind Harry and mine's back! You lied to us!"
"I know, and I'm sorry. But you must see why I-"
"You have no reason! We're your best friends! And honestly Hermione, of all people! *Draco Malfoy*? He's a arse, and you know it."
"NO HE'S NOT!" Finally she found the true voice she wanted to use. "I know him Ron, and he isn't an arse. He's not like his father, or his fellow Slytherins! He's kind and sweet to me! He hasn't done a thing to harm me, and has promised me never to do so! I'm *happy* Ron! Why can't you be happy for me?"
"BECAUSE HE'S DRACO MALFOY!!!"
"So what! Ronald Weasly, you insufferable prat, look past your own selfishness will you?" Hermione was surprised at herself. She was handling herself well, under the circumstances. Ron just stared hard and her, and she stared right back. But this was much more than a friendly staring contest. Ron gave Hermione one last glare that said: 'I can't believe you.' And then stalked up the stairs to the boys' Dorms. Hermione heard a door slam shut.
Then the tears came. The pain and the sadness rushed over her like a broken river dam. Collapsing onto the couch she sobbed, just noticing Harry, sitting in an armchair.
"You don't hate me do you Harry?" She wept.
"No," He said, "of coarse not." He came over to her and sat. "I understand your reasoning Hermione. You were afraid. Of me and Ron I'd wager."
"Yes," she sniffed. Harry put an arm around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder and cried. Torn between friendship, and relationship.
"If what you say about Malfoy is true Hermione, I believe you. You're not one who usually lies. But I am upset you did lie to us."
A muffled apology came from his shoulder. He wrapped his other arm around her and rocked her gently until she calmed.
When she broke away, her eyes were puffy and red. "Thank you Harry," she said, sniffing.
"Hey," he told her, "It will be alright. Ron will get over it. It will take time, but he will. He cares a lot about you Hermione, but he's stubborn and doesn't like change, you know that."
"Uh huh," was all she managed. Harry hugged her once last time before they both headed off to bed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Luckily for Hermione, it was Saturday the next day. She'd have time to think, and to talk to Draco about the incident of the previous night. She wasn't looking forward to reliving the conversation, but she had to tell Draco. He'd understand, and she knew it. Hermione spent most of her day off alone, in her dorm. The only place she was safe from Ron's piercing glares. Losing a best friend in less than an hour can be overwhelming. The thought tore her apart. Grabbing her most recent novel, she headed outside. It was another beautiful day, and she hated to waste it. Getting lost in a book is the way she gets away from the world. She can travel to anywhere in the world, letting her imagination take her wherever the book promised. It was a good escape, and she relied on it most of the time.
Sitting under her usual tree by the lake, she flipped open her book and began reading, enjoying the peacefulness, and the glassy surface of the lake. After about ten minutes of contently reading, she set her book down. Taking off her shoes and socks, she decided to stick her feet in the lake's waters. It was a humid day, and it would feel wonderful to swim, but she just opted for the toes and feet instead.
She rolled up her pants, lifted up her robes, and tested the waters. It was chilly, but not too cold. So she stepped in letting the ripples surround her, and enjoying the calm lap of the water on her ankles. She closed her eyes, sighed and smiled. Life's simple pleasures. A light breeze had her hair flowing gently around her face. She was relaxed, and in her own world and thoughts, loving the quiet and the calm.
Thinking she better get back up to Gryffindor Tower to start on the weekend's homework, she stepped out of the lake, and went back to her tree.
She sighed heavily as she climbed the stairs to the Common Room entrance. Knowing what was waiting for her there didn't help her mood. The second she did step in she knew Ron was by the fire with Harry. When she did enter, she hugged her book tight to her chest, and kept her head low. Then she entered her dorm, gathering her things to do her Charms homework. It was just a short essay, but she wanted to get it out of the way. She spread her book out with her parchment and ink on a table farthest from the place Ron and Harry were. She didn't even notice Harry watching her sit by herself.
"Hi," she her Harry's soft voice next to her.
"Hi Harry," she said, not looking up from her work. "I'm kinda busy right now."
"Well you can just be un-busy for a few minutes," He placed a hand on her ink bottle and closed it. He pulled out a chair and sat next to her.
"Where's Ron?" She asked, setting down her quill.
"He went to dinner." Harry said simply. Hermione didn't realize how long it'd been.
"So, How are you?"
"Fine," Hermione answered, "Could be better, though."
"Yeah," Harry smiled warmly at her. "Talk to Draco about it yet?" She was surprised by the question.
"No, I haven't had a chance to. Probably tonight though. Tonight, we're supposed to meet up." She answered, then directed she conversation somewhere else. "Harry, why aren't you angry with me?"
"Because Hermione. It's your choice who you're with, and you're a smart girl, so I don't doubt your decisions. As much as I dislike Malfoy, you seem to know what you're doing. If you say he's changed, I'm going to have to take your word for it." He responded with a smile.
"Thank you Harry. Now, I just wish Ron could see that too," she told him.
"He'll come around sometime."
"Yeah, I hope so."
"Harry!" it was Ron. He was standing by the portrait.
"Just a second Ron!" Harry called back.
"Come to dinner, eat something. You don't have to talk to Ron."
With a reluctant sigh she agreed and packed up her things. While Hermione put her things back in her room, Harry approached Ron.
"What were you doing?" asked Ron, arms crossed.
"Talking with Hermione." Harry said simply. "You have a problem with that?"
"Harry, she's going out with Draco Malfoy! Why are you being so nice to her? She's a traitor."
"Ron, she's a smart girl. She knows what the bloody hell she's doing. If you'd only get it through your thick skull." Harry glared at his best friend. He still couldn't believe his stupidity. Ron just shook his head at Harry and left back though the portrait after saying:
"I'll see you at dinner."
Hermione came down the stairs and smiled at Harry.
"Where did Ron go?"
"Back to Dinner," said Harry, "He had a problem with me talking to you." He explained the rest of the conversation to her on the way to the great hall.
Harry sat by Ron, and Hermione sat on Harry's other side. She quietly ate her dinner, trying not to bring attention to herself. She also didn't dare look at Ron.
"Ron, you are going to keep your mouth shut about Hermione and Malfoy aren't you?" Harry whispered.
"I don't know Harry," Ron answered. "Most likely not. It's her life after all. If she wants to go and ruin it by being with that-"
"Will you get over it already?!" Harry cried. And there was silence. Ron didn't say anything, and Harry didn't either. It was a moment for Ron to think over his thoughts. No matter what Harry, or anyone else said, Hermione was making a bad choice in Ron's opinion. When Hermione was finished, she didn't feel like hanging around, so she said a quiet good-bye to Harry, and left the great hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that night, Hermione was going to meet Draco. She was getting ready in front of her mirror when there was a knock on her dormitory door. Puzzled, she opened the door to find Harry standing there.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Here," He said, handing her a letter. "This just came for you by owl."
"Thanks," She said, looking at the letter in her hand. Her name was in Emerald Ink, so she knew whom it was from. Harry smiled, waved, and then went back down stairs. Sitting on her bed she opened the letter carefully.
Hermione,
I know this is short notice, but I can't see you tonight. I'm sorry. Pansy said she needed to talk to me about something important. If I tell her I couldn't she'd go ballistic. I'm sorry Hermione. Maybe we can see each other tomorrow night. Write back if you want.
Hermione was puzzled. Pansy wanted to *talk* to Draco? Not likely. Suddenly Hermione felt a surge of jealousy. Pansy Parkinson wanting to talk? Snowball's chance in hell, she thought. Hermione decided to write back.
~~ That's alright. We will see each other tomorrow then, usual place usual time.~~
They both had decided not to sign their names in any of the letters, just in case. Hermione shoved the letter back into its envelope, and went to find Harry. She needed to use Hedwig to get back to Draco.
First, she knocked on the boys' dorm. Ron answered.
"What?" He asked, giving her a disgusted look.
A/N:: I'd appreciate reviews on how I'm doing. I need to know if I'm getting any better at the cliffhangers! Thanks Much!!!!
~~~MICHELLE~~~