Author's Note: Hey there, people! I'm sorry it took so long for this chapter to get uploaded… as you know, school in our country has just started, and Harry Potter Book Five just came out the Saturday before! I must say, it's the best and at the same time worst HP Book ever… it's because one of the most significant characters died… *sniff sniff*
Anyway, thank you to all those who've reviewed!
BlueTopaz: hey, thanks for reading my fic!
Deimos: How'd you know it was me?
Anyway, here's chapter three!
~*~*~
EXCEPT HER
CHAPTER THREE
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It shatters my heart
And it pains me to see
That you're with somebody else
When you were made for me…
original poem by meHe felt empty.
There was nothing left inside of him… there were no emotions, no feelings…nothing.
Draco Malfoy sat on one of the windowsills in the Owlery, watching the vast sky slowly turn from orange to dark purple. Stars emerged quietly one by one, and the clouds swirled around. The leaves rustled as the wind rushed past them, and silence swept over the castle.
The owls perched everywhere around the room hooted one by one. Draco, though thoroughly annoyed by their noise, didn't bother to tell them off. Obviously, there was absolutely no point in doing so.
A large gray owl flew down to where he was and rested on the same windowsill he was sitting on. Draco glanced at it and looked back at the now darkened sky. The owl gave a tiny hoot and Draco gazed at it.
"You're lucky, you know that?" he said quietly to the gray owl, as it hopped nearer to him. Draco half-smiled and stroked its feathers. "I wish I were a bird… is there any chance that we could switch places?"
The owl hooted once again, and stared back at Draco with its innocent eyes. Draco looked back at the sky and sighed heavily. "That way… I can just fly away from everything… from her…" he said quietly. "From all the pain."
The school bell rang, signaling that it was time for dinner. Draco stood up, and stayed still. Somehow, he didn't want to go down to the Great Hall… at the moment, it seemed that it was a place reserved only for happy people… those who were problem-free… He knew that he wasn't one of those lucky people…
"So this is what rejection feels like," he thought out loud, chuckling mirthlessly. "Can't believe other people are able to bear it."
It was unbelievable pain and every time it crossed his mind, his heart sank lower than ever. All he wanted to do now was escape from the hurt, but he didn't know how.
There was another ring of the bell, and Draco walked over to the door. He had to face all his problems sometime, and one of those times was now…
So, though it was against his will, he dragged his feet down the stone steps and proceeded to the Great Hall for dinner.
****
Hermione picked on her food that dinner. Somehow, she wasn't hungry that night and she wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, even to Ron and Harry. She had tried busying herself with homework that was due weeks from now, but she couldn't concentrate. Only one thing was present in her mind: the letter she had received nights ago.
She tried convincing herself that the love letter was just a joke, a prank… Everyone who knew them in school knew that she and Ron were an item ever since the start of the school year. Everyone…
Who would want to jeopardize my relationship with Ron? She wondered, nibbling on one of the loaves of bread. No one would be that cruel… except—
She sharply turned her head to the Slytherin Table. The person she was looking for wasn't present yet.
Draco Malfoy, she thought. She instantly felt utter dislike for Malfoy and her confusion and wonderment turned into anger and frustration. He's the only one who's capable of doing this! Why, that little git—
"Hermione!"
Hermione turned around and behind her stood her red-haired boyfriend, Ron Weasley. His hair was slightly ruffled and messy and his freckles were very distinguishable. He was quite red, and Hermione immediately knew that he had just arrived from Quidditch practice. Harry, on the other hand, had already sat down Hermione's right and began eating his dinner.
"How was practice?" she asked, smiling.
"Fine." Harry shrugged. He took a large bite of his chicken. "Samantha Warring's getting loads better being a Chaser, Ginny as well. Zachary, on the other hand, needs a bit more practice—"
"It was pretty good." Ron cut Harry short and he put his arm around Hermione. Hermione's anger suddenly fleeted away as she came in contact with her boyfriend. She turned crimson and smiled sweetly up at him. Ron grinned back and said, "So, how was your afternoon?"
"Oh, the usual."
"Library?"
Hermione nodded curtly. "Yes. Er… I'm quite full already, so I'll meet you upstairs, shall I?" She stood up and slung her bag on her shoulder.
Harry nodded and continued eating. Ron, however, stood up as well. "You want me to come with you?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head and smiled. "It's okay, Ron."
"Are you sure?"
"Ron," Harry interrupted their conversation. "Hermione's been part of the Order. She helped Snuffles escape on Buckbeak, and she was saved from Voldemort's clutches. Do you think she's not capable of simply going back up to the Common Room?"
Hermione giggled.
Ron scowled, and sat back down. "I suppose you're right." He shrugged and turned to Hermione. "We'll see you later then."
Hermione waved goodbye and left the Great Hall.
~*~*~
Hermione bumped into someone as she exited the Great Hall. She staggered backwards and groped on the wall for support. The person took a few steps back and Hermione regained her upright posture.
"I'm—sorry—" The person had such a husky, deep voice of a young man. Hermione felt his hand rest on her right shoulder, and oddly, it sent tingling feelings up her spine. She looked up.
"Malfoy?? " Hermione's hand made a jerk as if it had desired to slap him on the face. She glared up at him, her eyes full of spite especially reserved for the young man standing in front of her.
Malfoy, on the other hand, scowled. He muttered a silent sorry and made his way to the Great Hall entrance.
"What, no 'watch where you're going, Mudblood' tonight, Malfoy?" Hermione sputtered out, surprised that he had just let this precious moment for insulting her pass. She took a step forward as Malfoy stopped walking.
"Well?" she demanded.
"Is that all you think of me?" Malfoy glanced at her and turned around.
"Wha—" Hermione stared at him blankly.
"Am I to you, a selfish, annoying Slytherin blonde prick that gets into your nerves every single waking moment that you see me?" Malfoy was now moving closer to her. Hermione hadn't budged at all, for she was unable to move out of shock.
Malfoy continued. "Am I an insufferable old teenage git that gets you angry whenever you set your eyes on me? Whenever I pass by, do you feel nothing for me except spite and contempt that you exclusively save for me and only me?"
He was now staring down at her, his steely gray eyes looking at her brown ones. Hermione let out a silent gasp and glared at him. His eyes were full of hope and at the same time despair, and Hermione was close to getting lost in them. Luckily, she had regained her composure and she opened her mouth to let out a single word.
"Yes."
Malfoy's eyes had widened. He stepped backwards and flashed her a smirk. "Just making sure." He turned the other way, and with the swish of his robes, he had disappeared into the Great Hall.
Hermione stood still, replaying what had just happened. Just making sure, he said as a last statement, but Hermione knew better. He wasn't just making sure… He was serious.
She could have sworn that there was something wrong with the way he had smirked. It was somewhat strained, and forced.
And his eyes told of a different story. What had been there instead of the assumed glee and smugness was sorrow and defeat. It seemed like he was expecting a different answer. He wanted a no, not a yes.
Hermione shook her head and turned the other way. She blamed exhaustion and stress as the cause of these thoughts sprouting up inside her head.
I must be dead tired. She thought, as she climbed up the stone steps.
~*~*~
Author's Note: So, how'd you like it? I'm sorry it kind of took so long, but school's been pretty much getting in the way. Plus, we had like tens of thousands of long tests this week…
Anyway, who cares about that when chapter three's already done?? Are you dying of suspense? What's going to happen next?
Wait patiently (impatiently if you must) for chapter four to find out!
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Thanks a bunch!
