Going Insane
The minutes zipped by, the hours flew, and the days passed quickly as the day honoring St. Valentine edged ever closer. As they did, though, Hermione grew crabbier and more disgusted than ever.
Everywhere she looked, someone or something represented Valentine's Day. Even Snape was in the spirit! The entire week, it actually looked like he bathed the night before and actually picked out his outfit with care. The thought that a 'lady friend' might have been the incentive behind the change grossed Hermione to the extremes.
"I bet you it's a dare." Harry had said during Potions class.
"He wouldn't look so happy if it was." Ron told him.
"Snape could be forcing it." Parvati offered, shooting a furtive sideways glance toward the Potions Master.
"Believe me; Snape would be twitching like crazy by now if it was." Lavender chirped in. The four erupted in laughing fits, ones which Snape, surprisingly, didn't notice.
Hermione stalked angrily towards a small alcove behind the school gardens. A little stream trickled into a small clearwater pond, creating a serene environment where Hermione could escape.
After classes, she dropped her books off in her room and changed into jeans and a hoodie. She grabbed her guitar and ran out of the common room to her secret place.
The cold air blew in from outside as Hermione's well-trained fingers played soothing melodies on her acoustic guitar. After a couple of minutes of intense emotional release, Hermione ceased her guitar playing and put it aside, leaning the guitar case against the wall of the alcove. A squirrel chattered off to the side and caught Hermione's attention.
"Oh, hi there, little fella; how are you doing?" Hermione asked, grateful to have someone, or something in her case, to talk to.
The squirrel stared blankly up at her and picked up a nearby acorn, making Hermione smile.
"It's a good thing you've got a snack, because I think you'll be here a while…."
Draco leaned against the wall of the alcove, watching this girl converse with a squirrel. 'How had she found this place?' He thought. However she had, Draco was determined to investigate. Suddenly, he was pulled out of his reverie by the girl's change of tone.
"Why does everyone make a big fuss over Valentine's Day anyway? It is way too overrated!"
"Well, I have to say, I agree." Draco said out loud.
In a cloud of brown hair, the figure turned and faced Draco.
"What are you doing here?" They screamed simultaneously.