Love and Hate

By Tennisplaya278

If you give a mouse a cookie, it will probably ask for milk

-If You Give A Mouse Cookie-

-Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue, I don't own Harry Potter and neither do you. Bananas are yellow, tomatoes are red, stop reading this and read my story instead!-

Draco wanted to scream.

He was feeling so many things at the moment. Anger at Ron, Grief from his mother's death, frustration with school, annoyance toward Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy, but mostly happiness from that joy ride with Hermione.

More and more, oblivious to his attention, his thoughts were drifting to Hermione. He couldn't get his mind off her. From her chestnut hair, to her honey brown eyes, from her bravery to her laughter, everything he did or saw reminded him of Hermione.

He knew she had forgiven him, although she never admitted it. That one night in particular, he could see it all in her eyes. Her eyes were begging for forgiveness and he already given it to her ages ago.

Currently, he was working on his potion's essay. Hermione was nowhere in sight. She had gone to the Gryffindor common room to help Harry with his potion's essay. Draco didn't blame him. He had once worked with Goyle on a project and he couldn't stand it. He never did any of the work, but just sat there like a log. From that day onward, he had vowed to never work with her again. Hermione on the other hand was just the opposite. She was a brilliant worker and a quick thinker.

Hah. His thoughts were back on her in just a few seconds. He looked down at the piece of parchment that was on the desk in front of him. On there were two completely different handwritings. One was neat, small and easy to read. The other was larger, messier and may have been just a tad bit harder to read. Just exactly like the people who wrote them.

Tapping the quill against the desk, he thought about whom he was going to Hogsmede with on Valentine's Day. He had to find a date. It was expected of him. At first he thought he would find a random girl in the hallway and ask her. Surely she would say yes. Who could resist him? But he had done that the past years and the day had ended up being a disaster. Yes, he only wanted to go with somebody he could have fun with. Who could that be?

Draco knew the answer to this question off the top of his head.

If it was the last thing he did, he would go with Hermione Granger.

&&&

"Veriteserum. How ironic."

Hermione was sitting next to Harry, helping him with his essay. He and Goyle were doing there's on Veriteserum. It was a tough choice but Hermione could see why they had chosen it, considering what had happened at the end of last year.

"Drink up Potter." Lucius Malfoy was beckoning a tied up Harry to drink a vile green liquid.

"Not in your life Lucius"

"We'll see about that. Imperio!"

Harry was fighting a battle with himself. Hermione watched helplessly on the side, as his mouth grew larger and larger. Lucius smirked that famous Malfoy smirk, as he slowly poured the liquid down Harry's throat.

"Now Potter. You've just been fed Veriterseum. You do know what that does to you correct? Of course your puny mind probably couldn't comprehend what truly was at work." He laughed along with all the other Death Eaters holding the other members of the DA captive.

"First question. Where is Dum-Ah!"

Lucius was stupefied. (Like father like son)

Nobody ever did figure out who stupefied Malfoy Sr., but Hermione had a hunch. Just seconds later, she could see Goyle's wand clutched tightly in his hand with faint red light emitting from the end.

She was shocked. Not only did she doubt his intellegence to produce the stunning spell, she couldn't believe he stood up to Lucius.

So Hermione kept on trying to help Harry understand what he was writing about. Goyle wasn't anywhere and according to Harry, Goyle had been avoiding him the entire time.

They were almost done with the essay and the common room was empty except for them. Some where between writing and spilling ink, Ron came down from the dormitory. His shocking red hair was messy and his eyelids were drooping. When he saw Hermione though, his eyes shot wide open and his jaw dropped. Harry on the other hand, had suddenly became very silent. He looked from Hermione to Ron and excused himself, ignoring the pleading look in her eyes.

Ron filled in Harry's absent space. There was an awkward silence where nobody wanted to say anything that could start another fight between them. The only sound clear was the faint crackling of the fire. Finally, when nobody could stand it any more, a voice broke through the quiet.

"I'm sorry Hermione." His voice was soft and gentle, yet full of confidence, very rare for Ron to have. Hermione was still avoiding his eyes.

"But I meant every word of it. I love you Hermione. Why can't you love me?"

She finally looked at his eyes. Mingled in with the blue was honesty. He loved her. Ronald Weasley loved Hermione Granger.

But did he really?

Love is such a fickle, funny thing that can confuse and amuse even the most sensible people. She had never been in love herself and the way she felt right now, she was sure she wasn't in love with the man before her. In her books, they two lovers would feel their heart burst, feel a need to be with them every waking moment, longing to just hear their voice every second. And in each story, the woman and man would love each other, never just one loving the other.

But that was fantasy. This was real.

She looked up at Ron and couldn't find an answer to his question. Perhaps there was something wrong with her. Maybe she couldn't love. Or maybe, she just loved somebody else.

"Ron, are you sure? Are you sure that you lo-love me?" She spluttered.

"Yes Hermione. Of course I am. When have I ever rushed into something without making sure?"

Hermione couldn't help it. She burst out laughing. That was such like Ron. He didn't seem to understand. His eyebrows pushed together. Then she could see realization on his face.

"Oh. Don't answer that." His face became serious again. "But honestly. Why can't you love me?"

Sincerely, Hermione answered, "Look Ron. I think you are mistaken. You just love me as a friend. That's it. A friend. Just really good friends."

"No Hermione. I really love you but if you don't love me that's ok too." A flash of pain swept across his eyes. "I'll be here if you want to talk. And I'm really sorry about everything." Ron was going to leave when Hermione pulled him back.

"I forgive you Ron. Why don't you walk with me back to my common room? We can talk along the way."

His face lit up. "Sure. That would be great."

-Author's Notes-

A good question was brought up in a review.

What the heck does light pink mean?

Well I thought it was a bit obvious but then again, I'm writing the story. Usually pink means love. So in this case, when her mood necklace turned light pink, it meant that she was starting to fall for Draco. Hope that cleared it up!

Another chapter done! Ok so here's what's going on. My computer is broken (the one with internet connection) so I might not update as often as I do. None the less, I do have a laptop in my room (Yeah, I know your jealous!) so I'm typing up a couple more chapters. Any ideas would be welcome!

I would like to thank CCBChunks and Jomai for reviewing!

And I would defiantly like to thank those people who put me on their favorite stories list! 3 people! And those who put me on their author alert list! 6 people!

So click that little blueish-purple button down there and write a nice, long review!