Disclaimer: I own nothing, yadda yadda yadda. If I did, then I most certainly would not be sitting here, at my laptop, writing a fanfiction about them, now would I? Though I wish that I could say that I own Harry Potter. Wouldn't that be great?
A/N: I just wanted to say that I hope everyone likes this and that I hope you continue to read. Thanks for the reviews, everybody. I really appreciate it.
As Ron and I made our way back up to the castle, I couldn't stop thinking about what Draco had done. Did he really mean what he had said, or did he do it simply to make Pansy angry? It certainly wouldn't be the first time that he had done so. Still, I suppose it would be nice to think so. I have to ask him the next time I see him. Well, if I can ask him when we're both alone, of coarse. I don't want to make Ron any more jealous than he already is.
"...Hermione, are you listening to me?" asked Ron. I turned and looked at him. Oops, sorry Ron.
"I'm sorry, Ronald, I was thinking about something," I said. Well, it's true.
"About what, 'Mione?" he asked.
"Erm... my parents." What? Don't give me that look. Like you haven't lied to your boyfriend like that. I mean, honestly, would you tell your boyfriend that you were thinking about another guy, let alone his own enemy? Come on, this is Ron and Draco we're talking about.
"Oh," said Ron, nodding his head knowingly. "So, when is that day pass that you have for?"
"Next week," I replied. "I am not really looking forward to it. I can tell that this is just going to be a disaster. Something horrible will happen."
"Oh, come on now, 'Mione," said Ron, placing his arm around my shoulders. I wish you guys could be in my place right now because then you would know how good this feels. "What could possibly happen while your grandmother is there?"
"I don't know," I sighed. "A homicide? A missing person? Anything."
"Well, I'll be sure to look for you on the milk carton should you not show up the next morning," chuckled Ron. I laughed in spite of myself and then swat at him playfully.
"Oh, Ronald, you can be so sarcastic at the most inappropriate time, you know that?" He grinned broadly.
"Of coarse, but that's why you love me, right?" he asked slyly.
"Oh, whoever said I loved you lied completely," I said in a mock arrogant tone. He kissed me on the lips, which totally caught me off guard. But I can't complain completely. He is quite a good kisser, let me tell you that. And it is good that he is because shoud we ever break up for any reason, he shall be the one that I measure all future relationships and kissing to. Not that I ever want us to break up.
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Later that evening, I excused myself from dinner a bit earlier than usual. I needed to go to the library to look for a book on herbal medicine. I needed it for a report I was doing in Professor Sprouts class. Extra credit, of coarse. Unlike many of the other teachers in this school, she tries to avoid assigning essays on the weekend unless she feels it absolutely necessary for us to do so. For example, when a really big test is coming up and we need an extra bit of information about a specific plant or herb.
Once I had found what I was looking for, I decided to browse a bit more. I eventually made my way to the muggle section of the library. Even though this is a wizarding school, it does have its fair share of muggle stories. My hand moved across the books as I read each title until my hand came in sudden contact with another.
"Oops, sorry," I muttered.
"Watch it," grumbled Draco. It took us both a few moments before we realized who the other one was.
"Oh, hi Draco," I smiled. Is that a smile on his face? And I don't mean his ordinary sneer, but it is an actual smile. As in a friendly sort of smile.
"Hi, Hermione," he said, leaning against the book case. Wow, he actually called me by my first name, and not by that foul name or by my last. "Sorry, didn't know it was you." I shrugged.
"It's okay, I'm used to it." There was an akward silance.
"So, what are you doing in here, and in the muggle section?" I asked. "This is totally unexpected coming from a Malfoy.
"Yes, well, even though I pretend that I hate all muggles and muggle borns, I do like their literature. I especially enjoy that one writer, what's his name? Ah, yes, William Shakespere. Now there was a man who knew how to mix humor and wit with meaning."
"Yes, well, I always wondered why more teens today never read his works, or at least don't like to," I smiled. "True, he can be hard to understand at first, but he also had that sick kind of humor that leans toward the sexual influance. Especially in stories such as Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet!" We both laughed and were instantly shushed by Madam Pince, the librarian.
"Oops," he whispered.
"Well, I better go now and prepare myself for next Friday, even though I am completely loathing it," I muttered. I began to leave when he asked the question I'd hoped he wouldn't.
"What's next Friday?"
"Oh, I just have to go to my parents house and visit my grandmother. I know this is going to be a nightmare!" I proceeded in telling him my troubles and before I knew it, we had been there for ten minutes, mostly of me telling him my problems.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Hermione," he said. I was surprised to see that there was an actual look of sorrow on his face.
"It's alright," I sighed. "I guess it can't be helped sometimes." I smiled.
"Well, I better get back to Slytherin tower," he said. "Undoubtedly Crabbe and Goyle will be looking for me by now. And if not them then surely Pansy will." Oh yeah, Pansy. I stopped him before he left.
"I just wanted to say that I heard what had happened at Hogsmede and that I greatly appreciate you sticking up for me," I said.
"Who told you about that?" asked Draco, narrowing his eyes.
"I was.... just passing by and I heard you two talking, that's all." Wow, I'm just lying up a storm today, aren't I? I think Ron and Harry have finally had an affect on me. Not that I'm particularly proud of that fact.
"Oh, um, you're welcome," he said. Then, with a smile, he turned and left the library. You know, Draco Malfoy can certainly be a nice guy when he wants to be. I guess you just have to get to know him a little bit better before he is willing to show that he has a kind side. He probably feels that, being a Malfoy, he has to put up such an act. Poor Draco. Without waiting another moment, I went to Madam Pince and checked out my book before proceeding to Gryffindor tower.