Thank you once again to all my lovely readers. I adore all of you. This will be the last chapter written for a couple of days. I shall be attending Anime Festival Orlando 5 (AFO5) this weekend and I won't be returning until Sunday night. Ann, I hope to see you and Rachel there. We're all gonna have fun. Sorry about the delay guys. I need to give my brain a rest. Hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
The lyrics below are from " The Reason " by Hoobastank
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
It wasn't until almost a week later that things seem to be going the way that Draco wanted them too. Serena found a hysterical Hermione in Moaning Myrtles bathroom. She'd just been passing by when she heard sobs coming from the other side of the door. Letting her curiosity get the better of her, Serena entered the bathroom and saw Hermione crying by one of the sinks.
"Hermione? Are you ok? "Serena asked cautiously.
Hermione's sobs stopped immediately. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm not feeling very well. "
"Are you sure? Is there anything you want to talk about? "Serena asked softly, stepping up next to her friend. "Did something happen between you and Ron? "
Her question was answered by Hermione breaking out into a fresh round of tears. "It's awful, Serena. I must be awful. "She choked.
"What happened? What makes you think that? "
"I told Ron that I felt he was too clingy. That sometimes I just wanted some "me "time. He was so upset that he told me that if that's how I felt then that's how he must be. He said that it would be better off if we broke up. "
Serena blinked. "Over something that petty?"
"It's not just that. Things haven't been going well for the past couple of months. We've been fighting all the time and even our sex life has gone to hell. There's no love or passion behind it anymore like there used to be. "
Serena nodded. "I see. Don't you think there's anyway you two can work things out? "
Hermione shook her head gravely. "No. I think it might be for the best. We're just so opposite. "
"I'm really sorry, Hermione. Really I am. "Serena sighed heavily and hugged her friend. She truly did feel sorry for her friend but at the same time she thought that things couldn't have happened at a better time. "Why don't you go lie down for a while? Want me to walk with you? It might do you some good to get a nap. "
Hermione nodded and her sobs lessened some. She looked pathetic in this sad state. Serena was shocked that Hermione had cried this much. She never let anyone see her in what she considered to be a weak state of mind. Still, Serena couldn't help but not want to lend a sympathetic ear to Hermione.
"I guess I won't be attending the ball this year. "Hermione said, quietly.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say that, Hermione. "Serena wrapped her arm around Hermione's shoulder and led her back to the common room.
"Why do you say that? "
"Well I know someone that is very interested in you and would love to escort you to the ball. "Serena smiled faintly.
"Who? "Hermione questioned, incredulously.
"All shall be revealed in time. "Serena promised.
She brought Hermione to her bed and pulled the blankets up to Hermione's chin. "Get some rest. I'll check on you in a little bit, alright? "
Hermione nodded and settled in under the blankets. It only took but a few seconds before Hermione's breathe regulated. That let Serena know that she was asleep. She left the room quietly and then bounded down the hall to find Draco. She felt guilty about doing this but she felt she owed it to Draco. After all, he had fought his own father and put his life at risk on her behalf. It took almost twenty minutes before she found Draco on the other side of the lake, sitting on a log with his nose stuck in a book. She skipped merrily along the lake's edge and plopped down next to the Slytherin, causing him to jump from being startled.
"Jesus. Can't you let someone know when you're coming? You're going to be the death of me. "Draco smiled.
"Oh and what an honor that would be. "Serena retorted playfully. "I come bearing good news, dear friend. "
"And what would that good news be? "He asked, closing his book and setting it on the log next to him.
"I've come to tell you that the couple that once consisted of Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger has ceased to exist. She is now totally free to date again. "
Draco's eyes widened. "Don't joke with me, Serena. "
" I'm not joking. I found her bawling her eyes out in the bathroom. I guess they broke up because they are total opposites. "Serena explained. "What I am trying to say...is that you like her and she's single. So give it a couple of days and then ask her to the ball. "
"You honestly think she'll say yes? I've been one of her best friends arch nemesis since we started school. "Draco pointed out.
"That's true but Hermione also believes that people can change. Start slowly and then work your way up. She'll say yes. I promise. "Serena smiled and stood. "Just ask her. You know you want too. "
With that, Serena turned on her heel and walked off, leaving Draco alone with his thoughts. She'd only gotten a few feet away when she felt someone grab her elbow. She spun around, getting ready to curse out whoever it was when she realized it was Harry. A furious looking, Harry.
"Harry, hi. "Serena smiled innocently. "What's wrong? "
"You, me, the common room. Now. "Harry breathed angrily.
This can't be good. Serena thought as she allowed Harry to lead her back into the castle and up to her common room. She silently thanked the Gods that no one else seemed to be present in the room.
"Alright, what's this all- "she didn't get to finish.
"What the hell is wrong with you? "Harry practically shouted at her. "How could you even think about hooking Hermione up with a Malfoy. "
"Harry, calm down? "He wouldn't.
"No fucking way! I thought you were Ron's friend. How could you betray him like this? "Harry kept on his rant until Serena's bored expression quieted him.
"Are you quite finished? "She asked, irritated. "May I be allowed to explain? "
Harry nodded stiffly.
"Thank you. Now I don't know what Ron may have told you, but I found Hermione in hysterics in the bathroom. She told me it was Ron who decided that they should break up because of their differences. Now a couple of days ago, Draco told me that he had a crush on Hermione. He'd actually been admiring her from a distance. I told him that there was no way that I could even think about breaking them up because I knew it would infuriate you. So I left well enough alone and I have been beating my brains out trying to find someone suitable for Draco to take to the ball. It just so happened that Hermione and Ron should break up so I told Draco. I owe him a lot more then that for risking his neck and saving my life. I do feel sad for Hermione and even a twinge of guilt but I want all of my friends to be happy. Including Ron. He will find someone else as well. "Serena crossed her arms. "I'm finished. "
Harry hung his head slightly. "I still don't think its right. I don't think he'll ever be able to change who he is. "
" Then it's a risk that we all should be willing to take. True, not everyone can change but I believe Draco had a good heart. I think he would treat Hermione like a goddess and that's what she needs. He likes her, his whole idea of muggleborn witches had almost been annihilated. I'm working on that as well. Please, just trust me. Can you do that? "
Harry hesitated for a moment before he nodded. "Yes, I trust you. Ron's not going to be happy about this. "
" That's his problem. He's the one that decided to call it quits with her. "Serena smiled. "A girl has to move on someday. "
Serena walked up to her boyfriend and kissed him tenderly on the lips. "Speaking of girls, I'd like to rendezvous in the Room of Requirement tonight with a certain Gryffindor Seeker. "
Harry smiled brightly. "Anything you want. "
"Ten o'clock tonight then. "Serena left one last teasing kiss on Harry's lips before leaving the common room. She felt naughty for doing that to Harry but he was to enticing to her. She just had to tease him.