Leather and Libraries
by Starlight-Heart
AU: Edited also. Thanks to everyone that cotributed to this hopeless case called my story :)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, save one and the plot! :)
Summary:After an incident in the library, Draco and Hermione start to find they have more in common than just books.
Chapter 2 – Hurt Me With Your Pride
It had been three days since that moment in the library. Hermione had done her best to avoid Draco, hiding behind a book, or she talked animatedly to her friends whenever he appeared. To be quite frank, there was a power in him that scared her, something that his father had passed down. He had shown Hermione a deeper and darker side to Draco Malfoy, one she hoped that would stay locked from now on inside his cold heart.
But now, it was taking Hermione a lot more to avoid Draco. She realised they had more classes with each other as she has once assumed, and he seemed to turn up more frequently in the corridors, casting her his trademark smirk or the odd remark. It was only when her N.E.W.T.S Charms class had departed for lunch, was when Draco pushed it too far once again.
Hermione walked next to Ron and Harry, who were 'whinging' about how much homework Professor Flitwick had given them.
"I mean, it wasn't as if I wanted my crocaine-"
"Croquet," Hermione corrected Ron.
"Yeah, croqchet bat to hit Hannah so hard in the shins."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well you should take more care of the way you flick your wand."
"I did it like he bloody told me."
"Your were too busy talking to Seamus."
"He was talking to me but I didn't answer."
"Yes of course, that's why your mouth was-"
"Well, if it isn't the lovebirds. Having a tiff are we?" A voice drawled out from behind the trio.
All three of them whipped around quickly, facing the platinum haired boy with a smirk on his pale face.
"No please, don't stop. It isn't everyday you witness this miraculous event of the Weasel giving the mudblood the slap she deserves."
It had all happened so fast from there. Hermione, Ron and Harry had been looking at Draco like he was a pile of owl's droppings when Ron had plunged forward, sending his fist directly into Draco's nose.
"Argh! You fucking bastard!" Draco said, holding his nose. He pointed his wand at Ron, and a blueish-pink spell was sent at Ron, making his legs wobble like they were now unable to hold the boy's weight.
"Damn! Rictusempra!" Ron shouted, pointing his wand at his Hogwarts enemy before falling to the floor.
"Stop it!" Hermione exclaimed at teh pair with wide eyes.
"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy!" Professor McGonagall shouted, running down the hallway. "Never have I seen such a pair as you two! Finite!" Draco stopped clutching his side and laughing while Ron found himself able to walk properly.
"Malfoy started it Professor. He insulted me and Hermione," Ron said, readjusting himself.
"Is this true Mr. Malfoy?"
"No. I was merely walking to lunch when Weasley decided to attack me," Draco sneered, stopping the blood that was running from his nose on his robe sleeve.
Ron looked as if he was going to say something, but McGonagall cut in.
"Whose ever fault it is, I want to see you both in my office immediately."
Ron looked at Harry and Hermione before walking after the Professor and Draco.
The crowd that had now gathered, departed in separate ways, all of them talking excitedly about what had just happened, no doubt making up their own versions to tell to their friends.
Hermione stormed off to the Great Hall, pushing past the gossipers.
"Whoa," Was all Harry managed to say before walking after Hermione.
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Hermione and Harry were now in the Gryffindor common room, the first pacing the room while the latter sat doing his Transfiguration homework. They had been looking at everyone who came through and when it wasn't Ron, Hermione very much looked like she'd send a hex their way.
"Eugh! I just cannot believe him!" Hermione said for about the 50th time.
"He'll be alright 'Mione," Harry said, looking up and wondering she liked the carpet as she was wearing it down fast.
"How can you be so sure? I mean he could be expelled! Or even-"
"That's why." Harry pointed at the portrait hole, where a tall boy with fiery hair stood smiling smugly.
Hermione at first felt relief that her best friend as still here, but then felt another emotion sweep over her – anger.
"You stupid prat!" Hermione yelled, running over and repeatedly punching him in the chest. "You could have been expelled!"
"Hermione calm down. All I got was a week's detention and probably a howler off Mum," Ron replied, taking hold of her hands.
Hermione wretched her hands out of Ron's grip. "You knew that Malfoy was just winding you up! Why do you always give into him?!"
"I couldn't take that lying down! I was bloody defending you!"
"I didn't sink to his level though! God, you're always thinking about your damn pride!"
"Well I am a Gryffindor-"
"Oh bugger off Ron." Hermione stormed out, grabbing her books just before. She knew it was very irresponsible of her, but she just didn't have the patience to deal with Ron now. Looking at her watch, she realised it was only 6pm and went out into Hogwarts' grounds.
Hermione breathed in the fresh air and calmness of the evening air, walking over to her favourite spot; a willow tree just near the side of the lake. She sat beneath the branches and placed her books beside her, knowing that there was no way she'd be able to study with the feelings that were crossing her mind.
Feeling the tears fall down her cheeks, Hermione thought about something she didn't do quite often – what if?
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost Ron." Hermione said quietly to herself. More tears fell, the girl furiously wiping them away.
A twig snapped about a metre from Hermione, causing her to turn around. But there was nothing there, so she continued with her thoughts.
Even though Ron and Hermione argued lots, she loved him the same way she loved Harry.
"I'm just being bloody worried about him and he just stands there like everything's okay!" Hermione exclaimed, thumping her fist angrily on the ground, some pain gathering after.
"Temper, temper Granger." Hermione whirled around for the second time in 5 minutes, but this timebeing greeted by Draco Malfoy.
"Malfoy I've had enough of you for today and probably for the rest of my life," Hermione spat.
"What makes you think I want to see you," Draco said coolly, sitting about 2 metres from her.
Hermione let out a groan of annoyance and grabbed a book, trying to look like she was actually reading.
Five minutes later, Hermione's eyes were glazed over and she still had yet to turn the page.
"It might help if you moved your eyes and the page."
"Maybe I'm just trying to... Oh piss off." Hermione stood up but felt his hand around her wrist.
"Your man can really pack a punch. Crap at wand work though – maybe he's a Squib." Draco laughed dryly.
"How many times do I have to tell you that me and Ron are not romantically attached and we do not intend to be. And I don't appreciate the way you talk about my friends! He's more a man than you will ever be."
Hermione looked Draco straight in the eye and walked back up to Hogwarts without a backward glance at the platinum haired boy.
AU: Thanks for the reviews! They meant so much to me and I'm glad you like the characters! Star x