Leather and Libraries
AN: Heylo! Quick update but I'm still having problems writing and I've got little brats for work experience this week! So life is pretty stressful with the no sleeping part… Anyhow, check out my bio for updates and I'm getting really bad Harry/Hermione withdrawal symptoms so expect a long story of them… hopefully!
sirius-black-4eva – Lolz yeah their the wounded party :( Nah Draco rules! I didn't really get along with Buckbeak because he nearly killed him. 'He killed me, he killed me' Hehehe silly Malfoy!
ShimmeringEvil – Their just doing what they think is right but I think Ron's the leading party and Harry just wants to find out what's going on and subtlety isn't his strong point now with raging hormones.
Kittykins – Sounded like Hagrid there! It was going to happen eventually and this way the best friends find out before the whole school! My way!
… - You're the second person to catch up on that! I'm going to make it Anne when the revised version is up after Christmas.
Fan-Of-HP – Okay, send one of your stories to my e-mail address (look in bio!) and someone you've already beta'd story!
jesska-14 – Hermione freaks all the time so it would be no different! And she seems to cry a lot in my story…. Ron's just a hot tempered red-head – like me! POWER TO THE GINGERS! :)
Celebrean – Lolz that's what I'm like! Tons of fabby stories! –Pokerz back- I'll have to check it out! I haven't had any time so far this week cause of bloody work ex. Lolz this fan fiction site hosts many a mad story!
purelyevilslytheringirl – Thank you! Lolz Hermione's full of independence and girl power which makes me like her!
silvereyeelven – Lolz mad one there! –Shakes head- Ron goes into cardiac arrest every time his little Hermione goes out with someone – he's just like a father! Who is her age and incompetent…
Jen Drake – Thank you and welcome!
Also many thanks and huggles to hye em yes for their review! All your comments mean sooo much to me and I welcome flames! Need some good comedy and a nice fire in the winter!
Disclaimer: Dude that's so un-cool! I am sooo not JK dude!
Chapter 16 – Wounded Lies
Hermione Granger watched the board and lazily wrote down some notes. It was History of Magic and she was not really paying attention for once. Her mind was active but pre-occupied with a certain Slytherin.
'Okay, so it's bad for me to be seeing him; shoot me!' Hermione thought to herself, smiling slightly. 'It's not like he doesn't care for me but it is rather hard for us to be all lovey dovey when everybody is either against me or him - kind of makes sense in some twistewd way.'
Hermione sighed and rested her head on her hand, her eyes willing her to fall asleep. The surroundings became blurred and her eyelashes fluttered slightly as sleep over came her.
"Hey, wake up," Harry said, shaking her awake.
"Wha? I wasn't asleep," Hermione said slurred, giving a stifled yawn.
"How much sleep did you get last night?"
"Enough." Hermione packed up her things slowly as she was still half-asleep.
"Come on Hermione! Dinner!" Ron shouted from the doorway.
She rolled her eyes and pulled her heavy book bag onto her shoulders. "Coming."
Hermione walked up to them and smiled sweetly, walking between them to the Great Hall. Ron and Harry talked about the upcoming quidditch match, talking about tactics and about the numerous bets being made.
"The Ravenclaws are putting in five galleons each!" Ron exclaimed.
"Yeah well most of them do have money," Harry added. "And since their house team got way better I suppose they want to give it an extra boost."
"Stupid know-it-alls. The only reason they have a good team is because of jinxes or something," Ron muttered in slight jealousy. They were just behind Gryffindor in the House Cup and their team had gotten much better with a brand new team line up.
"Don't be silly Ron," Hermione butted in. "It's illegal to make a team better using spells; it's the same in every league. Their sort-of like the pills that muggles use to get fit or gain more stamina."
Ron stared open mouthed at her and looked remarkably like a goldfish. "You know something about Quidditch?"
Hermione gave an exasperated sigh. "Do you honestly think that I don't read Quidditch books or listen to your ramblings on about the sport? It's kind of hard not to when you two are mad about it."
"You hardly ever listen and only turn up at games because we make you."
"Maybe I just like the sport, is that so hard to believe?" She lowered her head so her eyes could look up at him in an angelic way. "But that doesn't actually mean I'llget on a broomstick willingly."
Ron opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by a stomp on the foot from Harry and a protuding glare.
"Look, she was always out in the stands and helped both of us in the matches," Harry explained, sitting down at the Gryffindor table.
Ron shut up from then, only regaining his voice when dinner was on his plate. He was actually like one of those old men in medival films who talk only when their mouth is a jungle.
Hermione played with her food, not feeling particularly hungry. She was waiting for Draco's sign so that she could start to make her way up to the Hidden Tower.
"So, what do you think Hermione?" Harry said quizzically.
She snapped out of her trance and shook her head. "What?"
"I said do you want to do Shaw's homework tonight? Ron needs some help or I'll have to kick him off the team," Harry explained, grinning at Ron.
Hermione rolled her eyes and replied, "I can't, made plans already sorry."
"But you've been busy all this week! You deserve some time off." Harry gave her a pleading look.
"You know they don't work on me. I can't cancel though, they'd kill me."
Harry was starting to get desperate now. "So this 'person' means more to you than you're friends?"
Hermione breathed deeply. "No but it's a commitment I can't break."
"Please? We haven't spent time together in ages and you can make it for another night." Harry grabbed her wrist, smiling while Ron contiunued to stuff his face and look at them every once in a while.
Hermione thought for a moment, looking over at Draco who was tryinglistening to their conversation. "Okay, but only if you promise to be good? And no back chatting in my class!"
"We promise," Ron said, finally adding to this conversation with his dinner on display.
Hermione grimaced. "God I don't know how I put up with you two," She laughed. "Well I want to get an early start so come on."
Harry got up obediently while Ron stuffed his face as fast as he could; only getting up when Hermione had grabbed him by the collar.
"Up now, or Hannah will get to know Mr. Ducky - personally," Hermione said patiently, smiling sarcastically.
Ron's face showed horror and embarrassment, his body quickly deciding to get up and walk to the common room with her and Harry.
"Good," Hermione said, still smiling.
She walked out with Harry, sneaking a glance at Draco. His face wasshocked and he mouthed, 'Where are you going?!'
Hermione answered by just signalling her head to Harry and Ron, giving a weak smile and walking out while ignoring Harry and Ron's conversation.
'Oh my god I am terrible,' She thought dazed. 'I just cancelled my date with Draco. But, it is Harry and Ron; their my best friends.'
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"So you put your conclusion at the end and it's done," Hermione said triumphantly. "It's that easy!"
It did not seem easy by the look on Ron's face.
"That was not flipping easy!" He said, clutching his hand which had been writing for three hours now. "It was more like hell in a pen!"
"Honestly," Hermione muttered, shaking her head. "Well at least you don't have to worry about it anymore and you'll have more free time."
"Yeah but procrastinating is my favourite pastime." Ron put on a mock pout, earning a friendly punch on the shoulder. "Hey!"
Hermione just simply shrugged, leaning back in her armchair as she felt sleepy yet again. Her muscles and jointswere aching for some reason.
"Yours was good Harry too, at least you're not totally incompetent," She said, glancing at Ron.
"Yeah well I learn from the master," Harry smirked, stretching.
"Who's that then?" Ron said rather dumbly, swivelling his head.
"Shut up!" Hermione shrieked, throwing a pillow at him.
They sat there laughing for a few minutes, occasionally letting out the few comments that were either welcomed by a bruise or fellow laugh.
It was now getting late, most people retreating to their dorms so they could get an early night's sleep. Only a handful of people were left, chatting or playing a game.
Harry suddenly started to become more agitated, looking quickly at Ron and biting his nails out of nervousness. Ron began to notice this and nodded his head ever so slightly, signalling him to begin.
Harry took a deep breath. "'Mione?" He asked tenderly, causing her to look up. He looked very much like he was going to be sick, his asface paleas the moon outside.
"What's the matter?" She asked with genuine worry in her eyes. "You're not ill or anything?"
"No, it's not me."
"Ron then?" She glanced at him and he shook his head. "I'm confused…"
"We know," Harry said simply, not looking up.
Hermione smiled meekly. "Know what? That I'm a girl? Ron settled that in fourth year." She gave a small giggle and looked at Ron, who did not return it. She slowly began to realise that what ever it was about, it was serious.
"About you and him," Harry stated, looking up so that he could see Hermione's reaction.
"Me and who?" She asked timidly, praying that it was not who she thought it was. She let out a nervous laugh in between each word while her head was cocked to one side and her brow was up in question.
"You and bloody Malfoy!" Ron shouted, letting his anger out. "We saw you last night so don't try to deny it! How could you? He's spent most of his time at Hogwarts taunting you and now you go and fall for him?!" Ron was now standing up, towering over Hermione. She began to feel really scared and not knowing what to do and where to turn.
"I – It's nothing. Just a stupid little fling," She answered slowly, backing away.
"I said don't deny it! We saw the way you looked at him and the way you're eyes sparkled!" Ron said, making hand movements in his rage.
"What's it to you Ron? You got over me, you even said it! My private life is nothing to do with you!"
"It has everything to do with me Hermione! I'm your best friend and so is Harry! I thought we said no more lies after third year."
"And I thought you could respect my privacy! God, here you go again, thinking only of your pride andd keeping me all to yourself and those stupid quarrels and fights you have with the Slytherins!" Hermione stood up, getting ready to face and challenge Ron.
"I'm not though! I'm thinking of what's best for you so don't try and act like you're the broken party here because you're not!"
"Oh I'm sorry, let's take a moment to appreciate Ronald Weasley, master of the universe!"
"Hermione, what are you saying?! Malfoy's already changed you!"
"He hasn't though Ron! You're just saying all this so I'll go 'Oh yes he is! How could I be so stupid as to have a life'?"
Hermione walked to Harry. "And I can't believe you let him do this! I thought you trusted me!"
"I did until you started to lie and date my enemy!" Harry said, not understanding why she was so angry and upset. Of course it was her life, but as Ron said they did nowant her making a wrong decision and regretting it later.
"Harry, he is not your enemy! He is not Voldemort and he doesn't want to kill you! Why can't you understand that and let me make my own choices?!"
"Because you don't know what you want Hermione! You're only eighteen!"
"And you're only seventeen! I cannot believe I am having this conversation! I don't care what the hell you think about me anymore because you're not in my life anymore!"
Hermione stormed out of the portrait, slamming it shut and stomping down the corridor. Once she had had enough of being angry, she ran. She ran until her feet came to the familiar archway and starlight balcony and they cried with pain.
She came in and collapsed on Draco, her tears running like a river.
"What's the matter?" Draco asked a little shocked.
"I – It's Harry and Ron," She managed to say in-between her tears.
"Great, what have Scar head and Weasel done now?"
Hermione shook her head fiercely.
Draco became confused. "You can tell me anything, I promise I won't take it badly."
He pulled her more onto his lap and rocked her slowly, petting her hair. He still was not used to comforting her and was rather awkward.
"They know," Hermione whispered into his shirt.
HJe did not really take it in but continued to embrace her. Thenhis eyes widened once they realised what she meant. "About us?"
She nodded her head again.
Draco stayed quiet, thinking about what Hermione had just told him.
'Oh great, they've gone and done it. Why can't they keep their bloody thick heads out of her business?' He thought to himself. 'I hope she bloody hit one of them, stupid morons. I guess they'll try to split us up as fast as they can.'
Draco pondered on that last sentence. Did he really want to lose Hermione? Of course not, even though she was a Gryffindor, there was something about her that made him want just to see her or hear her laughter, and not feel the need to shag her straight away.
"Draco?" Hermione asked tenderly, her voice shaking and sounding weakthrough the tears.
"Yes?" He replied, still staring at the air in front of him.
"Please be here for me."
"What are you talking about? Of course I'll be here for you; it's my fault you're in this predicament in the first place."
"It's just, I know a lot of guys would get up and leave once their relationship is out in the open - especially with someone awful like me and having friends so against it."
"You sound like you're pregnant."
"Shut up!" She playfully punched him,trying to ease the situation."If I was then I'd have a lot of 'splaining to do."
"Yes like why did you have to go to some cheap prostitute when I'd give it to you for free!"
She laughed at him and snuggled up closer, appreciating his hold on her in more ways than one. The moment stayed like that for almost fifteen minutes, both of them just sitting and thinking.
Draco could not get his head around it. Dumbledore's Golden Trio had been through things worse than this and yet Potter and Weasel and to stick their fat noses into it and mess everything up. Of course he knew that there was a time that everyone was going to find out, but he somehow did not think it would be this soon.
Hermione just pondered over her two so called 'best friends'. Of course she had let some of her anger out in the common room; it was boiling up inside of her to think that they could do something as sneaky as that.
'Of course I did something just as bad, but they could have just asked me,' Hermione thought. 'I thought they were my friends but they obviously don't know me enough as to ask me about anything.'
Hermione continued with that trail of thoughts for a while, and become particularly annoyed when Draco started to move under her, nearly forcing her to go onto the floor.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, gripping onto him.
"Ummm, well I need to get back to the common room," Draco said, pulling her into his arms and standing up. "There."
"Put me down! Slowly!"
Draco tipped her over slightly so she could do that and then turned to face her.
"It'll all be alright in the morning," He said reassuringly, kissing her on the cheek.
Hermione gave him a questioning look with added mock.
"I don't know why I said it; it's always in those stupid muggle films! I'm no good at all that reconciling and stuff."
"Bye Draco," She laughed, giving him a hug and walking off.
'It'll all be alright in the morning?' Hermione thought to herself. 'God even second best Malfoy is clueless and stupid sometimes.'
AN: Oh my freaking god my longest chapter ever! And I re-read it three times!Ok, that's over and done with! Keep reviewing and reading people! Not long now! –Wipes away tear- Star x