The news spread quickly of their relationship. And just like any other juicy gossip, it died with in 2 weeks. But the 2 weeks that it was the 'hot topic', were hell for both of them. Mostly Hermione.
"You do realize you're just another conquest, right?" yelled Pansy Parkinson, every chance she got. "You mean absolutely nothing to him. You'll see. Just you wait."
Her voice was so full of venom and hate. And Hermione knew, of course, it had a lot to do with jealously.
The stares that they got as the walked through the hallways, hand in hand, were those mixed with shock and confusion.
Ron was thoroughly agitated at Hermione and ignored her existence.
"It wont be the first time he has ignored my feelings. And I'm sure it wont be the last." She screamed at him as he got up from the table in the Great Hall.
"He just needs time adjusting, Mione. You know Ron, he's stubborn, but he eventually comes around." Harry said wisely.
"YOU didn't need time to adjust. You've been understanding from the start." She muttered, miserably.
"Well, I also didn't date you."
"That has nothing to do with anything. He cheated on me with Parvati. I should still be ignoring him. But you don't see me acting like a great big git." Hermione fumed.
"Just give it time." Harry said to her, behind a smile.
"You're right, Harry. Thank you for being so understanding."
And Harry had been VERY understanding in the matter. Although , he couldn't forgive Malfoy as easily as Hermione, he still didn't judge their relationship.
Ever since Sirius' death, Harry had mellowed out a lot. He stuck to himself more. He didn't really tell anyone why, but you could definetly tell he was trying to distance himself from others. Hermione took it as he didn't want to lose anyone else close to him. And she understood completely, for that matter.
She could tell there were many times that he wanted to say something to her, but caught himself. Like there was this big important thing that he needed to get of his chest, but he couldn't possibly say it. It was some deep dark secret that he would keep to himself or until he was ready to speak.
Hermione made her way to the library, dragging her feet slowly. Suddenly, she was grabbed by the arm and pulled into another classroom.
"Not this again, Draco. I'm not in the mood." she laughed.
"I'm afraid that you've been mistaken, mudblood." Hissed a venomous voice.
"Pansy? What do you want with me?" Hermione asked, trying to hide her fear. She wasn't doing a good job.
"We need to have a little talk." She said simply, lighting a few candles. "It concerns Draco."
"Look, we're together, get over it. Ok?" Hermione said, heading towards the door.
"Oh, but this information is something you'll want to have. I assure you."
"Is this another ploy for me to get rid of him? Because , honestly, why would I believe a word that you say? You haven't exactly proven yourself to be very trustworthy." spoke Hermione.
"Mudblood, do you not realize what he is doing?" Pansy said in amazement.
"If you are going to talk to me civily, please refer to me as my name and not an insult." Hermione said, as she rolled her eyes.
"Whatever , Granger. Back to the subject. He's doing this only to defy everyone."
"There is no one left to defy. His father is dead. Who is left?"
"The Dark Lord, you dimwit. Are you so thick as not to know of the Dark Lord's interest in him?" She spat.
"Why are you telling me this?" Hermione asked skeptically.
"Because! Why do I have to have a reason?" Pansy screamed at her.
"You are an evil person with wicked intentions. Why wouldn't I question you, Parkinson?"
"Because, if you don't listen to me, you'll end up as I have. Bitter and cold. He does this to every girl he comes across. Only YOU are more of a challenge. And the victory is sweet , to him. Your life is in danger and he enjoys it. He LOVES danger, believe me. It's what he thrives on. " Pansy said, all at once. By this time she had gotten RIGHT into Hermione's face.
Hermione stood in silence taking into consideration , what Pansy was saying. If it were true, Draco would have shown that he hasn't change. But certainly he couldn't do this to hurt her. He stated clearly that he didn't want to.
"But he said that before, and look what happened." Hermione's inner voice said.
" Well, thank you for the warning, but I think I can handle things on my own." Hermione said quickly, and rushed out of the room.
She ran to the library, hoping to forget that whole conversation. "She's bitter and untrustworthy. She's just angry at you for winning the guy." Hermione kept telling herself.
When she arrived at the library, she walked to the very back and sat at her table. She pulled out her homework and began to study.
Hours later , she felt arms snake around her. She looked up and stared back into the pale eyes that gazed ,oh so lovingly, at her.
"Thought I'd find you here." he said, as he kissed her forehead.
"Where else would I be?" She stated more than asked.
"How has your day been?" He asked, as he sat down in the seat next to her.
"Interesting, to say the least, but not that bad."
"Interesting, eh? What happened? Did Weasel-bee say something obnoxious again?"
"No, not really. I don't feel like talking about it."
"Ok, love." he said simply.
They sat in the library for another hour just talking. It had become their nightly ritual because not many students ventured that far in the back, and they were pretty much left alone.
He talked sweetly to her and held her hand across the table. She cherished these times. They were really the only times that they had now.
Their love was blossoming and blooming into something so wonderful and pure. You could look at both of their faces and see the love that was forming.
But, they couldn't forsee what was just around the bend. The future that they so willingly looked forward to, held dark and lonely days.
For a war was on the bring of starting.
And they would be most affected by it.
