Disclaimer. Nope, Not JK Rowling (who, finally, set a date for HP& HBP!!!!). Also, happy holidays to everyone out there!!!! Faster then the last chapter, but still a good week and a half. At leastIm getting better, right? Enjoy!
Hermione and Draco hurried down the stairs, towards the Great Hall. They were already late as it was. They were out of breath when they finally arrived at the Great hall, and found Pansy, Blaise, Harry and Ron waiting for them, a food basket between the group.
"So sorry that we're late!" Hermione said, between breaths.
"Oh, its quite alright, 'Mione." Pansy said. "We were a bit late as well."
"Ya, us too." Harry said. 'So, am I safe assuming that this food basket is ours?"
"What? Yes, of course. The house elves insisted on delivering it to us directly, rather then us going to get it. Quite nice of them, indeed." Hermione said, having caught her breath.
"So? What are we waiting for? Lets go have us a picnic!" Ron said, almost drooling over the basket.
The group of six rather unlikely companions walked out the doors, heading towards the lake. It was quite a nice day, as Blaise had stated previously. The sun was shining brightly, and it was quite mild for the time of year. The students of Hogwarts had obviously noticed the nice, un-seasonal weather as well, and large numbers of them littered the grounds, playing, studying or practicing Quidditch.
"Lets go over to that rock over there." Blaise said, pointing to the largest rock on the lake's edge, farthest from the school.
The group nodded their ascent, and continued on their way. There was a light breeze that swept Hermione as she walked. She had forgot to tie her hair up, but it didn't really matter, since there wasn't too much wind.
The group arrived at the rock, and began setting everything up. Ron and Pansy set up the blanket, while Draco and Hermione set up the food. Harry and Blaise couldn't seem to tear themselves away from each other long enough to be of any real use. Instead, they cleared away any small pebble that might become uncomfortable once the rear end was on it.
"Great. Lets eat!" Ron said, a bit too enthusiastically.
The group dug into the food hungrily. There was small conversation, but it was mostly strained. Harry and Ron still hadn't gotten used to Draco-DRACO MALFOY- being a decent guy, and Hermione's boyfriend to boot. The girls, on the other hand, were quite used to each other, and conversed as if the boys weren't even there.
"So, Draco, why is it that you and Hermione are suddenly getting along so well?" Ron asked, once the majority of the eating had been done.
'Excuse me?" Draco said, in the middle of a bite of treacle tart.
"You heard me. Why are you and Hermione suddenly getting along so well? You used to hate her." Ron repeated, not looking at the reaction that he caused in the others. Hermione was horrified, Pansy and Blaise were in shock, and Harry looked completely dumbfounded.
Draco cleared his throat. "Yes, I did used to hate her. Key word being 'used'. I actually got to know the real her just this year, and I truly like what I know. She's probably the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Hermione blushed at his words, but soon gained confidence again. "Ronald, I cannot believe that you actually said that!!! That was rude, and uncalled for. He isn't dating you, so what does it even matter??"
"What? Hermione, I have your best interests at heart!! How can you know that he isn't just pretending to like you, huh? You don't know! You never will know until BAM, its over, and done, and you were the fool. 'Mione, I just don't want you to get hurt." Ron said.
"I know what I'm getting into, Ron. Honestly." Hermione shook her head.
"Ron, if you're really that worried about it, Ill take a truth potion. Just know that I would never hurt Hermione. I care about her too much to do that. To hurt her, would be to hurt myself, but much worse." Draco said, his eyes on Hermione.
Ron looked him over, and saw the way that he looked at his best friend. He looked to Pansy, and saw that same look in her eyes, looking at him. He knew, at that moment, that Draco was telling the truth. If he wasn't, then boy oh boy, he himself was up shit's creek without a paddle with Hermione.
He stood up, and regarded Draco again. He then walked over to where he was , and stuck out his hand.
"I believe you, mate. Truce?" Ron said.
Draco looked at the hand, and then back to the face. He stood up, and stuck his hand out, shaking Ron's. "Truce."
"I hate to interrupt this very touching moment, but Miss. Granger, may I see you a moment?" Professor McGonagall's voice rang out from behind the group.
"Of course, Professor." Hermione said, hastily getting up from where she sat. She followed the teacher, and with all her intelligence, couldn't fathom any reason why her Head of House could possibly need her, on a weekend.
Professor McGonagall stopped walking, and turned to face Hermione. She had a grave expression on her face.
"Miss. Granger. I have interrupted your lunch for a very important matter. It could not wait until later, due to the nature of what I have to tell you. I have received an owl from your parents, asking you to come home for a few days. It seems that your grandmother has passed away, and you are asked to attend the funeral. I am terribly sorry, my dear."
Died? Grandma was dead? But-? No, this wasn't possible. When Hermione had last seen her grandmother, she was in quite good health.
"Professor, did you know, um, how she passed on?" Hermione asked, tears streaming down her face, unchecked.
"That information was not in the owl. I think that you should ask your parents, when you see them later tonight. Now-"
"Tonight? I'm leaving today?" Hermione asked, slightly shocked.
"Yes, my dear, tonight. It seems that your parents had a bit of trouble finding an owl, and the letter arrived later then it should have. The wake is tomorrow morning, the funeral the day after that. Now, as I was saying, you will take the Floo network out of here, as we shall hook your fireplace up again, and it would be a good idea if you began packing now, as well as saying your goodbye's. You will be leaving in 2 hours time. Miss. Granger, I am truly sorry about what has happened. If you need to talk to someone, you are always welcome in my office." Professor McGonagall said.
"Thank you, Professor. Ill- Ill be ready." Hermione said, tears still finding their way down her cheeks.
"Ill meet you in your dorm. Farewell, Miss. Granger." With that, McGonagall was gone.
