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Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: 'It might have been'
John Greenleaf Whittier
Lunch couldn't have been longer for Hermione as she sat there, poking at her chicken and trying to listen to her friends talking animatedly. She had gone to her dormitories just as the lunch bell rang and took a quick shower and a good cry before she went down to the great hall and joined her friends. It was as if the joy and lightheartedness she was feeling this morning had been quickly and completely drained out from her, leaving her empty and hollow inside.
She tried to smile and listen to Ron talking animatedly,
"I tell you, I think she fancies me," he said as he took a sip of his juice. Harry chuckled, shaking his head,
"Ron, come on. All she did was ask you to move over so she could pass by,"
Ginny giggled, "And you tell me I tend to overanalyze things,"
Ron sighed sharply, "I'm telling you, there was a connection between us! Like a spark or something!" he insisted and Harry only shook his head again as he went back to his food,
"Some friends you are," he grumbled then turned to Hermione, "At least Hermione agrees with me, don't you, Hermione?"
Hermione looked at Ron blankly, "Huh?"
Ron sighed again, "Me and Phoebe Hayward? From Ravenclaw? Man, Hermione! You weren't even paying attention!" he exclaimed and Hermione smiled apologetically,
"Sorry Ron, just got a lot of things on my mind," she explained and Ron nodded,
"Right. I know you're still mad at that stupid ferret Malfoy for what he did to you," he said and Hermione gaped at him
What was he talking about? Did Ron know? If he did, why wasn't he a least bit mad at her? He even seemed to be siding with her. . . and Harry too.
She looked at Harry who was nodding, looking as indignant as Ron.
"W-what?" she stammered as Ginny nodded vigorously as she reached for Hermione's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"They told me what happened, Hermione. That Malfoy is such a prat!" she frowned
What's going on here? Was she in some kind of alternate universe here? First of all, how did they know about her and Draco and why the heck are they acting like this?
"G-guys, I. . ." she began but Ginny interrupted her,
"Spilling ink on you! Really! How childish can you get?" she said, her voice rising and for a moment Hermione was confused then she finally understood, relief flowing through her,
"Oh, that," she blurted out then blushed at the confused stares of her friends
"Of course that. What did you think we meant?" Ron wrinkled his brows and turned to Harry, who was studying Hermione's features,
"Why? Did he do something else to you Hermione?" Ginny asked, her eyes filled with concern
Oh he did, alright.
Hermione recalled the feel of Draco's hands running through her body and his soft lips on hers. . .
She sighed, trying to erase the thought from her mind. How could she still think of that pig-headed, self-righteous player and all around cheater?
To think, she almost went all the way with him, acting like a silly wanton virgin around him. She hated to admit it, but she owed Pansy. If it weren't for her (and her big mouth, of course), Hermione wouldn't have realized that Draco was playing with her all this time.
And what hurts the most is that she actually believed him and started to like him. She even almost fell for him.
She shuddered inwardly at the thought of falling in love with Draco. She would've been the biggest fool on earth if she had fallen for that egotistical pig.
The mere thought of the two of them, hand in hand and totally in love was enough to make Hermione want to spend a month or two in Azkaban.
"Hermione?" Ginny stared at her, looking worried, "Are you okay? You seem, I don't know, out of it," she glanced at Harry and Ron for support,
Hermione realized that she was totally spacing out and sighed, trying to smile, "I'm fine, and no, he didn't do anything else to me except for the usual childish torment and all that. But it's okay, I can handle him," she lied, waving her hand as if it was no big deal while trying hard to control the tears that were threatening to form in her eyes.
She hated herself for being such a fool for believing Draco. She actually believed him when he said about him being attracted to her. She also hated herself for crying over him. She had always thought that she was strong but clearly she wasn't.
Her feeling of anger, rejection and betrayal felt stronger than with that when Harry broke up with her and went with Ginny.
Why can't she stop thinking about him. . . about his blonde hair, his gray eyes, his playful and sexy smirk. . . and the way her heart beats faster whenever she sees him.
She felt her chest constricting and tears starting to form behind her eyes.
"Um, oh my," she feigned glancing at her watch, "Look at the time! And I still have to stop by the library before the next class. Would you excuse me?" she managed to choke as she quickly stood up and ran out of the great hall as tears finally escaped from her eyes.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Draco poked his food as Pansy laughed shrilly at something Blaise was saying. She hooked her arm with Draco's and looked up at him as if she owned him.
He pulled his arm away sharply, glaring at her for a split second and scooted away from her.
Pansy pouted,
"Draco, why are you suddenly so distant? I miss you already, you know," she whined and it took all of Draco's self control not to punch her pug-like face flat. Instead, he just ignored her and continued eating.
"Ooh! Look there. The little mudblood seems upset about something," she said, sneering and Draco quickly looked up and saw Hermione striding quickly out the door, looking upset.
Draco was pretty sure he knew what caused it and the urge to strangle Pansy was stronger than ever.
He clenched his jaw as he tried to control his murdering rage.
"Maybe she's upset you ruined her prim and proper school uniform! As if she doesn't have a few dozen more in store. She's such a nerd!" she rolled her eyes before flashing Draco a nasty little smile, "Oh, I just loved the way you spilled ink on her," she laughed, "It was classic!" she slapped him playfully on his thigh and her hand lingered there,
He just shot her a cold glare.
Pansy shut her mouth, tilted her head and pouted again.
She might think that her little pout is sexy, Draco thought. Well I think it's downright annoying and it makes her look even more pug-like than usual.
"Draco, what's the matter honey?" she asked, her voice oozing with sickening sweetness that just doesn't suit her while her hand was running up and down his thigh,
"Get your hand off me, Pansy, I'm not in the mood," he said gravely but Pansy wasn't finished. She ran her hand up his thigh then between his legs, stroking it expertly that Draco felt himself harden.
He should be enjoying this. If only it was Hermione's hand instead of Pansy's, and if only it's her hazel eyes gleaming flirtatiously instead of Pansy's dark and lusty ones.
He tried to think of something else just to keep Hermione off his mind, but to no avail. She was stuck there. . . her stricken face, her clear, brown eyes glistening with tears. . .
Draco gripped his knife tightly. Why the hell doesn't she believe him? And why the hell does it matter so much to him that she doesn't? He didn't care whether she believed him or not. He didn't care what she thought of him. He never tries to prove something to any girl. Let them think whatever they want. Either they take it or leave it. He never changes for anybody. Ever.
He gripped Pansy's hand and pushed it away,
"I said take your hand off me, Pansy," he said, his very scanty patience was dangerously on the brink of running out,
Blaise grinned, "What's wrong with you man? You've been in a foul mood since you came back to Snape's class. Why? Did something happen between you and Granger while you were outside?" his mouth curving into a sly smile, and Pansy glanced at him,
Draco glared at him, "Shut up," he said gravely and Blaise just laughed,
"Okay, man," he said, his eyes flashing knowingly, "Whatever you say,"
Draco could feel Pansy looking at him, studying him, as if trying to figure him out and Draco grew more irritated as he tried to ignore Pansy.
"Draco," she whined, "You know better than to let that scrawny, filthy little mudblood get to you, don't you? Is she annoying you again?"
"No, but you are!" he snapped as Pansy was taken aback, her jaw dropping, and her eyes wide but Draco was pushed too far. It was all this freakin' pig's fault that Hermione was mad at him. "Damn, can't a guy just eat a decent meal without anybody annoying him and always getting on his case these days?"
Pansy's lower lip trembled and her eyes welled up with tears but Draco ignored her as he tried to finish his meal.
No matter how much he denies it, it really mattered to him that Hermione knows the truth no matter what. And it was starting to scare him.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Later that night, Harry lay on the common room couch as students started to head up to their rooms.
He envisioned Hermione from this morning and the way her eyes glowed when she smiled. She seemed happy then. . . really happy. But this lunch, it was like she was back to her brooding and seemingly depressed mood just like that. He wondered what was wrong with her. She clearly was upset about something since lunch and she didn't even join them for dinner.
He frowned thoughtfully as he stared at the crackling fire on the fireplace, remembering the times when he and Hermione would sit for hours just talking and laughing and kissing. He loved the way her hair glowed against the fire and when her smile became dreamy and wistful as she stared at the glowing fire.
Harry smiled. Until now, he never realized how much he missed Hermione. He missed the way her brows knitted when she senses that something was bothering Harry, and the way she always acts so authoritative and bossy around them when in reality she's just a normal, friendly and caring person and that's what made Harry fall in love with her.
He had always known that Hermione was one of the few best people he had ever known in his entire life and that many people would soon fall in love with her since his best friend Ron's huge crush on her back in fourth year but never had Harry expected that he himself would fall for her.
Harry exhaled audibly. Maybe he had made a mistake breaking up with her. Sure, Ginny was sweet, caring and beautiful, and Harry liked her a lot, but he wasn't sure what he really felt for her.
Now he was really confused. When he broke up with Hermione, all he wanted was to keep his friendship with her without any other emotional complications, which in his opinion, for a guy who had been fighting the greatest evil wizard for sixteen years was a pretty cowardly move. REALLY cowardly. He was always thinking that when they'd break up in the future, they wouldn't stay friends. He never even considered the fact that maybe they won't break up, that maybe they'd end up together. That's how thick he was.
It was just back then, his decisions seemed pretty clear to him but now he realized how stupid he was.
Sure, he eventually got what he wanted; Hermione was finally friends with him now but he didn't realize how he needed her to be more. Well, he had her but he let her go. He'd be lucky if he'd get another chance and if he did, he'd vow never to make the same mistake of letting her go. Not a chance.
That is, IF he'd get the chance again.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Friday's Potions class couldn't have been any longer for Hermione as she sat there and listened to Snape drawl on and on about the history, ingredients and instructions on making the sleeping potion.
"Why don't we just buy a couple freaking sleeping pills and be over with it?" she mumbled under her breath and Draco turned to her, eyeing her narrowly, not saying anything. She just ignored him as she looked at her timepiece, groaning inwardly as she realized only fifteen minutes had passed, which means she'd have to endure and hour and forty five minutes more of this torture.
"Now, I assume you all know what to do. You may begin concocting your potions," he said before he headed for his seat and the students bustled about, opening their books and grabbing the ingredients.
Draco exhaled sharply as he opened his book and began reading the instructions. Hermione started to set up her cauldron and arrange the different vials and containers of ingredients according to use. And began slicing the de-pussed Amazonian leeches into thin, even slices.
"Where are the whomping willow leaves?" Draco suddenly asked,
"Obviously outside. On the whomping willow," she answered sarcastically and Draco scowled,
"Very funny," he shot back as he grabbed the leaves and pounded them to a pulp. Hermione tried to keep her eyes off him as she concentrated hard on slicing the leech.
Why does he have to be so devastatingly good looking? She shook her head, sighing as she continued slicing.
After she finished slicing the leeches, she viewed the table for something else to do but there wasn't any more. She glanced at Draco, who was carefully pouring the juice of the leaves into a small vial,
She cleared her throat.
"Um, is there anything else I could do?" she finally asked and Draco didn't so much as glance her way,
"You could start mixing in the ingredients," he said and Hermione nodded, picking up the fireflower juice and poured it into the cauldron, mixing it with the boiling red-orange mixture.
She snuck a glance at Draco's features again, feeling an odd leap in her heartbeat. Trying to divert her attention away from him, she turned her attention back to her work and watched as the mixture turned the right shade of purple before she put in the sliced leeches.
The silence in their table was deafening. She glanced at Harry and Goyle, who were practically killing each other with their glares and Ron and Crabbe weren't looking better. Lavender and Blaise, however, were openly flirting with each other, touching each other in places Hermione didn't want to imagine.
At least one pair is having fun in this class.
They spent the following minutes in silence as they tried to complete their potion, with the occasional snappy one-liners and the secret glances to each other.
"Now after you finish your potions, place it in the flask and label it with your names for next week's activity. The potion should turn a bright reddish-orange, slightly brighter than the earlier mixture," Snape said as Draco poured in the last ingredient and stirred the potion until it turned bright reddish orange, just as Snape described.
Hermione ladled the potion to the funnel into the flask until it was full then she wrote their names on the label and tied it on the flask.
"If you're done, clean up your stations and begin reading page thirty-seven to sixty, the chapter on the nocturniserum, which will be our next activity on Monday." Snape spoke again and several students began clearing up their table, "I suggest you spend your weekends on your reading assignments and on the three-foot long essay on the morphiserum,"
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Later that evening, Draco stared at the clear, reddish brown liquid in his glass as he thought of Hermione's stricken expression in the lavatory for what seemed like the thousandth time that day. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to erase her beautiful face from his mind.
He sighed heavily.
Why was he suddenly obsessing about her? A few weeks ago, he would've laughed at her face for being so dim-witted to trust him but now, he just felt guilty and he didn't know the reason why.
He gulped down his firewhisky and slammed the glass down the wooden table at the center of the common room. He stared at the glowing fireplace, trying to think up of ways to make Hermione listen to him, when he heard footsteps descending from the stairs.
He turned his head and found Hermione walking down, busy tightening her robe and when she saw him, looking at her, her red-rimmed eyes hardened and she clenched her jaw before she turned back up the stairs.
"Hermione wait!" he called out, running after her but she ran up faster, although not as fast as Draco who caught her just a few steps away from her bedroom door,
"You're not supposed to be up here!" she spat, squirming out of his grip
Draco noticed how puffy and red her eyes were and knew that she had been crying and he felt his heart drop. Hermione continued to fight him until he gripped her shoulders with both of his hands so that she was facing him. Hermione looked away, an expression of angry disgust clouded her features.
"Just listen to me, will you?" he shook her and Hermione sobbed and it was then that Draco saw tears fall from her eyes. He loosened his grip, "Hermione, please, I- I never meant to make you cry. . ." he said as softly as he could manage and Hermione shook her head and finally looked at him squarely in the eye,
"Oh, don't flatter yourself, Draco Malfoy. This is just a stupid allergy! Don't you dare think that you're not the reason I'm crying, because you're not! You're never going to make me cry, do you hear me? You never have and you'll never will, now would you please get your filthy hands off me? I don't like the thought of those lewd hands, which have been touching Pansy Parkinson at god knows whatever places, touching me!"
Draco clenched his jaw,
"Why are you so damn stubborn? Why won't you believe me? I never slept with Pansy, okay?"
"Oh really? So, then who was that naked, Pansy look-a-like I saw all over you a few weeks ago, huh?" she demanded, and when Draco didn't speak, she sighed raggedly, shaking her head in obvious disgust, "Whatever you say, Draco, I could never believe it so I suggest you stop while you're ahead. I don't care anyway who you're sleeping with as long as it isn't me!"
And with a last withering glare, she pulled away from Draco's weakened grip and stormed to her room, slamming the door so hard in his face.
"Goddammit Hermione!" he screamed at the door before he finally went down to the common room and up to his own bedroom
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Hermione allowed the tears to flow freely as she ran to her king-sized bed and buried her face on her fluffy pillow
How could she have ever thought that there was a possibility that he had or will eventually change? How gullible was she? After seventeen years of his obnoxious life, how had she ever thought that he'd suddenly change just like that?
She couldn't believe she hadn't seen it coming. Draco obviously just used her to satisfy his short-lived sexual needs from her, an obvious virgin. Maybe he just wanted to add her to complete his long list of conquests.
Hermione have never felt so used. She allowed herself to cry and kick and throw things all over her room. As much as she hated to admit it, Draco had really hit a spot made her feel this angry, frustrated and so miserable. She had thought that only Harry was capable of hurting her this much when he broke up with her and that she would never feel like this again, but she was wrong, dead wrong. She felt a million times worse.
"Why me?" she sobbed in her pillow,
What had she done to deserve this kind of treatment? As far as she knew, she hadn't done any mean and nasty things to deserve this kind of hurt.
Hermione pulled the covers up to her chin and curled up in a ball. Never had she thought she would feel this terrible. And the worst part is, she should've seen it coming. It was all too obvious if she wasn't just too stupid and blind to notice.
She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep as Draco's face from earlier appeared in her mind, with his gray eyes pleading and almost. . . honest.
Then, after a few moments she finally drifted into her deep slumber.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
The next morning at breakfast, Ginny approached the table smiling brightly, her cheeks aglow.
"Hey guys," she greeted as she sat down
"Hey Gin, you're pretty cheery this morning," Harry observed, sipping his milk
"Oh, am I?" Ginny reddened slightly, "Well, I guess I'm just a bit jolly today, aren't I?"
"A bit? Ginny, you're practically glowing that it's scaring me!" Ron said and Ginny laughed,
"Oh, Ron! You're so funny!" Ginny giggled and Ron just shrugged, looking at her sister as if she lost a few brain cells,
"No, really Gin. You really are scaring me," he said and Ginny giggled again, slapping Ron's shoulder lightly,
"Ron!" she laughed and both Harry and Ron looked at her in confusion, "So, where's Hermione? I thought we were going to Hogsmeade this morning?" Ginny asked as soon as her laughter died down. Ron turned to Harry questionably and Harry shrugged, looking over Ron's shoulder to the door, half expecting Hermione to step in, wearing one of her weekend clothes that looks so good on her and never fails to make Harry's heart skip a beat
"That's what I thought, too," he mumbled when Hermione didn't show up,
"Oh, maybe she's coming. Maybe she just woke up late that's all, she probably just had a long night last night. Patrolling or something," Ginny shrugged,
Harry nodded, "Maybe,"
They ate in silence with Harry glancing at the Great Hall entrance every minute but breakfast was almost over now and still no sign of Hermione.
"Where is she?" Harry asked and both Ginny and Ron shrugged,
Ginny's eyes widened in concern, "Maybe she's sick,"
"Maybe we should go and check in on her," Ron suggested as the leftovers disappeared from their plates,
"Good idea," Harry nodded as he rose from his seat, "Coming, Gin?"
Ginny looked torn and then shook her head, "Uh, you go ahead. I'll just meet you guys at Hogsmeade later, okay?"
Ron looked at her suspiciously but Harry just nodded as he pulled out his Marauder's map,
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he mumbled and found Hermione and led Ron to the Head Students' tower. It took them a couple of minutes to reach the tower and they were now facing a beautiful silver-haired nymph sitting idly on a big rock. When she spotted them, her big, lavender eyes grew wider and she smiled coyly at them.
"Hello, handsome boys! My name is Florence, a nymph from the woodlands. Came to visit your friend, did you? He just left half an hour ago. Such a handsome young man! But he is a bit edgy for my taste. Really moody, don't you think? I suggest you have a little bit of a chat with him about his attitude,"
"Um, if you're talking about Malfoy, he's not our friend," Ron explained to the talkative nymph, "But Hermione is. Is she in?"
"Hermione? The girl? Oh she's definitely still inside. Yes she is. Hadn't gone out since last night. Maybe it had something to do with that fight they had,"
"Fight? Draco and Hermione?"
The nymph nodded, "Mm-hmm, they were yelling at each other pretty loudly. Woke me up, in fact," she frowned,
"Um, ahem. Well, can we go in and see her?" Harry asked and the nymph smiled at him,
"Oh sure! Password?"
"Do you know the password?" Ron asked,
Harry stared at the map again and there was a speech bubble above his dot that said 'sugar coated honey dipped vanilla flavored goblins'
Ron made a face as Harry repeated the password and the portrait hole swung open, allowing them to enter the massive crimson and deep-green wallpapered common room that was probably two to three times bigger than the Gryffindor common room.
"Bloody hell! It's almost the size of the great hall!" Ron whispered as he surveyed the different sweets and refreshments on one corner and the numerous, plush couches all around,
"Come on, she's in her room," Harry said as Ron continued to stare around the common room in awe,
"I can't believe that git Malfoy gets to live here all year! That lucky slime!" he complained as he followed Harry up the stairs and knocked softly on the door,
"Hermione?" he called out softly and Ron pressed his ear against the door
Harry turned the knob softly and once again was taken aback by the size of her bedroom. It was slightly bigger than their rooms, but with no four other people to share it with, it was pretty huge. On one side was her bureau, with her make-up and hairbrush arranged neatly and on the other side was her study desk filled with neatly stacked school and library books, a few rolls of parchment, a couple of ink bottles and a few quills. There was also a fireplace with plush sofas facing it and a center table with a couple of books piled on top, and on one corner, there was a rectangular refreshment table, smaller than that in the common room with two glasses and a pitcher and a plate of assorted biscuits and cookies. Another round table and two chairs, which Harry guessed served as a mini dining area, was beside the refreshment table.
His eyes traveled over to the king sized bed where a sleeping Hermione lay curled up in a ball, wrapped in her thick quilt and surrounded with about a dozen fluffy white pillows. Her two bedside tables were set with different framed photos, on one side was a still one of her parents and on the other is a moving one with the three of them at the train last year.
"Whoa, being a head student sure has its perks, doesn't it Harry?" Ron whispered behind him and Harry nodded absently, mesmerized by the golden hired angel sleeping in front of him,
Hermione stirred slightly and groaned as she rubbed her eyes and picked up a pillow and covered her face in it.
"Hermione," Harry said softly and Hermione didn't respond.
"Hey Hermione," Ron said a little louder and Hermione groaned again, stretching her arms up and pulled the pillow away from her face.
She squinted as her eyes fluttered open and when she finally realized their presence, she looked at them blankly, and her eyes only half open.
"What are you doing here?" she mumbled, seeming only half awake
"We're going to Hogsmeade, remember?" Ron spoke and Hermione frowned in confusion,
"Hogsmeade?" she mumbled groggily as if unfamiliar with the word and she just shook her head, "What time is it?" she finally sat up and stared around the room as if she had only just seen it,
"Hermione, it's almost ten," Harry said warily,
Hermione closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, groaning and Harry peered at her,
"Are you alright, Hermione? We could reschedule if you want,"
"No, it's okay," she shook her head and squinted again, covering her face with her hands "I'm fine. I'll be ready in half an hour, okay?" she said, eyeing them unsteadily,
"Are you sure? Because it's okay with us if you're not feeling well or. . ."
"It's okay," she insisted, smothering a yawn, "I'm up. I'll just start getting ready okay? Just wait for me in the common room, I won't be long,"
Harry nodded, still skeptical, "Okay, we'll just be downstairs. Take your time," he said as he and Ron left her room, looking at each other in concern. When they reached the plush sofas of the head students' common room, Harry sighed,
"Hermione seemed a little out of it," he said and Ron's jaw dropped as he stared at Harry disbelievingly,
"A little? Harry! She's practically a zombie! I'm really worried about her," he exclaimed,
Harry only sighed. Ron was right.
"Me too, Ron, but what else can we do? It's like we have to tiptoe around her for the fear of her going off. I just don't know what has got her acting like this,"
"Maybe it's Malfoy," Ron said absently and Harry stared at him
"Why? What did he do this time?"
Ron shrugged, "No, I mean, the incident at Potions yesterday. Did you notice how Hermione's mood suddenly changed when she came back from the lavatory? I don't really know what happened but after that, she was back to becoming sullen,"
Harry stared at Ron. He did have a point. Before potions, Hermione was really cheery and blooming but after the ink incident, she was back to being brooding and morose.
"I think you're right, but I thought Malfoy wasn't capable of causing Hermione that much pain anymore? I mean, that ink antic was pretty low, even for Malfoy but I doubt that it was what made Hermione completely change her mood like that. I mean, Hermione had always dealt with prats like Malfoy a few years back then, right? And Malfoy's pranks were more than just that stupid ink spilling. And now that I think about it, doesn't Hermione always use to complain to us whatever Malfoy's pulling? However small it was? And now, it's like she's keeping something from us. I just think something bigger is up, something more than just cruel pranks. Maybe this could be serious."
Harry rubbed his chin thoughtfully as Hermione climbed down the stairs wearing a loose black sweater and jeans and her hair was tied in a low ponytail. Harry noticed her pale, make-up free face and dark bags under her empty eyes.
"Are you sure you're fine Hermione? You look a bit. . . tired," he finished lamely
"I'm really fine, Harry," she managed a small smile as if to prove her point, "I just slept really late from doing all of my homework,"
Harry nodded as Ron took Hermione's arm,
"Well, let's go then. I'm sure Fred and George are already dying to test their new inventions on us," Ron said, sounding cheerfully sarcastic which elicited a laugh from Hermione and Harry mentally congratulated him as they headed out the room.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Hermione smiled as Harry handed her a huge cup of hot cocoa as he sat beside her on the booth at a new place called 'The Muggle Café' where it was fashioned after a real muggle café, hence the name. The place was decorated with still paintings and the employees were dressed in muggle clothes. Hermione would've thought she was in a muggle place if it weren't for the cauldrons set behind the counter to make the drinks.
Ron took a sip of his chamomile tea and made a face,
Hermione laughed, "What's the matter Ron? Don't you like your tea?"
"Ugh! It has no taste! I can't believe I paid good money just to drink scented hot water! I can't believe muggles enjoy these!" he quickly picked up a chocolate scone and gobbled it all up,
"Hey, some witches drink it too, you know," Hermione pointed out but Ron just made a face,
Harry and Hermione laughed, "And do you know what the weird part is? It's supposed to be relaxing," Harry pointed out and Ron stared at him blankly,
"Here, taste this. I think you'll like it better," Hermione handed him her hot chocolate, which Ron accepted doubtfully.
"What is it?"
"Hot chocolate," she said and Ron's mouth curved into a smile as he took a sip.
"Hmm! Now this is what I'm talking about! Wanna switch drinks?" he smiled eagerly and Hermione nodded, laughing, as Ron pushed his delicate china cup full of tea to Hermione and tilted the mug of hot chocolate to his mouth.
Hermione sipped the tea and allowed its warmth to seep through her body.
Harry stirred his cappuccino, "So, I was thinking we should go to Fred and George's shop first before we eat lunch. Sound good?"
"Okay. Sounds good," she smiled
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Draco exhaled sharply for what seemed like the tenth time that morning as Crabbe and Goyle, along with what seemed like half of the male population at Hogwarts, ogled at the latest quidditch broom displayed, the Firebolt 500. Draco rolled his eyes. He and Blaise were standing apart from the crowd and although Blaise was trying to seem aloof about it, he couldn't help glancing at the display occasionally when he thought Draco wasn't paying attention.
Draco sighed again, "If you must, Blaise, by all means. Join the oglers. Don't let me rob you off your joy," he drawled sarcastically and Blaise seemed surprised for a moment but quickly regained his composure and shrugged, clearing his throat,
"Nah. I'm not interested," he said and Draco smirked,
"Of course," he said in a tone, which made Blaise redden in embarrassment,
"Well, ahem, I think it's best if we went ahead and leave those two deadweights here," he gestured over to Crabbe and Goyle and Draco let out a short laugh,
"Good idea. With those two, they'd probably be there for at least half the day, drooling over some stupid broom they can't even afford," he said and Blaise guffawed as they left the quidditch store.
They walked idly until they reached 'The Muggle Café' and Draco made a face.
"Ugh! Who would want to go in there?"
Blaise looked through the glass window of the café and smirked at Draco,
"Take a wild guess," he said and Draco looked and saw Hermione with Weasley and Potter.
"Should've known," he mumbled and Blaise chuckled,
"So, I hope you haven't forgotten our little bet already," he asked challengingly and Draco exhaled sharply- again. He hesitated for a while before he walked over to the side of the café,
"Almost had her if it wasn't for Pansy's big mouth," he said and Blaise raised an eyebrow questioningly and Draco leaned on the glass and dug his hands in his pockets, "Well, if you must know, we were getting pretty heavy at the girls' lavatory when Pansy walked in. . ."
"Wait, she saw you in the girls' lavatory? When did this happen?" Blaise's eyes widened,
Draco frowned, "She didn't see us, dumb ass! We were inside a cubicle and Pansy and some other girl were talking and that bitch Pansy made some outrageous lie, bragging that we had sex the night before! Naturally, Herm- er -Granger , being the chaste virgin that she is, got mad and walked out on me. . . right after she bashed me with her verbal assaults, that is," he smirked, remembering Hermione's flushed face as he stroked her body and kissed her inside the cubicle.
"So that's why you looked like you could wring Pansy's neck at any given time," Blaise said thoughtfully, "So, do you wanna call it off then? I mean, with only less than three weeks left and her even greater, if that's possible, loath for you, I don't think you'd be able to. . ."
"No way. I've already gone this far, I'm not giving up on her," he blurted and suddenly regretted his words at Blaise's wry and amused grin,
"Don't you mean 'it'? I mean, we're still talking about the bet, aren't we?"
Draco swallowed hard, "Of course I meant to say 'it'. It was just a stupid little slip of the tongue. Everybody makes mistakes like that,"
Blaise eyed him in amusement, "Why, Draco, if I'd known better I'd think you're starting to like the little mudblood,"
Draco tried to ignore the hotness of his cheeks as he frowned and trying to look incredulous, "What? Me? Like her? That's probably the most unbelievably craziest thing I've ever heard! You must be losing brain cells if you're inclined to believe or even think of that thing, Blaise!" he scoffed,
Blaise smirked, "Okay, man. Relax. Just so we're clear on this field. I mean if I didn't know she was a mudblood, I would've taken her right then and there. No questions asked," Blaise leaned slightly, glancing behind Draco and eyed Hermione as if she was taking her clothes off in front of him, "I mean, damn, who would've thought she'd grow to be this scrumptious," he drawled and Draco fought the urge to punch Blaise's annoying grin off his face
"Right. Whatever," he said as sarcastically and couldn't help adding, "Now stop staring like you wanna eat her, it's disgusting." as he can as he looked at Hermione again inside the café as she offered her mug of whatever to Weasley, smiling broadly and looking really incredibly sexy and beautiful. . . not that he'd say anything to Blaise.
"On second thought, maybe I'll try my luck with her, maybe I'll get lucky. I mean, I may be a Slytherin but I haven't done anything mean to her like you did. . . I could just picture her delicious little virginal body on my bed, all mine for the taking," Blaise continued, still eyeing Hermione lustfully,
Draco's blood boiled, "Back off, Zabini, if you know what's good for you!" he snapped irritably and regretted it again when Blaise looked at him in surprise. He just glared at Blaise as if challenging him to say more and risk breaking Draco's patience.
Blaise only shook his head and glanced briefly at Hermione, his expression changing from lustful to confused admiration before he looked at Draco again.
"Okay, sorry about that. . .Wanna go get some firewhisky?" he asked and Draco nodded, glad that the subject of Hermione had dropped. But he couldn't help feeling that Blaise had somehow known something that he wasn't telling Draco.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
"Hermione! Long time no see!" one of the Weasley twins pulled Hermione into a tight hug. Hermione looked at him, taking in his long bangs and uneven, shoulder length red hair and smiled broadly,
"I know! It's been so long," she replied, still unable to tell whom of the twins she was talking to. He smiled knowingly,
"I'll call Angelina," he said and then it dawned on Hermione,
"Okay Fred," she called out as Fred disappeared behind the back door not before giving her a wink,
Then George went out where Fred entered, his hair was short, and he had an earring on his left ear,
"George!" she cried out and George grinned and hugged her the same way Fred did, lifting her from the ground and twirling her around the shop,
"How's my little bookworm doing? Read any good books lately?"
Hermione laughed, "Only a few hundred!" she joked and George laughed good- naturedly,
"Gosh, we missed you so much! We heard you became Head Girl, congratulations! You must be so happy!" he said as he put Hermione down,
"Thanks. I'm great! I missed you too," she said then she surveyed the large store filled with different bright and shiny items, "Oh my god, you really did it! You finally have your own joke shop! I'm so happy for you! Although I'm not that surprised. I always knew you'd do it,"
"Right. So those threats about reporting us to McGonagall was what?" he joked and Hermione laughed,
"Sorry about that. I guess I was such an insufferable, stiff brownnoser back then, weren't I?" she said. She couldn't feel any prouder for them as she pulled George into another tight hug, "I can't believe how much I missed you so," she mumbled through his sweater and George laughed, stroking her back,
"Us too, Hermione," he said, his voice unusually serious and gruff, "I'm glad you finally made up with Harry. We knew what you've been through and we should've been here for you, if only you'd asked us,"
Hermione pulled back her eyes glistening with tears, "I know," she nodded, "And I'm sorry for not communicating with you all summer. That was really rude of me,"
"It's okay, Hermione, we understood. We knew how much you love him, you know," he looked at her in such a brotherly manner that Hermione felt like bursting into tears. Fred and George along with Ron, Percy, Bill and Charlie had been like the brothers she never had but it was Fred and George whom she was closest to.
"Right," she nodded, "But I'm glad that everything's back to normal right now," she said, glancing at Harry, who was observing a display called 'rock teeth chewies'
"Hermione?" a female voice called out and Hermione turned and saw Angelina, with her hair still in pigtails but instead of quidditch robes, she was wearing a maternity dress over her slightly big tummy. Fred and Ron were right behind her, Fred smiling proudly,
"Oh my god, Angelina!" she screeched which elicited head turns from a couple of customers, but Hermione didn't mind as she ran to Angelina and grabbed her hands,
"You're going to have a baby? When?" she asked excitedly and Angelina laughed
"In a couple of months," she shrugged, "Come on, let's talk out back," she said and she pulled Hermione to the back room where they sat in a cushy sofa
"So, what have you been up to?" Angelina asked good-naturedly and Hermione smiled,
"Oh, the usual. Snape's giving us a bad time as usual and the Slytherins. . ." she paused, remembering Draco but then caught herself, "Well, they're still Slytherins," she finished, raising a shoulder
Angelina studied her before she picked up a cookie from the tray at the center table,
"Want some?" she offered and when Hermione shook her head, Angelina nibbled on her cookie,
"Um, by the way Angelina, I want to apologize if I missed the opening of this store last month," Hermione said softly and Angelina smiled,
"It's okay, Hermione, we understand," she said and Hermione exhaled sharply,
"No, I was too selfish," she shook her head, "I got too caught up with myself that I totally forgot the other people around me. You, Fred, George. . . everybody. It's a surprise you don't hate me,"
Angelina placed her hand comfortingly on Hermione's shoulder, "Don't be too hard on yourself Hermione. It's not your fault that you felt that way and we would never hate you; you know that. You needed your space and we respected that. What's important is that you've finally gotten over it and moved on."
Hermione smiled, "Still, I feel I should make up for what I missed. What do you say I treat you to lunch? Fred and George could come," she smiled and Angelina smiled back,
"Sounds good. But really, it's totally not necessary for you to do that,"
"No, I insist! It's the least I could do," she said firmly and Angelina laughed,
"Okay, I'll go tell Fred and George," she said as they stood up and headed back to the shop,
"Hey guys, I'm treating lunch," Hermione called out and Harry looked at her,
"I thought I was treating lunch?" he asked and Hermione smiled, hooking her arm with Harry's,
"Maybe you could treat us next time," she looked up at him good-naturedly and Harry smiled back,
"Okay, if you say so," he said smiling back and Hermione couldn't help feeling warm and happy inside as they walked out of the shop.
They were inside 'The Bubble Pot', one of the nicest and newest restaurants in Hogsmeade and they had just finished ordering their food and were busy talking and updating each other with each of their own news.
"By the way, where's Ginny?" George asked and the three students shrugged,
"Oh right! Where is she?" Hermione faced Ron and Harry who looked at her blankly
"She said she'll just see us here in Hogsmeade, but so far, we haven't seen her here," Ron explained,
"You don't suppose she's out on a date, do you?" Fred leaned over and looked at George suspiciously who mirrored his brother's look,
"I've got a feeling you're right, Fred," he replied and Angelina rolled her eyes,
"Oh please! She's sixteen, it's perfectly okay for her to date!"
"No it's not!" the twins burst out and Angelina rolled her eyes,
"Oh stop it! We started dating when we were sixteen, remember?" she eyed Fred,
"But still," Ron narrowed his eyes, "We still want to know who's the bloke she's going out with. He has to pass our standards, right guys?" he faced his brothers, who nodded vigorously,
"Ron! You're getting a tad too overprotective, you know," Hermione reminded him, "Ginny's a bright and responsible girl who knows who and who not to go out with,"
"We were just wondering who he is, Hermione! It's okay with us as long as he's not a Slytherin," Ron explained
Hermione blinked at what Ron said before she looked down at her plate, unable to respond to his comment. She just sighed and rolled her eyes at Ron, shaking her head,
"Well, you won't have to wonder any longer," Harry said, nodding towards the entrance, his green eyes narrow and they all turned and gaped in awe as they saw Ginny entering the restaurant with none other than Oliver Wood. His brown hair was now longer, with slashed cuts slightly covering his eyes and he was obviously still in good shape. Ginny caught sight of them and her eyes widened and began to wave animatedly,
"Guys!" she called out, heading over to their table as Oliver followed her to the silenced, awe-struck group,
"Gin!" Hermione was the first to break the silence at the table as she darted her eyes from Ginny to Oliver and back again,
"You all remember Oliver Wood, of course," she smiled and Wood grinned,
"What's up, Oliver?" Angelina nodded in acknowledgement and the twins grinned at him,
"Wood! We saw you're game last week against Bulgaria and we have to say you haven't lost your touch, buddy! Not one bit!" George said and Oliver smiled wider,
"Hey thanks a lot, Weasley," he slapped George's shoulder, grinning excitedly, "How's the team doing, Harry?"
"Fine. Ron's doing well in beating and Ginny's a great keeper,"
"Well, with a good captain, I don't see why that's not possible," Wood smiled, "Been practicing hard, Harry?"
Harry reddened slightly and Ron and Ginny looked away. Hermione just smothered a laugh. They all have been joking about Wood's military quidditch training while Harry barely schedules practices at school. There was even one game last year that they failed to practice at all. Luckily, the snitch got caught only ten minutes later. They had a good laugh about it during the celebration. "Yeah. We've been practicing," Harry shrugged,
"Hey why don't you join us? We just ordered," Ron said, still eyeing Ginny suspiciously and protectively,
Ginny looked at Oliver briefly,
"Sure. If it's okay with Ginny here," Oliver said and she just shrugged, grinning
"It's fine with me,"
Oliver smiled again as he pulled out a chair for Ginny before sitting beside her. Hermione watched them dreamily,
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Later that night, Draco sat on one of the soft couches in the warm and irritatingly quiet common room, staring blankly at the cackling fire as he lifted his glass of firewhisky to his lips and took a huge gulp of the cold liquid that turned warm as it slid down his throat.
Looking at his timepiece, he realized that it was almost midnight and he had already finished his rounds more than an hour ago. So where was Hermione?
Then, as if to answer his mental question, the portrait door swung open and he could hear Hermione humming good-naturedly before she stepped in the room.
She stopped in mid hum when she saw him and her dreamy smile disappeared, replaced by a cool, detached expression as she walked to the stairs acting as if he wasn't even in the room.
"Hermione, wait," he called out before he could stop himself and he could see her shoulders stiffen as she stopped walking, not turning to face him. Then as if waking up from a trance, she slightly shook her head and resumed walking but Draco strode over to her and grabbed her arm.
She finally turned to him; her eyes flashing, "What now?" she tried to pull her arm away but he gripped it tighter,
"Will you just listen to me?" he half shouted,
"No I wont! I am not wasting my time listening to a bunch of lies so forget it! Now let go of me!" she snapped, still struggling desperately away from him as Draco grabbed her other arm, pulling her closer
"No, I'm not going to forget it and you're not going to waste your time because what I'm going to say to you is the truth! I never slept with Pansy, dammit! At least after we went out. What you heard were all lies!" he almost shouted and Hermione narrowed her eyes coldly looking like she's about to cry. She was trying desperately to control her trembling lips as tears start to form behind her eyes,
"Please just let me go, Malfoy. I just can't take it anymore. I'm so sick and tired of this. Can't you just leave me in peace? Please? Is that too much to ask?" she choked brokenly and it was all Draco could take as his grip loosened and Hermione stepped back, tears threatening to spill from her beautiful hazel eyes, before she blinked it away rapidly and wiped it with the back of her hand in one angry stroke,
"Hermione," he began but Hermione just shook her head,
"Just leave me alone. I don't care, okay? I don't care about you, about who you sleep with, whether it's Pansy Parkinson or any other girl for that matter, I don't care! And another thing, as far as both of us are concerned, I don't own you and you don't own me. So there's absolutely no need for you to explain or defend or make any excuses for every little thing you do because I don't care. The sooner you get that through your thick head, the better!" she said before running up the stairs to her room
"Hermione," he repeated, staring dejectedly at the empty and quiet room
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
-Hoobastank, "The Reason"
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Author's Notes: Hopefully, this chapter is longer and I hope you liked this as well cause I really tried my best to finish this chapter amidst my oral and written report (which I'm alternately typing with this chapter since it's due tomorrow) and my quiz tomorrow (which I haven't studied for even just a bit. . . hello zero!). There! Have I proven enough just how much I love you guys and how truly grateful I am for your reviews? Hehehe. . .
So please, all I ask is for you to continue to read and review my story okay? What do you think? Does it stink? Let me know!
Domo Arigatou! Merci Boccou! Gracias! Salamat! Thank you! Mwah, mwah mwah!
Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: 'It might have been'
John Greenleaf Whittier
Lunch couldn't have been longer for Hermione as she sat there, poking at her chicken and trying to listen to her friends talking animatedly. She had gone to her dormitories just as the lunch bell rang and took a quick shower and a good cry before she went down to the great hall and joined her friends. It was as if the joy and lightheartedness she was feeling this morning had been quickly and completely drained out from her, leaving her empty and hollow inside.
She tried to smile and listen to Ron talking animatedly,
"I tell you, I think she fancies me," he said as he took a sip of his juice. Harry chuckled, shaking his head,
"Ron, come on. All she did was ask you to move over so she could pass by,"
Ginny giggled, "And you tell me I tend to overanalyze things,"
Ron sighed sharply, "I'm telling you, there was a connection between us! Like a spark or something!" he insisted and Harry only shook his head again as he went back to his food,
"Some friends you are," he grumbled then turned to Hermione, "At least Hermione agrees with me, don't you, Hermione?"
Hermione looked at Ron blankly, "Huh?"
Ron sighed again, "Me and Phoebe Hayward? From Ravenclaw? Man, Hermione! You weren't even paying attention!" he exclaimed and Hermione smiled apologetically,
"Sorry Ron, just got a lot of things on my mind," she explained and Ron nodded,
"Right. I know you're still mad at that stupid ferret Malfoy for what he did to you," he said and Hermione gaped at him
What was he talking about? Did Ron know? If he did, why wasn't he a least bit mad at her? He even seemed to be siding with her. . . and Harry too.
She looked at Harry who was nodding, looking as indignant as Ron.
"W-what?" she stammered as Ginny nodded vigorously as she reached for Hermione's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"They told me what happened, Hermione. That Malfoy is such a prat!" she frowned
What's going on here? Was she in some kind of alternate universe here? First of all, how did they know about her and Draco and why the heck are they acting like this?
"G-guys, I. . ." she began but Ginny interrupted her,
"Spilling ink on you! Really! How childish can you get?" she said, her voice rising and for a moment Hermione was confused then she finally understood, relief flowing through her,
"Oh, that," she blurted out then blushed at the confused stares of her friends
"Of course that. What did you think we meant?" Ron wrinkled his brows and turned to Harry, who was studying Hermione's features,
"Why? Did he do something else to you Hermione?" Ginny asked, her eyes filled with concern
Oh he did, alright.
Hermione recalled the feel of Draco's hands running through her body and his soft lips on hers. . .
She sighed, trying to erase the thought from her mind. How could she still think of that pig-headed, self-righteous player and all around cheater?
To think, she almost went all the way with him, acting like a silly wanton virgin around him. She hated to admit it, but she owed Pansy. If it weren't for her (and her big mouth, of course), Hermione wouldn't have realized that Draco was playing with her all this time.
And what hurts the most is that she actually believed him and started to like him. She even almost fell for him.
She shuddered inwardly at the thought of falling in love with Draco. She would've been the biggest fool on earth if she had fallen for that egotistical pig.
The mere thought of the two of them, hand in hand and totally in love was enough to make Hermione want to spend a month or two in Azkaban.
"Hermione?" Ginny stared at her, looking worried, "Are you okay? You seem, I don't know, out of it," she glanced at Harry and Ron for support,
Hermione realized that she was totally spacing out and sighed, trying to smile, "I'm fine, and no, he didn't do anything else to me except for the usual childish torment and all that. But it's okay, I can handle him," she lied, waving her hand as if it was no big deal while trying hard to control the tears that were threatening to form in her eyes.
She hated herself for being such a fool for believing Draco. She actually believed him when he said about him being attracted to her. She also hated herself for crying over him. She had always thought that she was strong but clearly she wasn't.
Her feeling of anger, rejection and betrayal felt stronger than with that when Harry broke up with her and went with Ginny.
Why can't she stop thinking about him. . . about his blonde hair, his gray eyes, his playful and sexy smirk. . . and the way her heart beats faster whenever she sees him.
She felt her chest constricting and tears starting to form behind her eyes.
"Um, oh my," she feigned glancing at her watch, "Look at the time! And I still have to stop by the library before the next class. Would you excuse me?" she managed to choke as she quickly stood up and ran out of the great hall as tears finally escaped from her eyes.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Draco poked his food as Pansy laughed shrilly at something Blaise was saying. She hooked her arm with Draco's and looked up at him as if she owned him.
He pulled his arm away sharply, glaring at her for a split second and scooted away from her.
Pansy pouted,
"Draco, why are you suddenly so distant? I miss you already, you know," she whined and it took all of Draco's self control not to punch her pug-like face flat. Instead, he just ignored her and continued eating.
"Ooh! Look there. The little mudblood seems upset about something," she said, sneering and Draco quickly looked up and saw Hermione striding quickly out the door, looking upset.
Draco was pretty sure he knew what caused it and the urge to strangle Pansy was stronger than ever.
He clenched his jaw as he tried to control his murdering rage.
"Maybe she's upset you ruined her prim and proper school uniform! As if she doesn't have a few dozen more in store. She's such a nerd!" she rolled her eyes before flashing Draco a nasty little smile, "Oh, I just loved the way you spilled ink on her," she laughed, "It was classic!" she slapped him playfully on his thigh and her hand lingered there,
He just shot her a cold glare.
Pansy shut her mouth, tilted her head and pouted again.
She might think that her little pout is sexy, Draco thought. Well I think it's downright annoying and it makes her look even more pug-like than usual.
"Draco, what's the matter honey?" she asked, her voice oozing with sickening sweetness that just doesn't suit her while her hand was running up and down his thigh,
"Get your hand off me, Pansy, I'm not in the mood," he said gravely but Pansy wasn't finished. She ran her hand up his thigh then between his legs, stroking it expertly that Draco felt himself harden.
He should be enjoying this. If only it was Hermione's hand instead of Pansy's, and if only it's her hazel eyes gleaming flirtatiously instead of Pansy's dark and lusty ones.
He tried to think of something else just to keep Hermione off his mind, but to no avail. She was stuck there. . . her stricken face, her clear, brown eyes glistening with tears. . .
Draco gripped his knife tightly. Why the hell doesn't she believe him? And why the hell does it matter so much to him that she doesn't? He didn't care whether she believed him or not. He didn't care what she thought of him. He never tries to prove something to any girl. Let them think whatever they want. Either they take it or leave it. He never changes for anybody. Ever.
He gripped Pansy's hand and pushed it away,
"I said take your hand off me, Pansy," he said, his very scanty patience was dangerously on the brink of running out,
Blaise grinned, "What's wrong with you man? You've been in a foul mood since you came back to Snape's class. Why? Did something happen between you and Granger while you were outside?" his mouth curving into a sly smile, and Pansy glanced at him,
Draco glared at him, "Shut up," he said gravely and Blaise just laughed,
"Okay, man," he said, his eyes flashing knowingly, "Whatever you say,"
Draco could feel Pansy looking at him, studying him, as if trying to figure him out and Draco grew more irritated as he tried to ignore Pansy.
"Draco," she whined, "You know better than to let that scrawny, filthy little mudblood get to you, don't you? Is she annoying you again?"
"No, but you are!" he snapped as Pansy was taken aback, her jaw dropping, and her eyes wide but Draco was pushed too far. It was all this freakin' pig's fault that Hermione was mad at him. "Damn, can't a guy just eat a decent meal without anybody annoying him and always getting on his case these days?"
Pansy's lower lip trembled and her eyes welled up with tears but Draco ignored her as he tried to finish his meal.
No matter how much he denies it, it really mattered to him that Hermione knows the truth no matter what. And it was starting to scare him.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Later that night, Harry lay on the common room couch as students started to head up to their rooms.
He envisioned Hermione from this morning and the way her eyes glowed when she smiled. She seemed happy then. . . really happy. But this lunch, it was like she was back to her brooding and seemingly depressed mood just like that. He wondered what was wrong with her. She clearly was upset about something since lunch and she didn't even join them for dinner.
He frowned thoughtfully as he stared at the crackling fire on the fireplace, remembering the times when he and Hermione would sit for hours just talking and laughing and kissing. He loved the way her hair glowed against the fire and when her smile became dreamy and wistful as she stared at the glowing fire.
Harry smiled. Until now, he never realized how much he missed Hermione. He missed the way her brows knitted when she senses that something was bothering Harry, and the way she always acts so authoritative and bossy around them when in reality she's just a normal, friendly and caring person and that's what made Harry fall in love with her.
He had always known that Hermione was one of the few best people he had ever known in his entire life and that many people would soon fall in love with her since his best friend Ron's huge crush on her back in fourth year but never had Harry expected that he himself would fall for her.
Harry exhaled audibly. Maybe he had made a mistake breaking up with her. Sure, Ginny was sweet, caring and beautiful, and Harry liked her a lot, but he wasn't sure what he really felt for her.
Now he was really confused. When he broke up with Hermione, all he wanted was to keep his friendship with her without any other emotional complications, which in his opinion, for a guy who had been fighting the greatest evil wizard for sixteen years was a pretty cowardly move. REALLY cowardly. He was always thinking that when they'd break up in the future, they wouldn't stay friends. He never even considered the fact that maybe they won't break up, that maybe they'd end up together. That's how thick he was.
It was just back then, his decisions seemed pretty clear to him but now he realized how stupid he was.
Sure, he eventually got what he wanted; Hermione was finally friends with him now but he didn't realize how he needed her to be more. Well, he had her but he let her go. He'd be lucky if he'd get another chance and if he did, he'd vow never to make the same mistake of letting her go. Not a chance.
That is, IF he'd get the chance again.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Friday's Potions class couldn't have been any longer for Hermione as she sat there and listened to Snape drawl on and on about the history, ingredients and instructions on making the sleeping potion.
"Why don't we just buy a couple freaking sleeping pills and be over with it?" she mumbled under her breath and Draco turned to her, eyeing her narrowly, not saying anything. She just ignored him as she looked at her timepiece, groaning inwardly as she realized only fifteen minutes had passed, which means she'd have to endure and hour and forty five minutes more of this torture.
"Now, I assume you all know what to do. You may begin concocting your potions," he said before he headed for his seat and the students bustled about, opening their books and grabbing the ingredients.
Draco exhaled sharply as he opened his book and began reading the instructions. Hermione started to set up her cauldron and arrange the different vials and containers of ingredients according to use. And began slicing the de-pussed Amazonian leeches into thin, even slices.
"Where are the whomping willow leaves?" Draco suddenly asked,
"Obviously outside. On the whomping willow," she answered sarcastically and Draco scowled,
"Very funny," he shot back as he grabbed the leaves and pounded them to a pulp. Hermione tried to keep her eyes off him as she concentrated hard on slicing the leech.
Why does he have to be so devastatingly good looking? She shook her head, sighing as she continued slicing.
After she finished slicing the leeches, she viewed the table for something else to do but there wasn't any more. She glanced at Draco, who was carefully pouring the juice of the leaves into a small vial,
She cleared her throat.
"Um, is there anything else I could do?" she finally asked and Draco didn't so much as glance her way,
"You could start mixing in the ingredients," he said and Hermione nodded, picking up the fireflower juice and poured it into the cauldron, mixing it with the boiling red-orange mixture.
She snuck a glance at Draco's features again, feeling an odd leap in her heartbeat. Trying to divert her attention away from him, she turned her attention back to her work and watched as the mixture turned the right shade of purple before she put in the sliced leeches.
The silence in their table was deafening. She glanced at Harry and Goyle, who were practically killing each other with their glares and Ron and Crabbe weren't looking better. Lavender and Blaise, however, were openly flirting with each other, touching each other in places Hermione didn't want to imagine.
At least one pair is having fun in this class.
They spent the following minutes in silence as they tried to complete their potion, with the occasional snappy one-liners and the secret glances to each other.
"Now after you finish your potions, place it in the flask and label it with your names for next week's activity. The potion should turn a bright reddish-orange, slightly brighter than the earlier mixture," Snape said as Draco poured in the last ingredient and stirred the potion until it turned bright reddish orange, just as Snape described.
Hermione ladled the potion to the funnel into the flask until it was full then she wrote their names on the label and tied it on the flask.
"If you're done, clean up your stations and begin reading page thirty-seven to sixty, the chapter on the nocturniserum, which will be our next activity on Monday." Snape spoke again and several students began clearing up their table, "I suggest you spend your weekends on your reading assignments and on the three-foot long essay on the morphiserum,"
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Later that evening, Draco stared at the clear, reddish brown liquid in his glass as he thought of Hermione's stricken expression in the lavatory for what seemed like the thousandth time that day. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to erase her beautiful face from his mind.
He sighed heavily.
Why was he suddenly obsessing about her? A few weeks ago, he would've laughed at her face for being so dim-witted to trust him but now, he just felt guilty and he didn't know the reason why.
He gulped down his firewhisky and slammed the glass down the wooden table at the center of the common room. He stared at the glowing fireplace, trying to think up of ways to make Hermione listen to him, when he heard footsteps descending from the stairs.
He turned his head and found Hermione walking down, busy tightening her robe and when she saw him, looking at her, her red-rimmed eyes hardened and she clenched her jaw before she turned back up the stairs.
"Hermione wait!" he called out, running after her but she ran up faster, although not as fast as Draco who caught her just a few steps away from her bedroom door,
"You're not supposed to be up here!" she spat, squirming out of his grip
Draco noticed how puffy and red her eyes were and knew that she had been crying and he felt his heart drop. Hermione continued to fight him until he gripped her shoulders with both of his hands so that she was facing him. Hermione looked away, an expression of angry disgust clouded her features.
"Just listen to me, will you?" he shook her and Hermione sobbed and it was then that Draco saw tears fall from her eyes. He loosened his grip, "Hermione, please, I- I never meant to make you cry. . ." he said as softly as he could manage and Hermione shook her head and finally looked at him squarely in the eye,
"Oh, don't flatter yourself, Draco Malfoy. This is just a stupid allergy! Don't you dare think that you're not the reason I'm crying, because you're not! You're never going to make me cry, do you hear me? You never have and you'll never will, now would you please get your filthy hands off me? I don't like the thought of those lewd hands, which have been touching Pansy Parkinson at god knows whatever places, touching me!"
Draco clenched his jaw,
"Why are you so damn stubborn? Why won't you believe me? I never slept with Pansy, okay?"
"Oh really? So, then who was that naked, Pansy look-a-like I saw all over you a few weeks ago, huh?" she demanded, and when Draco didn't speak, she sighed raggedly, shaking her head in obvious disgust, "Whatever you say, Draco, I could never believe it so I suggest you stop while you're ahead. I don't care anyway who you're sleeping with as long as it isn't me!"
And with a last withering glare, she pulled away from Draco's weakened grip and stormed to her room, slamming the door so hard in his face.
"Goddammit Hermione!" he screamed at the door before he finally went down to the common room and up to his own bedroom
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Hermione allowed the tears to flow freely as she ran to her king-sized bed and buried her face on her fluffy pillow
How could she have ever thought that there was a possibility that he had or will eventually change? How gullible was she? After seventeen years of his obnoxious life, how had she ever thought that he'd suddenly change just like that?
She couldn't believe she hadn't seen it coming. Draco obviously just used her to satisfy his short-lived sexual needs from her, an obvious virgin. Maybe he just wanted to add her to complete his long list of conquests.
Hermione have never felt so used. She allowed herself to cry and kick and throw things all over her room. As much as she hated to admit it, Draco had really hit a spot made her feel this angry, frustrated and so miserable. She had thought that only Harry was capable of hurting her this much when he broke up with her and that she would never feel like this again, but she was wrong, dead wrong. She felt a million times worse.
"Why me?" she sobbed in her pillow,
What had she done to deserve this kind of treatment? As far as she knew, she hadn't done any mean and nasty things to deserve this kind of hurt.
Hermione pulled the covers up to her chin and curled up in a ball. Never had she thought she would feel this terrible. And the worst part is, she should've seen it coming. It was all too obvious if she wasn't just too stupid and blind to notice.
She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep as Draco's face from earlier appeared in her mind, with his gray eyes pleading and almost. . . honest.
Then, after a few moments she finally drifted into her deep slumber.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
The next morning at breakfast, Ginny approached the table smiling brightly, her cheeks aglow.
"Hey guys," she greeted as she sat down
"Hey Gin, you're pretty cheery this morning," Harry observed, sipping his milk
"Oh, am I?" Ginny reddened slightly, "Well, I guess I'm just a bit jolly today, aren't I?"
"A bit? Ginny, you're practically glowing that it's scaring me!" Ron said and Ginny laughed,
"Oh, Ron! You're so funny!" Ginny giggled and Ron just shrugged, looking at her sister as if she lost a few brain cells,
"No, really Gin. You really are scaring me," he said and Ginny giggled again, slapping Ron's shoulder lightly,
"Ron!" she laughed and both Harry and Ron looked at her in confusion, "So, where's Hermione? I thought we were going to Hogsmeade this morning?" Ginny asked as soon as her laughter died down. Ron turned to Harry questionably and Harry shrugged, looking over Ron's shoulder to the door, half expecting Hermione to step in, wearing one of her weekend clothes that looks so good on her and never fails to make Harry's heart skip a beat
"That's what I thought, too," he mumbled when Hermione didn't show up,
"Oh, maybe she's coming. Maybe she just woke up late that's all, she probably just had a long night last night. Patrolling or something," Ginny shrugged,
Harry nodded, "Maybe,"
They ate in silence with Harry glancing at the Great Hall entrance every minute but breakfast was almost over now and still no sign of Hermione.
"Where is she?" Harry asked and both Ginny and Ron shrugged,
Ginny's eyes widened in concern, "Maybe she's sick,"
"Maybe we should go and check in on her," Ron suggested as the leftovers disappeared from their plates,
"Good idea," Harry nodded as he rose from his seat, "Coming, Gin?"
Ginny looked torn and then shook her head, "Uh, you go ahead. I'll just meet you guys at Hogsmeade later, okay?"
Ron looked at her suspiciously but Harry just nodded as he pulled out his Marauder's map,
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he mumbled and found Hermione and led Ron to the Head Students' tower. It took them a couple of minutes to reach the tower and they were now facing a beautiful silver-haired nymph sitting idly on a big rock. When she spotted them, her big, lavender eyes grew wider and she smiled coyly at them.
"Hello, handsome boys! My name is Florence, a nymph from the woodlands. Came to visit your friend, did you? He just left half an hour ago. Such a handsome young man! But he is a bit edgy for my taste. Really moody, don't you think? I suggest you have a little bit of a chat with him about his attitude,"
"Um, if you're talking about Malfoy, he's not our friend," Ron explained to the talkative nymph, "But Hermione is. Is she in?"
"Hermione? The girl? Oh she's definitely still inside. Yes she is. Hadn't gone out since last night. Maybe it had something to do with that fight they had,"
"Fight? Draco and Hermione?"
The nymph nodded, "Mm-hmm, they were yelling at each other pretty loudly. Woke me up, in fact," she frowned,
"Um, ahem. Well, can we go in and see her?" Harry asked and the nymph smiled at him,
"Oh sure! Password?"
"Do you know the password?" Ron asked,
Harry stared at the map again and there was a speech bubble above his dot that said 'sugar coated honey dipped vanilla flavored goblins'
Ron made a face as Harry repeated the password and the portrait hole swung open, allowing them to enter the massive crimson and deep-green wallpapered common room that was probably two to three times bigger than the Gryffindor common room.
"Bloody hell! It's almost the size of the great hall!" Ron whispered as he surveyed the different sweets and refreshments on one corner and the numerous, plush couches all around,
"Come on, she's in her room," Harry said as Ron continued to stare around the common room in awe,
"I can't believe that git Malfoy gets to live here all year! That lucky slime!" he complained as he followed Harry up the stairs and knocked softly on the door,
"Hermione?" he called out softly and Ron pressed his ear against the door
Harry turned the knob softly and once again was taken aback by the size of her bedroom. It was slightly bigger than their rooms, but with no four other people to share it with, it was pretty huge. On one side was her bureau, with her make-up and hairbrush arranged neatly and on the other side was her study desk filled with neatly stacked school and library books, a few rolls of parchment, a couple of ink bottles and a few quills. There was also a fireplace with plush sofas facing it and a center table with a couple of books piled on top, and on one corner, there was a rectangular refreshment table, smaller than that in the common room with two glasses and a pitcher and a plate of assorted biscuits and cookies. Another round table and two chairs, which Harry guessed served as a mini dining area, was beside the refreshment table.
His eyes traveled over to the king sized bed where a sleeping Hermione lay curled up in a ball, wrapped in her thick quilt and surrounded with about a dozen fluffy white pillows. Her two bedside tables were set with different framed photos, on one side was a still one of her parents and on the other is a moving one with the three of them at the train last year.
"Whoa, being a head student sure has its perks, doesn't it Harry?" Ron whispered behind him and Harry nodded absently, mesmerized by the golden hired angel sleeping in front of him,
Hermione stirred slightly and groaned as she rubbed her eyes and picked up a pillow and covered her face in it.
"Hermione," Harry said softly and Hermione didn't respond.
"Hey Hermione," Ron said a little louder and Hermione groaned again, stretching her arms up and pulled the pillow away from her face.
She squinted as her eyes fluttered open and when she finally realized their presence, she looked at them blankly, and her eyes only half open.
"What are you doing here?" she mumbled, seeming only half awake
"We're going to Hogsmeade, remember?" Ron spoke and Hermione frowned in confusion,
"Hogsmeade?" she mumbled groggily as if unfamiliar with the word and she just shook her head, "What time is it?" she finally sat up and stared around the room as if she had only just seen it,
"Hermione, it's almost ten," Harry said warily,
Hermione closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, groaning and Harry peered at her,
"Are you alright, Hermione? We could reschedule if you want,"
"No, it's okay," she shook her head and squinted again, covering her face with her hands "I'm fine. I'll be ready in half an hour, okay?" she said, eyeing them unsteadily,
"Are you sure? Because it's okay with us if you're not feeling well or. . ."
"It's okay," she insisted, smothering a yawn, "I'm up. I'll just start getting ready okay? Just wait for me in the common room, I won't be long,"
Harry nodded, still skeptical, "Okay, we'll just be downstairs. Take your time," he said as he and Ron left her room, looking at each other in concern. When they reached the plush sofas of the head students' common room, Harry sighed,
"Hermione seemed a little out of it," he said and Ron's jaw dropped as he stared at Harry disbelievingly,
"A little? Harry! She's practically a zombie! I'm really worried about her," he exclaimed,
Harry only sighed. Ron was right.
"Me too, Ron, but what else can we do? It's like we have to tiptoe around her for the fear of her going off. I just don't know what has got her acting like this,"
"Maybe it's Malfoy," Ron said absently and Harry stared at him
"Why? What did he do this time?"
Ron shrugged, "No, I mean, the incident at Potions yesterday. Did you notice how Hermione's mood suddenly changed when she came back from the lavatory? I don't really know what happened but after that, she was back to becoming sullen,"
Harry stared at Ron. He did have a point. Before potions, Hermione was really cheery and blooming but after the ink incident, she was back to being brooding and morose.
"I think you're right, but I thought Malfoy wasn't capable of causing Hermione that much pain anymore? I mean, that ink antic was pretty low, even for Malfoy but I doubt that it was what made Hermione completely change her mood like that. I mean, Hermione had always dealt with prats like Malfoy a few years back then, right? And Malfoy's pranks were more than just that stupid ink spilling. And now that I think about it, doesn't Hermione always use to complain to us whatever Malfoy's pulling? However small it was? And now, it's like she's keeping something from us. I just think something bigger is up, something more than just cruel pranks. Maybe this could be serious."
Harry rubbed his chin thoughtfully as Hermione climbed down the stairs wearing a loose black sweater and jeans and her hair was tied in a low ponytail. Harry noticed her pale, make-up free face and dark bags under her empty eyes.
"Are you sure you're fine Hermione? You look a bit. . . tired," he finished lamely
"I'm really fine, Harry," she managed a small smile as if to prove her point, "I just slept really late from doing all of my homework,"
Harry nodded as Ron took Hermione's arm,
"Well, let's go then. I'm sure Fred and George are already dying to test their new inventions on us," Ron said, sounding cheerfully sarcastic which elicited a laugh from Hermione and Harry mentally congratulated him as they headed out the room.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Hermione smiled as Harry handed her a huge cup of hot cocoa as he sat beside her on the booth at a new place called 'The Muggle Café' where it was fashioned after a real muggle café, hence the name. The place was decorated with still paintings and the employees were dressed in muggle clothes. Hermione would've thought she was in a muggle place if it weren't for the cauldrons set behind the counter to make the drinks.
Ron took a sip of his chamomile tea and made a face,
Hermione laughed, "What's the matter Ron? Don't you like your tea?"
"Ugh! It has no taste! I can't believe I paid good money just to drink scented hot water! I can't believe muggles enjoy these!" he quickly picked up a chocolate scone and gobbled it all up,
"Hey, some witches drink it too, you know," Hermione pointed out but Ron just made a face,
Harry and Hermione laughed, "And do you know what the weird part is? It's supposed to be relaxing," Harry pointed out and Ron stared at him blankly,
"Here, taste this. I think you'll like it better," Hermione handed him her hot chocolate, which Ron accepted doubtfully.
"What is it?"
"Hot chocolate," she said and Ron's mouth curved into a smile as he took a sip.
"Hmm! Now this is what I'm talking about! Wanna switch drinks?" he smiled eagerly and Hermione nodded, laughing, as Ron pushed his delicate china cup full of tea to Hermione and tilted the mug of hot chocolate to his mouth.
Hermione sipped the tea and allowed its warmth to seep through her body.
Harry stirred his cappuccino, "So, I was thinking we should go to Fred and George's shop first before we eat lunch. Sound good?"
"Okay. Sounds good," she smiled
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Draco exhaled sharply for what seemed like the tenth time that morning as Crabbe and Goyle, along with what seemed like half of the male population at Hogwarts, ogled at the latest quidditch broom displayed, the Firebolt 500. Draco rolled his eyes. He and Blaise were standing apart from the crowd and although Blaise was trying to seem aloof about it, he couldn't help glancing at the display occasionally when he thought Draco wasn't paying attention.
Draco sighed again, "If you must, Blaise, by all means. Join the oglers. Don't let me rob you off your joy," he drawled sarcastically and Blaise seemed surprised for a moment but quickly regained his composure and shrugged, clearing his throat,
"Nah. I'm not interested," he said and Draco smirked,
"Of course," he said in a tone, which made Blaise redden in embarrassment,
"Well, ahem, I think it's best if we went ahead and leave those two deadweights here," he gestured over to Crabbe and Goyle and Draco let out a short laugh,
"Good idea. With those two, they'd probably be there for at least half the day, drooling over some stupid broom they can't even afford," he said and Blaise guffawed as they left the quidditch store.
They walked idly until they reached 'The Muggle Café' and Draco made a face.
"Ugh! Who would want to go in there?"
Blaise looked through the glass window of the café and smirked at Draco,
"Take a wild guess," he said and Draco looked and saw Hermione with Weasley and Potter.
"Should've known," he mumbled and Blaise chuckled,
"So, I hope you haven't forgotten our little bet already," he asked challengingly and Draco exhaled sharply- again. He hesitated for a while before he walked over to the side of the café,
"Almost had her if it wasn't for Pansy's big mouth," he said and Blaise raised an eyebrow questioningly and Draco leaned on the glass and dug his hands in his pockets, "Well, if you must know, we were getting pretty heavy at the girls' lavatory when Pansy walked in. . ."
"Wait, she saw you in the girls' lavatory? When did this happen?" Blaise's eyes widened,
Draco frowned, "She didn't see us, dumb ass! We were inside a cubicle and Pansy and some other girl were talking and that bitch Pansy made some outrageous lie, bragging that we had sex the night before! Naturally, Herm- er -Granger , being the chaste virgin that she is, got mad and walked out on me. . . right after she bashed me with her verbal assaults, that is," he smirked, remembering Hermione's flushed face as he stroked her body and kissed her inside the cubicle.
"So that's why you looked like you could wring Pansy's neck at any given time," Blaise said thoughtfully, "So, do you wanna call it off then? I mean, with only less than three weeks left and her even greater, if that's possible, loath for you, I don't think you'd be able to. . ."
"No way. I've already gone this far, I'm not giving up on her," he blurted and suddenly regretted his words at Blaise's wry and amused grin,
"Don't you mean 'it'? I mean, we're still talking about the bet, aren't we?"
Draco swallowed hard, "Of course I meant to say 'it'. It was just a stupid little slip of the tongue. Everybody makes mistakes like that,"
Blaise eyed him in amusement, "Why, Draco, if I'd known better I'd think you're starting to like the little mudblood,"
Draco tried to ignore the hotness of his cheeks as he frowned and trying to look incredulous, "What? Me? Like her? That's probably the most unbelievably craziest thing I've ever heard! You must be losing brain cells if you're inclined to believe or even think of that thing, Blaise!" he scoffed,
Blaise smirked, "Okay, man. Relax. Just so we're clear on this field. I mean if I didn't know she was a mudblood, I would've taken her right then and there. No questions asked," Blaise leaned slightly, glancing behind Draco and eyed Hermione as if she was taking her clothes off in front of him, "I mean, damn, who would've thought she'd grow to be this scrumptious," he drawled and Draco fought the urge to punch Blaise's annoying grin off his face
"Right. Whatever," he said as sarcastically and couldn't help adding, "Now stop staring like you wanna eat her, it's disgusting." as he can as he looked at Hermione again inside the café as she offered her mug of whatever to Weasley, smiling broadly and looking really incredibly sexy and beautiful. . . not that he'd say anything to Blaise.
"On second thought, maybe I'll try my luck with her, maybe I'll get lucky. I mean, I may be a Slytherin but I haven't done anything mean to her like you did. . . I could just picture her delicious little virginal body on my bed, all mine for the taking," Blaise continued, still eyeing Hermione lustfully,
Draco's blood boiled, "Back off, Zabini, if you know what's good for you!" he snapped irritably and regretted it again when Blaise looked at him in surprise. He just glared at Blaise as if challenging him to say more and risk breaking Draco's patience.
Blaise only shook his head and glanced briefly at Hermione, his expression changing from lustful to confused admiration before he looked at Draco again.
"Okay, sorry about that. . .Wanna go get some firewhisky?" he asked and Draco nodded, glad that the subject of Hermione had dropped. But he couldn't help feeling that Blaise had somehow known something that he wasn't telling Draco.
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
"Hermione! Long time no see!" one of the Weasley twins pulled Hermione into a tight hug. Hermione looked at him, taking in his long bangs and uneven, shoulder length red hair and smiled broadly,
"I know! It's been so long," she replied, still unable to tell whom of the twins she was talking to. He smiled knowingly,
"I'll call Angelina," he said and then it dawned on Hermione,
"Okay Fred," she called out as Fred disappeared behind the back door not before giving her a wink,
Then George went out where Fred entered, his hair was short, and he had an earring on his left ear,
"George!" she cried out and George grinned and hugged her the same way Fred did, lifting her from the ground and twirling her around the shop,
"How's my little bookworm doing? Read any good books lately?"
Hermione laughed, "Only a few hundred!" she joked and George laughed good- naturedly,
"Gosh, we missed you so much! We heard you became Head Girl, congratulations! You must be so happy!" he said as he put Hermione down,
"Thanks. I'm great! I missed you too," she said then she surveyed the large store filled with different bright and shiny items, "Oh my god, you really did it! You finally have your own joke shop! I'm so happy for you! Although I'm not that surprised. I always knew you'd do it,"
"Right. So those threats about reporting us to McGonagall was what?" he joked and Hermione laughed,
"Sorry about that. I guess I was such an insufferable, stiff brownnoser back then, weren't I?" she said. She couldn't feel any prouder for them as she pulled George into another tight hug, "I can't believe how much I missed you so," she mumbled through his sweater and George laughed, stroking her back,
"Us too, Hermione," he said, his voice unusually serious and gruff, "I'm glad you finally made up with Harry. We knew what you've been through and we should've been here for you, if only you'd asked us,"
Hermione pulled back her eyes glistening with tears, "I know," she nodded, "And I'm sorry for not communicating with you all summer. That was really rude of me,"
"It's okay, Hermione, we understood. We knew how much you love him, you know," he looked at her in such a brotherly manner that Hermione felt like bursting into tears. Fred and George along with Ron, Percy, Bill and Charlie had been like the brothers she never had but it was Fred and George whom she was closest to.
"Right," she nodded, "But I'm glad that everything's back to normal right now," she said, glancing at Harry, who was observing a display called 'rock teeth chewies'
"Hermione?" a female voice called out and Hermione turned and saw Angelina, with her hair still in pigtails but instead of quidditch robes, she was wearing a maternity dress over her slightly big tummy. Fred and Ron were right behind her, Fred smiling proudly,
"Oh my god, Angelina!" she screeched which elicited head turns from a couple of customers, but Hermione didn't mind as she ran to Angelina and grabbed her hands,
"You're going to have a baby? When?" she asked excitedly and Angelina laughed
"In a couple of months," she shrugged, "Come on, let's talk out back," she said and she pulled Hermione to the back room where they sat in a cushy sofa
"So, what have you been up to?" Angelina asked good-naturedly and Hermione smiled,
"Oh, the usual. Snape's giving us a bad time as usual and the Slytherins. . ." she paused, remembering Draco but then caught herself, "Well, they're still Slytherins," she finished, raising a shoulder
Angelina studied her before she picked up a cookie from the tray at the center table,
"Want some?" she offered and when Hermione shook her head, Angelina nibbled on her cookie,
"Um, by the way Angelina, I want to apologize if I missed the opening of this store last month," Hermione said softly and Angelina smiled,
"It's okay, Hermione, we understand," she said and Hermione exhaled sharply,
"No, I was too selfish," she shook her head, "I got too caught up with myself that I totally forgot the other people around me. You, Fred, George. . . everybody. It's a surprise you don't hate me,"
Angelina placed her hand comfortingly on Hermione's shoulder, "Don't be too hard on yourself Hermione. It's not your fault that you felt that way and we would never hate you; you know that. You needed your space and we respected that. What's important is that you've finally gotten over it and moved on."
Hermione smiled, "Still, I feel I should make up for what I missed. What do you say I treat you to lunch? Fred and George could come," she smiled and Angelina smiled back,
"Sounds good. But really, it's totally not necessary for you to do that,"
"No, I insist! It's the least I could do," she said firmly and Angelina laughed,
"Okay, I'll go tell Fred and George," she said as they stood up and headed back to the shop,
"Hey guys, I'm treating lunch," Hermione called out and Harry looked at her,
"I thought I was treating lunch?" he asked and Hermione smiled, hooking her arm with Harry's,
"Maybe you could treat us next time," she looked up at him good-naturedly and Harry smiled back,
"Okay, if you say so," he said smiling back and Hermione couldn't help feeling warm and happy inside as they walked out of the shop.
They were inside 'The Bubble Pot', one of the nicest and newest restaurants in Hogsmeade and they had just finished ordering their food and were busy talking and updating each other with each of their own news.
"By the way, where's Ginny?" George asked and the three students shrugged,
"Oh right! Where is she?" Hermione faced Ron and Harry who looked at her blankly
"She said she'll just see us here in Hogsmeade, but so far, we haven't seen her here," Ron explained,
"You don't suppose she's out on a date, do you?" Fred leaned over and looked at George suspiciously who mirrored his brother's look,
"I've got a feeling you're right, Fred," he replied and Angelina rolled her eyes,
"Oh please! She's sixteen, it's perfectly okay for her to date!"
"No it's not!" the twins burst out and Angelina rolled her eyes,
"Oh stop it! We started dating when we were sixteen, remember?" she eyed Fred,
"But still," Ron narrowed his eyes, "We still want to know who's the bloke she's going out with. He has to pass our standards, right guys?" he faced his brothers, who nodded vigorously,
"Ron! You're getting a tad too overprotective, you know," Hermione reminded him, "Ginny's a bright and responsible girl who knows who and who not to go out with,"
"We were just wondering who he is, Hermione! It's okay with us as long as he's not a Slytherin," Ron explained
Hermione blinked at what Ron said before she looked down at her plate, unable to respond to his comment. She just sighed and rolled her eyes at Ron, shaking her head,
"Well, you won't have to wonder any longer," Harry said, nodding towards the entrance, his green eyes narrow and they all turned and gaped in awe as they saw Ginny entering the restaurant with none other than Oliver Wood. His brown hair was now longer, with slashed cuts slightly covering his eyes and he was obviously still in good shape. Ginny caught sight of them and her eyes widened and began to wave animatedly,
"Guys!" she called out, heading over to their table as Oliver followed her to the silenced, awe-struck group,
"Gin!" Hermione was the first to break the silence at the table as she darted her eyes from Ginny to Oliver and back again,
"You all remember Oliver Wood, of course," she smiled and Wood grinned,
"What's up, Oliver?" Angelina nodded in acknowledgement and the twins grinned at him,
"Wood! We saw you're game last week against Bulgaria and we have to say you haven't lost your touch, buddy! Not one bit!" George said and Oliver smiled wider,
"Hey thanks a lot, Weasley," he slapped George's shoulder, grinning excitedly, "How's the team doing, Harry?"
"Fine. Ron's doing well in beating and Ginny's a great keeper,"
"Well, with a good captain, I don't see why that's not possible," Wood smiled, "Been practicing hard, Harry?"
Harry reddened slightly and Ron and Ginny looked away. Hermione just smothered a laugh. They all have been joking about Wood's military quidditch training while Harry barely schedules practices at school. There was even one game last year that they failed to practice at all. Luckily, the snitch got caught only ten minutes later. They had a good laugh about it during the celebration. "Yeah. We've been practicing," Harry shrugged,
"Hey why don't you join us? We just ordered," Ron said, still eyeing Ginny suspiciously and protectively,
Ginny looked at Oliver briefly,
"Sure. If it's okay with Ginny here," Oliver said and she just shrugged, grinning
"It's fine with me,"
Oliver smiled again as he pulled out a chair for Ginny before sitting beside her. Hermione watched them dreamily,
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Later that night, Draco sat on one of the soft couches in the warm and irritatingly quiet common room, staring blankly at the cackling fire as he lifted his glass of firewhisky to his lips and took a huge gulp of the cold liquid that turned warm as it slid down his throat.
Looking at his timepiece, he realized that it was almost midnight and he had already finished his rounds more than an hour ago. So where was Hermione?
Then, as if to answer his mental question, the portrait door swung open and he could hear Hermione humming good-naturedly before she stepped in the room.
She stopped in mid hum when she saw him and her dreamy smile disappeared, replaced by a cool, detached expression as she walked to the stairs acting as if he wasn't even in the room.
"Hermione, wait," he called out before he could stop himself and he could see her shoulders stiffen as she stopped walking, not turning to face him. Then as if waking up from a trance, she slightly shook her head and resumed walking but Draco strode over to her and grabbed her arm.
She finally turned to him; her eyes flashing, "What now?" she tried to pull her arm away but he gripped it tighter,
"Will you just listen to me?" he half shouted,
"No I wont! I am not wasting my time listening to a bunch of lies so forget it! Now let go of me!" she snapped, still struggling desperately away from him as Draco grabbed her other arm, pulling her closer
"No, I'm not going to forget it and you're not going to waste your time because what I'm going to say to you is the truth! I never slept with Pansy, dammit! At least after we went out. What you heard were all lies!" he almost shouted and Hermione narrowed her eyes coldly looking like she's about to cry. She was trying desperately to control her trembling lips as tears start to form behind her eyes,
"Please just let me go, Malfoy. I just can't take it anymore. I'm so sick and tired of this. Can't you just leave me in peace? Please? Is that too much to ask?" she choked brokenly and it was all Draco could take as his grip loosened and Hermione stepped back, tears threatening to spill from her beautiful hazel eyes, before she blinked it away rapidly and wiped it with the back of her hand in one angry stroke,
"Hermione," he began but Hermione just shook her head,
"Just leave me alone. I don't care, okay? I don't care about you, about who you sleep with, whether it's Pansy Parkinson or any other girl for that matter, I don't care! And another thing, as far as both of us are concerned, I don't own you and you don't own me. So there's absolutely no need for you to explain or defend or make any excuses for every little thing you do because I don't care. The sooner you get that through your thick head, the better!" she said before running up the stairs to her room
"Hermione," he repeated, staring dejectedly at the empty and quiet room
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
-Hoobastank, "The Reason"
c",)----------c",)----------------------------------------c",)
Author's Notes: Hopefully, this chapter is longer and I hope you liked this as well cause I really tried my best to finish this chapter amidst my oral and written report (which I'm alternately typing with this chapter since it's due tomorrow) and my quiz tomorrow (which I haven't studied for even just a bit. . . hello zero!). There! Have I proven enough just how much I love you guys and how truly grateful I am for your reviews? Hehehe. . .
So please, all I ask is for you to continue to read and review my story okay? What do you think? Does it stink? Let me know!
Domo Arigatou! Merci Boccou! Gracias! Salamat! Thank you! Mwah, mwah mwah!
