Disclaimer: I'd be happy to tell you that I own Harry Potter, but alas, I don't…
Author's Note: OK, so I said yesterday that the story would probably end sometime this week, but now I'm not sure…I've suddenly become extremely busy…so we'll just have to see…now on with the story!
525,600 Minutes: In Truths That He Learned, or in Times That He Cried-
-Chapter Twenty-Six
As Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table at lunch the next day she felt like kicking herself. Her thoughts from the previous panned across her mind…it's not like anybody in Hogsmeade will notice….She should have known that those words would get thrown back in her face.
It was common knowledge that any personal life any most anybody at Hogwarts wasn't exactly personal.
How Hermione thought they would not have been seen was beyond her. Well, she figured they would be seen, but that someone would actually register what they were seeing; it was after all Valentine's Day. Shouldn't they have been caught up in there own fairy tale land?
Now that she looked back on it, she should have realized the news of her and Malfoy being on a date together, well just that fact that they were seen together, would reach the caslte before they took their first steps into Hogsmeade Village.
So it was quite natural that the entire school was in a contagious fit of whispers and gossip on that Sunday morning. Eyes darted towards Hermione, and she was sure the same was happening to Malfoy, as she roamed the halls, and had a snow ball fight with Harry and Ron. And even now she could hear them…
"You would have thought.."
"I hear they've been dating since third year…."
"She made him drink a love potion…"
"No, he was the one who slipped the potion into her drink…"
"It's really romantic if you think about it…"
"Imagine, a pureblood Slytherin, stooping low enough to date a Gryffindor mudblood…"
The gossip was flying and the rumors were getting more absurd as the day went on.
Hermione sat, staring at her plate of food, pushing her mashed potatoes back and forth. She couldn't even think properly. She could feel eyes staring at her, then looking quickly away, but then realizing she wasn't paying attention, and looking at her again. She could hear the wave of whispers, though it wasn't as bad as breakfast. It washed over her like a wave does in the ocean. She couldn't take it anymore.
"I'll see you guys later." she quickly said, as she swiftly stood from the table and walked out of the Great Hall, bringing more attention to herself.
Hermione briskly walked down the corridors, not paying attention to where she was going. Her eyes were determinedly staring at the floor before, only seeing peoples shoes as she walked by them. She sharply turned a corner and found herself landing on the ground with a loud thump.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, standing up and brushing herself off.
"Can't live without me, can you?" the unmistaken able voice of her boy friend laughed.
"Oh it's you." she said, sounding disgusted. Malfoy stared at her, a look of surprise on his face until her face broke into a large smirk. "You should have seen th-"
"Well, well. What have we here? Why if it isn't Hogwarts newest lovebirds."
Hermione looked over Draco's shoulder, as he whirled around. Standing before them was Blaise Zambini, a fellow seventh year and a Slytherin.
"Buzz off Zambini." Malfoy said with as much spite as he could manage.
Blaise ignored this comment and continued talking. "I never thought you would stoop this low, Draco. Dating some one like her. Why I'm surprised you even befriended the mu-" Malfoy moved like a flash of lighting.
He had grabbed Blaise by the shirt and pushed him against the wall, his forearm placed firmly on where Blaise's throat met his chest. His face was stone cold, and glaring daggers at his fellow Slytherin.
"Insult my girlfriend again, Zambini and you'll regret." Malfoy said in a deadly whisper, pushing his arm into Blaises throat. He quickly let go of the boy, and watched as he walked quickly away.
Hermione smiled a wide smile as Malfoy turned to face her once again. He looked at her a minute before smirking.
March quickly approached the castle. The snow began to fade and spring started to creep up in places around the grounds. Hermione was happy to say that her mother was getting better with each passing day. She was beginning to walk around the ward, and even talk. And she no longer had that dreamy look in her eyes. She seemed to be "in reality"
But no matter how lucky Hermione was to have her mother getting better, and no matter how happy her days seemed to be, a dark reality loomed before her, and everyone around her.
War was breaking out everywhere. Death Eater attacks were becoming more frequent. People were falling all around them. Students were beginning to wonder if their families were safe, sending them daily letters to make sure they were alright. And Dumbledore was slowly losing the twinkle in his eye.
Hermione hastily made her way from the Dungeons by herself. Harry and Ron had run ahead to dinner to eat quickly, as their Quidditch Practice was longer that day. She was about to reach the door that led to the Entrance Hall when voices inside a near by classroom stopped her.
"No, Pansy" there was no doubt in Hermione's mind that that was Malfoy. But why did he sound so irritated?
"But Draco! He's willing to take you back! Willing to forgive you! You know he doesn't usually forgive. This is an honor!"
"My answer is still no."
"Draco, if you come back., if you rejoin us again. He's willing to be kind to you."
"Look Pansy. I'm not joining him. I've told you my answer many times before and it's not changing."
"But the Dark Lord-"
Hermione sat in the kitchens later that night, sitting on one of the tables and staring at the fire. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her body. She didn't hear a word of Malfoy's conversation with Pansy after the words 'Dark Lord'. She ran away from the door through which she was listening.
As much as Malfoy had denied his return to the Dark Lord, Hermione couldn't help but feel uneasy. If she had heard Pansy right, Voldemort was offering Malfoy some sort of protection. Would he really return for that? Or would he stick by his answer he gave her? Or would thinking it over change is mind?
"I thought I just might find you here." A voice from the portrait hole said. Hermione looked to her right to see Malfoy entering the kitchens and the portrait closing behind him.
"What the matter?" he asked, as he seated himself next to her on the table.
"It's nothing."
"And I'm Headmaster. What?"
Hermione returned her gaze to the fire, before speaking slowly. "I over heard, your-er- conversation with Pansy earlier."
Malfoy froze, staring at her. "Oh." was all he was able to say.
A long, somewhat uncomfortable silence filled the air. The only sound came from the working house elves. "You won't join him again, will you? You really mean it?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence.
"I still stand by what I said earlier. Never again."
Hermione let out a breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding. She slowly leaned her head on Draco's shoulder, keeping her gaze on the fire. She felt his warm arm wrap around her body, holding her close. Suddenly, an idea hit her. "Join the Order." she said, backing out of his embrace slightly and looking at him.
He looked at her, but slowly shook his head. "No."
"What?"
"I said no."
"But, I will be once school is over. And Harry and Ron will be, and maybe some others. And since you aren't going to-"
"I'm not taking any sides Granger."
"What do you mean you you're not taking any sides?"
"After talking to Parkinson today I came to the conclusion that I'm just going to stay out of the war. Pick no sides."
"But, Malfoy." she got off the table, and stood in front of him. "This isn't a matter to be indifferent about! This is a war!"
"Exactly, and I'm choosing not to take part in it." he said, looking her in the eye.
"You're only putting yourself in more danger." she felt the blood rising in her. She wasn't going to let him sit there and such an open target.
"You don't get it, do you?"
"What is there to get?"
"The war!" he said, standing and facing her. "It's a pointless war!"
"Pointless!" she had never heard him say anything this daft before.
"Yes, pointless. Both of you! The sides! The Order and the Death Eaters! You're both fighting for the same thing!"
"How can you say that! Fighting for the same thing! Why, I haven't heard something that foolish since, I have no idea when!" she couldn't believe him. Her temper was rising, and she was sure his was too. "We, the Order, fight to protect everyone from the Death Eaters and Voldemort!"
"At what cost! People die! Perhaps more than if just the Death Eaters were doing the killing." she opened her mouth to reply, but he cut her off. "Don't you see! Everything you've done these past years. All of your adventures that you've told me about! It's the same thing! Defying the odds and rules. It's the same!"
"How can you say they're the same! How dare you! We fight to protect people. Alls those adventures were to safe people! We're nothing like the Death Eater's are morals for one thing far-"
"Morals! That's just it! You fight because you think it's the right thing. To protect all from the Dark. But what do you think the other side is doing! They're fighting for what they believe is right! They believe that only Purebloods she be living! That's their morals and as far as their concerned they're doing the right thing! Face it! There is no difference!"
"Yes there is! We're doing good! None of the wicked deeds they do!"
"Oh sure, but to them you're the ones doing the wicked deeds! Don't you see! There is no dark or light, no good or wicked!" Malfoy's breathing was becoming heavier as his anger rose.
"Be that as it may-"
Malfoy kicked a near by table. "Damn it, Mudblood-!" the words came out faster than he had even realized and his eyes immediately shot in Hermione's direction. They stared at each other in disbelief as a deadly silence filled the room. The room suddenly became cold to the two teenagers, it was like there was no fire burning.
"Hermione, I-" it was too late. For Malfoy was only met with the slamming of the portrait door.
Author's Note: Bwahahahahahaha! Smiles. So, what did you think? I know, not exactly the longest chapter, but I feel that that was a good place to end it…so tell me what you think!
Huey: Yeah, I noticed but not until after I posted the chapters. Thank you for pointing them out and for the review!
Stephanie: Yeah, I did finish HBP. I thought it was a really, really great book. Quite sad, but all the same, amazing. How about you? Thanks for reviewing!
Natyslacks: What's a story without a little fluff? It is rather hard to find some guys who are quite the gentleman. Lol. Thanks for the review!
DMHG 2GETHER 4EVER: I dunno. Though the snitch doesn't know all answers I'm sure it would be able to give you answer. Thanks for reviewing!
Dracoslassy: Yes, sadly this story will be ending, as much as I don't want it too….sigh. Thanks for the review!
Mrsbnm-of09: Good to hear that the chapter wasn't boring. That's great! Whoda thunk Malfoy as a gentleman? Lol. Thanks for the review!
Lena: I suppose Harry is a bit more rational, but I think he matured a lot in HBP, so I dunno…Yeah, it is strange that J.K. Rowling never introduced Hermione's parents. We know everyone else's except hers, it seems. Glad you think her parents names fit. Thanks for the review!
No day but today: Love the name! RENT! Yeah! Yes, my title did come from Rent. Such a good show. I can't wait for the movie. Have you seen the show? Thanks for reviewing!
Lweb: Yes, Draco, ever the romantic. Lol. Great last chapter in your story! Thanks for the review!
Bruinen: lol. Yeah, I guess I do that. He he he…well, what can I say? We play a mix of hard songs and a bit easier songs, though most of them are hard. Well, thanks for the review! Lol…
Demeter, Goddess of Protection, tigerlily727, rina, Lauraine. and hawaiiangirl: Thank you all for your loverly reviews!
More to come soon!
The Lonely Goatherd