Crazy

Hermione Granger

Truth. Lies. How ludicrous!

What did it matter? What mattered at that particular moment in time was that poor Claire just had her heart broken. I didn't know Claire really well back in Hogwarts, but I did know of her. She was a smart girl… lacking common sense, yes, but she was book smart.

"Claire?" I wandered into the cabin she shared with three other girls (Amy, Julia, and Leanne) to find her alone, crying into her pillow. "Claire." I sat down next to her and stroked her back lightly. She continued sobbing.

"What did I do wrong?" she asked through her tears. "Is it because I'm only a fourth year? Is it because I'm muggle-born?"

"Claire," I said carefully. "I think you might've come on a bit… strong. Guys like mystery… they don't like people who are so straightforward."

This only made her cry more, it seemed. "Look, Claire," I said plainly. "Draco Malfoy is nothing short of an asshole. Honestly. Not too long ago, he referred to me as 'Mudblood' and constantly insulted me. But he's trying to change… but he's not perfect. He isn't worth it, Claire. There are so many more nice boys you can go out with," I paused. "That Jason boy seemed nice. And he's only one year older than you."

She seemed to be thinking it over. "But Draco's so gorgeous."

I shook my head. "He might be, Claire, but he's trouble. Believe me… a nice girl like you shouldn't want to have to put up with a bastard like him. You can do better."

"You… you mean it?" she stammered, her crying coming to a stop.

"I do."

"Thanks, Hermione," she smiled, wiping her tears. "I think I'll go find out if Jason's into the Weird Sisters."

I smiled. "That sounds like a good idea."

She stood up and left the cabin, smiling again. I lingered on the bed a little longer than necessary. I jumped when I heard the door swing open.

"Jason was still eating," Claire said. "If I know anything about guys, it's this: never disturb them when they're eating."

I thought of Ron and started laughing. "Very good point, Claire. Well, I need to be doing my share of work around here," I said, rising from the bed. "There are probably dishes from breakfast I could wash."

I walked out of the cabin and someone startled me. Malfoy was standing next to the door, leaning on the side of the cabin.

"I took care of it," I said quickly. "She's all better now."

"Good."

I looked at the ground.

"I, uh," he looked up at me. "I heard what you said before. About me being an asshole."

I blushed.

"Did you really mean all of that, Granger?"

"Do you want the lies?" I asked him.

"No," he said. "I want the truth."

I sighed. "Fine! I kind of meant it. I mean," I paused. "Sometimes you're nice to me. Sometimes I enjoy talking to you. But other times you're cold and annoying and mean to me! I can't figure it out."

"I'm a complicated person, Granger," he muttered.

"No," I insisted. "You're practically bipolar! You're like two totally different people!"

"Which person do you like better?" he asked suddenly.

"I like the Draco Malfoy that's funny and smart and nice. The one that doesn't call me Mudblood, but on a good day calls me Granger. I like that Malfoy."

"Really? I happen to prefer the bastard, myself."

I laughed. "See, that smirk you've got right there… that's the joking smirk. The mean smirk isn't attractive, but this one is. I like you better this way."

I didn't know why I said it. I didn't know why he did it. But the next thing I knew, I was kissing Draco Malfoy. And it wasn't a dare from Ginny. And it wasn't so Malfoy would give me something. It was a real kiss.

We jumped apart when the cabin door slammed. "You bitch!" I gritted my teeth as Claire stared at us.

"Claire, I…"

"I don't want to hear it! All that comforting bullshit you told me minutes ago was a lie, Hermione! You said all of that… making him seem like a terrible person… and it was all so you could get me out of the picture!"

"No, Claire, I never…" I knew there was no way to explain this situation without her thinking I was crazy.

"Listen, I know this looks a little—"

Claire interrupted Malfoy by saying, "Whatever. I don't need this. This was exactly the kind of crap I wanted to get away from when I came here. I thought I would be able to live a happy life away from assholes like you two. But I was so wrong, wasn't I?"

We looked at each other guiltily when she ran off. "I… don't know what exactly just happened," I admitted slowly.

Malfoy nodded. "I don't either."

"But I think I might've liked it," I said quietly. I really didn't know what had gotten into me. Hermione Granger didn't talk to boys that way.

And when she did, the boys were supposed to insult her. They weren't supposed to grab her by the waist, pull her closer, and kiss her. And she wasn't supposed to kiss back.

----

I walked into the main cabin, thinking I would follow up on my earlier intention of washing some dishes.

When I walked through the door and headed to the kitchen, everyone's eyes were on me. I saw some curious looks, some blank stares, and some angry faces. I didn't understand why, and then I saw Claire sitting in a chair, her arms crossed. Oh.

"Hermione, I need to talk to you," Ron said, rising from his seat.

"Ok…ay…" I managed to sputter.

We walked out the wood door and around the corner. "Claire just told us all a very interesting story, Hermione."

I swallowed nervously. "Really?" I squeaked.

"Uh-huh," Ron said, eyeing me closely. "She said you were making out with Malfoy."

I fake laughed. It was really bad faking, though. "That's pretty funny!"

"It's true, Hermione, and I know it."

"Ron… listen… I don't know what happened. It just…"

"Happened?"

"Yeah."

"Hermione, it's not my business what you do with your life," Ron said softly. "But this is crazy! It's a mistake, Hermione. You're just going to get yourself hurt!"

"Ron, I told you. It just happened. It's not going to happen again. I don't like him. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Fine," he sighed, turning back around. "And don't worry about the dishes. Ginny and Neville finished them ten minutes ago."

I let out a breath and watched Ron walk away.

"You really are blind, aren't you?"

It was Malfoy. He had been standing behind a tree and overheard our whole conversation.

"What are you talking about?" I asked impatiently.

"I'm talking about Weasley," he said. "It's more than obvious to an outsider that he's in love with you."

"Ron?" I asked, laughing a little. "No way! Ron's my best friend. Besides Harry…" I stopped that train of thought. It was too painful to think about.

"Isn't that how it always is?" he retorted. "You know, in the books and things?"

I shook my head. "I wouldn't know. I've never been able to finish a trashy romance novel."

"Really?" he looked amused. "See, I would've pictured you as the type who secretly reads them under the blanket with a lit wand, fantasizing about the day you meet someone so perfect."

I laughed. "You're bloody insane." I paused. "Hang on, how would you know about such things? Don't tell me you do that!"

He looked horrified. "Me? Hell no!"

We both laughed.

"Why is this happening?" I asked suddenly.

"What?" he asked, pretending he didn't already know.

"Why are we becoming friends?"

"Who said I was interested in becoming friends?" he wanted to know.

"Seriously… you're flirting with me!"

"Flirting?" he looked interested. "What would you know about that? You can't even pick up on the giant blinking sign Weasley is wearing that screams 'notice me!'."

I laughed. "I really think you're exaggerating."

"I'm not, really," he said seriously. "Open your eyes or you might miss something."

"That's a meaningful piece of advice, Malfoy," I said.

"Yeah, well, I'm not a complete bastard."

"I never said you were," I said softly.

And again, somehow I found myself kissing the person I was supposed to hate. I backed away. "This isn't right," I muttered.

"Who's to say what's right and wrong?" he demanded.

"That's not fair!" I exclaimed. "Don't get all philosophical on me now!"

"I'm just saying, Granger," he said calmly. "Maybe Ben was right."

"About the whole 'none-of-that-matters-anymore' stuff?"

"Exactly," he nodded.

"So what are you saying, exactly?" I wanted to know.

"I'm saying that maybe this isn't so crazy after all."

"That in itself is crazy!" I said a little louder than necessary.

"You're crazy!"

We found ourselves laughing again. I wasn't sure what was so funny, but I wanted that moment to last forever. Just me and Malfoy standing under the trees, laughing so hard we were crying.

It was crazy.

Author's Note: Well, the romance had to start soon, didn't it? Please let me know if you think this is too rushed. I think it needs to slow down, which is why NEXT CHAPTER SPOILER: it does. Draco reflects on the fact that maybe change is bad. And some other stuff happens. Thanks for all the reviews!