Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters.

A/N: Some of the things about the group in here are in relation to my own group of friends at school.

Chapter 33: Frustration Overload

Serenity woke me up with her purring and licking my face. Now I wouldn't be surprised if I broke out. I sat up in bed and pet her gently.

"You won't hate me for loving Snape, will you?" I knew she wasn't able to talk, but it felt nice having something listen without judging me.

Today was Saturday, which meant my weekly visits to Hogsmeade with my pals. If they, for one second, think I'm going to ditch them because Sev and I are together, they've got something to learn. I would never ditch my best friends. Not even for love. But then again, if Mione makes a habit out of yelling at me, I might just have to leave her alone for awhile.

My clothing for today was a long-sleeve black shirt, and some jeans. My wardrobe selection was wearing thin for some reason. Hogsmeade day was never used for anything but hanging out with friends, but maybe today I would actually get some money out and buy some clothes. I still had a tiny bit of money left from one of my birthdays. I don't know how I didn't spend it. I pinned my hair up with a clip and put on some lip gloss and mascera. It was unusual for me to wear make-up, or even care about what I look like, but for once I had someone to look acceptable to.

I spotted Draco first outside of Hogwarts. He waited by the beginning of the road we walked on to reach Hogsmeade. I hadn't seen Snape this morning, but Saturday mornings seemed to always be like that. Except now, on these Saturdays after my birthday, I have a kitten on my shoulder.

"Maranda," Draco approached me worried about something, "Hermione is really upset with you. I don't know what's wrong. No one can get anything out of her. She's talking to everyone but you. I heard her admit that to Ron. Even he can't get any information out from her."

The air was chilly outside, so I zipped my long coat up before replying. "Look, I'm not about to ditch her for Snape, if that's what she's worried about. Neither am I going to ditch Sev for her. I don't know what's wrong with her either, but maybe if she talked to me like the civil Hermione I know we could figure something out."

"Hey, Serenity looks pretty hungry. What do you feed her?" Gwen immediately jumped into conversation with me.

"Milk," I frowned slightly, "and crumbs of bread from supper that I stow away. I hadn't any time to buy her food. I'm going to today though."

Serenity mewed as Ron and Hermione came over to us. As Mione saw me, she folded her arms and sneered.

"What's wrong, Snape? That's who you remind me of with that bad attitude." After my little non-humorous joke, she turned sideways. I went on, "Hermione Granger, would you tell me what the hell is on your mind? I kind of want my best friend back."

"Oh!" She shouted and glared at me, "So now you think I'm not your best friend!"

I spoke louder so she could hear me past the ignorance, "You didn't seem like it last night when you left the lounge, or now when you're not answering me."

She ignored me, whispered something in Ron's ear, and started walking away.

Ron shook his head doubtfully, "Hey, sorry for everything, Maranda, but I'm walking with her to Hogsmeade. She asked me to, and by relationship rules, I must abide or she won't do any favors when I ask. It's only fair."

Taking Ringo out of her coat pocket, Gwen sighed, "I think I'm going with her too. She was trying to tell me something earlier, but I never got it out of her. Now that there's time, I'm going to ask."

So only Draco and I were left to walk the journey to Hogsmeade. Whatever, at least I wasn't alone.

"Draco," I held Serenity in my arms so she wouldn't fall from my shoulder, "What's happening to our group?"

He put his hands in his pockets, "I don't really know. What do you mean?"

"Well we're all separating a bit. Last year Harry, Neville, and Seamus left. This year Hermione hates me. After this year we're going off to college and stuff, so not even more extra years can save us. It feels like I'm going back to what I had when I came here: nothing." We kept walking through the snow. I hated having snow in February.

"I didn't ditch you just now, did I?" Draco looked at me with the same eyes...No, can't think on that.

I smirked, "I know, but what about them? I can't help Mione if she doesn't let me help."

A few minutes snuck by silently, with small glances here and there from Draco. I let Serenity run in front of me for a moment before picking her back up. I didn't want her to become restless. We reached Hogsmeade within ten minutes, seeing no sign of our other friends.

"They're probably at the Leaky Cauldron. We normally go there first, right?" Draco tried to make me feel better. He could sense the worry in me.

We went to our destination. Sure enough, Draco was right. As we entered, Gwen, Ron, and Mione glanced up at us. Hermione immediately shot a look at Ron and then at her drink of butterbeer. Draco practically pulled me to the table. I sat down, as did he, and we all exchanged unsure stares.

"Hermione," I tried to get her attention, "please talk to me. I'll go in a secluded area and listen to every word you say if you just talk to me."

Nothing. I waited one moment before getting up from my seat. I picked up Serenity, who had been trying to eat a coaster, and left without second thoughts. If she wouldn't talk to me, I wouldn't talk to her. I needed some time alone. Plus, it was convenient because I needed to buy cat food and clothing.

But now I was alone. Alone with a kitten who was lucky enough not to be involved in drama. Serenity certainly was a perfect name for her. As I entered a pet supply store further down from the pub, I spotted Lucius Malfoy near the register. He was talking with an employee, so I didn't bother saying hello. I let Serenity run around a bit, but she only circled me a few times instead of exploring. The she began to walk by my side. At least she knew I was her friend.

I searched the cat isle for food and soon found it on the bottom shelf. I took a medium size and looked at the price. Thirty galleons. Yay me, I had fifty galleons in my possesion, leaving me with twenty, which was enough to buy one shirt. Oh well, I'd rather a healthy kitty than a dead one and wardrobe full of clothing I didn't need.

Picking up the bag of cat food, I motioned for Serenity to follow me. She was a really smart kitten. Knew exactly what I meant. I brought the cat food to the register, seeing Lucius was now gone. The food rang out and I was about to give the money when I felt a tapping on my shoulder.

"Miss Maranda," Lucius towered over me with a pleased face, "How would you like if I put that cat food on my tab?"

Bewildered, my eyes widened, "You don't have to do that."

"But I'm going to. I'm buying Draco an owl next week and needed some care advice, which is why I'm here. But that's beside the point. I see you here, carrying this huge bag of cat food, so why not let a friend pay?" He smiled handsomely and gave the money to the employee. I couldn't even object.

Lucius helped me bring the bag outside and said, "Trust me, Maranda, it's not a big deal. I thought you could use a little help since your friends aren't around. Truthfully, you look as though you've had a bad day already and it's only just begun."

"My friends are at the pub. I'm just shopping. But thank you anyways, Mister Malfoy." I smiled and adjusted my hold on the bag. It was really getting heavy.

"I think I've told you, call me Lucius. I'm not an acquaintance, I'm your friend. Oh, and happy belated birthday." He grinned again and winked, something that I wasn't used to seeing.

My nerves started to act up. What was he playing at? Buying cat food for me, wishing a belated birthday, and suddenly knowing I have this bad day going on...It was weird having an older guy who I never see sparadically acting kind and as if I were his best friend. But who am I to judge? He's no more suspicious than my smart kitten.

Seeing as I still had fifty galleons, I marched happily, (even with cat food in my armsto a women's boutique. When I walked in, a female worker came over to me and ordered me to leave my kitten outside, along with the cat food. There went that idea. I went back outside and sat down on a bench, placing the bag of cat food next to me. Serenity jumped on my lap, purred, and lied down.

I started to stare at my feet when I heard a familliar voice, "Maranda..."

"Hello, Hermione." I mumbled loud enough for her to hear.

"Umm, can you move that cat food bag so I can talk to you?" She asked sweetly, so I moved the damned bag to the ground. Serenity stirred a bit, but got comfortable again.

Mione sat down and folded her hands, "First I'd like to appologize for the way I acted last night. I know it's not like me."

"Yeah," I looked at her quickly, "but I want to know what you have against him. Why can't I be happy for once?"

"It's not him. It's not you either. Well, it sort of has to do with you, but ... I need to start over so I can make sense to you." She turned sideways a bit, so we could be face to face. "The problem is...I didn't think you would tell ...him how you felt. In fact, I didn't really believe you at first. None of us did. I'm referring to last night of course, not when you told us your feelings towards him. A few nights ago, Draco pulled me over to talk for a minute. We started talking seriously and he let slip that he still likes you. He has reasons for breaking up with you that I don't even know about, but they're real. He swore to take truth serum if I didn't believe what he said."

She let me have a minute to absorb. I pet Serenity on the head and calmly stated, "Go on, Mione. I'm listening."

"Maranda, he planned to cheat on you in front of you last year so it would be you breaking up with him, not vice-versa. I guess his father threatened to send him to another school if he didn't end your relationship. See, as nice as Lucius seems to be with you, he really isn't deep down. Draco said Lucius thinks you are a sweet girl, but he cannot stand to see relationships between pure bloods and half-bloods or less. In my opinion, Lucius is an ass." She placed her hand on my shoulder, "I blew up last night because if Draco hadn't been forced to cheat on you, you two would still be together. I'm just really frustrated because my best friend has found someone to love, leaving her other best friend jealous."

I was confused, "You're jealous?"

"No, no...Draco. He told me he wants to be with you, but knows it can't happen. And now that you're with ...him...there isn't a chance for Draco. I hate seeing our friends left in the dark. Especially when the thing they yearn for is reachable, but then is suddenly ripped from sight." Hermione made a lot of sense, and I felt bad for Draco.

I felt bad for him, but I couldn't and wouldn't leave Snape for him. I liked Draco last year, and those feelings will stay in the past where they belong. Why was I getting all the life lessons when the one who really needed it was Sev?

With a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts and replied, "True, I liked Draco, and would have eventually loved him. However, you and I both know he is going to have to cope. Besides, if I were to leave Se-him, the same would happen with Draco. Lucius would interfere again. History thus repeats thyself, leaving everyone with nothing and nothing with everyone."

"Don't worry," Draco popped out of nowhere, "I'm not upset about it, Maranda. You and I are best friends, and that's enough for me. I just hope you consider me if you and your lover ever break it off."

I carefully moved my sleeping kitten to the bench so I could stand up and hug Draco. While hugging him, I said, "Hey, that is a promise. If The Snake and I have some kind of horrible accident or we break up, I will consider you as a possible boyfriend."

Gwen and Ron showed up right after Draco and I parted. The gang was back together again, with no more problems or frustration overloads to deal with today.

Hermione sat back down on the bench and smiled, "Go shopping, Maranda. I'll watch Serenity for you."

"Oh, don't worry about it..." I glanced at my friends who stared at me as though they would push me into the store. "Ok, I'll be ten minutes!"

Gwen accompanied me into the women's boutique. The same women who ordered Serenity out came over, but said nothing and let Gwen and I shop. I found some pretty cute things, and even though black was my usual color, I decided to try something new. With ten minutes passed and clothing purchased, the gang and I headed to the Leaky Cauldron for our weekly afternoon butterbeer.

The day went by fast, for we were all having fun. When we got back to Hogwarts, I put Serenity on my bed and put my new clothes away. I took a little bit of cat food out and placed it in an old hat I had. I never wore hats, so why not use it as a bowl? Severus was in his room as suspected, so I payed a little visit. He greeted me with a small kiss on the lips, which sent me skyrocketing into Heaven. I wanted to tell him about the day, but worried that he'd be mad...I did tell my friends about us, which was along the lines of 'Don't tell anyone.'

But, that story would have to wait until tomorrow. I left Sev's room after a few minutes to take a nap. Naps were always helpful when one doesn't know what else to do with her time. Especially when her boyfriend is working hard at correcting papers and being a magnificent teacher. A magnificent person.