Hey guys! As promised yesterday, here's today's update! Oh! And it's a double feature! Both Malfoy and Hermione's Point of view! (okay, so I had to do so because they were both way too short to be individual chapters). Anyway, I'll update again by Friday hopefully so... enjoy!
Draco's Point of View: Expectations
"What did the mudblood do now?" inquired Blaise Zabini, noticing all too well the glances his blond headed friend kept sending towards one very particular girl across the hall. "For all and the fact that she's a Gryffindor man, you've got to give her credit when it's due. The bitch can sure crawl under your skin". Malfoy only grunted in reply, forcing himself to stare into the plate before him and ignore the ringing in his ears that gave him the sinking feeling that, if there was any veracity behind that particular saying, he was most likely the topic of conversation of the very girl in question. He looked around to his peers and, when he was sure no one was looking, snuck the ever so precious piece of paper across the table to Zabini.
"What the...?" stuttered the usually verbally savvy Slytherin, not fully sure what to make of the note before him.
"She apologized" stated Malfoy simply, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "I thought I had the bitch figured and then she goes an apologizes. What in Merlin's name does that mean? Does she honestly expect me to apologize back! Or even worst, does she somehow fancy that we'll become all buddy buddy all of a sudden, able to forget about, what is it now?... A LIFETIME of hatred between the two of us! Damn her!". Unlike the sympathetic comfort and words of advice he'd been expecting, his friend only replied with a laugh so loud that most of the students in the table stopped for a moment as if to see what had been said. It took a few more minutes for him to quite down and the stares to stop before Draco got any sort of explanation.
"And here I thought she got on your nerves,... now there was an understatement!" managed Blaise.
"Yes, I'm glad you're amused at my misfortunes. Every other student in all the other houses always are, so why shouldn't you too!" snapped Malfoy, none too pleased with the way the conversation was going.
"Okay, forget I said that" added Blaise apologetically, turning serious. "You want my honest advice? Don't say anything. Just let things go back to normal. Otherwise she'll know she got to you. And if she brings it up, well,... the least you can do is accept that you deserved what you got, which is as close to an apology as I think anyone would ever get out of you. Or you could use it against her, your choice man.".
"Yea...maybe,..." muttered the blond boy, pushing a lock of hair back in frustration. "But, you know what? I have a feeling that, even if things do go back to normal, she will know she got to me. She always knows...". He allowed himself a quick glance at the girl in question, regretting ever having shaken hands with her in the first place.
Hermione's Point of View: Defining Normalcy
'Someone, somewhere, hates me' concluded Hermione as she looked at the clashing golds, silvers, greens, and reds that decorated her new common room. Yes, she, Hermione Granger would be sharing a common room with none other than Draco Lucious Malfoy. Oh the irony!
"Don't act too excited Granger" snapped Draco, bringing her back to her sense. 'Oh yes, back to normal, it would seem', she decided, somewhat relieved to fall back into the safety net of their normal hateful routine. It had occurred to her after the rather lengthy conversation with Ginny how awkward things would be thanks to her not-so-well-thought-out apologetic note, especially considering the little amount of explanation that accompanied it. She didn't want him to change, or worst, consider her a friend. She just wanted them to be able to deal with each other when it related strictly to work. Taking his current behavior as a sign that he had interpreted as much, she heaved a sigh of relief. If only she didn't have to live so close to the git, every thing would be alright.
"As thrilled as I am sure you are to have me by your side, Malfoy" she retorted, glad to fall back on the old habit. "I am sorry to disappoint you and say that the feeling is not mutual. You're gonna have to go on without me". To her surprise, he laughed, a rich sound that filled the dome topped common room and made her stare back in surprise. Unlike his usual condescending smirk and equally belittling laugh, this one seemed... honest. Natural.
"You amuse me Granger" he said simply, getting a hold of himself, his scowl returning. "Though I'll take your advice though. I think I'll go on without you and manage as much just fine. I fear you'll miss my dashing good looks far more than I'd ever miss your frizz ball style, but let's not get petty. After all, I would hate to have to later turn back to apologize in such a cowardly fashion as a letter to compensate for my inability to address you in person. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll be going to bed for the night". With an overly elaborate bow, he left, leaving her feeling dumb, disappointed, and very angry with herself for ever having considered him human enough to have a sense of decency in him and pretend it'd never happened.'So much for normalcy'...
Hope you guys enjoyed these two excerpts. I'm juggling with the possibility of adding chapter titles so please tell me what you think on the names of these two points of views and if I should start adding similar headings for each piece. Thanks!
