Okay, so I got two complaints that Ginny's reply in the last chapter wasn't very clear. Well, it wasn't really supposed to be since she's feeling very awkward in that situation... regardless, I figured that instead of explaining it, I should use your confusion to my advantage (I've been having some major writer's block with this story since I started writing some fiction of my own this week which has sorta taken over). Anyway, the point is, this chapter includes two Hermione excerpts, the later of which will hopefully clear up some doubts.
Ooh! And thanks for all your reviews! I'm glad you guys are enjoying the story! Send in any suggestions, complaints, and/or doubts! Enjoy!
Hermione's Point of View (Part I)
"I'm not saying I take back what I said" managed Hermione as she pseudo-apologized to Ron and Harry . "But perhaps my reaction and the degree of my response were uncalled for. I do not think, however, that I deserve the silent treatment the two of you have given me this year. I know that we've made it a group custom in the past to alienate each other over any tiny issue, but I refuse to spend another day of my last year at Hogwarts with one or both of you mad at me. So can we just move on?"
"We were only doing it for your own good, 'Mione" responded Harry, with such a patronizing tone that she wanted to lash out at him then and there, good intentions be damned. "We just don't want you getting hurt by putting yourself in the hands of that deatheater. But I agree, we really should patch things up. There's nothing that ferret boy would like more than to see us stay apart".
"And besides" added Ron helpfully. "I could really use your potion's essay right about now. That silent treatment sure was rough on my grades, I'll tell ya that!". She nearly slammed the piece of paper at the red head before excusing herself as politely as she could manage.
'Just peachy!' she fumed to herself the entire way back to her common room. 'Not only did Harry not apologize, but he treats me as if I were some gullible four year old to be disciplined and patronized endlessly. Ron's no better since he only wants me back for the sake of convenience... the idiot is too lazy to do anything on his own. With friends like these, who needs enemies!' She nearly barked the password at the entrance painting and gave it a good shove to snap it open all the faster. She was none too pleased to see Malfoy looking coyly over his book at her, an amused grin on his face.
"Not a word" she snapped, not bothering to wait for his usual taunts: civil or otherwise.
"I'm good, thanks for asking" he replied, unfazed by her furious tone. "How was your day honey?" She physically twinged at his mock-sweet tone. Usually, his antics would entertain her greatly. Today, however, they were just one more nuisance in a long list of things gone wrong. Almost as if sensing her mood, he turned serious. "Okay, not a word, got it. Though if you feel like fuming, go right ahead. This book is getting boring anyway". 'As if I needed any encouragement to fume' she thought to herself, but at the added push found herself gushing her day out at the boy before her.
"Firstly, I was so worried about today's Transfiguration exam that I stayed up really late fretting about it, which caused me to oversleep in the morning. I finally got there, missed a question on the exam which I should have known, and then barely made it to potions in time to have Snape snap at me for absolutely no good reason. Add to this the fact that Ginny has been busy snogging all day with her latest prey, Merlin save him, which means I haven't had a chance to rant at anyone. And to top it all off, I finally managed to corner Harry and Ron to settle this whole stupid childish silent treatment but instead of them apologizing and everything settling down, they both acted like complete and total jerks!" She huffed loudly before dumping herself on the sofa next to the blond boy who stared at her in silence. It took a few long minutes of her heavy breathing before he dared speak up.
"Is it safe to assume that you are past the point of spontaneously combusting if I speak up?" he asked, to which she responded with an unladylike snort. "Taking that as a yes, I overheard... okay, so I eavesdropped, big whoop! ... Anyway, I overheard McGonagall saying you were the highest grade in the exam, so no worries there. As for Snape, well, he just happens to have excellent taste in students and loves me more than he loves you. Deal with it." She grunted again as Malfoy gracefully dodged the pillow she threw at him and continued with his spiel. She had to admit though, his antics so far had done much to improve her mood.
"I'd think such a small issues as Snape snapping at you would be irrelevant considering how long you've proven to be top in his class too." he continued. "As for the Weaslette... well, I pity the guy she sets her aim on... she can be rather ... persuasive, I'm sure. That aside, had you actually settled down to talk to her, you might not have had the chance to meet up with Harry and Ron which, in the end, led you to discover that they were both jerks. And that, my friend, is the true point in all this. You've come across a little known fact about the Golden Duo: all the pomp and fuss aside, they are jerks. Same as me, for that matter. I just don't try to hide it". To her surprise, she found herself laughing uncontrollably after his little speech and he too allowed himself to break his usual coldness and laugh as well.
"Thank you" she managed, impulsively moving over to him and hugging him tightly. He stiffened for a second, then relaxed, and though he didn't return the hug, she knew really didn't mind it all that much. "I needed that. I should rant on you more often!" Before he could try to weasel himself out of that new responsibility, she let go and left the room, whistling to herself a merry tune as she headed out towards the Gryffindor common room.
Hermione's Point of View (Part II) ) (For the sake of clarity, this is some time after Part I ... treat it as if it were a different chapter)
"To what, exactly, do I owe this laughter" demanded Ginny as her best friend doubled over laughing so loudly that students around them in the Gryffindor common room stared, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" managed Hermione in between fits of giggles. "I mean, if what you just told me is a word by word retelling of your exchange with Malfoy at the Quidditch pitch, I think its safe to assume he's probably one very confused little ferret right now" She mentally scolded herself for using the old 'ferret' jibe, even if it was just in front of Ginny. 'Old habits die hard', she concluded sadly, 'No matter how much things change'
"So what did you expect me to tell him?" retorted Ginny, none too pleased with the way things were going. "Tell him that I was here for him if he needed a shoulder to cry on? That I too would be his unwavering friend? Get real Hermione! Just because I believe him not to be a death eater and wouldn't mind helping him on your behalf once or twice does not mean I want to go ahead and be all buddy-buddy with the prick". A look of thoughtful longing overcame the red head's face as she paused before adding: "Though I must say, that boy can fly! You should have seen him! That guy could make an old Swiffer 200 look good!"
"Has a certain blond boy caught your fancy?" teased Hermione only to cause her friend to gag.
"Has a certain friend of mine lost her mind?" snapped Ginny before she joined her friend in a somewhat prolonged giggle fit. After the worst of it had died down, she added jokingly: "I, my dear friend, would never fall for the likes of that ferret, especially when you are so clearly infatuated with him".
"I am not!" retorted the muggle born, her voice not half as indignant as she had hoped for. And the girl before her, bright as ever, caught on to the very unconvincing tone and her eyes shot open, mouth hanging wide as she put two and two together fairly quickly.
"Oh dear Merlin" she finally managed. "I'm so sorry 'Mione... Is there anything I can do?"
"It's not a disease Ginny" responded the Head girl, letting out a deep sigh. "Nor am I gonna die of a broken heart any time soon. I'm much too sensible for that. I've been giving it a lot of thought actually and I think it's more of a matter of intellectual curiosity that's driving me. He's a constant puzzle in a world I pretty much know and grow bored of. A novelty. Nothing to be concerned with".
"You've got it bad..." concluded Ginny, patting her friend's shoulder for comfort. "But fret not! I know that a good shopping spree at Hogsmead tomorrow will beat out any thoughts of that idiot. Besides, it's not as if he'll return your feelings, no offense Mione."
"None taken" she replied honestly. "And I know better than to let this go on any further than what it is: a shallow infatuation based on my own inability to stay out of people's business".
"Now there's an understatement!" exclaimed Ginny, hoping to lighten up the situation only to be playfully smacked by a nearby pillow. "Hey! Come on! I'm just saying that you have been exceptionally prone to opening up to Malfoy this year and, by default, getting into his business. Just don't get yourself in too deep, alright?"
"I know Ginny, I know" agreed Hermione, picking up her books. "And I won't. I just want him as a friend, really. I guess it just get my feelings all jumbled up sometimes because I know I might be the only person who truly sees him for who he is. And, sometimes, I feel like he can see me in the same way as well". Muttering a small goodnight, she headed back to her room, eager to sleep away the many thoughts that were currently plaguing her.
Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed that! Anyway, it should have indirrectly cleared up any doubts on the last chapter though, having reread these two excerpts, I'm not all that sure it fully makes sense. If I didn't need to get on a plane in about 2 hours I'd consider rewriting/re-editing, but I really don't have the time for it. I'll re-edit if it brings up too much confusion and address any concerns in the next chapter. Thanks for all your reviews and support! I'll update as soon as I get myself settled down back at college! oh! and belated Happy Turkey day guys! D
