The Art of Hate and Love

Chapter 1 – Betrayal

Hi there!

I'm new here and this is my first fanfiction so PLEASE REVIEW!

I hope you enjoy it!

This is the first chapter and I'll be publishing the second one soon.

P.S. I republished this story as I accidentally deleted the original one.

And PLEASE! I BEG YOU TO REVIEW!

Ahem, on with the story...

Hermione was sitting in the library, waiting for Harry and Ron to arrive. She had access to the restricted section as she was the Head girl of Hogwarts and was very proud of it. The NEWTS were about to start in 8 months and Hermione was very nervous not just for herself but for Harry and Ron.

Lately, they hadn't been studying at all. They spent all their time with their girlfriends, Lavender Brown, and Ginny Weasley. They rarely talked to her nowadays, except when they wanted her to do all her work. Hermione said she didn't mind but, on the inside, she did mind. It wasn't as if she was jealous or something but she felt lonely. So, she spent most of her time in the library, reading and drowning in her sorrows.

The sound of voices laughing and snickering bought her out of her thoughts. It was Harry and Ron along with their girlfriends, again.

She tried to hear what they were talking and what she heard bought tears to her eyes.

" Oi, Harry, why are we even bothering to see her? Can't we just tell her to do our work and get her off our back?"

Lavender giggled and said" I agree with Won-Won. I've heard that a new club just opened in Hogsmeade. And it would be much better to go there instead of listening to that ugly creature"

Harry sighed and said" Alright then, let's go we'll make another excuse and tell her that we'll join her next time. After all, we're just using her."

Ginny looked over at him and said" You will get rid of her in a few days, won't you? It's very hard to stand her rambling on forever and I just want slap and shut her up."

The tears started flowing freely and Hermione gathered all her things and left the library and headed towards the Astronomy tower. She practically ran through the corridors muttering apologies along the way.

She finally reached the Astronomy Tower. The wind was blowing her wavy chestnut hair and her eyes were getting red from crying. Thoughts were racing through her head at rapid speed-

So, they had been using her?

Why would they do that

Just because she was intelligent and she couldn't say no to them?

They called her ugly. Was she really that bad?

I don't have any friends now, do I?

Suddenly a voice called out" Granger, is that you?"

Hermione quickly wiped her tears and turned around to see Pansy Parkinson looking at her with... concern?

"Granger, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm I'm fine"

She came nearer and Hermione took a step back. Pansy gave her a small smile and said "Don't worry, I won't hurt you."

Hermione stopped and said "And how do I know that?"

Pansy sighed and said" You'll just have to trust me. Anyways, why are you crying your eyes out?"

Hermione tried to look tough and said" That is none of your business. Why are you even here?"

Pansy gave another sad sigh and said" Of course, why did I even think that you would tell me. Look, I heard some crying and I came up here to see who it was but if you want me to leave then I'll go" She was just about leave when Hermione said" Wait"

Pansy turned around and stopped.

Hermione hesitantly said" You can stay"

Pansy smiled and said "Alright then. Now will you tell me why you're crying?"

Hermione told what all had happened in the library between small sad sobs and some sad sighs. Pansy sat still for a moment and then said" Why did you tell me all this. We're not even friends, I'm a Slytherin and I bullied you for 6 years."

Hermione replied in a sad tone" Because I have no one to talk to and all of my housemates are using me. And I don't think you're a bad person.

Pansy was shocked but managed to say" You do?"

Hermione nodded

Pansy was still shocked that Hermione didn't hate her.

"I guess the war did change us all"

Hermione looked at Pansy with a hopeful look and said" So does that mean we're kind of friends now?"

Pansy thought for a moment and then said with a smile" Yes. And we're going to get you more friends soon."

Hermione went back to the heads common room feeling somewhat hopeful about her new friend.

She avoided both Harry and Ron at dinner and sat at the end of the table reading and eating peacefully.

Draco was observing Hermione very carefully from his place at the Slytherin table. She was looking lonely and depressed for some reason.

As Hermione had said, the war had changed everyone. Draco had left behind all the pureblood prejudices as had all his friends. He was now an open-minded person and that was the reason he was the Head Boy of Hogwarts. He had to admit, he had bit of a crush on the Head Girl; okay, huge crush on the Head Girl. He would do almost anything to win her

But he still hated Potter and his little weasel sidekick.

The grand bell rung, indicating that it was time for all the students to return to their respective common rooms.

Hermione gathered everything and went back to the Heads common room to do some night studying and take some rest.

She was already asleep by the time Draco arrived from his meeting in the Slytherin common room.

Pansy had told them everything and now it was up to the Slytherins to increase her friends population.

Wow, that was quite long.

Anyways, R&R

Sincerely,

Arabella Black