The Apple Of My Eye
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter names, characters and locations belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing that you recognize.
Written for the 31 Prompts of May Challenge
Prompts: Hermione Granger, photo frame and "You don't say?" / "Yes, I do say."
It began innocently enough, just a simple trip to the orchards outside of Hogsmeade to partake of the autumn produce.
She lifted her head and smiled, the bright October sun casting dappled shadows across her face, then turned to him and said, "Isn't this gorgeous, Draco?"
Her blond companion didn't seem to have heard her. He was too busy admiring the lush foliage on a nearby tree, stroking it lovingly, taking in its beauty.
Hermione reached over and tapped him on the shoulder. "I didn't fancy you much of nature lover."
"What?" Draco blinked and looked around. "Don't call me that, Granger!" he spat in annoyance, regaining his composure. "It isn't nature itself anyway, it's what the plant provides."
"You mean like shade and nourishment?" Hermione asked.
"Right. Nourishment," Draco said, eyeing the apples on the tree.
She could hear the longing in his voice, his silvery gaze dark with lust. "But I suppose I should thank you," Draco said, taking her hand in both of his. "My father has plans for demolishing this place, and all because he wants to purchase this land and build another vacation house."
Hermione felt her pulse quicken, the warmth of his hands spreading throughout her chest.
"We don't need any of that," Draco continued, the corner of his mouth turning upwards in a smile. "I can stop it, but I never would have known or even cared about this place if you hadn't brought me here."
It all sounded so perfect, a young man discovering his feelings for her and all the beauty of the world around them. She felt sure their love would continue to grow, and then one day she saw it, a picture frame decorated with pictures of red and green apples. At the center of it all was a photograph of Draco standing in the orchard, caressing an apple in the palm of his hand.
"I was just being foolish," Hermione stated bitterly. "I thought he actually cared about me, that he wanted a photo of us together in the apple orchard. Then he invites me over and I find this sitting on his bookshelf." She held up the picture, frame and all, showing it to Ron.
"So he's in love with an apple?" Ron said at length, taking a moment to process everything.
"Yes, isn't it obvious?" Hermione said, her tone mildly exasperated. "He removed me from the picture so he could be alone with his precious apple."
"You don't say?" Ron didn't seem to have much of an interest in this conversation.
"Yes, I do say."
"Well, I can't say that I blame him. I'm rather fond of apple pie myself, and lemon pie. Blackberry is good, too. But it's not as good as banana cream pie. Do you like banana cream pie, Hermione? Maybe we could get some sometime."
Hermione rolled her eyes and huffed out an irritated sigh. As usual, he was only thinking of food. He didn't care about anything else.