"So, is the little ferret giving you any trouble?" Ron asked. Hermione flinched at his choice of words.
"No," Hermione said. "You could try and call him by his name, you know. He is a person, no different from us."
Ron bursts out laughing. "Yes, he is. They are killers and torturers, the whole lot. Or have you forgotten?"
Hermione subconsciously touched where Bella had carved into her skin, and replied.
"That was Bellatrix, remember? Draco Malfoy had nothing to do with it."
Harry looked curiously between the two of them.
"Whatever," Ron said. "Same difference." He scowled and proceeded to leave the table to look for Madam Rosmerta as Hermione continued to glare at him.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Harry turned to her.
"You weren't there, Hermione. You should have seen him that night when you were being…you know. It was really hard for him. I mean, he was scared. He was shaken...Honestly, I don't think he is ever going to forgive the Malfoys for what happened in the manor."
Hermione was silent at the revelation.
"Well," she said. "I suppose that was traumatic."
"It was."
"It still doesn't excuse him, though."
"It doesn't."
They sipped the firewhiskey quietly until Ron returned.