Not Good Enough
DracoxHermione
Rated NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling
Not Good Enough
Chapter VI
It was the Saturday after the Slytherin House party Hermione has been invited to. But it wasn't just any ordinary Saturday. No, it was a Hogsmeade Saturday, and everyone was looking forward to it that were Third Year and up; provided they had signed permission, of course. Everyone loved going to the nearby village and indulging in what it had to offer, and Hermione was no different.
Speaking of Hermione, it looked as if her absence had not gone unnoticed the night before, and neither did her late return to the Common Room. Curious as to where she had been, her friends asked her where she had been, and continued to pester her about it at breakfast. Hermione was reluctant to tell them anything, knowing they would just freak out. But at the same time, nothing has happened last night and she saw no harm to telling. And like she had anticipated, her friends blew a gasket, especially Ron.
"Hermione, are you stupid?!" he hollered, prompting those around him to either shush him, or ignore him altogether, used to the youngest Weasley boy's outbursts. "Why in the world would you go to a party in the snake den?"
"Hermione, you should know better," Harry told her with a lot of disproval in his voice. "You know you can't trust them, especially Malfoy."
Feeling the need to defend herself, Hermione replied with a frown, "No, I am not stupid like you seem to be implying. And for your information, I was invited to that party with good intentions. And I'm offended that you think that I can't take care of myself when not around you."
Lavender, who had been hanging off of Ron and listening to their conversation, decided to interject saying, "Well, if your friends think it stupid for you to attend that party, then it was. And you're supposed to be smart, Hermione."
Hermione glared and all but hissed at the blonde witch that no one had asked for her opinion before standing up to leave. But before she did, she let it be known that if her friends insisted on acting like prats, then she wasn't going to Hogsmeade with them. With that, she stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving Harry and Ron sitting in shock. No sooner had she exited the Great Hall, she bumped into a hard body. Apologizing, she looked up to see that it was none other than Zabini.
Looking down at her, Zabini studied her face for a moment before asking, "What's wrong?"
Shaking her head, Hermione wondered if she should tell the Slytherin what was wrong. Finding no reason for doing so to be harmful, she answered, "My friends have let it be known to me that I'm apparently stupid for attending your party and can't take care of myself."
"Your friends must not be bright if they think you of all people can't handle yourself."
Hermione smiled slightly at the veiled compliment before going on to tell him that she had planned to go to Hogsmeade with her friends, but seeing as she was currently cross with them, she'd rather not go.
"If that is the case, then how about going with me?" Zabini asked.
Surprised by the offer, the brunette couldn't help but ask, "You? You mean, you and your friends?"
"No, just me. We don't always hang out together, you know."
"Is this like…like a date?"
"Sure, if you'd like it to be." Zabini couldn't help but smile in amusement when Granger blushed in response. "Or just as acquaintances; your choice."
Hermione cleared her throat, willing her face to clear its blush. "The latter, preferably."
Zabini nodded and said, "Alright then. Meet back here in half an hour, then we'll go."
Nodding in response, Hermione turned to head up to Gryffindor Tower to wait the time. As she did, she found herself looking forward to going to Hogsmeade with Zabini, and she didn't care what her friends had to say or think about it. As that thought passed her mind, another one came forth, that thought being it was high time she expand her circle of friends, and maybe Zabini would be the start.
Draco silently walked through Hogsmeade lost in thought, the cool fresh air seeming to clear his head, if only a little. In truth, he was busy thinking about his next step in mending the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement. It was important he do so for his task, and hoping to do so before the end of term. After all, he was doing so to protect his family.
Coming up to the Three Broomsticks, the blond wizard decided to go in, thinking he wanted some Butterbeer. As he stepped inside, grey eyes spotted Blaise and Granger seated together. Seeing them together, he wondered why they were there, and alone at that. Are they on a date? he couldn't help but wonder. He continued to watch as Granger laughed at whatever it was that Blaise had said, the brunette's face lighting up as she did. And as he continued to watch, that feeling of unexplainable jealousy came over him again.
Turning on his heel, Draco left the Three Broomsticks without ordering a thing, that pang of jealousy still seated in the pit of his stomach.
Hermione found herself having a good time with Zabini, as surprising as that was. Though, she would never admit that out loud. Sure, she had had fun with him the night before, but others had been around. Now that it was just the two of them, she found he really was great on his own. She enjoyed his company and intellectual prowess, and maybe she thought they could be friends; if he was agreeable to the notion, of course.
During their discussion about the floundering of politicians in the Ministry in concerns to Magical Law, she took notice of Malfoy entering the Three Broomsticks. She caught the blond wizard looking their way, but he seemed to be staring mainly at her. An odd expression suddenly appeared on Malfoy's face before he turned and left without getting anything, the action leaving the brunette confused.
Frowning slightly, she muttered, "I wonder what that was about."
Zabini, having picked up on her mumbling, asked, "What was that?"
Shaking her head in response, Hermione went back to listening to the Slytherin boy. While he did, she made a mental note to confront Malfoy about his odd behavior. If she didn't know better, she would have thought that Malfoy seemed jealous of her being with his Housemate. But there was no way that was the case, not in the slightest.