They didn't notice. How could they not have noticed? Hermione Granger sat on a windowsill in the owlery, overlooking the amazing landscape below, thinking.
It's been two days, surely they would have noticed some change? I mean I've only been their friend for almost 4 years now. How bloody blind where they? Although thinking about it, I don't really think it could have anything to do with their retinal functions- they were merely oblivious. Why would they take notice of me, I'm like their bloody sister.
"Oh this is just great." A voice rang out, interrupting her thoughts.
"What do you want Malfoy?" She asked, exasperation dripping from every word.
"Oh nothing, I was just casually taking a stroll to send an owl. Although I can't possibly do that now." He replied, she could tell he was building up to one of his insults- he had the look.
"And why is that Ferret Boy?" she asked, smirking at the name the boys had come up with.
"Well it's you Muddy! You've gotten your filthy germs all over this place. I suppose I'll have to get myself a new owl seeing as you've been touching mine for God knows how long." He replied.
"Oh does he belong to you? Gosh I had no idea." She said, an air of complete innocence to her voice.
"You're beginning to get on my nerves Granger."
"If only I cared Malfoy."
"I think you're taking that little facial adjustment to your head now Mudblood. Which reminds me- don't you have me to thank for that? After all it did do wonders for your face, you look almost human now. All that's left is that ghastly nest atop your head- I believe you call it hair?"
Finally getting fed up of Malfoy and his taunts, Hermione leaped off her perch on the windowsill and walked swiftly out of the owlery. All the while her only thoughts being- he noticed. Him. Draco freaken Malfoy. He noticed the change and yet they hadn't.
Finally, after 3 hours of torture. Yes it was torture! Torture in the form of a bloody hair potion- 2 bottles of bloody hair potion. But it was worth it I suppose, Hermione thought to herself, standing in front of the full length mirror Lavender and Parvity had bought specially for the occasion. The dress was beautiful. Her mother had sent it down, soft periwinkle blue. The layers of fabric overlapping each other created such a lovely effect, also adding some shape to her otherwise curvless body. Her shoes- now those were going to be a problem- silver peep toe pumps with about a 3 inch heel. Not very high- well compared to those monstrosities Lavender had worn. Still it was already proving to be an obstacle.
After taking a good 10 minutes to make sure she looked okay, Hermione began her descent towards the great hall. Vicktor said he would be meeting her there. Aah Vicktor, she really could not wait to see the looks on Harry and Ron's faces when they realise who she was going with- of cause they still probably think she hasn't got a date… bloody boys.
As she slowly made her way down the stairs something caught her attention. Looking up she saw none other than Draco Malfoy- Slytherin prince and pureblood extraordinaire- staring at her mouth agape. She watched him rake his eyes over her, once… and then a second time, which was when he recognised her, since his expression went from one of wonder to complete shock in a matter of seconds. Catching his eye, she shot him a smirk that could rival his own, before carrying on down the stairs.
Well if I can stun Draco Malfoy of all people to silence there might be hope yet, she thought to herself.
"Well, well. You clean up quite nicely, Muddy, I'm impressed." Came a soft drawl from behind Hermione.
"Acknowledging me in public now I see Malfoy, aren't you afraid someone might hear you paying me an actual compliment?" Hermione replied, turning around so that she faced the crowed. Malfoy stood behind her facing the opposite direction. To passers-by it wouldn't even occur that the pair were having a conversation of sorts.
"Come now Granger, do you honestly think I would risk that? I thought you brighter." Malfoy sneered.
Lightly scoffing Hermione replied, "Point taken," before beginning to walk off. A sudden tug on her wrist made her whip around in shock. Slowly her gaze went down to Malfoy's hand grasping her wrist. Quickly pulling her hand away before anyone noticed, she gave him a quizzical look.
"Keep an eye on Krum would you Granger- he's not all that he seems." Malfoy said in a low voice before turning around and briskly walking away, not even giving Hermione a chance to reply.
Well, that was quite an odd thing for Malfoy to be telling her, she thought as she made her way back to either her friends or Viktor- whoever came first.
The great hall had become too much for Draco to handle and so he didn't even bother staying for more than one song- which had upset Pansy to no end. Oh well, who cares she was quite the bore, not much going on upstairs, he thought as he strolled through the vast grounds. Tugging on his bowtie until it finally gave, Draco slumped down beneath an old oak and began to ponder.
Something big was going down, of that he was sure. But exactly what it was, he wasn't certain. Although he was almost positive it had to do with the dark lord, one clear indication of that was his father's behaviour. The man was terrified, paranoid and downright unbearable. This little tournament, as hard as it be for Draco to admit, was a blessing in disguise. Not having to go home was something he greatly looked forward to now more than ever.
The last letter he had received was… aggressive- to put it lightly. His father's moods had taken a turn for the worst. What troubled Draco more than that though was the fact that his mother was left alone to deal with it. Guilt, that's what he felt for staying behind like a coward. He shouldn't have to feel like this! He was a kid! He was meant to be enjoying the festivities not sitting alone worried about how his father was likely to hurt his mother! There was nothing he could do about it now, it was too late to go home, and he would just have to distract himself. Yes, he thought, a distraction is exactly what was in order.
No sooner had he thought it that soft sobs began coming from behind a nearby tree. Well that was not at all shocking, some poor bint probably got her heart broken- how sad. Might as well go see who it was since he was after all, out to find a distraction, maybe a nice snog in the shrubbery with some broken hearted Hufflepuff would be just the thing.
The sight behind the tree however was not at all what he had been expecting, that was definitely not a Hufflepuff- she was however very broken hearted looking.
"Jeez Muddy who peed in your pumpkin juice." He commented, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Oh for God's sake! Shove off Malfoy I am not in the mood for you or your bloody taunts!" she shouted at him. Well that was new, she always managed to stay clam during their little banters, something must have been really off. That was brilliant, this would turn out to be a better distraction than a meaningless snog after all!
"Oooh, was it Krum? Did he step on your toe? I did tell you to watch him remember?" He said to her with a smirk, sitting himself down a little way down from her.
"Please Malfoy I really am not in the mood, can you just this once leave me be?" she asked him, her voice resigned and tired, her eyes puffy and red, and yet she looked incredibly beautiful, Draco thought.
Yes he thought she was beautiful- even when she had those ridiculous teeth, even with her monstrous hair, he always found her to be refreshingly beautiful… and tonight she had made an effort, not that she needed to. But still, he found himself unable to look away.
"Stop staring, it's weird." She muttered to him.
"Oh don't flatter yourself Muddy, I was merely wondering how many hours it took you to appear somewhat normal," He said with a scoff, no need to let her know what he was really thinking, "besides- I was thought manners and one of those was to never leave a damsel when she is in distress."
"Wow how incredibly gentlemanly of you," she replied dryly, "however I am perfectly capable to take care of myself and so I stand by what I said, shove off."
Feisty, she was always feisty- it was one the things he really liked about the girl, she never backed down.
"Yes my nose can attest to that- but that doesn't mean I'm going to be moving anytime soon. After all, it was your pitiful sobs that disrupted my peace and so it's only fair that you humour me- what's got the mighty Gryffindor princess so down?" he asked moving ever so slightly closer to her.
After giving him a long look and with a final resigned sigh she said, "Well if you must know, Malfoy, its Ron- and before you say anything just know that the only reason I'm telling you this is because I know you probably don't give a shit and I just need to get it out." She finished in a rush.
"Well you're right about that I don't give a shit so go on… how has the bloody weasel scorned you? Do tell."
"He accused me of fraternizing with the enemy." She said rolling her eyes.
Draco couldn't take it, he irrupted into a fit of laughter, and soon she joined. Once the laughter died down they were both on their backs staring at the sky.
"You know Granger you're wasting your time." He told her plainly.
"What do you mean?" she asked, propping herself up on her elbow.
"Well, it's clear the weasel has no idea how you feel about him and quite frankly you could do better." He replied, not bothering to shift his position.
"I- but how… I didn't say anything about having feelings for Ronald, Malfoy!" she finished with a huff.
"Come now Granger it's written all over your face, you are smitten." He said with a quick glance and smirk in at her.
"So basically Krum is just a means to get his attention, am I right?" he asked when she didn't respond.
It was quite amusing to watch the multitude of emotions which crossed her face while she thought about what he said, first shock than embarrassment, anger, sadness and suddenly anger again, which was when she suddenly shot up and began walking away. Quickly getting up and going after her- it was easy to catch up since she was wearing some sort of crazy heel. And for the second time that night Draco grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. After she stumbled a bit he helped stead her before quickly letting go.
"Malfoy, please, just let me go."
"Granger, I'm sorry, that was rude of me. I would appreciate it if you stayed. You don't even have to speak, just sit with me a while." He told her, it was dangerous, he knew that. But at that moment all he could think was, if she left him by himself the dark thoughts would take over and he couldn't handle that.
After staring at him for a while- probably trying to figure out what he was playing at, she finally gave a short nod and went to sit beneath their tree once again.