Chapter 7: The Aftermath...
After the scene at the Three Broomsticks, Ron and Lavender left, Ron covering his face, after a particularly nasty outbreak of pimples from Draco's curse. Harry politely departed after a Butterbeer, and Hermione and Draco were sitting in a somewhat awkward silence.
Suddenly, Draco jumped up.
"You know what, Granger? I was trying to start over, make amends, and you had to drag me along here, I know you had good intentions, but did it ever occur to you that you are the enemy? Well, I don't know these days, but you had to bring me to meet Weaselbee? Honestly, I thought you realized he had a temper in fourth year! For heaven's sake, Potter was mature enough, but what did you expect from a blood traitor like Weasel?!" Draco yelled.
"Now don't you go acting all wounded! I tried to make friends with you, and you probably don't even realize it, but you were starting to act all civil and now this outburst? You just called me the enemy again. I tried, but I'll probably never understand you. It's not my fault. Ronald used to be my friend. Yes, he's dating Lavender, but I still care about him! He is, and always will be like my brother. If you met yourself a year ago, you probably wouldn't even want to be seen in public! And here I am, the idiot, trying to befriend you? Who am I kidding, a Slytherin and a Gryffindor? No way. Sorry for the inconvenience. " And with that, Hermione stormed out, leaving a hurt and shocked Slytherin behind.
Hermione didn't sleep at all that night. Besides the usual nightmares, there were ones of Draco calling her terrible names, and one of Draco, Harry and Ron fighting to kill. In the aftermath of their little fight, Hermione realized, that even though Draco said some terrible things, she shouldn't have retaliated with hurtful comments. She was above that.
It seemed, that our Head's, had gone from almost friends, to enemies in awkward silence.
The weeks seemed to drag by – Draco didn't show up for Hermione's weekly flying lessons, and the only class she saw him at was Potions. He didn't attend classes, didn't eat...
After about a month of this, the October Halloween ball was coming up, and it was to be planned by the prefects and Heads. McGonagall announced that she would like to see them all in her office to start making arrangements.
When they got there, everyone was there except Draco – Surprise. Hermione was instructed to fetch him from their dormitory, and by the time they got to McGonagall's office, the prefects had gone already.
"Sit down, Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy." Came the crisp voice of McGonagall. "Now, I'd like to talk about your behaviour. I heard what happened in the Three Broomsticks the other day, and I shall not comment. I have been monitoring, and I've noticed that you have ceased your flying lessons, Miss Granger. Do you feel ready to make the journey to Australia?"
"Not at all Professor, I show up every week. It's Malfoy who hasn't been there."
"Very well. Mister Malfoy, I recommend you starting arriving for lessons – Whether you're there to learn – Yes, I am talking about your schoolwork – Or there to teach. Also, i expect you two to be an example of house unity, so it would be...More prudent, for you to get along. And lastly, as I just told the prefects, the Halloween ball will be on the Thirtieth of this month, in the Great Hall. Heads can choose a theme and time, and the prefects will be at your service to arrange for the ball, providing it doesn't interfere with schoolwork. That will be all." McGonagall dismissed them.
As they were walking, Draco surprised Hermione, by taking initiative.
"Granger, after your flying lesson tomorrow, we'll go to the library where we can sort this out, okay?"
Hermione was still very upset, so just to spite him, she answered; "Sorry. I can't. I have something on then."
"What?"
"None of your business, Ferret."
"Don't start with the name calling again! I thought we have a truce."
"More like had. Should've known you're too much of a stuck-up pureblood to befriend me, a lowly mud-"
"Hey! Don't call yourself that. Granger, look here, we're not friends, but I do actually care, maybe a tiny bit, about the fact that I said those terrible things. So, bear in mind, that I do actually have a conscience."
"Didn't seem like it at the time. Or, you're a very good actor."
"Did you just compliment me?" That damned Malfoy smirk again.
"I meant it in a bad way! Urgh, goodnight, Malfoy."
"Goodnight, Granger." And with that he stalked off.
Hey guys! I promised I'd make it up to you, didn't I? :P Haha. I'm going away this weekend, and I'll only be back Sunday, but I'll try and upload then, otherwise, Monday. Hope you enjoyed, and I promise the next chapter will be A LOT longer. Special thanks to the one person who almost always reviews – The12Labors – It means the world to me! Review, please, as they make my day...? *Puppy dog eyes*... haha – Carri xx