Chapter 17: Concerns

Hermione came out of the caldron and looked around. She was back in the potions classroom. All around her other people were appearing out of the caldrons. Nina then appeared and then Draco. The three stared at each other in silence. The bell rang and everyone walked out of the room, except for Nina, Draco and Hermione.

"Um, well, I guess we had better go?" Nina suggested after a minute or so. The other two slowly nodded, refusing to make eye contact with the others.

On the way to the Great Hall, Draco grabbed Hermione and called out to Nina; "Um, we'll catch up in a minute."

Nina nodded and walked off, wondering what Draco had seen.

"Um, I was just wondering what you saw," He told Hermione awkwardly.

"Oh, just stuff, like when you were discussing with Crabbe and Goyle about the Chamber and stuff like that, but I know what you want to talk about." He looked down at her. "It's Nina, isn't it?"

"Well..."

"What exactly did you see?" She was concerned. What if he saw something he wasn't supposed to see?

"Um.."

"It's okay if you tell me. I know all of her secrets, even if she doesn't tell me." Draco was still hesitant, nomatter how insistant Hermione was being. "Listen, if it was serious you have to tell me. She's my best friend and I wont have you make assumptions or something."

"Well, she cuts. And she's had many trials at the ministry and is awaiting a punishment for an action she's done. And..." Draco looked away from Hermione, letting his voice trail off.

"What?"

"You're a good friend Hermione. She's lucky to have you." He looked up and smiled at her.

"Thanks." There was an awkward silence as the two just stood there. "Um, I think we should go."

"Yeah."

They walked towards the Great Hall, but were stopped by Nina.

"Hey, um, Hermione I need to talk to you," she said. Before Hermione could answer, Nina grabbed her arm and brought her into another hallway.

"First of all, you went out with Viktor Krum and didn't tell me! Second of all," she grabbed Hermione in a hug.

When she finally let go Hermione asked "What was that for?"

"Just because," Nina replied as she shrugged and smiled. She was turning to go back to the Great Hall, but Hermione stopped her.

"Neen, we need to talk." Hermione said in a serious voice. "Draco knows."

"Knows what?"

"The cuts. And that you're waiting for your sentence, but that's all I know that he saw even though I have a feeling he saw something else that I would rather not mention, it had to do with me, though. Look out, he might tell someone. He doesn't know the whole story, for anything," she was concerned for her friend. The two then walked to the Great Hall.

"So what did you see?" Nina asked.

"Not much," Hermione answered. They ended their walk in peace as they sat down at their individual house tables and moved their food around on their plates.

A/N Short, long-awaited, but here. Hope you enjoyed! REVIEW! P.S. My friend(LoveMeHugMeKissMeMissMe)'s story (Dear Student #432) has a vote going on. Check out her stories.

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