Down on the Farm

Day 13: Cookies and Confusion

The nest morning after they ate breakfast, Hermione suggested baking peanut butter cookies. Not a good idea.

"Okay we need peanut better, sugar, flour, eggs, and brown sugar," Hermione said reading off of the recipe. She started helping Draco get out all the ingredients. "We need to preheat the oven," she added showing Draco how to do this.

"What's the difference between regular sugar and brown sugar?" Draco asked.

"Uh, the color?" Hermione said like he was dumb.

"Well, duh," Draco said.

"Then why'd you ask?" Hermione said and before he had the opportunity to comment she continued. "Now we measure out the correct amount of each ingredient," she started showing him how to do it.

"This is a lot like potions," Draco commented.

"Yeah I guess, but wait until we start mixing," Hermione said mysteriously.

"Uh, okay," Draco gave her a confused look.

They started adding in the ingredients and then Hermione turned the mixer on. Draco was amazed.

"What is it doing?" Draco asked.

"Mixing it together," Hermione explained.

"Why can't you just stir it?"

"Because this does a better job."

"Got it."

Hermione glanced at the dough and saw that it was done. "Here try this," she said offering some of it to Draco.

He took it gave it a funny look, and popped it in his mouth. "Oh wow, this is really good."

"Don't sound so surprised, I'm a good cook," Hermione said getting out some cookie sheets. "Now we roll it into balls, like this," she showed Draco how. "Then we roll the ball in sugar," she did so, "and put it on the tray," she placed it on the tray. They quickly filled the pan. "Now you take a fork and press x's into them," she did so then handed Draco the fork. He finished them and Hermione put them in the oven and set the timer. She then went and stood by the bowl of dough and started eating some.

"This is the best part of making cookies," Hermione said.

"I agree," Draco said walking to stand next to her, accidentally bumping her causing her to get some dough on her nose. "Here let me get that," Draco said swiping it off of her nose and eating it.

Something about that moment, it caused their faces to get closer and closer. Their eyes shut and there was an inch of space between them when, BEEP! BEPP! BEEP! The cookies were done. Needless to say they jumped apart and Hermione went to get the cookies and Draco started preparing the next tray.

Would he really have meant it? Hermione asked herself. Or would I be just another girl? Gods, he is so confusing!

You'll never know until you try, her voice answered.

I don't want to know, (Voice 1)

Yes you do, (Voice 2)

No, seriously, I don't need to know, (Voice 1)

But you want to, (Voice 2)

I don't even like him. There is no way I wanted to kiss him, (Voice 1)

Too bad you do and well, you still do want to kiss him, (Voice 2)

Oh, how would you know? (Voice 1)

I am you, remember? (Voice 2)

No I don't, and I don't want to, (Voice 1)

Too bad you're in denial. You had so much potential, (Voice 2)

What's that supposed to mean? (Voice 1) Her voice was gone. I hate you, (Voice 1) Her voice just laughed.

At the same time Draco was thinking:

Gods I can't pretend anymore, I like her, a lot.

Finally, you got it, a voice answered.

Okay I admitted it, now what? (Voice 1)

You act on it, duh! (Voice 2)

But she still doesn't trust me, (Voice 1)

Then make her, (Voice 2)

I don't know how, (Voice 1 whined)

Well you could start by not arguing, not to state the obvious or anything (Voice 2)

Okay, I'm already trying that, (Voice 1)

Then you could try being honestly nice, (Voice 2)
But I don't know if I can, (Voice 1)

Then try, sometimes you are dumber than a sack of rocks, (Voice 2)

Ha, ha, funny, but I will try, (Voice 1)

Good, (Voice 2's presence fades away)

Both Hermione and Draco were silent through the rest of the cookie baking process. When they were done Hermione went upstairs to get online while Draco sat and ate the cookies.

TroubleWithLove: I don't know what to do, Kris!

LoveExpert: Hmmm… you could go kiss him

TroubleWithLove: ya right

LoveExpert: u asked

LoveExpert: But seriously u have 2 do something

TroubleWithLove: I no but wat?

LoveExpert: u could tlk 2 him

TroubleWithLove: option B?

LoveExpert: ignore it?

TroubleWithLove: u said I had to do sumthin

LoveExpert: ya do whatever feels right I g2g bye

TroubleWithLove: bye

Hermione then signed off. She had just gotten a new screen name and Kris had thought the situation called for an old one of hers.

Tap, tap, tap. An owl was at the window. It was Pig. Hermione took the letter and gave Pig a treat.

Hermione,

How could you! A Malfoy! Harry told me that he's staying with you! I have huge news but I can't tell you because you are a liar now. Merlin, I wish you told me stuff.

-A Very Pissed Ron

Well he took that well, she thought heading to her desk to write him a letter. She needed to sort this out. There was too much drama in her life at the time. But she thought she might survive.

Once Hermione had left the computer room Draco walked in. He needed advice. Blaise.

Blaise, I am so screwed. I almost kissed her! And I wanted to! My life is over! Gods, and now I sound like a girl. I've never had trouble kissing girls before but I guess she's just different.

-D

Send.

Unfortunately for Draco and Hermione they both entered the kitchen to eat at the same time. They both made themselves something to eat – EasyMac for Draco and a wrap for Hermione – and sat down at the table. The awkwardness started. Neither said a word or looked at each other. They sat there, in silence. Awkward silence. Both hated awkwardness and silence but didn't know what to say to break it. So they ate and practically ran away from each other. They were not making progress.

Hermione ran to her room and flopped onto the bed on the verge of tears. A snowy white owl named Hedwig flew through her open window and dropped a red envelope onto her lap. She then flew away without so much as asking for a treat. Great even his owl hates me now. Hermione braced herself and opened the howler.

"HERMIONE! I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! FIRST YOU DON'T TELL ME ABOUT MALFOY THEN YOU SEND ME A LETTER ACTING LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG!? WELL SOMETHING IS WRONG! THE FACT THAT MY BEST FRIEND TURNED OUT TO BE A LIAR! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'D RUIN YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH ME AND RON FOR HIM! WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT HIM! I SHOULD JUST COME OVER THERE BUT GUESS WHAT!? YOU'RE NOT EVEN WORTH THAT ANYMORE! JUST STAY OUT OF MY AND THE WEASLEY'S LIFE! NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE ANYMOR!" Harry's voice screamed at her. Hermione broke down crying. No one wanted her. She was unloved by everyone but her family. Her family should be enough but they weren't. The Weasley's were like her family and now they didn't want her. It was like a gaping hole had been ripped in her chest. Right next to the other one.

Draco had heard the yelling and ran upstairs. He heard the whole thing and wanted nothing more then to walk in there and hold her in her arms. He wanted to do whatever was necessary to fix this for her and take all her pain away, but he didn't know what to do. He was also so confused by the way he was feeling that he couldn't think straight. So all he did was turn away and try to forget the image of Hermione laying on her bed, broken.

A/N: I was going to add more but thought that this was a good ending. For those of you who don't know I re-wrote Chapters 1-11 and they are much better. The story should make sense if you don't read the new chapters, but I suggest you do. They are longer and the writing is much better. Tell me what you think!

Please Review!

-Sugar Quill High-