Love Takes Courage: A Dramione fanfic

Chapter 5: Friends can be perceptive

Hermione's POV

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I had my books out, a huge stack, sitting at my favorite space for work: the study table in the corner of the common room. Except, I wasn't working. Instead of doing homework, I was staring into space while doodling shapes on my parchment: squares, circles, triangles, diamonds, and the occasional flowers and hearts. I was so engrossed in doodling and daydreaming that I jumped about a foot when Ginny slammed a book down on the table and sat down opposite me.

"I've figured it out."

"What are you talking about?"

"What's been bothering you, why you aren't concentrating on homework, why you've been distant, etcetera, etcetera."

She'd never know in a million years. "And what's that?"

"You've been drugged with a personality disorder potion." She smirked at me mischievously.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I really hope that was a joke."

"Naturally." She leaned forward. "But in all seriousness, I know what it is" She smiled, raising one eyebrow. "Come on, you didn't honestly think I wouldn't figure it out?"

"And what would 'it' be?" Never in a million years.

"You've got your eye on some bloke, haven't you?"

I froze for a millisecond. Bugger. "Get off it!" I faked a smile, trying to mask my shock.

"Come on, Hermione!" Ginny's voice was full of exasperation. "So you've got your eye on some bloke, what's the big deal?"

"I haven't." I started gathering my papers and books, trying to make a quick getaway.

"Hermione, please. You know you can tell me anything!" I looked at her, still unsure. "Honestly! Who would I tell?"

I hesitated another moment before slowly saying, "Yes, there is a boy…"

"I knew it!" She grabbed my wrist and pulled me back into the chair. "So, who is it?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, no can do."

"Oh, come on, there's no way you can leave me with that!"

"I… I don't think I can tell you."

She leaned back, puzzled, and then grimaced. "It's… it's not RON, is it?"

"RON?" The fact that she hit so far off of the mark was totally unexpected. "No way!"

She let out a breath. "Thank goodness. You scared me for a minute there." She leaned forward again. "So who is it?"

"I can't, Ginny."

"Why not?" She was frustrated with me, I could tell.

"Because honestly…" I stopped. Stared up at the ceiling. Wondered how to continue. "Because honestly I'm not sure how I feel myself, and if I told you who, I think you'd murder me."

"Harry?" she ventured a guess.

"No. I won't tell you, Gin, but I will tell you that it's not Harry or Ron. They're great, but…" I shrugged. "They're more like brothers. I don't see them as boyfriend material."

Ginny stood up, finally defeated. "Well, if you ever want to talk about it, you know I'm here, right?"

"Of course!"

"Well… 'night then."

"'Night, Ginny." I watched her disappear up the stairs before I slumped down in my chair. It was easy enough for Ginny to say she'd be here when she didn't know who it was, but if I told her I liked MALFOY? That was treachery, betrayal. Borderline blasphemy, and definitely near insanity. Another problem had emerged, and I didn't like it. I didn't like the fact that if anything ever did come out of this – even though I knew it wouldn't – I would have to choose between Malfoy and my friends. I smiled ruefully as I thought that I never would have expected that to be a hard choice.

A/N: i'm so sorry! For some reason, this story has died a little bit for me, and i'm going to try again. I'll try not to drop it, but it just wasn't working. Maybe after a break i'll be able to write it again. Hope so! I know this chapter isn't very good, and doesn't make up for the HUGE lapse in time, but again, I apologize!