Chapter 8: Ambushed
Hermione was pretending to read her Charms textbook. She was watching the clock out of the corner of her eyes. She tracked the minute hand as it painfully made his way on the clock's face. Ten more minutes, she told herself. Her eyes went back to staring at the textbook.
Draco was staring into the fireplace as Pansy was rattling some nonsense. He desperately wanted to be alone. Well, except for Hermione; the thought popped into his head. He let out a deep sigh. "Drakins, you haven't been listening to me have you!" Pansy's shrill voice brought him back to earth. Her eyes filled with tears. She ran to her dorm, wailing. Draco knew he ought to at least apologize, but he didn't have the strength to face her right now. The clock struck 9 pm. It was time for the prefects patrolling.
Hermione was walking down the corridor of the second floor. Ron was supposed to patrol with her, but they were avoiding each other ever since Ron started dating Lavender Brown. Snogging, he was eating her bloody face; Hermione thought angrily. She knew she had feelings for him since third year. But he is such an ass! Hermione checked her watch. It was 15 minutes to 10. She started climbing the stairs, making her way to the Astronomy Tower.
Draco was already there, staring into the depths of the inky black sky. He made no movement as Hermione came and sat in her usual place, back pressed against the opposite wall. Many meetings had passed like this, in complete silence. Draco would stare outside; Hermione would look here and there but ultimately rest her eyes on his pale face. She detected a storm of emotions in his eyes, which was not seen any other time. He let his guard down, ending up crying in her arms. He turned and looked straight at her. Hermione stared back. Several minutes went by. Draco got up and sat next to Hermione, resting his head on her shoulder. She put her head on top of his. They sat in a comfortable silence.
Suddenly, they heard someone running up the stairs. Draco jumped to his feet and pulled out his wand as if he was unsheathing a sword. He stood in front of Hermione, keeping her out of view as she fumbled with her wand. The person came in, wand raised. The moonlight hit his face, it was Ron. Neither of them lowered his wand. "What have you done to Hermione" Ron demanded, his wand pointing to Draco's heart. Before Draco could reply, Hermione stood up and came from behind him. "Put your wand down Ron, he hasn't done anything." Ron looked curiously from Hermione to Draco. "You-you" Ron pointed his wand at Hermione. "Easy there" Draco said. "What have you been doing?" Ron said, his ears turning red. "That is absolutely none of your business" Hermione said, struggling not to scream. Ron looked from Hermione to Draco and then back to Hermione. Understanding flickered on his face. "You have the entire world and you took him" Ron took a step forward. Draco was about to take a step, Hermione tugged at his sleeve. He stopped. Ron backed out, slamming the door behind him.