All J.K. Rowling's, except the plot. I'm doubting she'd approve too very much of this one...
"I don't exactly know what to do. I hate Malfoy. Obviously. But at the same time, he's at least part human... isn't he? And as a human being, shouldn't I let him know when something so terrible is going on in his life? Shouldn't I tell him when his witch of a girlfriend is cheating on him? But really, in all honesty, of course, it's none of my business. It's his life. His girlfriend. His best friend. He's just my partner. And that's all there is to it."
Hermione closed the journal and muttered the password, a slight frown on her face. It hadn't been quite as fulfilling as usual, but she supposed that would happen when he was involved. He was involved a lot more recently...
"Mudblood."
Right on cue.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Her face was pure annoyance. For the past three days, he'd done nothing more than call her Mudblood and order her around.
"The project." His voice was full of disdain. She was lower than him, and he knew it.
"Of course." What else would he have discussed with her?
A moment of tense silence passed between them, as if each was sizing up the other. The glares were mutual and full of hate. The mouths were in the same stubborn line. The chins jutted forth ever so slightly.
Finally, he spoke. "I have the breakdown of it."
"Good."
Neither broke their pose. Tension was thick as he pulled out a piece of parchment.
"Here it is."
"Right." She took it quickly, assuring their hands would not touch. She looked it over with a critical eye.
"Thoughts?" he requested, with the same disdainful tone.
She looked up at him, not quite glaring. "It'll work," she said.
"Good."
"Yes, good."
The tense silence continued as she copied her portion of the work. It only took five minutes, but it seemed like hours.
Finally, she stood and handed the paper back. Their fingers almost touched, and she pulled back as though her hand was on fire. He did the same.
Each glared all the more fervently, and not another word passed.
A moment later, he left.
She sat down and got to work.
"So, how's everything going with the Ferret?" Ginny asked later in the common room.
"As per usual." Hermione sighed. "He's still the Ferret and I'm still his servant Mudblood, at his every beck and call." Her face twisted in annoyance as she finished her sentence.
"Sounds typical," Ginny remarked, placing a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"Of course," Hermione agreed. "Why would there ever be any difference?"
Detecting the slight twinge of something more than anger, Ginny examined Hermione. "Are you okay?" she asked finally.
"I'm fine, Ginny," Hermione responded, shrugging the hand off her shoulder.
Examining her further, Ginny said, "No, I don't buy it."
Hermione glared at her defiantly. "And why not?"
"He's getting to you, isn't he?"
The question hung dead in the air, Hermione refusing to answer.
Finally realizing the silence couldn't well go on forever, Hermione said, "No." Sighing, she added, "That's not it."
"Then what is it?"
Hermione wasn't sure she wanted to talk about it. She wasn't even sure if Ginny should know. After all, maybe she shouldn't tell anyone.
She shook her head, realizing that idea almost had her respecting Malfoy. And he definitely didn't deserve it. "Pansy's cheating on Malfoy," she finally said.
"What else is new?" Ginny responded in a bored tone.
Hermione looked at her, brows knit together in confusion. "You knew?"
"Hermione, Darling, the whole school knows," Ginny said, examining her nails. "It's common news."
"Does Malfoy know?"
"Doubtful," Ginny replied. "He thinks his wonderful Pansy can do no wrong."
"Oh." Hermione wasn't sure what else to say.
A moment of silence passed as Ginny continued to examine her nails.
"Shouldn't somebody tell him?"
Ginny looked at her in shock. "Hermione Granger," she said accusingly, "you almost sound as though you care about the boy."
Hermione wrinkled her nose at the thought. "Never," she responded.
Ginny laughed. "Good," she said. "That would probably not be the best idea."
"Granted," Hermione said.
After another moment of silence, Ron joined them in the common room.
"Dinner?" he asked, looking at the two girls in mild amusement. "I'm starving."
Dinner allowed for further awkwardness, as Hermione found herself facing the Slytherin table.
She concentrated intently on her food for the most part, but she found herself continuously looking up. Malfoy and Pansy were sitting together like they always were, and Pansy's arm clung to his neck. Every so often, she leaned up and planted a firm kiss on Malfoy's cheek which earned her a... was that a smile? From Malfoy.
Shuddering and immediately concentrating even more on her meal, Hermione realized it might be worse than she thought. There was no way Malfoy actually knew Pansy was cheating on him. But given the jealous looks Blaise kept shooting at the couple, there was no doubt she indeed was.
"Hermione?" Harry said, waving a hand in front of her face.
Bringing her head out of her food, Hermione looked at the boy in slight confusion. "Yes?" she replied.
He laughed softly. "A little out of it tonight?"
Hermione allowed herself a small smile. "I suppose so," she replied.
"Care to talk about it?" His face was full of concern, though admittedly mixed with mild amusement.
"Not tonight," she replied, twirling some pasta on to her fork.
He left her at that and returned to the main conversation of the table. Finally unable to even attempt any more food, Hermione excused herself and went for another walk.
Back at her glorious shade tree, Hermione was finally able to study a bit more. The wind whipped lightly around her, and she engrossed herself in her books.
An hour or so later, she again heard voices. She sighed deeply and resigned herself to concentrate even harder. No such luck.
"Blaise, Darling," the voice Hermione recognized as Pansy said, "I told you before. We can't do it any more."
"Come on, Pansy," Blaise said. "I can see it in your eyes."
Pansy didn't reply for a moment, and when she did her voice was just a little weaker. "I said no, Blaise."
"Yes, you did," he replied. Hermione heard Pansy's back again hit the tree. "But you didn't mean it."
Pansy whimpered something too quietly for Hermione to hear, and the next sound was even more quiet.
At first, Hermione didn't recognize it. Then when she heard a small moan from Pansy, she grimaced. Kissing. They were definitely kissing.
As the couple behind the tree got more into it and the sounds increased, Hermione hoped above all hope she could just apparate from the scene. Unfortunately, no such luck.
She had to wait it out.
Needless to say, it was a little difficult for Hermione to fall asleep that night.
A/N: Hey everyone, let me know what you think. (Gross I know, sorry...) Thanks!