The voice of Jane was forgotten; slowly, I went to the bathroom and locked the door, intending to wash my face with cold water.
What had just happened? Did Draco Malfoy just kissed me? On purpose? Accidently? On the lips? Touching tongue?
It all had to be a hallucination...this is Draco we're talking about; he doesn't like muggle-born's like that. He doesn't like me like that... We're just friends. We are. Just friends, that is. So why did he kiss me?
We argued about something...about books, about...blood, about how he'd change after the summer... So how did that lead to kissing?
"Hermione? Are you okay?" Jane's voice faintly reached my ear from the other side of the door.
Were we even friends? Aren't we just team-mates going back to enemies after this thing is over with? What would Harry and Ron say when they hear about this? No! I can't tell them! They'd kill me, and then go after Draco! Wait, shouldn't I celebrate?
But he's changed so much since I've actually known him this summer. He's kind and caring, and really dedicated to what he does best. He's stood up for me without thinking about himself. He's risked getting suspended, twice, just to see me okay. He's stayed up and helped me with the sport, night after night after night. He supported me.
So, was the kiss real?
It wouldn't work, though. If, by some weird magic, we do get together, although I highly doubt it, how would it work? No one would expect us to be together and no one would want it to happen. We'd be outcasts, never accepted by society.
Our lives are so different, after all. Aside from the fact I'm a Gryffindor and he's a Slytherin, he's a pureblood and I'm a muggleborn. Those two do not mix well.
But wasn't that what I was fighting for? Getting all mad for? Because he had thought blood made all the difference? Would I be as big a hypocrite as him if I don't aknowledge the kiss as what it is? A kiss? Shouldn't I prove to him and everyone else that blood doesn't matter, that houses shouldn't matter, that looks and popularity shouldn't matter?
"Hermione! Say something! Are you okay?" Jane's voice grew.
I suddenly snapped my head out of the running water and dabbed cloth on my face before opening the door for the worried girl.
She sat on the edge of her bed, waiting quietly for me to retrieve from the bathroom. As soon as I opened the door, she bolted upright and rushed to me.
"Are you okay? What happened?"
With weary eyes, I said, "You were right. You were very right."
I walked to the nearest bed and lay flat on my back. "I still can't believe it!"
"What? What are you talking about?" Janie questioned. "What happened?"
And I began my story from when Malfoy sat down until I started running. I was stressed the whole time I talked, but Jane's face just lit up.
"I knew it! I knew it! Didn't I tell you he likes you? I was the one to tell you, and you didn't believe me!" She practically shouted.
"I know! You were right. What should I do now? Go back and talk to him and try to work things out? Or try to act like it never happened and try to avoid him at all cost? I mean the camp is almost over, in a week. It shouldn't be hard to not talk to him, right?" I whined.
"Avoiding him would be easy, but you're in his team, he's your captain, and you have private lessons every night. I don't think that'll be nowhere easy." She replied.
"So you're saying I should talk to him."
"Yes," she simply said. "But you should really think about if you like him like him, or just want to be friends. Be prepared before you go and confront him, Hermione. It'll do you good."
A knock came from the front door. "Jane? Are you in there?"
Jane opened the door, already knowing it was Tony. He appeared through the entrance and gave her a hug before waving politely to Hermione.
"Do you want to take a walk?" He asked Jane.
Jane hesitated but shook her head. "Now's not a good time, Tone. Hermione's having some tro-"
"No no! I'm okay, Jane. Go ahead." I interrupted.
Jane stared at me. "Are you sure? I could stay, it doesn't matter."
"Yeah, I'm sure. Go on! I'll talk to you when you get back," I attempted a smile.
"Okay then. See ya, Hermione."
Once Jane left the hut, I started to ram my brain with the cause and consequence of the kiss once more.
But do I like him back? Does he even like me, or was the kiss just a one time thing. An accident.
I got up from Cattie's bed and went to my own, pulling the covers over me.
Tingles ran through my spine as I brushed my lips, remembering touching his lips.
He's been so perfect this summer! Very very few namecalling in the beginning, supporting me, helping me, making sure I was safe.
What had I done for him? I can't even name one thing where I repaid his kindness.
A tear slipped off my eye.
I can't believe it. This summer was the opportunity to try and start fresh. He knew it, he acted. He treated me like an actual human being. What did I do? Did I even try?
I cursed myself to sleep.
----------------------
I had awoken when the rooster sang, or croaked, its noise. Grumpy, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom before anyone else woke up.
That night, I slept peacefully, with no dream crossing my thoughts, thank goodness. If I did have a dream, I'm afraid to think what it would be. But my sleep was nice, nonetheless.
Quickly, I brushed my teeth, washed my face, dabbed a few eyeshadow and blush, and waited in the common area for Jane, which wasn't long.
The weather outside cooled down; the summer was coming to an end. The moon was still visible, and so was the sun.
"Sorry I took so long with Tony," she apologized. "I tried to go faster, but he wanted to take our time walking. Says it's supposed to be enjoyed and not rushed."
"Jane, it's okay. I slept once you left anyways, so you have nothing to worry about."
"So, are you going to talk to him?" She asked timidly.
"I don't know yet. I have to though, right? But I don't know when."
"The sooner the better, I always say."
I scoffed. "What are you talking about? You hadn't talked to Tony until just recently!"
"Well, even though I don't take my own advice, it doesn't mean you shouldn't."
"Okay, wise one."
We reached our destination: the Quidditch Pitch.
There was a crowd near the locker room entrance. I puzzled into why that was so, but the chant of 'Vik! Krum! Viktor,' filled me in.
I smiled,
sorry for the guy. It must be tough to always be followed wherever you
go. I can never do that. It'll make me snap like mad!
"Hermy-own-nee!" I heard him shout as his hands shot up from the crowd and waved my way. "Help!"
"Do you want to help me help him?" I asked Jane. She nodded and we made our way towards the mob.
"Councilor Jones is coming! Councilor Jones is coming!" We kept on saying. People believed us for the crowd thinned out almost immediately. Only a few were unconvinced, but that was enough for Viktor to wriggle out and greet us.
"Thank you," he groaned. "That vos miserable!"
He looked like an utter mess: hair sticking out, shirt slightly ripped, pen marks all over his hand.
"They vanted so many autograves! No more! I sign no more!" He stated.
"You poor thing. Do you need to go to the clinic? They'll clean you right up." I said softly.
He nodded.
"Jane, I'll be right back. If Jones ask, tell him we're going to the clinic."
"Okay, hurry back please. I don't like him," she asked.
"Let's go, Viktor."
His arm flung on my shoulder for support and I led him to the clinic not far from here.
On the way there, we stayed silent. When we arrived, he was treated with the best medicine and treatment. The nurse took a liking to him.
"Are you good to go?" I asked him. He nodded and we left the building.
"I hate ven people crowd in me. They go too crazy." He sighed.
"It's the price you pay for being so amazing," I said.
We became silent once more. Once we were in sight of the pitch, he spoke a surprising sentence to me in a very nervous tone.
"Vill you go out vit me?"
I stopped instantly and faced him. "What?" I asked with a bewildered face.
"Hermy-own-nee, I's sorry for broke up. I miss you. I vant you back," he said in agony as he looked straight in my eyes.
I was stunned. This was definitely not expected.
Last summer, we agreed that this long distance relationship wasn't working so we broke it off. We both agreed, so it wasn't like I suggested it or he. But the long time apart went against us.
Honestly, I hadn't tried hard to keep the relationship. It was horrible of me, but my heart was already taken by Ron.
Now, I don't know where my heart is.
Vik has never treated me bad in any way possible. He's always been gentleman-like, very kind and thoughtful. Ron has a girlfriend, and I don't think I can handle watching him with another Lavendar. I'm not sure if I'm completely over him, but I just don't feel the same towards him as I did before.
If I try again with Viktor, it might work. We're more mature, and the distance apart did us good. Besides, I only have one more year in Hogwarts and I'm off on my own.
He seems great for me.
My brain says yes. Nod, Hermione, and accept it. Nod.
But...
My heart says no. Shake your head, don't do it. He's not the one. He doesn't make your heart pitter patter. He doesn't make your palms sweat. He isn't your special someone.
Before I knew what I was doing, I shook my head in slow motion.
"I can't, Viktor."
He didn't respond, but his stiff reaction gave it away.
"I'm really sorry!" I pleaded, hoping he wouldn't be depressed because of this. "I just-"
"No. Don't say anything. I understand."
He gave me a kiss on the forehead and left for the Pitch. But before he went in, he turned around and said, "tell the blonde boy he's lucky to haff you," and went forward.
I stood rooted with mouth slightly agapped. What did I just do? Why did I say no? Viktor come back! Forget what I had just said! Please!
But no words came out.
Fireworks of tears were ready to explode as re-entered the pitch. Everyone was here waiting for Vik anxiously. I walked over to my teammates, including Malfoy, but I stayed away from him. Right now, I just don't want to deal with my feelings. I just want to get this day over with, have Vik fly back to where he came from, and think some things over. Is that really too much to ask?
"Are you okay?" Lauryn asked.
"I'm fine, don't worry," I said while wiping a falling tear from my cheek. "Just a dust."
Councilor Jones came; he introduced Viktor and what Vik'll be doing.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Krum will not be staying long. He informed me just a few moments ago that he recieved an urgent owl from his captain scheduling an emergency practice. Therefore, we will have to cut down the training.
"Mr. Krum, which exercise would you be willing to do? Individual Flying or Weave Flying?"
"Individual," Vik answered. He stood there next to Jones with a frown I've caused.
I care for him, really. I know he really cares for me. So why is it I can't love him? Why is it I can't feel the goosebumps rising when he touches me? Why is it that my throat doesn't become dry, or that my palms grow sweaty, or my breathing short, when I come near him?
"Okay flyers, you heard him. Line up if you wish to fly along side with Krum for a couple of laps around the pitch."
"Actually, I vould like to choose my first flyer."
Startled, he responded with a 'certainly'.
Viktor looked straight at me.
He isn't the one. I felt nothing. I look at him and felt nothing. Not even a hair rising from my neck.
But he looked away. More importantly, to Malfoy.
"Him. I chose him for first." He said.
Draco looked neither joyful nor surprise. He just mounted on his broom and flew casually to Krum. They chatted a while and off they went.
I looked for Jane. She was talking to Tony at the far right of the pitch, but saw me looking and waved.
Now, I'm not a professional or an expert at flying, but when I looked at Viktor and Draco flying, it seemed they were going extremely slow. They had to be going slow for hands kept on being removed from the handle of the broom.
It was like they were having a conversation.
This is bad. What if they talk about me...
THAT is why Viktor called Malfoy up first! To threaten him not to go near me! But he would never do that. And Malfoy would not take orders from someone.
Oy!
What to do!
After fifteen minutes, the boys finally came down, patted each other and seperated. Malfoy came back to join the group without even looking at me. I can't believe it, he'd given in. I was right, Viktor did threaten him! Why, I oughta!
The rest of the Krum lovers went to line up, me not included. I've already spent too much time with him, that two laps around the field wouldn't be much.
Instead, I hung around the Great Hut, eating some pudding and ice cream and reading a book.
A chair pulled out and in comes Draco Malfoy. I stare at him and, insecure of myself, hid behind my book.
My heart beated against my chest, my book almost slipped out of my clammy hands. Focus, Hermione. Don't think about the kiss. Read your book. Just read!
"Hermione, I need to talk to you."
AN: Hey guys, sorry for the long wait. I'm halfway through the next chapter, but in the meantime, how was this one?
Oh wow, I actually hadn't thought of One Tree Hill, but I can see how the storyline could be like theirs :D I love that show, btw.
But no, it's from High School Musical. Nice Job! Hehe.
Well, tell me your thoughts, good and/or bad, about this chapter. Did she make the right choice, you think, by choosing Malfoy over Krum?