There Were Those Moments

by mypurplethoughts

"Weasley's an idiot," she heard the familiar drawl. He stood just a step above her, arms crossed and shoulder leaning coolly against the stone banister. "Quite frankly, you're being a bigger idiot for crying over the likes of him."

2. Chapter 2

There Were Those Moments

September 6, 2011

Chapter 2:

They never talked about that night. A couple of years had passed and in 6th year, things were furtively taking a turn in the Wizarding World. While many dark things were happening in quiet corners, this was also the first time Draco had been falling behind with his studies. His professors were beginning to be concerned, but there were more important things he needed to attend to. His studies would just have to wait.

One very late evening, while Hermione struggled to finish the last two pages of her Potions essay in the library, she jumped up from her seat when a certain blonde just suddenly collapsed on the chair in front of her and immediately placed his head on the table. "I'll need you to keep quiet, Granger," he said with eyes closed.

"You were the one who nearly gave me a heart attack, Malfoy."

"Good," he muttered, head still in the same position and eyes still refusing to open.

For a short moment, she stared at him. He really made no move to get up or even talk. With a sigh, she continued scribbling down on her parchment—glancing at him and his perfect hair every so often. When it was half past midnight, Hermione made her finishing touches, re-read the entire essay, and rolled up the parchment to be placed inside her bag. "Malfoy," she called out, already packed up and ready to leave the library. "Malfoy," she repeated.

He made no reply. Instead, she heard a grunt and a few soft snores. She sighed. Was she really going to leave him in this state? She almost felt bad. She wondered what made him so exhausted these days, and why he was suddenly making less of an effort in trying to keep up with his studies. He looked frail and skinnier as well. His skin was paler; almost translucent. And his eyes—they used to be so full of youth and mischief. But now, they were dark and broody; it was like something (or perhaps someone) had unabashedly drained the life out of them.

With a flick of her wand, Hermione conjured a scarlet blanket and placed it over Draco's shoulders. She transfigured one of the books on the shelf into a small pillow, and placed it under his head and arms to make the position more comfortable for him. After placing her bag over her shoulder, she took one last look at the sleeping boy and made her way out of the library.