CH. 3 - Talk
A/N: This chapter, while short was really hard to write, writers' block and work got in the way. But, it's up now. As always read, enjoy and review.
Harry and Ron didn't see Hermione for the next three days following the reveal, actually they did see her, she just avoided them. In class, during meals and in the common room. Finally, she sat down across from them during breakfast on the fourth day, and Ron being the brash idiot that he is spoke up immediately, "Where the bloody hell have you been, we haven't seen you for three days?"
Harry slumped into his seat focusing on his omelette. Hermione gave him an indignant 'hrmph' followed by a cold stare.
"I was giving you space and time to process what happened, and I thought," she stressed, "that we could have a meaningful discussion about, instead you open your mouth and yell at me this early in the morning."
Ron looked stunned, he didn't mean to yell, it was a reflex of sorts. "Hermione, I...,"
"Save it Ron, we'll discuss it later, now if you don't mind I'd like to finish my toast and eggs in relative silence."
They split up after breakfast, they had all but one class together and that coincidentally was today. So as Harry and Ron went left of the Great Hall toward Muggle Magic: A Study and Hermione headed in the opposite direction to Mythical Paleontology, Draco soon caught up with her, he was in the same class.
"So, did you talk?"
Frowning slightly, "No, the git yelled at me for not showing my face for three days before I even sat down."
"So, what going to happen now?"
"I told him we'd discuss it later."
"Should I come this time, it looks like you might need back up."
"You do realize that would mean stepping foot in the Gryffindor common room, something unprecedented for you."
Draco shuddered, it was one thing to be around Hermione, but the rest of the Gryffindorks, he shuddered again.
Sighing, "All right, but only because you begged." His trademark smirk plastered on his face.
"I did not!"
"Ah-ah-ah, Granger, if a Malfoy says it's true then it is," he continued to tease.
Hermione rolled her eyes, for all the improvement he's made he's still the old annoying git sometimes.
"Fine, I'll take it, but you have to restrain yourself and possibly me," she said as she thought about throwing Ron half-way around the Gryffindor common room if he really ticked her off. His eyes shot her a naughty little twinkle, "I think I can do that".
"I should hope so, It was after all your idea."
He chuckles, "That it was," he said as he laced hands with her as they walked briskly to class.
(***)
In Muggle Magic, Harry and Ron were so engrossed in their own side conversation that they missed the professor explain the origin and style of Muggle magician duo Penn and Teller, they also missed the fact that he said it would be on the exam next Tuesday.
"Can you believe her? Avoids us for three days and then comes around as if nothing's happened." Ron whispered from the back. Without Hermione, the boys liked to sit as far back as possible to talk rather than pay attention.
Shifting uncomfortably Harry said, "I think she was avoiding you Ron, she knows your temper and knows how much you don't like Malfoy."
"But for three days, Harry! She's never been unreachable, except for that one time she turned herself into a cat and shied away from us."
"What she did was right Ron, she had to give you time to calm down and process what happened otherwise you would risk spouting off and making her cry or attack Malfoy again," Harry said under guise of taking notes.
Ron huffed at his best mate's last statement, "Are you placing blame on me for what happened?"
Harry gave a quick nod.
"I can't believe you're standing up for Malfoy after all the grief he gave you since First Year."
"I don't like Malfoy, I'm not standing up for him, but you and I both know that he could've seriously hurt you during that confrontation, but he didn't. Plus, of all of us you are the one most against this relationship and fail to give it a bit of support."
"Because it's Malfoy!" Ron hissed as if that explained everything, making some students turn to glare at him.
Harry rolled his eyes at him, "All I'm saying is we hear their side of the story."
Ron grumbled something incoherent and turned toward the front.
(***)
Later in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron were enraptured by an unusually odd game of Wizard's Chess - one where Harry was actually winning.
"Knight to H3," announced Harry as he saw his Knight slice off the head of Ron's Bishop.
"Bollocks," Ron cursed.
"I can't believe I'm actually winning," Harry commented.
"Me neither," Ron sighed. "Knight to F3," declared causing his remaining Knight to retreat to further cover his King.
Ron was down to two Pawns and a Knight with his King on the run. Harry could taste victory. "Queen to F3," proclaimed with gusto, knowing that without is Knight Ron was all but gone. After watching his Knight get decapitated Harry's Queen, Ron conceded defeat.
"I won! I can't believe it, it took four years but I finally won a game," Harry said raising his arms in victory.
As Harry was celebrating his only-ever victory, Ron was sulking, Harry caught sight of him and toned it down before asking him what was wrong.
"I should've won, but my mind's elsewhere."
Harry nodded, "Hermione." It was more of a statement than a question.
Ron nodded. "Sorry if I'm spoiling your celebration."
Harry shook his head. "Are you that much against her relationship with Malfoy?"
"Is that a rhetorical question?" Ron sneered at the mention of Malfoy.
"No really, I want to know."
At that moment, Hermione walked in. Ron brightened and stood up immediately until he saw Malfoy trail in right behind her.
"What are you doing here?" Ron glared at Draco.
"He's here so we can talk about why you don't approve of our relationship," Hermione answered for him.
Ron grunted, crossed his arms and sat down with a thump from the couch.
"Ron,' Harry tried to coax, "Let's be adults about this."
"Thanks Harry," Hermione smiled at Harry.
"Yeah, thanks Potter," Draco mimicked.
Harry turned slightly at Malfoy.
Hermione sat down on the love seat, Draco followed.
She took a deep breath before beginning, "Now why don't you approve of us?"
Ron didn't reply.
After several moments, Hermione tried again, "Come on Ron talk to me, you always have before. Tell me what's bothering you."
Still no response, instead Ron was looking at anything but the couple seated to the side of him.
Several more moments passed before Hermione tried a third time, "Please Ron, talk to me, I'm your friend," she pleaded.
After Ron made no progress, Draco spoke up, "Oh come now, Weasley," he prodded, "Now you're just being stubborn."
"Fine, then I'm stubborn," Ron sneered.
Looking at him crossly, Hermione couldn't take it anymore, ever since he heard about her relationship with Draco, he's been distant, aloof, a genuine pain, use whatever adjective you want, Hermione was sick of his attitude. "Ron, I swear to Merlin, if you don't tell me why, I'll body-bind you and make you drink Veritaserum."
Ron's eyes bugged. He knew better than to test Hermione, "Fine, fine," he relented.
"Good now for the last time, why don't you approve of us?
"Because it's unnatural," he softly spoke.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear that, mind speaking like a person," Draco said as he cupped his ear.
Ron glared at him, Hermione 'shushed' him.
"I said," Ron began louder, "it unnatural."
Hermione looked hurt, "Wha?"
"Weasley...," Draco threatened through gritted teeth.
"You shouldn't be with Malfoy, Hermione," he stood and walked over in front of her, "you should be me." He grabbed her hand.
Hermione slipped out of his grip.
"Ron, what are you saying?" Tears brimming, awaiting the signal to fall.
"Malfoy's caused us nothing but trouble, he's not honest, my family will openly accept you, his won't and I know I can treat you better than he ever could. Please Hermione, be with me."
An odd chill filled the common room after that, No one spoke or looked at each other save for Ron awaiting Hermione's answer. After several tense and awkward minutes Hermione spoke.
"Ron, I don't know what your playing at," her voice was calm - too calm, "but there's no way I'm going to leave Draco just because now you pluck up some courage and ask me to. Yes, Draco's made life difficult for us in the past and yes, he is still an annoying git sometimes, but he loves me, he was man enough to admit his mistakes, and man enough to ask me out. He's changed a lot just to be with me, I'm his number one concern, he's stood up to his father convincing him to give me a chance, something that is unprecedented. And maybe above all else, he's trying to make an effort to know you better, but you, Ron, can't see past his past. Therefore Ronald, you can take your rather lame and audacious request and stuff it because let me tell you something, for four years you've treated me like nothing more than a homework elf, whilst I have been dropping hints left and right that I was interested in you, but no you still regarded me as nothing more than a friend who happened to be a girl that you saw no interest in." As she finished her long rejection of Ron, she stood up to go to the bedrooms.
All three boys sat there with a mixture a expressions on their faces, Harry, confusion; Ron, utter shock; and Draco, amusement.
"And if you'll excuse me I'm going to go wash up for dinner." Hermione stated, but Draco pulled her back down on the love seat.
"Hold on a minute, Hermione," Draco said, "I think you're being too hard on the weasel. He poured his little heart out to you, however pathetic the attempt, but he still did it so I think it's only right to reward him in some way." He smirked.
Hermione hated when he smirked because she was powerless against it and it usually involved some Slytherin-esque scheme that she'd probably hate doing.
"Oh Merlin," she shook her head, here it comes, "and what prize would that be Draco?"
"A date, of course."
Ron and Hermione both looked shocked.
"What! Why Draco Malfoy just what are you suggesting?" She stood and slapped his shoulder.
"Nothing. He deserves at least, a taste of what he can't have."
"You do realize I could fall for him on this date and dump you, right?"
"Impossible."
"Why?"
"Because you said it yourself, I love you, and I'm willing to bet our entire relationship that a test date with the weasel won't change a thing except make you love me even more."
"Cocky little git," Hermione smiled.
Draco smiled back.
Harry and Ron sat watching the exchange with he utmost curiosity and interest, for one, they've never seen Hermione act so natural around anyone but themselves and for another it was what they were discussing, it was as if they were talking about the weather.
"So Ron, would you care to join me this Saturday for a day at Hogsmeade?"
"I don't need your pity. How about we go as friends?"
"Deal."