Friends, Lovers, or Nothing

Chapter Three: Half of My Heart

Schedules are not distributed until September 2, tomorrow, at breakfast which allows the intermediate sorcerers free time to get settled, roam extensively, socialize freely, and relax. For Hermione, the much desired relaxation comes from only one place and one place only: the library. The smell of thick, dirty books; polished, antique shelves; worn, tarnished carpet; and silence calms her soul like nothing else ever could. Her fingertips brushing the bindings of each volume, disturbing the dust that trails behind her, Hermione searches for a topic that might catch her eyes. She truly is home amidst rows and rows of bookshelves.

Fives minutes later, Ron's head snaps up as the elegant, but familiar figure of Hermione-his Hermione-strides toward their table with an armful of hardbacks the size of dictionaries. "What have you got there today, Hermione?" Ron inquires out of habit, scooting his chair slightly closer to Hermione's.

"Shhhh! We're in the library, you should be studying!" Hermione says harshly, sitting down. Ashamed, her intense eyes softens, turning her head to the side when she saw Ron quickly lean into his chair, taken aback. "I'm sorry, Ron," Hermione whispers, raising a hand and placing it atop of his, comfortingly. "I'm just worked up from the feast. I needed some time alone, by myself. I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

"It's alright. I should be used to it by now. You become an animal when someone talks in the library," Ron joked, recovering. Then seriously, he said "Do you want me to leave?" his face shadowed with disappointment. He was never good a hiding his feelings, Hermione reminded herself.

"No, no, no! I want you here with me," Hermione responded, rubbing Ron's knuckles, smiling. "Where is Harry?"

"With Ginny."

"Of course."

"Of course," Ron copied.

"Why should I even ask? He's always with Ginny. " Hermione added, attempting to lead the conversation somewhere. She removed her hand from Ron's awkwardly as the romantic atmosphere dies away from lack of words. "What a stupid question."

"Nothing you say is stupid."

"Sometimes it is, but thank you," Hermione waited for a response from her boyfriend, but after a moment she realized none would come. Turning her attention to a book, she flips open the cover which usually indicates that she does not wish to be disturbed.

Draco Malfoy exited the Great Hall amused after the scene Hermione Granger and Viktor Krum put on. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle trailed behind him obediently. Pansy Parkinson's dark hair swinging side to side in search set off an alarm in Draco's head. God! When is she going to leave me alone?, he wondered, hurriedly headed wherever his feet took him as long as it was far, far away from his clingy girlfriend. Can I even call her my girlfriend? He mentally ran through a map of Hogwarts in his mind, seeking out refuge or a place to just be alone. Believe it or not, being surrounded by minions and an obsessive girlfriend takes its toll on him after a while. Spotting a massive staircase, he directed himself toward it. Maybe the Seventh Floor would shield him from his friends awhile.

The blonde Slytherine began to relax, letting out a sigh when he turned around to find no one straggling behind him. Alone, at last. He slowed his jog to a striding paste and allowed himself to peek into each classroom he passed curiously. When he landed on the Third Floor, a corridor led him down to the Trophy Room. Admiring all of the past awards and achievements claimed by the Slytherine House pleased him greatly. Maybe someday he could add to the display. Entering through the door, he noticed a beautiful, mysteriously dark girl in Slytherine colors. She was two years younger, but she looked up at a World Cup trophy decorated in emerald favorably as if she's been here longer.

"Astoria Greengrass," Draco announced, approaching her.

"Draco Malfoy," Astoria, turned around and replied flirtatiously. Draco went over and leaned on a glass trophy case beside her, staring at her dangerously entertained.

"You know, your sister, Daphne is a great asset to the Slytherine Household. I'm glad you can finally join us. I apologize for not having told you sooner," Draco began, playfully eyeing her up and down. She appears to rather enjoy his game.

"I'm happy to be a member of the Slytherine Household. I never knew you prized my sister and me so highly," she said seductively. Draco was surprise by her maturity and experience. It's not everyday that he comes across a gorgeous Slytherine who understands the meaning of the word seduction.

"Maybe we should get together sometime and discuss just how highly I prize you."

"Just me?" Astoria asked, moving closer to fill up the distance between them.

"Just you," Draco whispered in a way that would make any woman go crazy. However, a flash of dark hair that went past the door put an end to his fun. "Now I must leave. We'll talk soon." He straightened up, gave Astoria an unforgettable smirk, rushed to the door, and looked right then left to be certain the people he was hiding from were not in the same corridor. When he located the nearest staircase, he began to climb it to the fourth floor.

After he arrived on the landing, he dashed through an empty corridor. No sane person would go near the library on the first day back. It should be clear. I should be safe.

Hermione only finished a small paragraph before Ron's staring got the best of her. She looked up at him uncomfortably.

"What are you reading ab-"Ron asked shortly after.

"Ron-," Hermione interrupted.

"Yes, Hermione?"

"Nothing. What were you saying?" Hermione responded, struggling to be patient, however, a note of irritation escaped and ruined her effort.

"I was saying…" Ron started. Gazing into her eyes a moment, reading her expression, he asked, "Is there something wrong?"

When Ron and Hermione were just friends-best friends- they talked about everything freely and openly. Arguments took place commonly, but it was fun quarrelling with your companion. Sure, the attraction had always been there, waiting tolerantly for the other to discover it. Before they began dating, Hermione used to get jealous seeing Ron with other girls. She would tune out angrily or cut in suddenly with a witty comment when Harry and Ron complimented other girls. It used to cause her palms to sweat, her heart to race a million miles per hour, and butterflies to flutter wildly in her stomach when he simply approached her. Now what? Where is the exhilarating spark? The burning fire? The everlasting, uncontrollable passion?

"Nothing's wrong. I'm fine," Hermione answered with a forced smile, placing her hand gently on his shoulder.

"Well, I'm going to check on Quidditch try outs," Ron retorted a minute later, standing up a little too hastily which caused her hand to slide down his arm. He stared at her fallen hand awhile, and then up at her face, his eyebrows scrunched together in thought. What could he possibly be thinking about?

"Try out sign ups is not for another two weeks or so," Hermione blurted out, dying for words to consume the emptiness she sensed was all around her,

"Oh," Ron responded, dumbly. "I guess I'll just make sure then. Better safe than sorry, my mum always told me." He leaned down to Hermione, brushed a part of her curls behind her ears to kiss her temple. She tilted her head too far up and caused him to kiss her left eyebrow instead. Gawkily, he accepted it, patted his girlfriend twice on the back, turned, and practically ran out the double doors of the library, leaving Hermione to wallow in defeat.

Resting her tired head on her hand, Hermione closed her eyes and wondered what just happened with her and Ron. Replaying each gesture and word over and over in her mind, she still could not figure out what went wrong. When she opened her eyes a couple of minutes later, the outline of a golden figure flashed past the library's double doors from the outside. Her eyes followed this form as it rushed past each of the floor-to-ceiling windows in front of her. She was unable to tear her eyes away until he disappeared down a stone staircase, leading to the Third Floor. Draco Malfoy...

Dear readers,

I still, after all this time, do not own any part of the continuously creative J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series. Darn it, once again.

Not that anyone complained, but just a reminder that love takes time and forgive me for dragging the fateful romance between Hermione and Draco on longer! Like I said before, I'm going to type up a few more drama-filled, awkward-moments chapters before something major occurs. Actually, within those chapters you will see Draco and Hermione interact more frequently. I mean, it's not like your just going to strike up a conversation with your arch nemesis. Thanks for being so patient!

I'm looking for some suggestions on what to write about for the next chapters and how to finalize the relationship between D and H. If you give me an idea, I promise you that my writing will turn out completely different from what you propose. You could help by submitting a simple thought to get my imagination running. I type whatever comes to mind so anything I think of goes.

Just a reminder to give me your personal opinion and REVIEW! What do you think of the story thus far? What should I change in the future? Don't forget, anything goes. If you want me to modify something, let me know because, this far into the story it won't be hard to alter it. If I think your offer is a good one that could help the plot along, I'll accept it. Tell me what's good/what's bad. Hopefully you readers are satisfied with most of it My goal is to please and entertain you through writing!

This space is dedicated, once more, to the many kind and generous souls out there who have added me onto their alert and favorite authors' lists! The messages I receive each day make me so much happier and gives me the motivation and encouragement to carry on adding to "Friends, Lovers, or Nothing." Thanks to each and everyone one of you so much! Keep going!

Until next time…

-G. M.