Chapter 16
Hermione watched Ron walk out the door. She had no idea what to do now. She was completely confused! This is exactly what she had wanted and normally she would have taken him back, but Draco's words echoed in her mind…
Ron had done this before. He really did absolutely humiliate her in front of the entire Ministry. She was supposed to get engaged to him for Merlin's sake and he left her right before! Tears gathered in her eyes again. She wanted to trust him, but she just couldn't. But this is Ron! They were meant to be! Weren't they?
But then there was Draco. He had really been there for her this time. But he was still Draco Malfoy. She trusted him… for the most part. But he had made her miserable for the majority of her life… why is now any different?
No she was being completely silly. Draco wouldn't hurt her. In fact she should probably go find him and make sure he was ok…
Draco stormed back down to his office. He was absolutely furious he could hardly contain himself. He saw the only thing he could smash and threw it against the wall. It was a picture of his mother. Instantly he felt ridiculous, fixed it put it back and sank into his desk chair. He wasn't quite sure where that complete overreaction had even come from.
He shouldn't have overreacted. Hermione wasn't even his even though he had tried to make her his. She was free to make her own choices even if it killed him inside. He was completely lost in thought when he heard a knock at his door. He got up to open it.
He felt his heart start racing with anger as he looked into Hermione's eyes.
"Can we talk?" she asked.
Wordlessly, he opened the door and gestured to a chair.
"Please say something," said Hermione as she looked at him again after sitting down.
"What do you want me to say?" he asked.
"I don't know, just anything," she said.
"Are you looking for congratulations because you'll never get it," he said angrily.
"Congratulations for what?" she asked.
"Really? You're playing dumb now? You're engagement, Hermione! To the scumbag Weasel! He proposed to you just now!" he yelled.
"Ok, first calm down. Second, I didn't accept the proposal," said Hermione.
"Wait what? You didn't?" he asked.
"You didn't stick around long enough to see the end of that conversation. But I did say I'd think about it," said Hermione.
Draco rolled his eyes and sighed, "That's practically the same thing."
"No it isn't. There's no commitment there," she said.
"Why, Hermione? I've told you enough times already you're so much better than that," he said.
"It's Ron! I've loved him for at least half my life! How could I not feel this way? He's everything I've ever wanted," she said.
"You've always wanted to marry a cheater? Wow. I thought someone like you would have much higher standards," he said.
Hermione threw him a look.
"What? It's true. Admit it. He's done it not once, but twice. Did he even tell you what happened? Has he even broken it off with Lavender? Even if he has changed he needs to do a lot more than just ask you to marry him before you should even be looking at him," said Draco.
She looked at the floor. He was absolutely right. She didn't really know anything besides he was drunk. He couldn't be so drunk all the time to not realize what he was doing. There were times his head had to have been clear. Hermione sighed.
"You're right," she said.
"I know," said Draco, "So are you going to tell him it's over?"
"No. You were right just now when you said he hasn't told me the truth or really made it up to me," she said.
Draco felt himself get angry again.
"Hermione, am I so bad that you'd rather be with him then someone like me?" he asked. He didn't want to but he couldn't help it. She was going to ruin her life.
"What? When did 'someone like you' come into the equation? Do you know something that I don't? I'm only aware of Ron," said Hermione.
"Nevermind. It's not important. I was just asking. Although I do hope that you see that something better is right in front of your face but you're completely missing it," said Draco.
"Well if you would care to elaborate because I am still really confused," she said.
"I can't. I don't think you're ready for it. You'll see it when and if you're ever ready," said Draco.
Hermione gave him a confused look. He needed to leave before he did something really bad.
"Look. I've got a case. I've got to go. I'll see you later, ok? Feel free to use my office as long as you need," he said and then left.
Hermione looked at his empty chair. She knew what was going on. Draco was just a jealous person. But he really had no claim on her. It's not like he liked her or anything… right? She pushed that thought from her mind. Draco would just have to deal with the idea that if they were going to be friends she was going to date people or possibly even marry someone. That's just how life was!
Frustrated, she got up and left work for the day early. She needed to be alone to decide what to do about Ron.
Sorry, she's still clueless about guys. :) haha