Title: Neither Good nor Evil
Rating: PG – 13
Pairing: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy; Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or any of its characters.
Summary: Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy have never been friends. They were happy to stay enemies until unwanted thoughts interrupted. Add one of Dumbledore's prophecies and shake well.
Chapter Fifteen
Bonding
"Who ever thought we'd be worried about Draco Malfoy?" She shook her head.
"Not me." A voice said from behind them. They both jumped and turned to face Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson.
Ron's hand went to his pocket for his wand but Hermione stopped him with a touch to his wrist.
"They've visited Draco before." She explained.
"We just always waited until you'd left, Weasley." Blaise shrugged. Ron crossed his arms across his chest, looking wary.
"We heard a Mediwitch showed up. Is she here for Drake?" Pansy asked, sounding truly concerned.
"Harry finally convinced Dumbledore to call one. And he's finally asleep." Hermione smiled tightly.
"Oh good!" Pansy sighed with relief.
"We've been so worried about both of them. Drake's father came by to see us." Blaise scowled.
"He did? Did he say anything about Draco's condition?" Hermione questioned urgently.
"He came to warn us. He heard something happened to Drake and said it must be someone in the school targeting potential Death Eaters," Pansy shook her head, "It was such bull."
"I think he was trying to convince us to start a revenge campaign against the rest of the school." Blaise rolled his eyes.
"You think he's behind Draco's illness?" Hermione prompted.
"Definitely." Pansy answered without hesitation.
"Drake has been telling him for a year that he won't spy for the Dark Lord anymore. That's why Lucius was here two weeks ago. He'd heard about Draco and Potter living in the same dorms and was trying to convince Draco to spy on Potter," Blaise explained, "I'm sure Drake refused."
"Not only doesn't he want to be a Death Eater, he'd never betray Potter. Slytherins may be sneaky but they're loyal too. Especially to the ones they love. The ones that belong to them." Pansy said firmly. Hermione smiled again.
"That's good to know." There were tears in her voice. Ron released his defensive position to wrap an arm around her waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"It's very comforting. Having Draco Malfoy watching your back is quite a strong weapon in your arsenal." Pansy grinned slyly but it didn't stick for long. The four stood staring at each other until Ron's stomach growled.
"I agree." Blaise muttered, rubbing his stomach.
"Want to go get something to eat?" Ron asked hesitantly. Blaise grinned and nodded. Ron glanced at Hermione who shook her head, an encouraging smile on her lips.
"Bring me something back." Pansy ordered Blaise as the two boys hurried off. Hermione smiled at Pansy.
"If they become friends, half the school is going to lose their minds." She predicted.
"Think about if Drake and Harry went public." Pansy laughed quietly.
"There'd be mass chaos." Hermione joked.
"Slytherin's and Gryffindor's on good terms. Has anyone checked if hell has frozen over?" Pansy rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall.
"I'm sure someone has." Hermione leaned next to her. Pansy sighed deeply and rubbed her eyes.
"I've been friends with Drake forever. I don't know how to cope now that he isn't always around. It's always been us three. And now…" She cleared her throat but it didn't mask the tears in her voice.
"I can barely remember life before Harry and Ron. It was there but it wasn't important. It was just filling until I came here," Hermione paused, glancing at the girl next to her, unsure, "They're our boys."
"Don't you feel like such a mother sometimes? Picking up after them, comforting them, trying to convince them to do their homework, eat their vegetables…" Pansy's voice was thick.
"Trying to keep them safe, out of trouble…" Hermione shook her head.
"And that of course is impossible because every twenty minutes someone's hanging from a tower…"
"Or puking slugs…"
"Or being chased by seventh years that they absolutely can't take on…"
"Or blowing up cauldrons full of acid-based potions…"
"Or, my favorite, getting hexed!" Pansy kicked the wall behind her.
"You still can't beat fighting epitomes of evil." Hermione took a wavering breath. Pansy turned to stare at her.
"If this is what motherhood is, I'm never having kids. Ever." She declared.
"Why do I need kids? I have Ron. I have Harry. I won't have time! I have to take care of them." Hermione was losing the battle with her tear ducts.
"Have you realized… Harry probably won't survive long without Drake? I don't think I will either." Pansy screwed up her face to fight the tears.
"You'll survive. I'll survive too but it would hurt so bad… so fucking bad…" Hermione lost the battle and burst into tears. Pansy followed suit. They wrapped their arms around each other and sobbed. After several minutes, they finally calmed and separated, sniffling and sighing.
"Well I feel better." Pansy murmured, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Hermione laughed slightly, shaking her head.
"God," She sighed, "Bonding moment."
"No kidding." Pansy grinned. They stared at each other before awkwardly looking away.
"They'll live." Hermione said suddenly with absolute conviction.
"You think?" Pansy questioned.
"I know. They have to. Harry has to – he has a supernatural obligation - which means Draco has to because without Draco there's no Harry so… that's that. They'll live." There was no doubt in Hermione's voice.
"Okay. They'll live." Pansy agreed without hesitation.
"Okay." Hermione nodded once and smiled.
This one's short but it finished and I didn't know where else to go so… at least it prompt.
Cheers,
Sarcastic Romantic