I can't believe that I said that. I mean I said it practically to her face! Draco thought to himself as he walked to the Great Hall to search for Ron and Harry. He had already looked around the Ground Floor and the first few floors for them. So, he figured that the boys might be in the Great Hall, eating. As he entered the room, his eyes immediately went to the Gryffindor table. Sure enough, Draco spotted the back side of Ron's ginger hair and Harry was on the opposite side; facing towards where Draco stood, but it seemed Harry didn't see Draco. He started walking to them as Draco noticed that the two of them were engrossed in a conversation, well, as much as Ron could while he kept stuffing his mouth.
"Hello boys." Draco said as he approached Ron and Harry. They stopped talking and eating as Draco joined them.
Ok, I understand that you both are upset, but isn't the silent treatment a little bit childish by now?
"I came to see how you two were doing." he said. Draco sat down on the bench next to Ron, but he kept a small distance between them.
"Well, can't say we didn't expect to get something like that might happen someday…" Harry said, crossing his arms across his chest.
"But not from Granger. Bit of a firecracker, that one." Ron added on, with a light chuckle.
"Yeah, I know." Draco agreed. In his imagination, he could never see the sweet, meek little girl, he felt that he needed to protect, could ever out right hit anyone.
"So, are we clear of any Granger danger?" Ron asked, "I mean, she did say that she forgave us."
Draco thought quickly about his answer.
"You two can check for yourselves, we do have Double Potions soon." Draco said.
"One more thing, Malfoy," Harry spoke up, leaning forward on the table, "If she still seems mad, could you…" He paused as if he wasn't sure of what he wanted to say or how to say it.
"I think what Harry means that if Granger is still mad, give us a warning." Ron interjected. He looked at Harry, who nodded in agreement with Ron.
"As long as you two behave and do not act like complete buffoons, then everything should be good." Draco answered. Harry and Ron's eyes went behind Draco and focused on whatever was there. Draco hoped that it wasn't Peeves the Poltergeist making a visit.
"Hey Draco. Who is acting like a complete buffoon?"
No, that voice definitely did not sound like Peeves at all.
"Hey Hermione. Haha, no one yet." Draco turned to look at her, but as soon as he did, he remembered his fumble out in the courtyard and blushed slightly. Draco turned back to the table as Hermione sat down beside him. The four of them sat in silence for a moment.
"Well, I suppose that proper introductions are in order here." Harry said, looking at Draco.
"Right, Hermione Granger, this is Ron Weasley." Draco gestured to each of them as he said their names. The sinking feeling in Draco's stomach came back when he saw Ron flash a smile at Hermione, but as usual, Draco ignored it.
"Charmed." was Hermione's response. Draco saw that the look in her eyes said that she was a little less than charmed by Ron, but she put on a friendly smile.
"Pleasure is all mine, Miss Granger." Ron said. Leaning on the table, he reached around the front of Draco, to offer Hermione a handshake. She was hesitant, but she took the offer. She pulled her hand back quickly, then commenced to stare at the table.
"And this is Harry Potter." Draco continued with the introductions, pointing out Harry across the table.
"Enchanted to make your acquaintance, Miss Granger." Harry said as he adjusted his glasses up higher on his nose. He gave her a nod and a smile. For some strange reason, Harry's smile didn't affect Draco like Ron's did.
"Delighted." Hermione looked up from the table. She waved at him and gave him the same friendly smile that she gave Ron. Then, she resumed with staring at the table.
" I suppose we should be heading to the dungeons." Ron said, getting to his feet. Harry got up as well.
"I'll see you in the classroom." Draco said. He was focusing on his hands that laid on the table in front of him, keeping himself distracted.
Draco heard the swishing sound of their cloaks and their footsteps slowly fade away, as well as their hushed voices. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione had moved herself a little closer to him. Then, she laid her head on his arm.
"Thank you so much, Draco." she said. Draco was wondering what in the wizarding world she could possibly be thanking him for.
Well, I'm certainly glad that I did whatever it was that I did.
"You're welcome, Hermione." he replied.
Then, Hermione sat back up right and smiled at him. Like it was an automatic response, he returned the smile.
"Ok, let's get to Potions." she said, sounding excited about going to the class as only she could be. She got up and started heading for the door, her ponytail swaying from side to side with every step she took. He watched her as she walked out to the corridor.
Draco got up and jogged after her. He knew that they were going to have to run to make it in time before class started, and before Professor Snape had the chance to begin handing out detentions and deducting House Points. As he walked out of the Great Hall, Draco saw that Hermione was waiting for him.
"Come on, Draco, I do not want to be late." she said sounding slightly impatient at him, tapping her foot. She smiled as he walked next to her. So, the two of them headed towards the dungeons, of to Potions class.
Hehe, House Points to those who recognize the subliminal message. ^_^
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