Unfortunately this is a really really short chapter, but I don't have much time. I am going to summer camp for the month and so since I won't be able to post, I wanted to post one last chapter before I go. I'll come back in August and during the interval I'll write lots to make up for lost time. Sorry!
'Let me at least walk you home since I embarrassed you so much…it was wrong of me and I am truly sorry. I didn't think beforehand."
Draco looked truly contrite and Hermione was moved. She touched his arm softly and assured him,
"It's fine, Draco. Don't worry about it…let's just put it behind us…alright?"
He nodded, smiling, relieved that one moment of stupidity wasn't going to jeopardize his new friendship with Hermione. Laughing, he flourished his arm towards her and she, smiling, took it. As they strolled along the street, Theodore Nott raised his eyebrows at their camaraderie. He turned to Millicent Bulstrode and said coldly,
"It seems that Draco seems to have forgotten some things. Maybe it's time we reminded him…after all he and Blaise have been less than enthusiastic recently and ever since the Dark Lord's death."
Millicent sniffed.
"Are you such a fool, Nott? No one is enthusiastic anymore apart from you, Crabbe and Goyle. And the only reason you are enthusiastic is because with the Dark Lord gone, you lost your position in society. Well everyone sees past that façade and no one cares. Least of all me. I still have some position left and I'm not going to waste it championing your losing battle. I'm out."
With that she walked away, finally severing her ties with the malicious Slytherin. Theodore said icily,
"Oh, no you don't, Millicent. No one walks out of this and no one walks away from me."
She ignored him and continued walking, knowing that he would never dare try anything on her. It was simply too dangerous and if he was caught then all his hopes and dreams would be dashed to the ground. Theodore fumed angrily and to add to his ire, Blaise's soft menacing voice came from behind him.
"So you've lost yet another supporter. How many do you have to lost, Nott, before you realize that you should just give it up already? You're nothing like Voldemort was and society will never accept anything like Voldemort tried to impose and they'll never accept you. Do you know why? Because you're pathetic and stupid. You were always on the same level as Crabbe and Goyle on the intelligence scale and frankly, I am surprised that you made it through Hogwarts."
Theodore spun, breathing heavily. He raised his wand, his temper having been pushed to the breaking point, but Blaise tutted.
"No, no, Nott, play fair. There will be no duelling since you would lose anyway. But since you obviously can't be trusted with a weapon, Expelliarmus!"
Theodore tried to catch his wand, but to no avail, and his efforts managed to land him on the ground at Blaise's feet. The Mediterranean looked down deprecatingly and shook him off.
"I'm watching you, Nott and if you make one false move, know that I'll know and I will do something about it. We don't want another war on our hands, do we?"