In The Library
"Please, what did he say to you?" Harry begged, sitting beside Hermione in the Gryffindor common room. Ron was on the other side of her. They had heard from witnesses that she and Malfoy had been yelling in the Library and that she had run out crying. However, as of yet, she hadn't told them anything about what happened.
"Look, if you're not telling us because of anything we've done to upset you, we're sorry!" Ron said. He shot Harry a look that said he had no idea what to do.
"You don't need to worry about me." Hermione said. She had a book on her lap and was trying to read it, though she hadn't gotten past the first sentence. Harry let out a sigh and Hermione closed her eyes. She felt horrible for keeping it a secret that she'd befriended the Slytherin, but also knew for certain that they wouldn't be able to trust him as much as she did.
"You were crying Hermione!" Ron persisted. "What did he say?"
"It doesn't matter!" Hermione snapped, looking up at him. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go to the Library where it's quiet so that I can concentrate."
"But what if he's there again?" Harry asked. Hermione turned to face him, one eyebrow raised.
"I don't know about you, but I don't think Malfoy is the type of person to be found frequently in the Library. My guess is that the last time he was there it wasn't by choice. So I doubt he'll be there again." Hermione shut her book and stood up.
"Then let us come." Harry stood up also and Ron followed suit after Harry shot him a look.
"But that's why I want to go! To get away from you!" Hermione exclaimed. "I'm trying to read, but you never stop talking!"
"We just want to know what the git said so we can get him back for it!" Ron said. Hermione groaned and took a few steps away from them. An image of Draco's pale face appeared in her mind and she looked down at the ground. She didn't want anyone disturbing him, especially not these two.
"I can look after myself." she said firmly. "If Malfoy needs to learn a lesson for what he did to me, I'll teach him myself."
"Hermione, is there more to this than we know?" Harry asked gently. She spun around, eyes wide in confusion.
"What do you mean?" she asked quickly.
"Well, whenever I say that I think he's up to something you say I'm getting the ideas from nothing. It's almost as if you're trying to protect him from something. I guess what I'm trying to say is... do you know something about what he's up to that we don't?" Harry asked cautiously, not wanting her to get really angry with him again.
"How on earth am I supposed to know something you don't? Haven't you understood a word I've been saying lately? I don't care if he's up to something or not! There are other things more important to concentrate on!" Hermione replied.
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to ask." Harry said, looking down.
"May I go to the Library now?" she asked curtly. Harry and Ron exchanged glances, shuffling on their feet slightly.
"Sure," Harry nodded. "And I'm sorry."
Hermione sighed, tucking her book under her arm and slowly walking to the door of the common room. She didn't like arguing with them at all, but she knew she couldn't actually tell them what was going on. She would ask Draco before divulging any information about him, but as she knew what his answer would be on this subject she didn't even consider it.
As her feet lead her to where she wanted to go, she hoped not many other people would be in there. She needed some peace and quiet so that she could think and hated when there were other people with their friends, squealing and being generally childish.
Putting a hand on the doorknob, Hermione opened it and walked in. She looked around and was thankful that there were only a handful of people around in different places. It meant she would finally be able to read without being interrupted.
"You're supposed to be able to help students find books, you old hag!"
Hermione gasped and turned to where Madame Pince was being shouted at by none other than Draco Malfoy. Madame Pince had stepped backwards and covered her mouth with one hand.
"How dare you speak to me like that, young man!" Madame Pince declared in a horrified voice.
Lowering his voice, Draco said something else which made Madame Pince back up even more. Hurriedly, and without thinking, Hermione walked over to them.
"I can try and help him find his book if you'd like, Madame Pince." Hermione said, stepping between them. She refused to look at Draco, knowing that he would simply be glaring at her angrily.
"I'm putting you on detention, Mr Malfoy!" Madame Pince said, and then turned to Hermione. "Thank you dear, but I doubt you'll be much more help than I am."
"I can still try." Hermione said defiantly, lifting her chin slightly.
"Very well." Madame Pince sighed and walked away. Hermione squared her shoulders and turned to Draco, staring over his shoulder to avoid looking at his eyes.
"What book are you looking for?" she asked. Draco folded his arms and tilted his head, but didn't say anything. "I can't help you unless I know what you're looking for." Hermione said in a slightly firmer voice.
"I never said I wanted your help," Draco finally said and Hermione fought desperately not to look at him.
"Please just tell me what you're looking for, I don't want to make a scene." she said.
Draco scoffed and shifted his weight. "You can't even look at me."
Hermione closed her eyes, fighting the urge to open them and stare into his face. She knew what she would see; an accusing glare that told her just how angry he was for what she had done. He had already shown from their past two encounters that he was not about to forget about it easily.
"Just tell me what you're looking for." Hermione pleaded, her voice softer than before.
"You're smart, Granger," Draco acknowledged. "Which means I can't tell you what I'm looking for because you'd probably figure out my entire plan."
"So you do have a plan..." Hermione whispered, lowering her head. Draco mentally cursed himself for giving away so much already. Was he finally losing his wits?
"Leave me alone." he said, his voice strong and unrelenting. Hermione lifted her head, her eyes opening instinctively, and she found herself looking at his face. He was still as pale as he had been before, but looked worse in the current light.
"I want to help you," she said gently, taking a step forward. "Don't you understand?"
"Stay out of my business." he snarled, backing away.
"Isn't there anything you could do to get out of what you have to do?" Hermione asked, sorrow filling her eyes as she stared at him. His swallowed stiffly, trying not to allow the words she had spoken affect him.
"The best thing for you to do is pretend nothing ever happened-"
"Draco, we're friends!" Hermione burst out, her hands clenching and relaxing multiple times. "If you don't want to tell me everything that's going on, then fine! I've always dealt with that! But if I ever once refused to tell you something you always got angry with me. The one time I did something to make sure I'd find out the truth without you getting a chance to lie, the same thing happened! Why is that? Why do I have to be the one always in the dark? Why are you the one who's always allowed to be angry whenever I do something you don't approve of?"
Draco blinked, as if not quite understanding what had just happened. He swallowed again and opened his mouth slightly. But Hermione wasn't finished yet.
"I cared for you because you were my friend. But if you think I'm going to let you push me around like you do everyone else, you're wrong. Not once did you ever say 'It's alright if you don't tell me', not once! How many times did I say it to you? You sugar-coat everything you say to me, but whenever I attempt to do the same you call me out for not being straight with you!
"I'm done, Draco. I'm done trying to find out what's going on in your head and failing. I'm done telling you things I don't want to just because you get angry when I don't. It's not like you've shown much desire for this friendship to continue, so I'm going to help you out. It's done. Everything. You fight alone this time."
Taking a deep breath and blinking back tears, Hermione turned and walked from the Library, keeping her head straight and staring ahead.
She knew he wasn't going to follow her. Even though a small part of her wished that he would.s