Harry was petting him and Draco was practically purring! He had his eyes closed and he was nuzzling into Harry's hand.
It's completely innocent and platonic! Hermione thought, scolding herself. But she felt like she was watching something intimate.
Thankfully, before she could break the silence with something mortifying like, May I cuddle with you as well? Ron got back from Auror Training.
"Hey guys," Ron said, eying the spectacle that Harry and Draco were making on the lounge chair. "What are you all... uh... up to?"
"Ron!" Hermione sprang up and gave him an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek. "How are you?"
Ron smiled at the affection and held his arms out for a hug.
Hermione hugged him, relieved, but then she pulled away...
Draco and Harry were right there.
Ron took this with good grace, shrugging and finding himself a couch to sit on.
Hermione sat down next to him and wondered if she should hold his hand.
"How's the Auror's?" Harry said, while continuing to pet Draco.
"S'alright," Ron said.
Harry nodded.
Hermione frowned. Was that all Ron had to say about it?
"Um, do you need help studying or anything?" Hermione said.
"Nah," Ron said. "We're mostly working on the physical stuff."
Draco sat up, finally dislodging Harry's hand from his hair. "Physical?"
Ron grinned, "Yeah, they're drillin' us."
"Cool," Harry said.
Ron leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and gave Harry a cheeky smirk, "Sure you don't wanna join up?"
Harry smirked right back and said, "Eh, maybe if I get bored."
Draco giggled, "You're always bored!"
Hermione blinked.
She'd never heard Draco giggle before.
Harry smiled at him and said, "Nah, I'm never bored as long as I have someone to hang out with."
"Ugh," Draco said. "Well, I'm bored. I'm bored right now!"
"Oh nooooo," Ron said, sarcastically. "Whatever shall we do to cure your boredom?"
"Um," Hermione said. "Well... I've been meaning to ask for your help, Draco."
This perked Draco right up. There was nothing he loved more than being asked for help. "Oh?" he said. "How can I be of assistance, ma'am?"
Hermione smiled at him and said, hesitantly, "Um... I wanted to ask you... um."
Ron elbowed her and said, "This about uni?"
Draco raised an eyebrow, "Uni? The hell is that?"
"University," Hermione clarified. "My parents have been asking me where I want to go... so, um, I thought you could help me find a wizarding university?"
Draco tilted his head and frowned thoughtfully.
"I tried to tell her there was no such thing," Ron said. "But she didn't believe me."
"There isn't one here," Draco said. "You'd have to go to America."
"Huh?" Harry said.
"What?!" Hermione said. "What do you mean I have to go to America?!"
"Wait a second," Ron said. "There's actually a wizarding university?"
"Of fucking course," Draco said. "I mean... there are several, but they're scattered around the planet. And if you want an English speaking-"
"Hold on!" Hermione said. "I can't leave the country for university!"
"Why not?" Draco said.
"Excuse me?" Ron said. "That would fucking suck!"
"Yeah," Harry said. "We'd miss her."
"Yeah!" Hermione said. "And my parents would kill me!"
"Oh," Draco said. "You're out of luck then."
Hermione stood up, glared at all of them, then shouted, "Fuck!"
"Whoa," Ron said. "It's okay, we can-"
"It's not okay, Ronald!" Hermione said. "It's... it's not okay!"
"What about the muggle university?" Harry said. "Why not go to that one?"
Draco's eyes widened and he sat up straighter, "Potter, you're a genius!"
Harry grinned.
Draco gave him a friendly little pat on the head and said, "Well then, I must consult the internet."
"Wait!" Hermione said. "I want to... I want to research it too!"
"Come along then," Draco said. "We'll figure this out."
"Wow," Ron said. "Um, alright then."
Draco nodded decisively and got up, striding out of the room.
Hermione stared after him, baffled.
"Aren't you going to follow him?" Harry said.
"Go ahead," Ron said. "I won't get jealous, I swear."
Hermione blinked.
"Mione?" Harry said. "You okay?"
"Um... it's just... he always decides everything so fast!" Hermione said. "He's like... like a hurricane!"
Harry laughed. "Yeah."
"Do you want to, um, join him later?" Ron said. "You can hang out with us for a bit, first."
Hermione sat back down.
"You okay?" Ron said.
"Um," Hermione said. "I just... I feel emotionally overwhelmed?"
"Oh," Harry said. "That's okay. Want me to play something for you on the guitar?"
Ron did a little fist bump, "I'll be the singer!"
Hermione giggled.
And Draco came back eventually, to enjoy the show.
It was a good day.