Chapter 5
After her embarrassing night experience Hermione avoided Draco at all costs the next week.
She didn't want anyone to know where she got the bruises but especially Malfoy. She was sure he'd laugh at her.
Unfortunately they had to meet with Snape on Friday about their project progress.
Their time slot is during main lunch period so she isn't able to eat with Harry and Ron.
Walking in silence away from the classroom, Draco and Hermione make pleasant conversation. He seems to have forgotten about that night which she was thankful for.
Snape had given them their lunches to eat outside. They sat down on a bench. Malfoy was the last person she wanted to eat with, but it was better than eating alone.
As it was almost November, the days we're getting colder and a chilly breeze blew around them.
They ate their meals, talking about their project and planning out timelines for it. She asked him about Quidditch which he happily talked about. It made her smile how passionate he was about it. It made him seem almost normal.
Suddenly Draco sneered behind her. "Pothead. Weasel. What brings you here?"
The boys approached and dropped a letter in front of her, "We missed you at lunch. Mail owls came late. We've got to get to quidditch practice but we wanted to drop this off. You got a letter from your brother."
She forces a smile, "Thanks guys. See you later."
They leave and Draco raises an eyebrow at her, "Brother? I kinda always thought you were an only child."
She grimaces, "It's complicated."
He shrugs, "Try me."
"He's my step brother. His dad married my mum when I was 13." She was as vague as possible.
"Where's your father?"
She shrugs, "No clue. He left when I was 4."
"Oh," he says, "I didn't know that."
She chuckles, "Why would you? It's not like we chatted it up over the years."
He smirks, "What ever are you talking about? We've been the best of friends forever."
She laughs, "Silly me. It slipped my mind."
"Well aren't you going to open it?"
She slides her finger across the seal and reads the letter. Frowning she says, "He wants me to come home for Christmas this year."
"You're close then?" He asks.
"Something like that." She bites her lip.
"You usually go home don't you? I don't see you around school here that time of year."
"You don't go home?"
He shakes his head, "Too much going on ya know?"
She nods, "Yes. Well I'm supposed to have tea with Hagrid this afternoon so I best be going. I'll see you later Malfoy."