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Chapter Thirteen

Hermione felt as if she had barely closed her eyes from the early morning she had with Malfoy when she awoke the next morning to knocking on her door. Her body protested at the noise and at the motion of leaving the warmth of her bed. Instead of handling what she assumed was more Malfoy business, she just wanted to sleep in. After the day she had yesterday, Hermione wanted to disappear into the Earth and come up when she felt like it – not when she was needed. She wanted to cease to exist as Hermione Granger. Instead, she was forced to attend to more guests than she had had in the past months in the current past twenty-four hours. She groaned into her pillow before opening her eyes and throwing off her bed sheets from her body. Getting out bed, she walked towards the door that separated her private room and the living room. She paused before opening the door and turned to her bathroom to retrieve her soft blue bathrobe hanging besides her shower, remembering she was still wearing her slightly revealing pajamas. She slipped on the soft clothing, the fluffy bathrobe engulfing her and stopping at the middle of her shins. She walked back towards the door and finally turned her doorknob to reveal the rest of her home. Opening her door, she noticed Malfoy was still surprisingly asleep. He had moved positions but was still dressed in the same attire she saw him yesterday with the addition of her childhood quilt over his body. Hermione wondered briefly if he often wore muggle clothing and when that started happening before another loud knock interrupted her train of thought. Staring once more at the pointed, pale face looking more peaceful than she had ever seen and had felt the past couple of months, Hermione's gaze followed slightly up. Hermione quirked her eyebrows up, surprised to see Crookshanks sitting on top of the sectional, watching Malfoy while his tail moved back and forth. Before she could tell her pet anything, the knocking continue so she made her way again to her front door. She looked through the peephole and sighed in relief, opening her door once more to a Pureblood wizard.

"Hermione, I am so sorry."

Theo's apology left his lip as he stepped into her abode. She shook her head slightly but he enveloped her into a tight hug. She froze for a second before wrapping her arms loosely against his torso; he wasn't as tall as Ron but taller than her. She also had to remind herself that Theo and Blaise were more affectionate than she was accustomed to in a short period of time of knowing them. Hermione wondered if all Pureblood wizards were like them, but then quickly remembered Ron, Neville, and the one currently crashing on her couch. Ron was only physically comfortable about people he had known for years and Neville rarely showed any physical affection besides to his closest friends. Hermione almost snorted at the thought of Draco Malfoy being physically affectionate. Hermione's eyes raked over Theo; Theo was unexpectedly not in a suit, as Hermione was used to seeing him. Dressed in dark blue, muggle joggers, white, muggle trainers, and a dark gray pullover, he was still handsome. Does everyone I know just have good genes? Hermione asked herself but squashed the insecurity before it ruined her mood around her friend. Theo also smelled of freshness, as if he had just gotten out of the shower. He probably had, Hermione thought considering the time. She was sure that it was no later than 7 AM.

"It's okay, he didn't do anything completely embarrassing."

She said quietly, laughing slightly at the end. Theo squeezed her once more before letting go, keeping his hands on her arms.

"Still. I didn't know he'd manage to apparate himself her after drinking last night. Otherwise, I would have taken his wand."

He said. Hermione smiled impishly, shrugging. She refrained from asking him about his attire and instead let him direct the conversation; she was still half-asleep and tired from her impromptu guest visit. She had placed a spare blanket on his person and made sure he slept on his side in case of alcohol poisoning; Hermione was going to put a pillow underneath his head but didn't want to touch his hair, it felt personal. After making sure Malfoy was as comfortable as she could manage, she disappeared into her bedroom, where she finally fell back into restless sleep. She didn't know if she couldn't fall asleep properly because Malfoy was next door or because of the day she had. She hadn't dwelled on it.

"Well now you know. Malfoy apparently likes to make apologies late at night or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it."

She replied. Theo smiled back before laughing as well. His dark brown hair was slightly curled towards the end and they moved slightly whenever he laughed; it reminded Hermione of her own curls, having a mind of their own but Theo's far more tamer than her own curls.

"He came to apologize?"

He asked, his blue eyes looking directly into hers. She nodded and he let one hand fall as she stepped back from him. She realized they were closer than she would have normally been for an appropriate conversation, but Hermione felt at ease. Theo was her friend.

"Yes. Apparently he wasn't his usual charming self when he came to drop off my coat earlier yesterday."

She answered. Both laughed at this but were interrupted by a clearing of a throat. Both witch and wizard turned their attention to a standing, glaring Draco Malfoy. Hermione turned her body to face him but then she stepped back slightly at the hostile look he was giving them. Like the sun and moon, he was completely opposite of last night. I prefer the moon over the sun if this is how he behaves in daylight, Hermione thought to herself.

"Nott."

He said frostily.

"Draco, pleasure to see you alive and well."

Theo answered cheerfully from behind her. Malfoy continued to glare at the pair before stalking towards them. He hadn't undressed during his stay, already in his shoes and ready to leave. Hermione stepped back to stand besides Theo. Malfoy stopped shortly in front of Theo and both wizards seemed to be communicating via legilimency. Malfoy was taller, but that didn't faze Theo. She wondered briefly to give herself a distraction if either of the pair knew legilimency or occlumency. She thought perhaps both wizards might have known considering they had previously served a Dark Lord with a knack of invading private thoughts; Hermione knew both magical arts were extremely hard to practice and succeed at them. Harry had struggled immensely trying to learn occlumency but Hermione knew his struggle was because of who was teaching him and the Voldemort's soul residing in him rather than Harry's lack of trying. Harry was a great wizard on his own, Hermione thought he could practice occlumency and succeeded if he had another go at it. She had never encountered a natural occlumens or legilimens as far as she knew. Hermione brought herself back from her thoughts – back to her dining-kitchen room with a pair of Pureblooded wizards wordlessly speaking. After a couple of tense seconds, Hermione forced herself to stand still as she cleared her throat, opening her mouth to speak before Malfoy interrupted once more.

"Sorry for last night, Granger. I'll be going now."

He said clipped before turning on his heel and walking out her front door faster than she could comprehend. He didn't once turn to look at her. She watched him, confused once more, as Theo apologized again.

"Sorry again. He's not a morning person."

Theo said before leaning into to peck her cheek. This time the friendly gesture didn't make her react as she nodded dumbly and she watched as both wizards leave the muggle way instead of apparating. What in Merlin's beard is going on with them? She asked herself. Instead of going after them and demanding what the hell was going on, she let them sort themselves out. Theo and Malfoy were closer friends than herself and Theo, if they needed to hash things out first, who was she to interrupt. When Draco Malfoy showed up to her home the first time, Hermione did not have much time to think about it. Exhausted from the day before, Hermione barely thought about Malfoy's strange behavior. Now, having slept longer than usual and fresh from his presence, Hermione could stop and think. She walked towards her front door to lock up after them as her thoughts formed about the platinum wizard. He's cold, he's hot. He goes from proper, cold Pureblood to concern friend back to Slytherin Prince and then to clumsy, former classmate faster than I can blink. Are all of them like this? Hermione couldn't help but to compare Malfoy's drunk state to Theo. At first glance, Theo could be brash and like the consummate Slytherin, always talked in double meanings – as if feeling the situation out rather than living it. Now, being closer and opening up to him, Hermione could see he cared more than he let on and he was playful and considerate than she thought. Are they always playing the societal game? Constantly having to put on a persona in front of others? Why can't they just say what they mean and act how they want? Is it because they're Slytherins? Or because they're Purebloods? A mixture of both perhaps? Hermione walked back towards her living area, still pondering on her recent houseguest. He apologized for how he acted earlier yesterday, then he doesn't want to act that way. But why? Hermione asked herself, her eyes straying to her table. If he's really trying to push for a publicity stunt, maybe that's why he wants to apologize for his stiff behavior. But if that was the case, wouldn't he have sent the flowers to my office instead of going through the hassle of asking Pansy for a favour? Hermione hated doubted herself, sprouting from her insecurities she already struggled with. Especially if it was about Malfoy, but her thoughts continued. And Harry seems keen on his idea of apologizing as he does know him better. Harry was right about Theo and Blaise so far, would he be wrong about Malfoy? Hermione began nibbling on her lip remembering her best friend and his opinion on the Slytherins. If Harry had deemed them trustworthy enough to call them friends, why shouldn't I? Lost in thought, Hermione's eyes landed on pieces of papers on her living room table. Hermione's eyes focused and widened at the realization that her application was turned right side up and not how she left it. All thoughts of Malfoy's motives came doubling back at the idea of him looking through her belongings. Shite.

[-]

"Draco."

Theo said, walking after the irritated wizard. His longer legs were giving him an advantage, but Theo was quick for his height. Draco could feel him right behind him.

"Fuck off, Nott."

Draco snapped, barely stepping out of Granger's flat building, into the cold morning, English air, before taking a sharp left. Unfortunately for him, Theo did not bugger off. He had successfully ignored Theo walking behind him in the staircase and hallways leading to the outside word; he thought he would have gotten the hint before leaving the building, but the Gods above and below were not on his side today.

"Are you really cross at me for letting you come here last night?"
Theo asked, still closely behind him. Draco rolled his eyes and turned to face him. Luckily for them, it was the weekend and the muggles in the area were not early risers.

"I'm not crossed at my own bloody actions, Nott."

Draco snarled. Theo's eyebrows rose but opted to study his friend rather than to ask him what his issue was. The morning was never Draco's preferred time of day so Theo approached with caution; he thought Draco would have awoken feeling embarrassed but content. He had technically spent the night at Hermione's and that was a feat if Theo had seen one. Both witch and wizard were very private so to spend a night at one's place was something to congratulate. Instead, Theo was getting his head bitten off because he sought to be a good friend to both. After a few moments, Draco's glare lessened ever so slightly and he turned away again, desperate to find the nearest alley so he could get away. He thought he was free of his childhood friend when he heard, just before rounding the corner,

"You cannot be serious. You're jealous."

Draco missed a step before stopping. He curled his hands into fist and made himself breathe through his nose. At the same time, Theo closed the distance between them and walked in front of him. He turned to stare at his best mate while Draco continued to glare at him. There was a slight smirk on the brunet wizard's lips and Draco's lips turned to a sneer.

"Mate, you've got to be joking."

Theo said, finally realizing what the issue was.

"Fuck you."

Draco responded before making his way to the alleyway as planned, bumping harshly into Theo's right shoulder. While Draco was no fool, his pride wouldn't let it go. Draco knew Theo was right, but he wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of hearing it come from his lips. Watching Theo interact with the witch of his affections twice now had definitely put Draco in a rotten mood. He had witnessed his best mate comforting the curly-headed witch as if it was second nature to him. Logically, Draco knew Theo to be kindhearted and good natured compared to most in their den of snakes, but Draco wasn't thinking rationally. Jealousy's ugly head appeared before he could even control himself and Draco wished it was him speaking to Granger in such a close fashion. He watched as his best mate held her close and couldn't stop the ugly feeling that made his stomach feel heavy. He watched her tense for the briefest of seconds before relaxing in Theo's hold; he watched them speak to each in such close proximity, Draco was on the verge of interrupting remembering the exact outfit she was in the night before underneath that absurdly fluffy bathrobe. However, before he showed his ugly display of emotions coursing through him, Hermione had stepped back. Draco wished it was him comforting her and making her laugh instead of being the reason why she needed to be comforted in the first place. Hearing a sigh, Theo caught up again, grabbing onto Draco's right arm before Draco could finally apparate away. Draco tore his arm away and looked at him.

"You can leave after I say this."

Opening his mouth for a retort, Theo rose his hand. Draco's glare didn't lessen as he studied his friend; Draco knew he had just gotten out of bed, out of the shower, and came straight here for him – this only made Draco feel worst. Although, his guilt didn't overtake his jealousy.

"You know the only witch I am interested in isn't named Hermione Granger."

At Theo's word, Draco let his shoulders fall at the proclamation; one he didn't know he needed to hear but apparently did. Theo wasn't done.

"However, considering your attitude problem, I suspect you've got a lot more to apologize to her now than before, you daft prat."

He said and he wasted no time in leaving his friend to ponder on his actions before apparating away. Casting a quick Silencio, Draco yelled his frustrations out the walls surrounding him; he screamed unto the brick walls around him. He continued to do so, remembering his mind healer's advice about "positive outlets", before he decided that he felt just a tiny bit better. This day has already gone to the dogs and I haven't even gotten breakfast, Draco sourly thought to himself. He was awake before Hermione was and instead of interrupting her sleep, he decided to study her living room from where he laid. He had formulated a brilliant plan where he would properly apologize as the events in the early morning was still groggy at best and ask her if she was free for breakfast before Theo decided to play hero. Draco ran his fingers through his head as he shook his head. No, he was just being your friend – their friend, he scolded himself. Now instead of having a blissfully happy breakfast with Hermione Granger, he was hungover, cold, and upset. He made a fool of himself yet again in front of Hermione and not only her, but his best mate. However, there was a more pressing matter before he could apologize to both of them – and before his pride could let him. He concentrated on his private quarters at St. Anne's before also apparating away, pushing aside the wave of nausea that threaten to overcome his sense. Once in his bedroom, he stripped from yesterday's clothing, and made his way to his bathroom to shower off the bitter feelings inside. He knew that would calm him down a bit before getting started for the day. Done with his shower, still dripping with the remains of his quick shower, Draco had a dak red towel hanging on his hips as he walked to Eltanin. He ruffled his hair with a smaller, white towel and left it hanging over his shoulders before sitting down at his writing desk. Dipping his quill in ink, he started composing a brief message to one Harry Potter.

[-]

Another knock at Hermione's front door made Hermione jump. She was placing her folded application inside one of her favorite books, less someone else see it, after coming to the realization that Malfoy had read it. She contemplated if Malfoy even knew what Yale was – maybe he thinks it's a muggle job, she thought optimistically; Hermione pondered if she should ask him to keep his mouth shut when she heard the knock. She assumed one of the Slytherins had come back. Hermione didn't bother looking in the peephole when she opened the door. If it was Malfoy, she could give him a piece of her mind about invading her privacy.

"Back so – Ginny!"

She yelled her closest girlfriend's name at the sight of Ginevra Weasley. Hermione wasted no time before she pulled in the taller, athletic built witch into a tight hug. Ginny Weasley's bright smile and tight hug warmed Hermione. The youngest Weasley had her signature red hair up in a ponytail as if she had just left practice, she might have considering the time, Hermione thought. Last she remembered Ginny was in Finland for a match against a Finnish team she couldn't remember nor pronounce correctly. The red-headed witch had on muggle jeans, sneakers, and a Harpies sweatshirt.

"Miss me, 'Mione?"

She asked, giggling. Hermione squeezed her, not letting the hug go just yet.

"All the time."

She confessed, biting her bottom lip as tears began to form. Hermione hadn't mean to start crying at the sight of her best and closes girlfriend, but she couldn't help herself. Seeing the close-knit group of Slytherins and Ron had reminded Hermione of how much she missed her female confidante. While she loved and confided in Harry, she didn't want to solely rely on him when she could easily ask Ginny for advice without bothering Harry – especially when it came to Ron. While feeling uneasy at first discussing Ron to his younger sister, Ginny quickly changed her mind. Ginny confided in Hermione that she always wanted a sister and that was enough for Hermione to lean on the youngest Weasley for support. A rocky start at first – both girls didn't have much experience with close female companions – their friendship flourished under close proximity and airy Luna acting as a buffer to both girls. Hermione, and she was sure Ginny felt the same as well, was forever grateful that Luna was still Luna even after the war. Hermione envied the way Luna could be so carefree even though there were times she could see how Luna spaced out more often after the war. There was a forlorn expression on the Ravenclaw witch's face that matched Hermione's and instead of driving them away, those shared feelings of post-war drew them all closer. Hermione truly appreciated both her girlfriends, despite not being able to see them as often as she liked. Ginny laughed again, pulling Hermione from her sadness, and also pulled apart so she could see her best friend but her smile dissipated when she saw Hermione on the verge of crying.

"Hermione, what's wrong? Is it Ron? I swear when I see him I'm going to hex him so awful, he'd wish he gotten more advanced auror training."

Ginny exclaimed. Hermione couldn't help but to laugh at her friend's threat as the tears fell. She shook her head and hugged her friend close once more.

"No, no, it's not Ron."

She whispered, closing her eyes.

"Then what is it, 'Mione?"

Ginny asked, not hesitating to hug her back.

"I… I just missed you."

Hermione said. Ginny relaxed in her hold and hugged her closer.

"I missed you too, 'Mione."