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Adrian and Hermione
"I just don't see why you have to go to Ron's house for Christmas," Adrian said, frowning. "And frankly, my parents don't understand it either."
Hermione looked up from the kitchen counter. She flicked her wand, and the wooden spoon that was stirring the creamy pumpkin soup came to a sudden halt. She placed the spoon in the sink and then turned to Adrian, her hands on her hips.
"I'm not going to Ron's house for Christmas," she responded, her voice clipped. "I'm going to the Burrow. And only in the morning. I told you I'll be at your parents' place before lunch."
"Yeah, well—"
"And frankly," Hermione continued. "I don't see why your parents should have any opinion on the matter."
His parents had never particularly liked her. At first, she'd assumed it was her blood status that bothered them. But as her relationship with Adrian continued and she got to know them better, she realised that they truly had abandoned any prejudice they might have had in the past. They just didn't like her. It was personal.
"Don't blame them. They just know I don't like it," Adrian said, sounding frustrated. "You know I don't like it, seeing you always hanging off him. It's one thing to be mates with your ex, but you're practically bloody family."
"We saved the Wizarding world together," Hermione said dryly. "It was a lifelong bonding experience, I'd say."
Adrian exhaled sharply. Hermione watched him through narrowed eyes. His fists were clenched and his shoulders were tense. He was trying, she thought, to control himself. Perhaps he wanted to shout—to reach out and shake her by the shoulders. But he stayed still, barely even blinking as he stared at her.
"If you go to the Weasley's for Christmas, don't bother coming to my parents' place in the afternoon," he said finally. "I'm serious, Hermione. I can't share you with him. I won't."
Hermione's brow furrowed.
"He's my best friend," she responded weakly. "You know that. You've always known that."
She didn't know what else to say. Even as he gathered his coat, wrapped a scarf around his neck, and reached out to open the front door, she couldn't find the words to call him back. The door slammed, the sound echoing through her flat.
