Chapter 3 – Secret Meeting
“After the start of term feast I found myself leaving the great hall on my own. Neither Ron nor Harry had returned after our little argument (although it really was quite a loud one). Every now and then people took little second glances at me most of them from Gryffindor. I knew then that our argument was heard by almost everyone, how did I know? Almost everyone was looking at me in disgust – especially the Gryffindors. OH NO!!! Everyone was siding with Harry and Ron here. As far as everyone was concerned Draco Malfoy was an accessory to murder, and nothing and nobody was going to change their minds.”
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“Finally I caught up with Harry. I was so glad but a bit scared at the same time.”
“Harry!!!” I shouted
“Ron was there too.”
“Ron!!! Please wait up!!!!!!”
“Hermione go away.” Harry said coldly.
“Look I’m sorry!! I didn’t want to cause trouble between us, especially when it involves Dumbledore. It shouldn’t ‘t matter what I think Harry….it’s what you think that matters.”
“Hermione of course it matters what you think….your one of my best friends! It’s important to me what you think……you matter a lot.”
“I don’t know what happened then really, I was in such a state. I broke to tears (again) because Harry sounded so disappointed in me and yet I still believed that Draco was innocent. I would never dare tell Harry that though…..I didn’t want to argue again. Ron hugged me to show forgiveness. I wish he would say something though. He very rarely shared what he was feeling since we got together which was strange if you remember all the times we use to argue before – the list is endless!!!- yet he chose to remain silence while I was in his arms crying softly.”
“Hermione come on, lets find McGonagall so we can get to our rooms…..I don’t know about you but I’m shattered.”
“I laughed and nodded in agreement and follow Harry down the hall clutching Ron’s hand.”
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“The first day of lessons had finally arrived! I was really looking forward to learning new and somewhat difficult spells.”
“Hermione calm down, it’s only charms.” Ron said laughing watching my eagerness.
“He gave me a quick peck and took hold of my hand. Ron, Harry and I walked through endless corridors and twisted and turned. We stopped outside the charms room.”
“Granger?” I looked round and no one was there, there was a whisper coming from down the hall. It kept saying my name and I was wondering why Harry and Ron couldn’t hear it – I suppose it was because they where so involved in the Gryffindors Quidditch plans for this year they wouldn’t even pay attention to me!”
“Guys I think I lost a book back there, I’m going to find it ok?”
“As I expected they just nodded and carried on talking about their beloved Quiddtich.
I walked down the hall looking around every angle. Suddenly I felt a hand grab mine and pull me backwards into a broom cupboard. I was in total darkness. Hermione is that you? The voice asked.”
“Yes it is.” Who are you?” My voice asked trembling.
“The light went on, and I saw clearly who it was.”
“Malfoy?” I gasped
“I’m sorry I didn’t want to scare you, I just wanted to make sure it was you first.”
“What do you want? I asked coldly immediately regretting it.”
“I just wanted……….to say thanks for sticking up for me last night in the great hall.”
“Huh? Now I really was confused, Was Malfoy actually thanking me? What the heck is going on here?”
“Why are you thanking me? You hate me.”
“No I don’t hate you; not really, I can’t really explain that right now.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“Look I can’t go into it ok!” he snapped.
“Fine, forgive me. I said horribly.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to snap at you. I have quite a lot going on in my life just now, it’s getting to me. I’m just grateful for you for sticking up for me, those guys out there haven’t a clue how sorry I am about Dumbledore, but I suppose I deserve it.”
“Draco I do believe you, but I understand were everyone else is coming from. Why did you bring me into a broom cupboard?”
“I would have thought that was obvious, both of us would have been in deep trouble if a Gryffindor and Slytherin had been caught talking nicely together, I think you want to avoid a worry like that, right?”
“Sorry, I realise now. What a stupid question to ask……….Draco for what it’s worth I truly don’t believe that you’re a bad person, Slytherin or not.”
“Thanks Hermione and I’m sorry for everything.”
“I know this is somewhat impossible but, if you need to talk or anything you can come to me.”
“Thanks…..really, I think I might just do that.”
“At that point I smiled at him and he smiled back, he really wasn’t all that bad as most people would make out. He was kind of sweet and kind of cute too……hold on Hermione…..what are you thinking? Get those thoughts out of your head now! That’s ridiculous for two main reasons – one reason is he’s the most hated person in the school right now and another reason is you have a boyfriend or did that thought not cross your mind when you were checking him out? Thought not!!! Then I blushed.”
“You’re blushing.”
“I know..... I’m just embarrassed to standing inside a broom cupboard. I lied.”
“I better get back or I’m going to be late for class.”
“I better go to my class too, although when I get there I’ll be late by a long shot.” He said
“Bye I said”
“Bye”
“I left the cupboard and walked up the corridor towards charms, dreaming of that smile…….hmmmmmmmmm……
“Hermione you were a long time, did you get the book?” Ron asked
“Yes I did.”
“What is wrong with me? Oh dear, stop thinking right now….if only I knew a spell to do that I would cast it right away……..”
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Hope you like it guys. I promised a post and here it is. Enjoy it!!!
