“Hello, Hedwig,” she murmured, stroking the beautiful owl. Hedwig nipped at her fingers gently and held out her leg for Hermione to untie the letter. Hermione settled herself on the hammock and unfolded the letter eagerly.
Hey Hermione!
It’s good to know you’re enjoying yourself. We’ve got loads to tell you but we’ll leave that till the end of the letter. So, Malfoy’s on the ship too huh? Well you know ‘Mione, he isn’t what we thought he would be. He’s really changed. I know you may think Ron and I are crazy since we’ve hated him our whole time at Hogwarts but he’s done things that changed our minds.
When he came to our side during the war we all didn’t trust him at all, but there was this one time when Malfoy proved his loyalties. Lucius was aiming the ‘Avada Kedavra’ curse at Ron but Malfoy pushed him out of the way and aimed a stunning spell at his own father. We didn’t tell anyone about what had happened because he made us promise not to tell.
It’s not like we’re best friends with him or anything, it’s just that we now know that Malfoy isn’t what he used to be. We’re sorry we didn’t tell you earlier but we thought it would be better to keep his promise as a repayment since he saved Ron’s life. We haven’t seen him after the war ended. He may have come to the good side but I guess that won’t stop him being an arrogant jerk.
Well enough of that! The good news is that Lavender will be coming soon to visit Ron for a week (he’s so excited) and for the grand finale: Fleur is pregnant! Isn’t that brilliant!? Anyway, we’ll write again soon. We’re missing you loads. Write back to us as soon as you can!
Love,
Harry and Ron
Hermione’s jaw dropped as she read the letter. So many things were said on this sheet of parchment that she didn’t know how to control her emotions. She didn’t know whether to leap in joy for Fleur, sigh with happiness for Ron or knock down Malfoy’s door and thank him for saving Ron. She was so happy for Fleur and Bill and wished that she was there when they had announced the wonderful news. She was also glad Lavender was going over to spend some time with Ron; they had both been going out since the end of the war. Ron and her broke things off between them during their 7th year because they decided that they were better off friends.
And Malfoy… So far, she had learned something new about him on every occasion they’ve been together. She sighed and re-read the letter.
“Hedwig,” she said, stroking the owl, “I will never understand boys.”
“And I will never understand girls.”
Hermione jumped in fright and looked up from the letter to see Malfoy looking over at her from his balcony.
“Malfoy!” she yelled, nearly falling off her hammock.
“Woah! Relax, Granger. Don’t get too excited,” he said, a smirk plastered on his face.
Hermione regained her composure and snapped, “I’m not getting excited, you just scared me a little, that’s all.”
Malfoy laughed. “A little? You should have seen you face, Granger; did I scare you that much?”
Hermione frowned and replied haughtily, “Just bug off will you?”
“That’s not a very nice way to talk to your saviour now, is it?” he said casually
Hermione snorted. “Don’t think too much of yourself, Malfoy. Just because you saved my life, it doesn’t mean you’re not an annoying prat.” She didn’t know why she was being rude to him; shouldn’t she be a little nicer towards him after all that he’s done?
He clutched his heart in mock pretend and said, “That really hurt, Granger. Yesterday you were practically all over me, thanking me over and over again and crying your eyes out and today, you’re back to insulting.”
Hermione blushed furiously. Why oh why did she have cry in front of him?
After a moment of silence, Hermione said, “You’re right. I’m sorry for snapping at you.” Malfoy looked at her, clearly not expecting such an answer. His face turned from slight confusion to a small grimace.
“Don’t get all mushy on me, now.”
“I am not getting all mushy on you!” Hermione exploded her face hot with embarrassment.
“Good, because I don’t want that whole incident to go to your head.”
“It’s not!” she snapped. “Merlin, I was just being nice!”
“Well don’t. It’s weird.”
“Fine!” She got off the hammock and stormed into her room, slamming the balcony door shut. Why did she even bother being nice to him?
Malfoy chuckled slightly as she stormed away; he loved to get to her nerves. It was true that he felt uncomfortable whenever she was nice towards him. It was okay when he was being nice but not when someone else was returning that gesture; not that anyone had, it was only Granger who had recently been returning it.
“What happened?” asked Violet, as she watched her friend furiously mumble something and wolf down her food at the breakfast lounge. Hermione huffed and swallowed her food before replying, “Malfoy.”
“Oh,” said Violet with a hint of amusement, “Malfoy.” Hermione looked at her curiously and saw that Violet was holding in a laugh.
Hermione looked at her in bewilderment and said, “Violet! This is not funny!”
Violet burst out laughing. “Yes, it is!”
“No, it isn’t! How can you possibly find it amusing? I had another argument with Mr.-Arrogant-Jerk and you find it funny?”
“Aw, come on, Hermione. Lighten up! Don’t let him get to you.”
“I won’t,” she growled and continued eating her food.
“You know,” said Violet slowly, “This whole ‘hate’ thing between you and Draco might spark something between you two.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well you know, all these fights and arguments just might blossom into…love.” Hermione almost choked on her toast and had to struggle to gulp it down.
“WHAT!?” she yelled, once she was able to talk. “You think that Malfoy and I could possibly f-fall in l-love?” Hermione looked at Violet for a second and then broke into a hysterical laugh.
“Hermione! It happens! First comes hate and then comes L-O-V-E,” said Violet, winking.
“No! It won’t! Trust me. Leave me alone in a room with him and we’ll probably kill each other.”
“Well you never know. It just might happen.”
Hermione shook her head vigorously. It was creepy just thinking about herself falling in love with him. Not that he wasn’t handsome or anything, or that he wasn’t somewhat attractive and smart and… What was she thinking?!
“No. Not with Malfoy. Never,” she said, desperately trying to convince Violet… probably even herself too.
“Who are you talking about? Me? How sweet…” Hermione groaned out loud and turned around to see Malfoy pulling up a chair.
“Violet! Good morning! What are you and my girlfriend talking about?” he said, sitting on the chair and lazily leaning back. He looked at Hermione and gave her a small wink.
Hermione’s face grew hot; he definitely knew how to get under her skin. Violet chuckled and said, “You can stop pretending, Draco. Hermione already told me that you two aren’t going out.” Draco gasped in mock surprise and looked at Hermione.
“We aren’t going out? When the bloody hell did we break up?!” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Hermione scowled and kicked him under the table.
“Shove off, Malfoy! Get your own table,” she hissed.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he sneered. “I’m not going to sit alone when I can sit with people I know.”
Violet watched the two of them bicker with amusement. She just couldn’t help feeling that their relationship would intensify. Both of them were smart and stubborn, neither of them willing to let the other win during their arguments. She wondered how long it would take for both of them to realize how similar they were and how already they were slowly falling for each other.
Hermione’s insides screamed in frustration; she wanted to curse him into oblivion, punch him, and scream at him… anything to let out her anger. She clenched her fork tightly in her hand and bit her lower lip to stop herself from shouting.
“That’s right, Granger. Control your anger, because there’s no point arguing with me,” said Draco, ruffling his hair and taking a sip from Violet’s glass of water.
“Why you -”
“Shut up! Both of you!” hissed Violet. She leaned across the table and said, “Listen you two, you both better pull yourself together and start to cooperate.”
Hermione raised her eyebrow and snapped, “And why would I want to do that when he’s the one who doesn’t want to listen to anything I say.”
“Excuse me, but who’s the one who wanted to kick me out from this table? You’re the one who started this whole argument.”
“Listen to me!” she urged, pulling them both so that all three of them were leaning towards each other. “Jessie just entered the restaurant with Laura and Terry. Now, you both better start acting like you’re going out otherwise, Hermione, she’s going to taunt you even more and, Draco, she will definitely make a move on you. Unless of course, you both don’t mind that…”
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. She looked over at Malfoy and said, “Well it’s up to him… if he cooperates with me then probably -”
“If I cooperate with you? I will if you will, otherwise I don’t mind Jessie making a move on me because that girl is pretty hot even though she may seem like Pansy -”
“Yeah, because you only go for their looks,” Hermione shot back.
“You both better make up your minds because she’s coming over here,” said Violet. Draco looked at Hermione who stared angrily back.
“Fine,” he growled. “I’ll do it so that you don’t get humiliated.”
“Wow. You care so much,” she said sarcastically.
Jessie, Laura and Terry reached their table and stood over them. “Hey you guys, mind if we join you?” asked Jessie sweetly, giving Draco a wide smile.
“Yeah, we mind. You’ve got some nerve coming over to me after what you did yesterday,” said Hermione, glaring at her.
Jessie gasped and put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Hermione! That was a total mistake! I didn’t mean to leave you! I thought you were behind me the whole time.” Her whole act was so fake that Hermione just stared at her. How could she possibly think that anyone would fall for that?
All three of them pulled up a chair and sat down; Jessie sitting in between Hermione and Draco and Terry and Laura sitting next to Violet. Hermione looked at Jessie, open-mouthed, as she animatedly started to talk with Draco. Wasn’t he going to do anything? Shouldn’t he ask Jessie to move so that he could sit next her, like a real boyfriend would do? Hermione sighed, he isn’t your real boyfriend so why should he? But they were still pretending!
Malfoy wanted to tell Jessie to move so that he could sit next to his ‘girlfriend’ but he couldn’t because Jessie was talking to him non-stop. If he had to pretend, he might as well pretend the whole way and to do that he would have to act like her real ‘boyfriend’.
Draco cleared his throat and Jessie stopped mid-way in her sentence. “Sorry, but do you think we could switch places so that I can sit next to Gra- Hermione?”
Hermione’s heart beat wildly against her chest and her spirits soared; she blushed as Malfoy said her name and couldn’t help curl her lips in a small smirk. Jessie gave Draco a strained smile and replied, “Sure.”
They both got up and switched places. Hermione caught Violet’s eye and they both tried to contain their laughter. They could see Jessie’s face turn red with embarrassment and fury. Hermione looked at Malfoy as he sat down next to her; her heart beating wildly.
“So… I was wondering whether you both want to join us tonight. We’re going to the ‘Cocktail Bar’ for a drink at around nine o’clock,” said Jessie. “Even the guys are going to be there. Do want to come?”
Without even asking Hermione, Draco replied, “Yeah, sure! We’ll come.”
Hermione looked at Malfoy in revelation and exclaimed, “I don’t want to go!”
Jessie smiled mischievously and said, “Aw, that’s too bad. Draco can come by himself then.” Jessie put her hand on Malfoy’s shoulder and Hermione felt a pang of jealousy.
She scowled and said, “No, I’ve changed my mind. I’m coming.”
Jessie’s smile fell and her face darkened. “Fine,” she said, getting up from the table; Terry and Laura following suit. “We’ll see you tonight.”
All of a sudden Hermione yelped in shock as her glass of water tipped over and went spilling down her shorts. She quickly stood up, grabbed a napkin and started to clean herself.
“Toodles,” said Jessie and stalked off without another word.
“What the hell just happened?” Hermione said, furiously trying to wipe her shorts dry.
“Relax, Granger. It just fell over; what’s the big deal?”
“You! Why did you have to open your big mouth and say that you wanted to go the bar!? You didn’t even ask me if I wanted to go or not!” She angrily threw the napkin onto the table and glared at him.
“Because I want to go that bar! And besides why did you change your mind? You could’ve just stayed quiet.”
“I-I don’t…know,” she muttered.
“Well that’s your fault then. You know, you don’t have to come.”
“What! And let Jessie get what she wants? No way,” Hermione folded her arms grumpily.
Draco laughed. “And what could that possible be?” he said.
Hermione looked at him sarcastically and said, “You.”
“I know you want me, Granger, but -”
“Shut up, Malfoy! I’m going so that she doesn’t get it her way, you jerk!”
“You both shut up!” snapped Violet. “You have a whole night to go so don’t waste your breath.”
Hermione moaned and whispered, “What will I do in a bar!?”
Draco snickered, “Drink. What else?”
“I don’t drink!” she shrieked. Draco shrugged and replied, “Fine then, just drink a glass of juice.”
Hermione scowled. It was going to be a long night. A very long night.