Friends Forever....Or Not?

Chapter 6

Draco was sitting in his common room. He was thinking about Hermione...and about the letter he received from his father earlier that morning. He remembered that letter clearly. It went something like this:

Dear Draco,

Draco, I've heard. You can't keep it a secret from me any longer. I know you're dating that mudblood Granger. You will end things with her right now if you know what is best for you. You do not know what this is doing to my reputation....my only son and a mudblood! It will not do! I thought it was a joke when I first heard. I do not know what has come over you, but I suggest you end it soon. Malfoy's can do better than that. You are disgracing the name of Malfoy for even thinking about dating her. I want you to dump her. Right now. And don't let her down easy. Hurt her feelings. Make her suffer. I don't care what you do to her, just be a true Malfoy when doing so...Unless you have forgotten what that was like. After that, then maybe, maybe, we will welcome you back into the family. I will be keeping an eye on you Draco. Trust me, I will.

Lucius

It was one of the worst letters he's ever gotten. He couldn't break things off with Hermione. He just couldn't. He loved her. He shared his first kiss with her. If he was kicked out of the family for it, then so be it. He was staying with Hermione. He decided to write a little letter back to his so-called father. He kept it short and to the point.

Dear father,

Whatever you do to me, I will still be a Malfoy and no one can change that. I am not breaking up with Hermione. I love her. I shared my first kiss with her. So do what you have to do, but I am going to try to protect her.

Love, your son, Draco

He couldn't believe that he was writing that letter. But he had to. He had to let his father know. He was still wondering to himself though. What had come over me? Last year, he had hated Hermione so much. And now....he loved her. This question really stumped him. He couldn't find an answer for why he had changed over the summer. He walked over to the owlery to mail his letter. On the way back to his common room, he was still thinking of an answer for his question. Then it finally dawned on him: it didn't matter. It just didn't matter to him anymore. He was tired of his father bossing him around. He was sick of it. He wasn't doing anything wrong. It was his father. He treated him badly. He treated his mother badly too. He was sure that his mother didn't have a problem with whom he dated. As she always said, "Don't judge a person by their family, get to know the person, and then decide whether you like them or not." She was exactly right. He just never realized it before. All his father would say is "Don't even think about being friends with any person not pureblood." And all that time he listened to his father. How wrong he was. He knew the real Hermione. She was nice, sweet, caring, romantic, smart, beautiful, and just about every other good thing you can think of. Just because her parents are muggles, that doesn't change anything. She would still be the same person. He thought about this for a moment. If he were going to listen to his mother, then that would mean getting to know everyone he hates...like Potter and Weasley. He thought about that for another moment. No way, I'm not ready for that yet, he thought to himself. I'll just stick to getting to know Hermione. That's a big enough step as it is. He didn't want to totally ignore his father; after all, he was a Malfoy. He wasn't about to completely disgrace the name; he would only disgrace it a little bit.

* * *

It was now the next morning. The Hogwarts Express would leave at 1:00 to take students home for Christmas Vacation. Harry and Ron had decided to go and say goodbye to Hagrid before they left. On their way, they ran into someone.

"Hello....Potter, Weasley."

"What do you want, Malfoy?" said Harry. He was not in the mood to deal with Malfoy today.

"Me?! Why would I want something? I've got all I want: money, nice clothes, nice hair, nice home.....nice girlfriend." He said that last thing with a huge smile on his face.

"If she's the best you can do," started Ron, "then I feel sorry for you."

"At least I have someone," said Draco. "Actually, I feel kind of sorry for you two. Having your best friend leave you after being friends for what, 3 years?"

"Four years," said Harry sternly.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I must've lost track...And then she comes running to me. Me! I have been her enemy for four years. Apparently, I must be doing something right. She trusts me."

"She does not trust you!" said Ron. "Why would she want to trust you?"

"I don't know, maybe the fact that her first kiss was with me."

"What did you do? Rape her? She would never willingly kiss you!!" yelled Harry.

"I would never think of such a thing. Actually, she kissed me. And it was special..."

"Oh, what do you know about kisses being special? I bet you've snogged with hundreds of girls," said Ron.

"Shame on you two. I thought you two would have known better than not to judge people. I guess not. Actually, that was my first kiss also. And I am so glad it was with Hermione. It's a shame you two don't know her like that. She's the sweetest girl," said Draco with a smirk.

Harry was giving Draco a look of pure venom. He couldn't believe that Hermione's first kiss was with Draco. Harry wanted to be the first person to kiss Hermione. Not Draco. It just wasn't right!

"Well, I better be going. Time is precious. I wouldn't want to waste it on you two. Nice talking to you!!" And with that, he walked off, smiling.

"Ugh, I'd just like to rip his face off, you know that, Harry?" said Ron.

"Yeah..." said Harry.

"You must have taken that pretty hard, huh?" said Ron.

"Yes...yes, I did," replied Harry.

"Just forget about him, ok?" said Ron. "At least try to."

"I can try, but it's not going to work," said Harry.

"Well trying is better than not trying, isn't it?" said Ron. "Come on, we were going to go visit Hagrid, weren't we?"

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot," said Harry.

"Then let's go," said Ron.

"Oh, fine," said Harry, following Ron.

* * *

Hermione woke up very late that morning. And when she did, there was only one thing on her mind: Rita Skeeter. She knew that she should have gone straight to Dumbledore yesterday, regarding their blackmail, but she didn't. She didn't know why either. Something was telling her not to. She could hear a voice in her head telling her to forget about what she saw yesterday...so she listened to it. And she did forget.

"Hermione!! Hi!!" yelled Ginny.

"Hey, Ginny," said Hermione.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I think I am going to ask out the boy I like."

"Really?!"

"Yeah, maybe."

"So....are you going to tell me who it is now, or not? I'm dying to know!"

"Well...I suppose so. Only if you promise me that you won't tell anyone. Especially him."

"Ginny, you know I would never tell anyone. So, who's the lucky guy? Do I know him?"

"Yes, you know him. He's in his fifth year like you."

"Oh, Ginny! Going for an older guy, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess...Now please don't laugh when I tell you."

"Why would I laugh?" replied Hermione.

"I don't know...Well, I like Neville. Neville Longbottom. I'm sure you know who he is."

"Neville?! He's the last person I expected you to say."

"Why?"

"Well...It's Neville!! I don't know. He just doesn't seem like your type. That's all."

"He's really nice and very polite. He's also a mighty fine dancer, if I do say so myself. And I think he might like me too."

"Why would you say that? And how do you know he's a good dancer?"

"Don't you remember? Last year at the Yule Ball. He asked you to go with him, but you already had a date, so he asked me."

"Oh, yeah. I remember now."

"He's really not that bad," said Ginny, defensively.

"Ginny, I never said he wasn't. I believe you."

"Thanks. Do you think I should tell him?"

"Of course you should, Ginny! How's he ever going to know if you don't? If you want to have a chance with him, then you have to tell him."

"I know that, but still...what if he doesn't like me?"

"Ginny, what if he does? If you don't tell him, you'd have missed out on an opportunity to go out with him. Then what?"

"I don't know...maybe I will tell him. Just not right now. I need to work up the courage and think of something to say to him."

"Yeah, that's the hard part..."

"Oh, crap! Hermione, what time is it?"

"It's almost 12:00," said Hermione, checking her watch. "Why?"

"Well, the Hogwarts Express leaves at 1:00."

"Yeah..."

"I still haven't packed yet!"

"Ginny! You always wait until the last minute, don't you?"

"I know, I know. It's a bad habit that I have to get out of. Well, sorry Hermione, but I have to go. I'll see you when I get back. Merry Christmas!! Bye!!"

"Yeah, Merry Christmas!!" shouted Hermione as Ginny ran out. She was alone once again. So she decided to go and see what Hagrid was doing. She hadn't talked to him for quite awhile. She went to her room, grabbed her cloak, and walked out of the door. She stepped outside and shivered. It was a cold day, she thought to herself. She was just about to knock on Hagrid's door when she heard voices. She peeked in the window. She quickly ducked and ran behind hid hut. Harry and Ron were in there. She didn't want them to see her. She figured that they were probably just saying goodbye. It shouldn't take too long. The train was leaving soon. She decided to sit there and wait...she didn't mean to overhear them.

"I don't know why she had to start this fight anyway. It's all her fault," she heard Harry say. She couldn't believe they were talking about her like that behind her back. She continued to listen.

"I know," said Ron. "She turned into a homework-addict. That's all she ever talked about. She had no life."

"I do to have a life!" said Hermione quietly to herself.

"It's like she didn't care about us anymore," said Harry, softly.

"Well, fights like this this just take time, that's all," said Hagrid. "Before you know it, you'll be laughing and talking together again."

"And what if we don't want to?" said Ron. "Then what?"

"Now, now. You shouldn't say things like that," said Hagrid. "Hermione's a very nice girl."

"Yeah...she is to you," said Harry.

"I think you two should go apologize to her," said Hagrid. "You'd be surprised where it gets you."

"Tried that," said Ron. She wouldn't forgive us. She is too stubborn."

"She has a lot of pride and she's not about to give it up that easily," said Hagrid.

"Then what are we supposed to do?" asked Harry.

"I suggest you two keep trying," said Hagrid.

"But what if we don't want her back as a friend?" said Ron.

"Well, do you?" asked Hagrid.

"No!" yelled Ron.

Harry stayed silent.

"Harry? You haven't said much about this. Do you want her back as a friend?" asked Hagrid again.

"Well, I don't know. I am starting to miss her...But if Ron is still mad at her, then so am I," replied Harry.

"I can only tell you one thing: this is something that you three will have to work out sooner or later," said Hagrid. "But, I think you two better be going. The train will be leaving soon. You don't want to miss it."

"Ok, thanks Hagrid. Have a nice Christmas. Bye," said Harry.

"Bye, Hagrid!" said Ron.

"I'll see you two later. Have a happy Christmas. Goodbye!"

Hermione watched as they left. She couldn't believe they said those things about her. And worse, she couldn't believe she was still sitting there listening in on them. That was not like her. Oh well. She waited a good five minutes after they left and went to knock on Hagrid's door.

"Why hello, Hermione!" said Hagrid.

"Hi! Can I come in for a while?" asked Hermione.

"Of course! Do you want me to make you some tea? I'm sure it got rather cold out there behind my hut."

"Yeah, it was pretty-" Hermione stopped talking and looked over at the smiling Hagrid. "So you saw me, huh?"

"Yes, I did. Why, Hermione? Why didn't you just come in. Harry and Ron aren't that bad. I know you three are fighting and stuff, but was that really necessary?"

"Hagrid, I'm sorry. I don't know what had come over me these last few days. It's like...well, I don't know. It's like I'm not myself anymore."

"Well the fight sure isn't helping things."

"No, it's not the fight. I'm sure of it. I don't know, just never mind, ok. I'm sorry I even brought it up."

"Hermione, are you sure you don't want to talk about it? It seems like it is troubling you."

"No, no. I can't talk about it," she said. The voice in her head was talking to her again. She couldn't fight it, so she changed the subject. "So, Hagrid, what are you doing for Christmas?"

"Well, besides the Great Feast, I'm not doing anything. Haven't really made any plans. So what are you doing. Are you going home?"

"Actually, no. I'm not going home. I'm staying here with Draco."

"Oh."

What happened next puzzled Hermione. She didn't know how it happened. She was just sitting there and all of a sudden she said something that she didn't really mean. It was like her mind forced her to say it.

"I don't want to stay with Draco."

"What?! I thought you liked Draco?"

She was trying to tell him that she did like Draco and that she wanted to spend Christmas with him, but once again, it was like she had no control ever it.

"He is becoming too bossy. I am really starting to get sick of him."

Hagrid just looked at her. Hermione couldn't believe she was saying that stuff. Her mind was forcing her lips to say it. Then all of a sudden, as quick as she went into it, she was out of it.

"No, no. I want to spend Christmas with him. I really do. I love him!" She finally got back in control of what she was saying.

"Hermione, are you ok? You don't look too well. Maybe you should go up to the infirmary."

"What?! I'm fine. Really," said Hermione. Her voice was shaking and she was really unsure of herself. She had no idea what had just happened there, but it kind of scared her. "Hagrid, I have to go. I will talk to you later. Bye!" Hagrid barely had a chance to say goodbye before she ran out.

* * *

"Come on Harry, the train's going to leave in like, two minutes," yelled Ron.

"I know. I'm coming. Hold on. I feel like I am forgetting something, but I don't know what."

"Well, oh, well. It's too late now to go back and get it," said Ron.

"I know that."

They got on the train and found seats by themselves.

"So, are you excited, Harry," asked Ron.

"Of course," he answered back.

"That's what I thought," said Ron. "Hey, Harry, I want to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"Hermione."

"Oh."

"Something tells me that you want this fight to end more than I do. Is that true?"

"Kind of."

"Is it because you have feelings for Hermione? Or are you over with her, like you told me before?"

"I don't have feelings for her anymore," said Harry. Secretly, Harry still did have feelings for her, but he thought that things would be better if Ron didn't think that anymore.

"Then what is it?" asked Ron again.

"I don't know. I just think this fight is stupid, that's all."

"What's so stupid about it?" asked Ron.

"Well, I guess I am ready to forgive her."

"You are?"

Harry nodded his head.

"So, why don't you go apologize to her? Just because I don't, doesn't mean you don't have to."

"I know, but, what kind of friend would I be if I did that? Here's what I think: as long as you are mad at her, then so am I. And don't feel like you have to forgive her, just because I want to. I am sticking with you. If you are mad at her, then so am I. Ok?"

"Really?"

"Yup."

"Harry, thank you. I don't know what I'd do without a friend like you."

"Don't mention it."

* * *

Hermione started to walk back to her Common Room. She had completely forgotten about that mind thing that happened at Hagrid's. It was like it had never happened. She was now wondering where Draco was. She hadn't seen him all day. She decided to go look for him. She walked over to the entrance of the Slytherin Common. Luckily, Goyle had just walked out.

"Uh, hi. Have you seen Draco at all?" said Hermione to Goyle.

"Who are you?"

"Hermione."

"Oh, you're that little Gryffindor slut he's going out with, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm- What? Hey! I am not a slut! How dare you say that about me! Say you're sorry. Now!"

"You're awfully bossy too. I wouldn't want to be Draco right about now!"

"Hey-"

Goyle walked away muttering something to himself which sounded a lot like "she is a bitch!" Hermione just stood there, shocked. She couldn't believe what she just heard. She started walking away. She was almost in tears.

"Hermione!"

She turned around. Draco had just walked out of the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room.

"Draco! Where have you been all day?"

"Oh, nowhere. What's wrong? You look like you've been crying. Have you?"

"Well, yeah, a little."

"What happened?"

"Well, I was trying to find you when I ran into Goyle, and..."

"Goyle? Oh, no. He's a little, well, mad at me now. Actually, jealous is more like it. He thinks I spend too much time with you and not him. He doesn't know what it's like to have a girlfriend. Like I said, he's jealous...so what did he say to you?"

"He, he called me a slut...and a bitch. It was awful!"

"Come on, I'll walk you to back to your Common Room. It's ok. He didn't mean it. Really."

They started walking back to the Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione had settled down now. She was no longer crying.

"Password, please," said the Fat Lady.

"Meddikule," said Hermione.

They went in and sat down. A few people stared at Draco. They weren't used to Slytherins being in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"So where were you all day, Draco? I was looking everywhere for you."

"Sorry. I was in my room putting the finishing touches on your Christmas present."

"Oh! I can't wait until tomorrow to find out what it is," exclaimed Hermione.

"Well, you're going to have to wait."

"I know, I know."

They sat there for a while talking and then Draco left and they each went to bed.