Draco Malfoy's First Love

Chapter Twenty: Reconciliation

Ron stood there for what seemed like an eternity before finally he heard a noise behind him.

"Mr. Weasley!"

Ron, Harry, and Hermione spun around to see Professor McGonagall marching across the dewy grass.

"Just what in Merlin's name do you think your doing?"

Ron looked from his cat-like professor to the motionless bodies on the ground. "Uh," he stammered, "I was just..."

"That's enough. 50 points from Gryffindor and you will join Mr. Filch in detention this week. Ms. Granger, would you kindly inform Madam Pomfrey that she will have two more charges for tonight?"

Hermione nodded and took off in a run towards the castle. Professor McGonagall conjured up two stretchers and levitated the pair onto them.

"Ms. Johnson," she said to the remaining Quidditch player, "can you take these two up to the hospital ward? I need to have a private word with Potter and Weasley."

She motioned for the pair to follow her up to the castle, and they were soon sitting in her fire-lit office.

"Sit."

The two obeyed and looked frightful.

"Potter, Weasley, I want to talk to you about the state of Ms. Granger."

The two were stunned. They thought Professor McGonagall was going to yell at them some more.

"Hermione," she continued, "hasn't quite been herself lately, I've watched her concentration in class deteriorate, and her papers haven't been up to her usual standard. I do know about her..." she paused, "situation with Mr. Malfoy, and though I am not one to usually approve of such a pairing, I do realize her feelings run deep."

"What Malfoy has done lately has shown that he doesn't in fact care in the same way for her. I do not want to see a good student with massive potential waste her days over a snake. I would ask you both to have a talk with her, and try to get her to see things in this light. He doesn't care about her, and she needs to realize this and move on."

Harry nodded in obvious agreement, but Ron felt different. He really thought Malfoy had changed. Of course, after the stunt he pulled tonight, perhaps he didn't care enough for her. Besides, she was one of his best friends, and he had a right to protect her.

"Alright," he said, "thank you, Professor. Goodnight."

Harry and Ron left her office and started up towards Gryffindor Tower. At the next stairwell, Ron stopped.

"Ron, are you okay?"

"Yeah," he answered, "you know, I think I'm gonna go work out my detention with McGonagall. I'll catch up with you in a little bit."

"Yeah, okay. But don't take too long--I don't want to talk to Hermione alone, kay?"

"Alright, I'll be right back," he said and dashed back down the corridor. At McGonagall's office he didn't stop, but kept running until he reached the infirmary. He opened the oak door and crept inside. Perhaps Madam Pomfrey wouldn't notice him. He could see her shadow from the back room lit by the candlelight.

He crossed the room to one of the far beds, which held an unconscious Malfoy. Ron took out his wand and jabbed him in the shoulder. Malfoy jumped and sat bolt upright in bed.

"Weasley! What the hell was that for? I was sleeping!"

Ron shrugged, "Just checking."

"Listen," said Malfoy, turning serious, "about this evening..."

"Malfoy, I don't want to hear about this evening!!! Wait," he paused, "yes, I do. What the hell were you thinking?!?"

"That's what I'm trying to tell you...Pansy, she slipped a confusing concoction into my pumpkin juice this evening at dinner. I noticed the foul taste and bolted out of the hall. It was too late, though, and by the time I reached the dormitories Pansy had caught up with me. I was too disoriented to know what was going on, and soon I was under her spell. I know the potion wears off with time, and it did just as you came around at 8. I tried to explain then that it was me. Pansy knew what we were up to; she's got more brains than I expected. I need to talk to Hemione..."

"Malfoy, stop, just stop. Do you think I would buy such a story? I'm not gonna fall into your mind games. Unlike you, I care about Hermione; she's one of my best friends. And you know what? Thanks to you, I'm the one who has to go break the news to her. You broke her heart, but I have to hand her the blow. Don't even think about going near her from now on...or else."

Ron stormed out of the hospital wing and started the long trudge up to the Tower.

Inside, he found Harry and Hermione sitting on one of the long, ornate couches. They seemed to be waiting for him. Harry was looking very sober, and Hermione looked confused.

"Hermione," Ron said, "we need to talk..."

* * *

Hermione lay in her bed that night, silent tears running down her cheeks. It couldn't be real, she thought, he loves me. That's all that matters.

Ron and Harry had tried their best to comfort her. She at first accepted their embrace, but soon was ranting and pacing around the room, asking everyone why this was happening to her. Soon she ran up to her dormitory and slammed the door. Inside she broke down in a way she wouldn't do in front of Harry and Ron.

I feel as if I've taken a walk in someone else's shoes, she thought. This was all a dream. Not always pleasant, but always memorable. She fingered her golden necklace and racked her brain for the best memories of Draco. Their midnight rendezvous, walks along the lakefront, and the many times she visited him in the hospital.

She smiled and soon started crying again. Why couldn't things go back to the way they used to be?

After a few hours of this vicious cycle, Hermione was exhausted. She tried writing but the words wouldn't come. She cried until her eyes were empty. Her heart had somehow fallen into her stomach and sleep was overpowering her. She lay back down on her four poster bed, closing her eyes and falling into sleep.

She wouldn't escape him in her dreams, though.