Fair and Tender Maidens

Three weeks had passed since Hermione and Draco’s fight. Neither of the two had spoken or acknowledged each other in any way. It was quite sad for all of us who have to sit here and witness their misery. I mean, we all know they’re meant for each other. Or maybe not. But then again, this could be a test. Could the set aside their differences for the sake of music? What about love? Well, obviously not.

When I said they did not acknowledge each other, that was a lie. They did speak to each other. Just not the things that will welcome a budding romance. They said more hateful and cruel words to each now than they ever had before. No one knows who started it. Guess it doesn’t matter.

As it turns out, the contest was in three days. So much for actually being prepared for this.

Oh yeah, in case you didn’t hear, the prize for the winning group or soloist was a record deal with Lumos, Inc., which, for all of you who are not in the ‘in’ crowd, is considered to be one of the most well-respected of all wizarding record labels. The success rate for a group coming from them was at least 50% higher than at any other label.

***

Draco lived his life in confusion. In his younger years things were more definite, yet still confusing. But, never like this. He despised Granger, yes. Loathed, really. But, he couldn’t get their fight out of his head. He went over it a hundred times, trying to figure out where he went wrong.

But, more important than that, he wanted to win. He wanted to win that contest. He always had. Even before Granger had asked him. It seemed to him that they had split. Oh well. Three days was enough to get him two songs, right? Right?

Who was he kidding. He need Granger to help him. She wouldn’t even have to sing. But, she loved to sing. That was her passion. She would never speak to him anyway.

He would have to do it on his own. Or, he could show Granger that he was serious about music, which she seemed to think that he wasn’t, since she had called him a music-hating, pasty, freak of Slytherin. Oh, she also called him ‘spawn of Satan’ regularly too. Whatever that meant.

He could do it without her. No problem. Easy peasy. He smirked. He'd show her.

***

Hermione slumped into the armchair beside Harry. He looked at her, concern etched across his face.

“Hermione, you’re not still upset over losing your partner, are you?” he asked.

“No, of course not,” she said. “It’s just that I really wanted to sing this. To do this. It’s not fair.”

“Well, can’t you try to do it yourself?” he asked.

“I could never... Not enough time...” she trailed off. “No...I could..I could learn it. Three days is enough time!” She stood up. “I will enter by myself!”

She headed towards the portrait hole but stopped. She turned around slowly. “Harry...” she said softly. “I...I know I haven’t been a very good friend to you lately. I’m sorry. I mean, with Ron not talking to you and all. I’ve been awful. And all the help you’ve been to me! Oh, Harry!”

She practically threw herself at him. It caught him off guard, but he liked it. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her scent of ink, paper, and old bindings. She reminded him of a book. A book that gets better with age.

“No, Hermione, you’ve been a wonderful friend,” he said to her hair. “A guy couldn’t hope to meet a better friend or girl, for that matter. It’s just too bad your partner didn’t realize that, otherwise he wouldn’t have let you go.”

“Oh, Harry,” she said, blushing. She enjoyed being in his arms. It took away all her pain and sadness. Her unhappiness drifted away. Relief filled her. In his arms she felt like she could do anything. Anything at all. She could learn that music in three days for sure.

She was so lucky to have a good friend like Harry.