A Little Polishing

Breakfast was an unusual affair. Hermione was speaking with Ginny about her notes in her books. She always had a habit of making notes in the margins even though her handwriting was atrocious. She had been translating her scratchings for the redhead when Ron walked in the great hall carrying a bouquet of wild flowers.



Hermione and Ginny grinned at each other as Lavender squealed in delight and hugged him tightly. She was gushing all over Ron and he was eating it up. Maybe they did make a good couple, Hermione thought. Ron got a girl who thought he was everything a man should be. Lavender got a man who hung on her words.



She smiled as Ron looked at her and her returned it. Hermione turned her attention back to Ginny.







Before Arithmancy Hermione was stopped by Lavender. “Hermione, got a moment?” She asked.



“Sure, what is it?” She said glancing around for Ron.



“I just wanted to say thank you.’ She said smiling and tilting her head slightly.



“For what?” Hermione was confused. She didn’t think she would be on Lavenders list of people to thank at the moment.



“For talking to Ron.” She said softly. “I know he doesn’t always think before he speaks, and some things come out the wrong way, but I do know that he has always gone to you and Harry when he has problems.”



“Yes he has, but I don’t see what I did that warrants a thank you.” She said.



“He said he talked to you the other day, and you told him to talk to me like he talks to you. That we need a little more then just pretty words.” She smiled. “Ron came to me saying that he was upset about my jealousy. I didn’t really mean to be jealous, or to get angry, but you know Ron is. When I don’t know what he’s thinking it can seem like neglect.”



“I understand that all too well. He just needed to understand that girls need different things.” Hermione said.



“That’s why I want to thank you. Without you talking to him I don’t know if we would have gotten past the fights. He says he will try and listen to me more, but he said I need to talk to him about how I feel and not jump to conclusions.” She admitted looking just a little guilty.



“Yes, well, most girls do that. I do too sometimes.” She said. “I’m glad you and Ron are alright now.”



“I am too.” Lavender gave her a hug and took off for divination.







After class Hermione went to the library to work on her assignments. After a while Draco walked in and sat beside her. “I saw Lavender stop you between classes, what happened?’ He asked, pulling a chair close.



“She thanked me,” Hermione said shifting in her chair to face him, “for talking to Ron.”



“Really?” Draco’s eyebrows lifted. “Why?”



“For talking to Ron. I had a feeling she thought I might have done it for her.” Hermione said grinning.



“You weren’t?” Draco asked with a grin of his own.



“No, I did it for the same reason I always do it. For Ron.” She said. “I didn’t want him to lose something he wanted. Even if it is Lavender Brown.” She said.



“That’s very big of you.” Draco told her. Reaching out and twirling a lock of hair.



“You think so?” She asked.



“Yes. I do.” He told her. ‘But let me ask you something.”



“Go on then.”



“Are you sad? Now that Ron and Lavender are stronger I mean.” His face was a little stressed.



“No, I’m not.” She said. “I’m happy. I know now that Ron wasn’t the one for me.” She smiled at looked up at Draco. “I should thank you.”



“Why is that?” He asked.



She leaned on and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You made me pretty.” She said. “Nobody ever took the time with me before.”



“Like I said before, you just needed to sharpen a few things.” He slid closer and took her hand. “Like my mother said, you just needed a little polishing.”



Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek. “Thank you anyway.”



“I sent my mother one of the photos of the ball, she said you looked just phenomenal.” Draco said.



“I’m sure you told her that you picked the gown.” She grinned, brushing a lock away from his brow.



“Yes but I also told her it was the only one that did you justice.” Hermione grinned ear to ear. ‘Where do we go from here? Now that your desire for the ginger one has all but vanished, what do we do?’ He looked at her with curious eyes.



“I suppose that would depend on you.” She said.



“Why do you say that?” He asked, still not releasing the lock of her hair. “I thought there were two of us involved here.”



“Yes, but I’m not going to make any demands. This started out as a bargain. You help me and I don’t cry around you, remember?” He chuckled. “Even though I know I broke it a few times, this is your call.”



“What would you like though?” He asked.



“Draco, you are wonderful. I love being with you.” She said. “I want this to be your decision, because you want it. Not because I’m threatening you with tears.” She leaned in and kissed him, enjoying the feel of his lips on hers.



Draco watched with a small smile as she took her bag and left. She gave his hand a squeeze before she vanished, leaving him alone to think.









She didn’t see him for the rest of the day. Hermione thought maybe Draco had decided to just end things, and she had to deal with it. She was sad of course but then again, she was sure he had better prospects then her.



She didn’t realize how depressed she would be at the thought of not seeing Draco again. She would just have to get over it. She forced herself to go to the great hall for dinner. She sat down and filled a plate picking at it, until her attention was diverted by a hand on her shoulder.



She turned and Draco was holding a dozen long stemmed red roses. She smiled brightly as he sat next to her and kissed her among the whistles and wolf howls.



“No more tears, alright?” He said as they broke apart.



“Deal.” She said and they kissed again.





The End