If This Were A Normal Day...

I don’t own Harry Potter.
Chapter 9
The Aftermath of Pansy


Hermione woke up and looked out the window. Judging by the color of the sky, it was late evening.

“Everyone’s probably having dinner right now.” she thought.

She turned and looked at Draco. He was still sound asleep with his arms wrapped tightly around her.

“Hey,” she whispered and softly stroked his cheek.

He opened his eyes and smiled slightly at her.

“You know,” he began quietly. “I don’t know how I’m going to sleep when you finally go back to your room. I’ve become quite accustomed to waking up with your hair in my mouth.”

He pulled her closer to him and Hermione giggled lightly.

“Are you hungry?” she asked him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Yea, I think I am.” he replied. “But I really don’t think I’m ready to deal with the circus that\'s probably going on downstairs. I’m sure the first thing Pansy did was march right back to the Slytherin common room and announced what she saw.”

Hermione frowned.

“You’re probably right. You want me to go get something? We could eat it up here.” she suggested.

“As soon as you step into the Great Hall, you’re going to be attacked with questions. You know that, right?” he asked.

“Yes, I know, but I don’t care.” She patted his hand and slid off the bed.

“Nooo” he whined playfully and pulled her back into his arms. “I want you to stay with me.”

He buried his face in her neck and held her tight.

She laughed at him before wiggling out of his arms.

“I’ll be back before you know it.” she said before leaving the bedroom.

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Draco lay back on the bed again. He heard Hermione exit the common room.

His stomach was growling violently. In all the drama that had ensued that morning, he had missed breakfast, lunch, and if it hadn’t been for Hermione, he would be missing dinner too.

He closed his eyes and tried to imagine the look on his friend’s faces when Pansy had given them her eye-witness account of the happening’s in the Head’s bathroom that morning.

He should be upset, but instead, he laughed.

Anyone who was really and truly his friend would still be his friend. With or without Hermione.

He was slightly worried about her. He had sent her out in front of the firing squad so to speak and was beginning to feel the guilt.

“I hope they’re not too hard on her.” he thought.

**************************************

Hermione entered the Great Hall and a large hush fell over the student’s followed by the murmurs of whispers.

She approached the Gryffindor Table and grabbed two plates.

“Hi!” Ginny called to her. “Are you finally eating?” she laughed.

“Um...yea.” Hermione said.

“Scoot down, Ron.” Ginny commanded. Ron gave her a deeply displeased look, but nevertheless, complied.

“I’ll sit but only for a second.” she said. Hermione sat down and began to pile food on the plates.

“We heard a rather interesting bit of news today.” Harry stated through the wad of chicken in his mouth.

“Did you now?” Hermione asked innocently.

Ginny was grinning broadly.

“I’m glad she\'s taking the news well, at least.” Hermione thought. For that, she was very grateful. She had just recently gotten Ginny back and didn’t know what she would do were she to lose her again.

“Care to talk about it?” Ginny prodded.

“No,” Hermione answered. “Not particularly, but do come by the common room later and I’ll make us some hot chocolate and we can visit or something.”

“Ok, cool.” Ginny said before turning back to her food.

Hermione took distinct note that neither Harry nor Ron would look at her.

She frowned, picked up the plates and left the Great Hall.

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Little did she know that as she left, Harry had immediately thrown down his fork and followed her.

“Harry!” Ginny had called after him, but he waved her off with his hand.

When he reached Hermione, he grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.

She almost dropped her plates.

“You know, I for one would like to know what\'s going on.” Harry said angrily.

“This isn’t the time, Harry.” Hermione answered calmly.

“Oh really? Because I think its a perfect time Hermione! First, you disappear almost completely, no one sees you for days and days, you apparently stop eating and on the occasions when you do, you grab a plate and run off up to the common room! You know, I wondered what you were doing up there but I never thought in a million years that it would be SCREWING MALFOY!” Harry spat with such venom that Hermione actually took a step back. His temper was legendary, but never, until now, had it been turned full force on her.

“I really don’t see how its any of your business who I ‘screw’ as you so crudely put it.” Hermione was suddenly quite angry.

“Who the hell does he think he is?” she thought.

“You know Ron is heartbroken, right?” Harry added, slightly more calm.

“And why is that?” Hermione sneered.

“Wipe that disgusting tone out of your voice right now! You know Hermione! You know how hes felt about you all these years!” Harry raged.

“Oh, well, excuse me! I didn’t know that just because I’m not totally in love with him, that means he and I can’t be friends anymore.” Hermione said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“You know, I’m reminded of a saying involving a pot and a kettle, ring any bells?” He asked.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” she hissed.

“I’m not stupid Hermione. The way you’ve been avoiding me until recently. The way you wouldn’t look it me. Its like the moment I told you I didn’t have romantic feelings for you, you shut me out completely....until recently. I wondered what had changed. I guess I know now.”

“And isn’t it for the better??” Hermione cried. “Aren’t you happy that I found someone I’m happy with and everything is getting back to normal??”

“But why did it have to be Malfoy?” Harry asked calmly.

“Give him a chance, Harry. Please? He’s not quite as bad as you might think he is.” Hermione’s eyes were brimming with tears.

Harry suddenly felt a slight twinge of guilt for screaming at her.

Ginny stepped into the hall. Hermione noticed the curious faces of the students peering out into the Hall, trying to get a quick peek before the door swung closed.

“Harry!” Ginny hissed, grabbing him by the arm. “Leave her alone. Its not your choice who she decides to date. Come back into the Great Hall and lets finish dinner.”

Harry didn’t move, but stood there, glaring at Hermione.

“Please Harry, please give him a chance.” she pleaded.

“Fine,” Harry said. “But I don’t think you’ll get Ron to agree so easily.” He turned and marched angrily back into the Great Hall

“I’ll definitely come by later.” Ginny added with a small smile as she turned and followed Harry.

************************************

Hermione enter the common room and kicked Draco’s portrait lightly.

“I really wish you would stop that!” The older man in the picture cried.

“Sorry.” Hermione said with a small smile.

Draco opened the door and helped her get the plates inside.

“So?” he asked.

“So what?” Hermione asked.

“So how’d it go? I noticed you’re still in one piece so I suppose it wasn’t too bad?” He asked, stuffing food into his mouth.

“Well, physically, I’m in one piece, but emotionally, I was torn to shreds.” She replied with a frown.

Draco looked confused.

“I had a slight run in with Harry.” she explained.

“Oooh” he replied. “I take it Scarhead didn’t take the news so well, eh? Was it at least better than Pansy?”

“No, actually, it was worse than Pansy. And don’t call him Scarhead. They’re coming by later tonight and I expect you to be nice!” Hermione laughed and pinched him playfully on the shoulder.

“Ok ok, I’ll do my best.” he responded.

“Oh yeah,” Hermione remembered. “Your portrait is getting highly irritated with me constantly pecking on him. Whats your password?”

“Mudblood.” Draco smiled.


A/N: Again, I want to thank you guys for all your great reviews! I know this chapter isn’t all that great, but I’ll try to make the upcoming ones better. Please R&R!!!!!

Sarah