Closer to Love | Draco Malfoy [4]

Chapter 15 ~ Unexpected Party Turns

In the few weeks that went by, Ron and Lavender were inseparable. Things between them were getting more serious and honestly, it was rather annoying to watch. Hermione wasn't having any of it much longer, so she isolated herself from him.

"Look, I can't help it if she's got her knickers in a twist. What Lav and I have, well, let's just say, there's no stopping it. It's chemical. Will it last? Who knows, really. Point is, I'm a free agent."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Ron and his stupidity. A free agent? Was he that blind and dumb to realize that Hermione was the one for him and not Lavender? The nerve of him to say that.

I offered to walk with Hermione to class, but she said that she wanted to be alone for the day. So I didn't bother her after that and just stayed with Harry and Ron for all of my classes. I sat with Hermione in class, though, but not a single word came from her mouth. She slid a note to me and I opened it.

Can you and Harry meet me in the library tonight?

I looked at her and nodded, writing something, then sending it back to her.

I'll tell him after class is over.

She looked at the note and nodded as well. Poor girl. I was going to kill Ron. He was being entirely stupid right now, hurting Hermione like that. Even Draco wouldn't do that to me, like the way I did it to him.

Merlin. I really did mess up this time.

*******

"He's at perfect liberty to kiss whoever he likes. I really couldn't care less. Was I under the impression he and I would be attending Slughorn's Christmas party together? Yes. Now, given the circumstances, I've had to make other arrangements."

Hermione was venting to Harry and I as she was placing books back to their rightful places. We followed her through the aisles as she continued talking about Ron and him doing whatever he wanted to do.

"Have you made other arrangements?" Harry asked her.

"Yes. Why?"

"I just thought, seeing as neither of us can go with who we'd really like to, we should go together, as friends," Harry suggested.

"Why didn't I think of that?" she said to herself.

"Who are you going with?" I questioned.

"Um, it's a surprise. Anyway, it's you two we've got to worry about. You can't just take anyone." Hermione moved so that her back was facing someone at a desk far away from us. "See that girl over there? That's Romilda Vane. Apparently, she's trying to smuggle Harry a love potion."

"Oh, Merlin," I said.

Harry was staring at her, but Hermione snapped him out of his trance. "Hey! She's only interested in you because she thinks you're the Chosen One."

"But I am the Chosen One," he pointed out, grinning.

"So am I, you idiot!" I hissed.

His grin went away when Hermione whacked his head with a rolled up newspaper. "Okay, sorry. Um...kidding. But just relax, Hermione. I'll ask someone I like. Someone cool."

"Sorry, bro, but you can't take me. I already have a date," I joked with him.

He rolled his eyes in response.

"Who are you going with, Max? You can't take Ginny," Hermione reminded me.

"I know that, but that doesn't mean we can't go together secretly. Trust me, we talked about this already. We've got everything planned out. Ginny is going with Dean, since they're friends now, and I'm going with Blaise."