Resentment | Dramione

Chapter 38

After two months of exhaustive studying, Christmas Break had at last arrived. Hermione and Draco had both decided to spend their last Christmas Break at Hogwarts together, and so Hermione was now walking down the corridors, moving her way down the castle as she made her way out.

Not long before Christmas Break had come around she had owled with her best friends, and had decided to meet up the first weekend at Hogsmeade, to have a nice Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks so they could finally catch up a bit. "Hermione!" Slowing down her walk a bit, she looked over her shoulder to see a certain redhead approaching her. "Where are you off to?" Ginny asked when she was close enough to make herself audible. "Hogsmeade, I'm going to meet up with Harry and Ron. Care to tag along?" Ginny nodded, and the two girls continued together. "Hasn't Harry owled you?" Hermione asked. It stroke her as odd that the couple hadn't planned a day together yet, as they had already been a week into the holidays, and it made her wonder if everything was all right between them two.

The witch shook her head. "No, but we're going to meet up a couple of times next week, anyway." Hermione smiled at her, glad to hear the two of them were still going strong. It must be tough to be so far apart the entire time, and it made her admire them for still keeping their relationship going.

The snow outside was hard to get through, a thick layer having formed overnight. Yet, as soon as they got off the Hogwarts grounds, the roads seemed to be a bit more travelled, and they didn't have to drag their feet as much anymore. "Merlin, it's cold." Ginny shivered as they entered The Three Broomsticks, rubbing her hands together as she half waddled to a table in the corner, where Hermione spotted Ron and Harry, sitting down together with a glass in their hands. Apparently the two hadn't bothered to wait for her to start their drinks.

Following after Ginny, she greeted the boys with a smile, and pulled Harry into a tight hug after Ginny had moved out of the way, and then took Ron in her arms, albeit a bit of an awkward hug compared to Harry's. "It's good to see you again, 'Mione!" Ron said, and Hermione smiled at him, nodding in agreement.

"Hey! Didn't miss your sister?" Ginny asked, feigning offence. Hermione chuckled as she sat down opposite of Ron, so that Ginny could sit in front of Harry. Ron rolled his eyes, shaking his head at his sister. "I've seen you plenty of years to last me a lifetime."

Harry grinned, opened his mouth to say something, but then let it fall back shut. Hermione had a feeling that Harry was going to stand up for Ginny and tell her that he did miss her, but understandably, he backed out last second. "So, how's everything going at school?" Harry began, and Ron nodded as he took a chuck of his Butterbeer. "Yeah, is History of Magic still as boring as ever?"

Biting her tongue to refrain from arguing about the likability of History of Magic, she figured it'd be best to keep this day as positive as possible. After all, she hadn't seen her two best friends in months, and she had quite frankly missed them both a lot. Even though she had to admit it was great to have a bit more peace to study. Couldn't agree more. It's great not having to see Scarhead and Weasel roaming the hallways anymore. Hermione rolled her eyes at that thought, knowing Draco didn't mean to say it to sound rude, but instead to tease her.

"School's going really well. A bit stressful, though, with the N.E.W.T.s coming up. And no, Ron, History of Magic is still very interesting. We're kind of revising everything we've discussed these past few years, and actually, Professor Binns mentioned that starting from next year, they'll discuss the Battle of Hogwarts with the First Years." Hermione folded her hands together, fumbling with her fingers. "Odd, isn't it? Knowing they'll discuss our history."

The three nodded simultaneously, all of them staring at a spot on the table as they all undoubtedly went over what actually did all happen. Clearing her throat to take her mind off it, she continued with something lighter. "We've got a new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, though," scrunching her eyebrows together, she shook her head as she recalled her boring new teacher, "she's horrible, really. Talks more about the safety of magic than actually teaching us how to defend ourselves."