Veela Love

Chapter Sixteen: A Trip to Azkaban

            An unspoken agreement between Hermione and Draco evolved where they were seen in the halls together, much to everyone's astonishment. Draco would walk with Hermione to their various classes, chatting animatedly. Draco could feel the eyes on them, but he didn't care. He was just happy to have more time with her, even if it meant he had to put up with the rest of the Golden Trio. Ginny, he liked, not that he was ever going to admit it.

"God Malfoy again?" Ron spat as Draco strolled to Hermione, who was talking to Harry.

Draco just smiled at him, choosing not to respond for Hermione's sake. Luckily for him, Hermione had heard Ron.

"Ronald! Draco has my permission to walk with me!"

"I don't understand why!" Ron yelled, catching the attention of everyone in the hall.

Hermione crossed her arms and glared daggers at him. "Draco is my friend, and if he wants to walk with me, he can. There's nothing you can do about it."

Draco delighted in the irritation she was feeling towards her childhood friend. He didn't like the way Ron looked at Hermione still. In fact, he fucking hated it.

"Mental! You're mental! This is MALFOY we're talking about! Harry, back me up here!"

Harry glanced between Hermione and Draco before he shrugged. "I honestly don't have a problem with it."

Ron stared at his friend for a long moment before turning and storming off. Harry just shook his head. "Come on, we're going to be late to charms if we don't get a move on it."

Draco sped up, so he was next to Harry. "Thanks, Potter."

Harry cast a side glance at Draco. "No problem. I'm surprised you didn't have a comment to throw into the mix."

Draco chuckled. "Oh, I did. But everything I had to say would have upset Hermione."

Harry smirked, and Draco took a step away from the man. "Amazing what love will do to you, huh?"

"Love?" Draco's heart sped up. "Who said anything about love? This is a you-know-what issue!"

"Keep telling yourself that, buddy!"
Before Draco could respond, they'd reached the charms classroom. Sitting next to Hermione, Draco leaned over to whisper in her ear, "Are you okay?"

"What do you think?" she snapped at him. "You're the one that can read my emotions."

"That's why I'm asking. There's too much going on, and it just seems like anger, which I know isn't all of it."

Her tone softened. "I'm mad, but I'm also hurt he doesn't trust me and won't give you a chance."

Touched, Draco smiled softly at her. "I don't blame him if that helps."

Hermione sniffed. "It doesn't, but thank you."

By the time charms ended, Hermione's mood had stabilized in Draco's head. Walking the halls to lunch, all Draco wanted to do was grab her hand, but he resisted the urge. They weren't there yet.

That evening Draco started pacing their common room and couldn't stop. He knew he had to tell Hermione, but he didn't know how.

Her voice cut through his thoughts. "You're going to wear a hole in the rug. Sit down and tell me what's bothering you so much – your worry is making my stomach turn."