Veela Love

Chapter Seventeen: Ron's Discovery

            A week before the Christmas vacation, Draco followed Hermione up to their shared dorm. Halfway there, he grabbed her hand, and Hermione didn't pull away, instead twining their fingers together. She would never admit it, but Draco's touch brought her a comfort she'd never felt with Ron. Luckily the halls were empty at this time as they'd left dinner early.

Reaching the portrait hole for their rooms, Draco said the password and pulled her inside. Once in their common room, he dragged her close and kissed her forehead. He hadn't tried to kiss her properly in weeks, and Hermione wasn't sure how she felt about that. They had to kiss eventually...

A banging on the portrait caused them to jump apart.

"Who the hell is that?" Draco asked. "Blaise and Ginny know the password."

The banging continued, and Hermione crept to the door, opening it slowly. "Ron?!"

The redhead was standing on the other side, anger lining every aspect of his face. "What the hell is the meaning of this?!" he yelled, gesturing between Draco, Hermione, and the common room.

"Well, it's exactly what it looks like," Draco said, stepping forward and putting an arm around Hermione. She could feel the anger and jealousy building in him. She tried to shake him off as he was just making the situation worse, but he gripped her tighter.

Suddenly it clicked in Ron's head – she could practically see the lightbulb go off. "You left me for HIM?"

"Don't be silly Ronald, I left because we couldn't be in a relationship anymore, not after I found out."

"No, you left me for Malfoy of all people! How could you do this to me?"

Hermione felt tears welling up in her eyes. "Ron, don't do this... you know I had no choice."

"You always had a choice, Hermione! And you chose the ferret over me! How could you?" The hurt in his voice was too much, and tears started leaking down her cheeks. "And you're sharing a dorm with him? I bet you're fucking him already, right? You're just a whore."

Of its own volition, Hermione's hand reached out and slapped Ron. Draco was growling loudly now, and Hermione put a hand on him to stop him. "Don't you ever speak to me like that again, Ronald Weasley. If you ever want to have a friendship with me, I would suggest you keep your foul mouth in check."

Before Hermione could warn him not to, Ron lunged for her and tried to drag her away from Draco. Instantly pure fury that was not her own coursed through Hermione's head. Draco lunged for Ron and had him by the throat before Hermione could stop him. "Listen here, you little ginger brat, you will never, and I repeat never, touch my Hermione again in anger. Do you understand me? I will not hesitate to rip you limb from limb if I have to."

Ron nodded silently, unable to get a word out. Draco dropped him, and Ron's knees gave out. Picking himself up off the floor, he hissed, "I see whose side you chose, Hermione." He spat on the ground and left, the portrait hole slamming shut behind him.

Draco turned Hermione towards him and wiped away the tears that were still falling. "Why is he so hateful," Hermione choked out.

Pulling her to his chest, Draco started purring, the noise quieting her racing heart. "I don't think he can help it; he hates me too much. I'm the last person that he wants to have his girlfriend leave him for."

"But Harry's gotten over it."

"But Harry isn't Ron, darling."

Hermione buried herself into his chest, taking in his warmth. Draco held her close, letting her calm down.