Mine

[61]

Draco, Hermione, and I sat in an awkward silence. I wasn't sure what had compelled me to invite Draco to stay. Draco and Hermione had most definitely never been friends in the past, so with me already feeling uncomfortable and being uncertain as to what to say, this situation was all the more uncomfortable.

"So, uh," Draco said, awkwardly clearing his throat, "Neither of you decided to go back to Hogwarts to redo the seventh year?"

"I did, or I am." Hermione spoke up. "I just came to spend the night with Gemma last night."

"Oh." Draco said, nodding slightly. He had begun to look back down at his tea, but his eyes seemed to be caught by something as he stared down Hermione. I furrowed my eyebrows when the look on his face twisted into one that looked something like disgust. I was ready to snap at him, but then I followed his line of sight and noticed what it was he was staring at. It was the scarred 'MUDBLOOD' that his aunt had left on Hermione's arm.

"I should go." Draco said, suddenly clambering to his feet and turning his face away as though he were trying to hide his expression, but I saw the pain that flashed over his features.

"Draco?" I asked softly. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the look of confusion that had taken over Hermione's features.

He lifted his head, albeit reluctantly. Draco's eyes met mine before they slowly moved over to Hermione. I could see as he visibly gulped, his eyes falling down to her exposed scar once again. "I'm sorry about what she did to you." Draco said quietly. Hermione looked confused for a moment but then Draco added, "Bellatrix."

Hermione's eyes flicked down to her arm, where Draco was still staring. She mustered a small smile, raising her eyes from her arm and to Draco. "It wasn't your fault. I know you couldn't have done anything differently."

"That doesn't make it okay." Draco mumbled, shrugging his shoulders slightly. "But I am. Sorry, that is."

"Well, thank you." Hermione said. I could see it in her eyes, she appreciated seeing this side of him.

"I, uh, I should go. Thanks for the tea." Draco said, placing the mug down where he had previously been sitting. Before I could even get a word out, Draco had disapparated.

"Well, that wasn't at all awkward..." I said slowly, forcing out a low chuckle.

"He's...different than I remember him." Hermione said slowly, turning to face me.

"That's the real Draco." I said, raising my eyes to meet hers. "He's really not a bad guy, Mione. He's just been instilled with certain ideas and been through certain experiences."

"You don't have to defend him to me, Gem." Hermione said. "I never fought you on dating him. I've always trusted your judgment and your ability to take care of yourself. I guess I was just surprised because I've never really seen him at such a loss for words or so...well, remorseful."

"Yeah." I breathed out, placing my mug down beside me as I slowly got pulled into my own thoughts.

"Gemma?" Hermione asked, pulling me back to the here and now. "What happened between you two before I came out earlier?"

"I told him I still love him." I whispered. A sensation of dread filled my chest as this realization came over me.

"Oh." Hermione said quietly.

"The worst part is that he said he wished he could be the bad guy and tell me to leave Blaise for him, but that he couldn't because he may not be what is best for me." I said, swallowing thickly. I looked up at Hermione, seeing the pity on her face. It made me feel only worse. I didn't want pity. But I knew that Hermione would always be on my side, even if she couldn't relate to my position from her own experiences.