𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐇/𝐃/𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐄 2008

Songlines (6/7)

"Ron, calm down," Hermione ordered firmly as Harry and Draco bit their tongues. Draco had only commented on the newest broomstick – he was going to buy it. And Ron had exploded.

"He rubs it in our faces!" Ron yelled, "You don't have to work with him every day – "

"He isn't your partner, Ron, so neither do you," Hermione pointed out calmly.

"Yes," Ron shouted, "I know. I can't forget. Harry would have been my partner if it hadn't been for that git! And like it's not enough that he prances around showing off his borderline magic daily, but now he has to make fun of my family's lack of money too!"

"George has money," Hermione interjected.

"That he worked for. Unlike that bit of scum," Ron held nothing back.

"Ron!" Harry shouted, growing defensive of Malfoy, whom he could feel was barely resisting the urge to – probably rightly – bite off Ron's head.

"Reformed piece of scum, I'm sorry," Ron glared, "you choose him over me every time."

"At least Draco listens to Harry," Hermione sighed, "You don't even listen to me!"

"Draco has to listen to Harry," Ron yelled back, "I'm your boyfriend, not your slave!"

"Ron," Hermione blinked back tears, "Draco is not Harry's slave, and I'm not asking you to be mine. Just be reasonable!"

"Reasonable? He made fun of me!"

"He did not. He said he was going to buy a broom," Hermione sighed.

"That I would love to have but never will because I can't afford it. This Auror thing is more than just a way to dirty my hands and look good. It pays the bills," Ron continued.

Draco then spoke, and Harry feared the worst, "If you want the broom, I can get you one. I can even wait until your birthday or Christmas so it isn't charity."

"It's still charity! And I don't want your filthy money, Malfoy!" Ron pushed the bench back and angrily left through the Floo.

"I'm sorry, boys. I'm really sorry when he gets like this," Hermione stood after him, "you guys are doing much better than we are it seems. I haven't heard of you fighting for...four months or so now. That's impressive. And Draco, does your family have any more books that make mention to house elves' legal status? International would be useful too. I just asked for British ones before..."

"We might have a couple about France," Draco replied smiling, "I'll have to frighten another house elf to get them."

"Draco Malfoy, you know I – "

"Calm down, Hermione," Draco laughed, "I just mean that they get scared I'm going to set them free whenever I set them on one of your liberation searches."

She pouted, "Oh. Well, okay then. So they still refuse payment?"

"'fraid so, Hermione," Draco replied. He went along with her S.P.E.W. stuff better than Harry or Ron mainly, Harry thought, because he knew that it was impossible.

"Well, I have to go and...calm him down. Thank you, Draco," Hermione waved and left through the Floo.

Draco looked much less happy after she left.

"Okay," Harry began, "so that didn't go so well..."

"He gives me no respect, Harry, no respect!" Draco exclaimed. "It's not right. It's not fair. I don't do anything to him! So I beat him in Auror training. He would do better if he just applied himself. You improved once I made you practice with me."