Potter's Shadow (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 58

It was snowing in late spring/early summer and the fact that it was getting on my bread roll was not appreciated. I probably shouldn't mention that I was sat in the middle of the Great Hall, where it really shouldn't be snowing. I guess that's what I get for deciding to sit with my brother and his friends, especially as Ron had just got out of the hospital wing. 

"Stop it Ron, you're making it snow," Hermione whispered. 

I sighed as I brushed it off the library book I was studying from, "I'd rather not ruin this book or Madam Pince will stick me in detention again." 

Ron calmed and the snow stopped settling on our little section of the table. "Tell me how I broke up with Lavender again," Ron asked. 

Lavender Brown, Ron's now ex-girlfriend, one of the reasons I had been so vacant from my brother's friendship group recently. Hence, I was now spending a long overdue breakfast with them. I glanced down the table to Luna, Ginny and Penny begging for help but they all just laughed and beckoned me over. I shook my head, Harry had been looking forward to spending time with me. Not that you could tell with his nose stuck in his advanced potion making book. 

Even being rid of Lavender she still seemed to cause a problem, which meant Hermione had to keep reminding Ron that it shouldn't snow indoors. 

Hermione looked at both Harry and I, simultaneously we shook our heads. No way was I explaining the fact that I'd headed up with Ginny to the hospital wing only to witness Ron calling out for Hermione, it was one thing to be the love sick couple but it was a whole other thing to witness it forming between two people. 

"Um, well," Hermione started. I couldn't wait to see how she explained this one. "She came to visit you in the hospital. And you talked. I don't believe it was a particularly long conversation."

Ron turned from listening to Hermione to Harry, "Don't get me wrong, I'm bloody thrilled to be shot of her. It's just she seems a bit put out." 

I really shouldn't but I turned to look over at her along with the others. She was stewing like overcooked potion and I felt slightly guilty for the little bit of joy it brought me after she had almost ruined my brother's friendship group. 

"Yes, um, she does, doesn't she?" Hermione tried to be polite as she could but I knew someone deep inside she wanted to stick her tongue out and claim Ron as her own. I mean only Ron seemed oblivious to the fact that Hermione liked him and he liked her. Hermione tried her luck and asked, "You say you don't remember anything from that night? Anything at all?"

Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat before answering, "There is something." Ron paused for what felt like ages before continuing, "But it can't be. I was completely boggled, wasn't I?"

Hermione deflated, clutching the edge of her book, "Right. Boggled." 

They all settled down just enough for me to stuff the last of my bread roll in my mouth and move onto the next passage about Thestrels.  I hope Thestrals come up in the exam considering it would give me an unfair advantage against my peers as I could see them, while most of them couldn't.  

"Harry," Hermione hissed across the table at my brother, once again pulling me from my reading. At this rate I would never pass my OWLs. "That's Katie. Katie Bell." Hermione had to elaborate when Harry showed no recognition. I turned my head slightly to see her amongst a large group of girls as if they had all banded together as bodyguards for their friend. I understood, I would do it for mine and I hoped they would do it for me. 

I sighed as Harry stepped out from the table and chased after her leaving me alone with Ron, who was still not convinced on my relationship, and Hermione, who took every chance to lecture me on my exams and revision schedule.