The Fine Line Between Love and Hate | Dramione AU by Short-circuit-Soulmate

Chapter 6

...in which Hermione gets hexed.

Hermione walked down the shifting staircase the next day, having recovered somewhat from her humiliating experience the night before in front of three quarters of the Silver Marauders.

She had spent some time that night and this morning going over what had happened. Firstly, she had been surprised at Malfoy's actions, or more specifically, his lack of actions. Hermione could not recall a time when Malfoy had not jumped at the opportunity to hex, taunt, or cause her some form of bodily harm. Last night he hadn't, and not only that, he'd stopped his friends from doing the same. That was definitely unusual.

Then secondly, the way he had looked at her when Potter had sent that disgusting spell her way had been absolutely unusual. It wasn't a sneer or a scowl, or any real hate-filled expression; it almost looked like a man who had just realised the earth revolved around the sun, not the other way round. That had definitely confused Hermione. He couldn't possibly find her attractive, could he? He'd gone out of his way for years to make sure she knew she was far from it.

But that was the only explanation Hermione could think of for that look. A look whose intensity gave her shivers just remembering it. Yes, despite the fact that she was a 'mudblood', she was still a woman, and even she had to admit she looked good in lingerie. In fact, out of fear of something similar happening again, she'd reverted back to her white cotton underwear.

Hermione found herself content that she'd figured out the cause for Draco's expression. She refused to think that there was anything more than that, despite the fact that every time she thought of it the only thing that came to mind was the nature of Blaise and Ginny's conversation in the library that day.

The thought of Draco Malfoy liking her of all people, when he hadn't even wanted Ginny, was ridiculous.

Hermione, who had never really cared much for her looks, knew that Ginny was effortlessly one of the prettiest girls in school, not to mention one of the most popular, so to think that Draco would reject Ginny for her was just ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

Sure, Hermione had her strengths, but none of them involved looks, personality or boys; they were all books, knowledge and brains. Draco would not value those attributes over some of the ones many boys valued in this school.

Hermione shook her head, scolding herself for her ridiculousness. She was a mudblood anyway; the notion of him fancying her was ridiculous. She was even more worried about why she was bothering to think about who Draco might or might not like. Since when did she care about such things?

She let out a breath, wishing Neville were here to distract her, but he had slept in this morning. He'd spent most of last night in the greenhouses again, and didn't get back til very late. Hermione shook her head. She couldn't see how he could spend so much time on Herbology; sure, it was a fascinating subject, but it wasn't like Transfiguration, or Ancient Runes. She did understand, though, how easily it was to get so lost in something you enjoy that you lose all sense of space and time. She was happy he found something he enjoyed, she only wished it was something they could do together. She'd barely seen him lately.

"Hey Frills."

Hermione was broken out of her thoughts as she turned her head to see which poor girl was on the receiving end of that horrid nickname. She was confused and surprised, however, when she saw a group of Ravenclaw boys smirking at her.

She gave them a stern glare which had them looking away, but as she continued on walking she couldn't help the sudden sense of foreboding that came over her. What had that been about?