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

Chapter 14

...in which Draco gets a taste of reality.

A small puff of white floated down through the sky and landed gracefully on Hermione's cheek, melting instantly from the warmth. She lifted her hand and wiped away the small wetness that the snow flake had left on her face, before grasping onto the handle of her trunk and attempting to roll it towards her car.

Her father, seeing the difficulty she was having steering the trunk on the ice-slicked ground, took the handle from her and began pulling it along himself. Her mother put an arm around her and rubbed her shoulder in an attempt to provide some warmth, but despite their efforts to make her feel at home, Hermione still felt a small pang of sadness deep inside that could not be eased by any loving actions from her parents.

As they made it to their car in the car park of Kings Cross station, Hermione and her parents ducked inside immediately and turned the heat up in an attempt warm their almost frozen bodies. As her father started the car, Hermione let her head lull back against the back of her seat and stared out the frosted window, not really seeing anything. Even if she had been looking, it would have been difficult through the persistent snow fall, but even so, her mind was elsewhere.

Two months. It had been nearly two months since she had last spoken to Draco or Blaise. Hermione couldn't understand it. Perhaps she had pushed them too far; perhaps they had given up trying to be in her life. Perhaps Draco had given up trying to get her to care. He had hounded her for weeks, trying to get her to make some sort of confession of her feelings, and eventually he had won.

It was at that point Hermione had realised that she had no idea what she wanted from Draco Malfoy. He had made her an offer, and she had denied it. Not because she didn't care for him, but because she refused to do that to herself. He had assumed she would jump at the chance to be with him in secret, as though she had no dignity, or no pride.

The problem was she had far too much of both, and even though she found herself attracted to the stupid Slytherin, much to her chagrin, she couldn't bring herself to swallow her pride and agree to his offer. He was such an arrogant ass. Sauntering around like he owned the place, snogging her when she least expected it, making offers of secret relationships as though she'd jump at the opportunity.

Hermione huffed silently, feeling herself grow more annoyed as she thought of the git who had somehow captured her heart. Who did he think she was? Some sort of Pansy Parkinson? Hermione openly scowled at the thought.

"Are you alright, dear?" Hermione mother asked gently from the front seat, obviously noticing the fierce expression on Hermione's face. The girl in question jumped slightly at the interruption in her train of thoughts, before assuring her mother she was perfectly fine, and that she was just a little travel sick.

Both her parents were concerned for her, and began assuring her they would be home soon. Hermione smiled as she thought about how much she'd missed them. She didn't know what she would do without them. Unfortunately, this train of thought brought her back to Draco.

He didn't seem to have a healthy relationship with his parents, or at least his father. In that sense she felt a little bad for her harsh thoughts towards him. What would she be like if her parents were horrible to her? She hated to admit it, but she knew she'd probably be just as defensive as he was.

Then again, was he really that bad? He was arrogant and pushy, and sure, he often got on her nerves. Yes, he was rather moody, and she often worried he would hex her again. And ok, he had a problem with pushing her up against library bookshelves and snogging her senseless, though she wasn't sure whether that last point was a negative...