Slytherin Pride

Walks

Hermione's POV
I walked through the corridors heading for the doors to the outside world. I always took walks when I was upset and today was no exception. I took a turn and headed towards the greenhouse I loved, walking by and getting hints of luscious, flowery smells. It reminds me of Gin's perfume...a new wave of salty water came rushing out of my eyes.
I collapsed on the ground looking into the greenhouse. I saw Professor Sprout teaching a class. I remembered how this whole thing started. Me running up to get my textbook for Transfiguration. It was still missing. I sighed and snuggled, trying to mask the flowery scent. Why did I do this?! Why do I always do this to myself? Why did I have to go and make her angery, not accept her apology? I sat there puzzled by my own thoughts, something that doesn't happen often at all.
I heard soft footsteps and I looked to my right to see Luna. I wasn't in the mood to talk, but Luna always made me feel better. Her voice itself gives me the urge to smile. She slumped down beside me and tilted her head to the side looking at me. The Quibbler was in her hand. A slim piece of parchment was wedged in between pages halfway through the issue. I guessed it was her page marker.
"Hermione, are you quite alright?" Her airy voice pierced the air and as I had predicted, I had the strange urge to smile. I fought that urge and just nodded my head slowly. She giggled. "You know I'm not as smart as you but I know that those aren't happy tears...unless your mind is infested with Nargles and I can help you there too. My father printed a section on how to get rid of them just in today's issue. But it could also very well be Spiltches and I can't say I quite know the solution to that yet. My father just discovered them you know." I gave Luna a half smile and she returned a full one, teeth and all.
"So, what is it really, Hermione?" I decided it was best just to answer. "Ginny and I got into a... fight." Luna's radish earrings swung as she nodded her head. "I guess I crossed a line, but she said I was getting into Ron!" Luna nodded again and opened her mouth to speak. "May I ask what you crossed lines over?" I knew she would ask that. "Well, I said that she should be with that ferret, Malfoy, and then she just kinda lost it. It's all on her. But Malfoy Is a git, so I blame him as well."
I was just starting to get the hang of the lecture when Luna raised her hand. "Hermione can I tell you something?" I nodded. "Of course you can! No need to ask." She smiled and continued. "I have been friends with Draco since the beginning of sixth year." My mouth fell open. " Luna how could you even look at that...that..." She raised her hand again. " I would like you to stop with the foul language until you can answer the following questions." I nodded and she proceeded to ask them.
"Have you taken the time to actually know?" My shoulders slumped. "No, but..." She held her hand and didn't put it down. "Have you ever talked to him at all, or are you too worried about breathing within ten feet of him?" She put her hand down and I took the opportunity to talk. "Well no...but all he ever does is call me mudblood, so I haven't bothered."
I was confident in my answer until Luna started talking again. "He hasn't in more than five years and only once in second year. Give him a chance. He's hurting. He just needs company and I gave him a chance. That chance changed the murder of Dumbledore. He would have done it without a second thought. I saved him."
I saw him crying in the library while I was looking for a book to help my father research Nargles. I sat beside him not so much different than I have done to you five minutes ago. He opened up and told me about his troubles. In that instant, I forgave him for everything and we became friends." Luna finished her story and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Sounds like a book worthy friendship." She smiled as well. "Maybe." I smiled a hugged Luna before I got up off the ground to head towards detention. I had to go, too, even though it was Ginny he wanted. She waved and began walking towards Hagrid's. She often went there much like Harry, Ron, and I used to do daily.
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