Love Changes (Dramione)

[forty four]

"If I knew we would have to cook this much for a common room breakfast, I never would have suggested it." Celine groaned as she fried another batch of sausages

"Well, we are twelve, and half of us are grown men who can easily eat everything off the table." Hermione laughed lightly as she stirred the pot of pumpkin soup. It wasn't a very breakfast-type of meal, but Draco loved it and she's never had the opportunity to cook for him properly until now.

"You know, Draco loves pumpkin soup. He always asked for it as a child." Celine piped in

"I know." Hermione smiled as she shut the fire "I thought this would brighten up his week."

"He really loves you, Hermione." Celine said, looking at her like she was debating on saying more. She didn't need to, though. Hermione knew what this was all about.

"You should know Theodore feels the same." Hermione said, turning around to begin setting the table "He loves you. Very much so."

Celine didn't disagree "He tells me everything."

"As he should." Hermione nodded

"So, I know how he feels about you too." Celine said with a sad smile "It's funny how he says he wants to build a romantic relationship with me but can't help himself from spewing out his feelings about other girls to me too."

Hermione smiled in understanding "Ron and I were best friends too before anything happened." She shrugged "It's difficult to see the line between being best friends and being lovers. In Theo's case, I don't think he wants to."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Celine asked as she served the last of the sausages on the platter

"Theo doesn't want anything to change, but he wants to be with you. It's quite impossible really." Hermione laughed lightly "He thinks he has to choose between being your best friend and being your boyfriend, and he doesn't want to."

"He doesn't have to."

"Exactly." Hermione chuckled "But, Cel, you have to understand. He's afraid that by being with you, he'll lose your friendship, and if anything horrible happens then he doesn't just lose his girlfriend, he loses his best friend too."

Cel sighed, she kind of suspected this already, but it helped to have another set of eyes tell her about it "And what of you, then?"

"Me? Theo fancies me because he think's it effortless and easy." Hermione said, looking at Celine "I told him, that love isn't supposed to be easy. It's supposed to make you scared, it's supposed to make you try, otherwise, is it worth keeping? I love Draco with all my heart, Celine, and no amount of pushing from Theo can take my eyes away from Draco. There's nothing to be worried about."

Celine released a breath she never knew she was holding in "I didn't want to speak to you about this, Hermione. You're my friend. It's just—"

"I know. Theodore can be impossible sometimes. You know that better than I do, having been his closest friend all these years." Hermione laughed "Besides, would you look at this ring? I won't trade anything for it." She lifted her left hand in emphasis

Celine laughed, then looked at Hermione sincerely "I'm sorry I had to bring it up, Hermione."

"I understand, and you have the right to. It's all good." Hermione shook her head "I'll be happy to stay away—"

Cel shook her head furiously "No, I wouldn't want that. I know how much your friendship means to Theo. It would be selfish of me to ask you to stay away when I know there's no threat." She smiled "He and I just have some doubts and anxieties to work out, I suppose."