Draco's Obsession

Durable

Hermione's POV:

Hermione couldn't lie to herself. For the first time during this awful week, she was excited to actually leave her room without the fear of being bombarded with so many people questioning her about her relationship with Ron.

Malfoy wasn't the slightest bit interested in her relationship.

It was refreshing.

She made sure to shower and comb out her hair to remove the unwanted frizzle from her ends. When she was finally satisfied with her hair and attire, Hermione gleefully began making her way down the stone stairs from her bedroom and into her dormitory.

Neville was sitting by the roasting fireplace reading a book, and she realised she hadn't seen or actually spoken to him since the victory party.

"Morning, Neville," she announced.

He looked up from his book and smiled at her. "Morning, Hermione. You're up early," he observed.

"Yeah! You waiting for someone?" She asked him curiously.

He nodded his head and began saying, "Luna said that she'd meet me down here so we could go to the dining hall together."

Hermione smiled and replied, "Well, she should be down soon."

She made to leave when Neville suddenly asked, "How are you?"

Here we go.

"I'm good."

"I'm sorry about everything. And I'm sorry that I haven't checked in sooner. Luna said that you wanted space, and I'm sure you've been bombarded by nearly everyone." Neville shut his book and declared, "Space is the last thing you probably would have gotten since the... incident."

Hermione cringed at the word incident.

She wouldn't call it an incident.

She'd call it a betrayal.

"No, I haven't had any space. Nowhere feels safe, unfortunately."

Neville frowned at that. "I'm sorry. I do hope everything gets resolved so your heartache ends."

Hermione smiled sweetly at his kind words and hugged him tightly.

She let out a heavy sigh and suddenly felt lighter.

"Hermione," she heard from behind her.

Hermione stiffened in Neville's arm. She knew that voice all too well and didn't need to turn around to know who stood behind her. She refused to acknowledge him.

"Thank you, Neville," she said gratefully and made to leave the dormitory.

"Hermione, wait."

But she didn't. She left before Ron ruined her mood.

She made sure to hurry to the Great Hall. She was a little out of breath when she made it to the doors, but it was worth it to not be around Ron right now.