Don't Blame Me

Ch.2 - Study 'Date'

Hermione POV

Skylar and I made our way to the black lake while making small talk along the way. 

"So, what's your family like?" I asked as we sat down under a tree facing the lake. 

"Well you've already met Draco, he usually spends his time reading or playing quidditch when we're home. Or just calling me a blood-traitor or a dyke." she stated nonchalantly. "Your own brother calls you that?" I asked, shocked and guilty for always believing Skylar had a perfect life. "Yeah. But I know he doesn't mean it, Father just managed to brainwash him a little too much." She explained. "Do you mind if I ask something a little personal?" she asked, as she started fidgeting. "Go for it" I replied after a moment of contemplation.

 "Do you know anything about SIrius Black, I mean he was supposedly after Harry last year, right? Mum doesn't believe he ever did anything wrong, they were cousins you know? She always says I remind her of him, apparently he was disowned and lived with the Potter's as soon as he turned 17 because he was seen as a blood-traitor." Skylar explained. "You have to promise not to say anything about this, not even to your brother, I suppose your mum would like to hear it though." I requested, I knew I probably shouldn't trust her, but I just did for some reason. She vigorously nodded her head up and down. "Alright, so apparently Sirius escaped Azkaban and got into Hogwarts in his Animagus form, and was never really after Harry." I started, and explained the whole story up until when we returned to the infirmary after using the time turner. 

"Wow" Skylar whispered, clearly in shock about the whole thing. "You and Harry did all that?" she asked in awe while I nodded bashfully. "What are your parents like?" I inquired, desperate to get the spotlight off of me. "Well Father is exactly as he seems, cold, ambitious, emotionless. I honestly don't think he has ever even hugged me or Draco." she stated sadly, she quickly cheered up though. "Mum is his complete opposite, I honestly don't think there's anything she wouldn't do for Dray and I." She paused for a few seconds before speaking again, "Pansy and Daphne are basically my family too though." I had to think for a few seconds to try to identify who she meant. "Parkinson and Greengrass?" I asked. "Yeah, I basically tell them absolutely everything, they're practically my sisters." She explained enthusiastically. "What about you?" she asked, looking at me expectantly. 

"Well you probably know my parents are muggles, they work as dentists." I explained, expecting Skylar to ask what a dentist was but instead she just nodded attentively. "You know what a dentist is?" I asked, clearly shocked. "I do, I've always been fascinated by muggle things and my aunt, Andromeda Black married a muggle-born, Uncle Ted's the best. My mum lets me spend most of the summer with them while Father just thinks I'm locked up in my room or at the Parkinson's." I nodded thoughtfully before continuing my life's story. "I'm an only child and don't have any cousins since my parents were also only children. My grandparents all passed before I was born and the Weasley's and Harry are the closest thing I have to a family." I said in a formal tone of voice, as if it was an interview question.

"Weasley, not that it's my business but, do you like him?" She asked with a serious look on her face. I had to think for a second before responding. "Well, I mean, I don't like him romantically but I guess I've just always thought if I had to date someone It would probably be him. Harry would objectively be a better boyfriend but he's too much like a brother for me to consider him." I explained, analysing my words carefully as I said them. "Why do you ask?" I asked, wondering why Skylar would want details on my non-existent love life. She just shrugged so I decided to think nothing of it. "What about you?" I asked. "What about me?" she repeated, clearly confused by my question. "Are you seeing anyone? Pansy's dating your brother isn't she?" I asked, remembering what I overheard Lavender and Parvati talking about. "Well, not necessarily. She and Draco are betrothed but she doesn't actually like him neither does he like her, he's into Astoria Greengrass, and honestly I can't blame him." she replied with a chuckle. "And no, I'm not seeing anyone. My Father doesn't care enough to arrange a marriage for me either. I'm honestly just waiting for him to disown me so I can go live with my aunt." She explained with a bittersweet smile. 

"Let's talk about something else, this is getting a little depressing." She suggested with a small chuckle. "Tell me about yourself," I prompted. "So, my favourite food is pizza, which is honestly pretty basic, but I love it. My favourite colour is scarlet, um, I love muggle music by the way." she commented. "Who do you listen to?" I asked curiously. "Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes mostly, my cousin, Nymphadora Tonks is a big fan of both too." She replied. "What's your favourite Taylor Swift album?" I asked, happy that I found someone I could talk to about this stuff. "Reputation, although Lover is really good even though it just came out." she answered immediately. I just gave her a small smile and looked up at the sky, mentally noting that it was already dark out and we hadn't studied at all.

"We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January

And this is our place, we make the rules

And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you dear

Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?"

I turned to face Skylar, realising that she was looking up at the stars, laying next to me and was singing Lover.

"Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

And ah, take me out, and take me home

You're my, my, my, my Lover" 

She whispered and turned on her side to face me and I found myself doing the same. Skylar reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Has anyone ever told you you're gorgeous?" she asked quietly, her hand lingering on my face. I shook my head, frozen in the moment. She slowly started leaning in and I found myself copying her movements. We were about an inch away from each other when a loud whisper was heard. 

"Hermione!" We both shot up and away from each other. "Harry?" I asked, recognising the voice. Harry appeared out of nowhere as Skylar stood by watching. "It's past curfew, you had me worried sick!" he explained. I quickly gathered up my unused books and walked towards Skylar. "Bye Sky" I whispered and shocked myself by leaning in and giving her a peck on the check. I didn't wait long enough to see her reaction as I rushed under Harry's invisibility cloak. 

"What was that?" questioned Harry with a teasing smile as we walked towards Gryffindor Tower. "What do you mean?" I questioned, feigning innocence. "Don't play daft Hermione, you know what I meant." He said, with an accusatory finger pointed towards me. "I don't know, we were supposed to study..." I mumbled. "Supposed to? What did you do then?" asked Harry in a teasing tone. "Nothing... We just... Talked." I replied with a small shrug as I tried to hide my smile as I remembered the night's events. "That's not what I saw." mumbled Harry under his breath. "What did you see then?" I retorted with a small smile on my face, glad I could talk to Harry and maybe Ginny about this stuff. "I saw you and bloody Malfoy literally about to kiss!" He explained, with a huge smile on his face although he quickly got serious. 

"So, do you just fancy girls then?" He asked in the most supportive tone I've ever heard. "No... Maybe, I don't know, Harry. I'm really confused." I replied as I tried to make sense of my feelings. "I mean I don't know her that well but at that moment I really did want to kiss her... BUt then again I can't really say it's just girls since I haven't really liked anyone else like that... I really confused Harry." I whispered as we walked inside Gryffindor Tower. Harry threw the cloak over a couch and pulled me into a tight hug. 

"You can talk to me you know, I might not have experience with this stuff or feelings in general, but I care about you... a lot, and I don't want anyone to hurt you or for you to hurt yourself so if the most I could do is offer to listen then that's what I'm going to do, alright?" he asked as he pulled back "Yeah, thank you Harry, it means a lot." I whispered to him. "I'll wait for you to go to breakfast tomorrow morning alright?" I asked. "Brilliant." He called back as we both headed towards our dorms.

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A/N In case you haven't noticed, this is gonna include a LOT of Taylor Swift references.