Smirks, Books and, Dirty Looks

Uneasy

"Please pass the chicken." Hermione quietly asked her eyes focused on her food. Blaise had seen them, not only that, but he had made a show of it. Luna passed the food in her direction a look of curiosity on her face. "You know, Hermione, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Draco is a very handsome man. I can't say I blame you." There was a choking sound coming in the direction of both men. "You think this ogre is handsome?" cringed Blaise. Luna chuckled and looked directly at him, "I guess you are rather handsome when you don't whine too." Draco laughed at Blaise and continued to eat.

Hermione felt strangely at peace watching everyone around her. The children had had a quick dinner and had run upstairs again laughing as they went. Draco looked relaxed while squabbling with his best mate something that looked more normal than the current situation. Luna was watching Hermione across the table and she felt herself blush under the witch's concentrated gaze. She gave her a slight nod and shy smile, "The food is delicious Luna." She smiled and thanked her understanding the discomfort. Hermione almost sighed a breath of relief when all eyes had adverted to their respective activities. After they were finished Luna waved her wand and everything magically began picking up after itself. "Draco why don't you come with me for a while and let Hermione take a bath? I'm sure she is dying to relax without the constant gaze of anyone." Draco looked to the witch on his left and saw that indeed it was what she wanted and nodded. "Sure, we can take a walk in the garden." Luna nodded and waved him over, turned and left. Blaise was watching as they walked away, carefully he looked back to Hermione. Hands folded brow raised he spoke, "I hope you are ready to leave for good. Luna has been worried sick ever since she noticed. I know it is none of my business but we do care about you. I just hope you know what you're doing with that one Mione." She felt her cheeks turn red and he chuckled, "regardless, we are here for you. Come what may."

Hermione just stared at Blaise with contemplation. "Maybe. I mean, I'm not really doing anything at the moment." She shrugged and looked away awkwardly. "I'm just saying be careful, for the both of you. He really likes you. I should know." He smirked. "He just.." Blaise trailed off and that piqued Hermione's interest, "He's what?" Blaise shrugged and walked away. 'That was weird. I wonder what he meant by that?' Standing there in the kitchen she felt like the walls were starting to close in on her. Draco liked her, yes it was obvious to Hermione at this point, but it was nice hearing it from someone who knew him on a personal level. Hermione walked towards the hallway and up the stairs. She found a room with a big bathroom built in and a spacious tub centered in the middle. It looked like a scene from a movie she had seen once before. She smiled and closed the door, the mirror reflected her image and she felt like she could hardly stomach her reflection. The charm had started to ware off and she realized that was what Luna was staring at so intently. Embarrassment filled her face, how long had it been since it started to wear off, at this point it was basically an advertisement for abuse.

She felt like her secret was being viewed by everyone and it felt horrible. Ron had made her unrecognizable, had made her someone else. Who was she now, certainly not the brightest witch of her age, certainly not the fearless war hero everyone thought of when they saw her. It made her upset just thinking about the pitty she must be receiving from all of them. Her clothes were shabby and her hair was frizzier than normal. She must look like a complete mess, like an incompetent mother.  This is what Ron had done to her, made her less confident, a walking victim under hero's clothing. 'How could Draco find this attractive?' Turning on the tub and waiting until the water was hot she conjured up some bubbles for her bath. Taking off her clothes she felt weird not being in her own bathroom, almost like she was in a daydream about to stir any moment. Hermione slid soundlessly into the warm water. Her mind trying to calm itself, trying to get her breathing to slow as she felt her muscles relax in the delightful heat. The past couple of days had been new, tough, and strangely thrilling.

She had done it, she had gone along with Draco not caring of the consequences. A sudden pang hit her, what is she going to do now? Her mind was in a blaze thinking of every option available. 'Will Ron be upset? What if it gets worse, and he loses it in front of Sabrina? I could always just go home..' Stopping her mind from thinking was hard enough to do on a regular basis, but stopping her mind when she was thinking about this was like playing Go blindfolded. She sank further into the water until her nose was above the bubbly surface. It sounded like a tomorrow problem, right now all she wanted to do was relax and get away. Ron could wait just this once.

Outside the air was crisp but nice, the witch walking—more like waddling—besides him kept looking at the garden. Luna looked dazzling in the moonlight her belly was an extension of that beauty, Draco could see why Blaise was enamored. Sure she was a bit ditzy here and there but beautiful no doubt. "You know, staring at me like that wont change the fact that I am upset with you." She continued to look at a flower struggling to bloom. With a swish of her wand the bud opened up to a beautiful Devil's Trumpet. He stayed quiet. "You have no idea why do you?" Luna turned abruptly to face him. He continued to stare refusing to answer her, she sighed. "She's married. She has a daughter. Not to mention her face—wait I'm not finished—you have put her in danger if Ron goes home and finds her not there." Draco felt his face harden, "You don't know what you're talking about." He spat at her, him arms crossed as he stormed off. "Immobulus" He was frozen in his footsteps. "No, Draco, I do know what I'm talking about. Fortunately, for the both of you, I also know he will not find out, at least not tonight." She grimaced, "I understand that you may care about her, but I repeat, she is married. Before you think about doing anything rash make sure you are ready to accept the consequences of your actions. She is not alone, that beautiful little girl is suffering too and if you take one you take both. Is that really something you are ready for?"

Draco scowled at the witch, "Can you release me now?" Luna held her wand out but hesitated, "Promise me Draco, you wont give up on them easily. Remember, the hardest part of leaving someone you once loved with a passion, is accepting that they no longer are the person they used to be." She looked sad, ethereal almost, the way her blonde hair waved in the breeze. The blue of her eyes speaking truth far to real to deny, "I promise." Satisfied she released him and continued to walk away leaving Draco in thought. "Why wont he find out?" He called after her. Turning she looked at him, "Because he is busy taking out his frustrations with someone other than his wife." Draco felt his jaw drop. 'Not only is that bloke a good for nothing wife beater, but he's a fucking cheater too?' Looking up at the sky he felt his heart hurt for the woman inside unknowingly feeling guilty for leaving someone who doesn't care anymore.