Draco's Obsession

Warning

Hermione's POV:

Hermione waited for a considerable long amount of time. Last night was overwhelming, to say the least. And she was worried sick all night.

She couldn't sleep either, so she spent most of her night in the library. No one would be in there this early in the morning, and she was grateful for that.

Her mind kept racing. So much happened last night, and all she wanted to do was tell Ron and Harry. But the minute the thought came to mind, her throat closed up from the realisation of never being able to do that again.

Seven years. That's how long she was gifted the ability to have friends whom she could confide and talk to. Although, the possibility of that ever happening again was slim to none.

That broke her.

No matter how bad things got between the trio, they were always there for one another. It was what she cherished the most. But that's all gone now.

Hermione had been skimming the long bookshelves in the library, when she heard a whisper. She paused for a moment, then realised that the someone was calling her name in a hushed tone. She walked to the end of the aisle and saw Harry looking down each bookshelf.

"Harry?" She called out.

When their eyes met, a surge of anxiousness flushed towards Hermione, spilling out Harry. She knew something must be wrong,

"Is everything all right?" She questioned nervously, but Harry only stalked towards her and pulled them further into the library, where only the darkness lived. "What's going on?" She asked after he let her go.

Harry rubbed his face and let out a long sigh. "I have to warn you."

Hermione rolled her eyes saying, "If this is about Draco...", but Harry quickly cut her off.

"No, no. Draco is the last person on my mind."

Hermione cocked her head at the comment. Draco was all Harry ever worried about.

It was hard to believe that Harry, suddenly, was no longer worrying about Draco. She didn't know it that she herself should be worried at the thought of it.

"Then what is it?" Her curiosity peeked as she stared at him.

Harry let out a heavy sigh again. "It's Ron."

Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Harry, not again. Please, I don't want to talk about him." She tried to walk away, but Harry cornered her with a look that pleaded with her to listen to him.

"It's not what you think. Ron has gone off the rails."

"Really?" She replied sarcastically.

"You don't understand, Hermione. Ron has become this obsessed and vengeful man who is only seeing you. I'm afraid he's going to do something stupid."

Hermione stood quiet, unsure of what to say. She knew that Ron was not taking the break up well, which is ironic given that he was the one to ruin their relationship. But that's not her problem, and she told Harry that repeatedly.

"He's not my problem anymore, Harry. I can't live my life trying to please someone who didn't give me an ounce of respect that I have always given him."

Harry nodded his head in understanding. "I just don't want him to harm himself or... you."

Hermione paused for a moment. "How do you mean?"

Harry rubbed the back of his neck, like he was trying to figure out a way to soften whatever he was about to say. "Ron's been incredibly aggressive lately."

"Okay."

"Towards Ginny, to Neville, me, and... Draco," he said the last name a little too quietly.

Hermione could feel her insides churning.

What the actual fuck?

Not only was he fighting with his best and closest friends, he's fighting with his sister.

Hermione didn't know what to say in response to that. All she could think of doing was pulling Ron up on it, but that's a conflict of interest. She never wanted to speak to him again.

Dilemma.

"Are you alright?" She whispered.

Harry only shrugged saying, "He's no Voldemort."

Hermione could only think to hug him tightly, and when she did, Harry held on to her like his life depended on it. They both simultaneously let out a deep sigh, as if they had been holding it in for weeks.

"I'm sorry, Harry."

He pulled her back and asked, "For what?"

"I can't help but take responsibility because..,"

"Don't. Don't take blame for the situation because it was never your fault."

Hermione nodded her head. "Is Ginny okay?"

Harry nodded, but he seemed slightly defeated. "She is, but it's killing me inside."

Hermione sighed sadly.

She understood what he meant. He loved Ginny. It was undeniable. And he loved Ron, too. But he would fight against Ron for Ginny, like he was doing for Hermione. It seemed that they both had lost Ron.

Well, at least she had.

Harry might still have a chance at redemption with Ron, although harming Ginny would eliminate that possibility.

"Ginny is strong. She can handle herself against Ron." Before Harry could utter another word, Hermione continued to say, "But I know how important it is for you to protect those you love, so be there for her. Don't interfere in their family matters. It'll only make things worse."

Harry nodded again. "I know," he whispered.

Hermione could feel his sadness and knew how hard it was for him.

"Is everything alright... with Malfoy?" He suddenly asked.

She froze, not sure of what to say. "Why do you ask?"

Harry cocked his head to the side, studying her face. "Well, with everything that happened last night, I figured something would have been wrong with him."

Hermione wasn't sure if she could trust Harry, so she said, "It was hard to say. He shut me out after everything."

Harry nodded. It seemed as though he may have known more than she did. She didn't think she'd like that.

"Can I ask you something?" She quickly said.

Harry nodded his head, encouraging her to ask.

"When you said aggressive, what exactly did Ron do to Malfoy?" She had heard whispers, but nobody said anything because she had asked her friends not to mention Ron.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck and said, "From what I know, Ron followed Draco down the hallway, and he pushed him. Ron was mad about Draco trying to make moves on you."

Hermione scrunched her nose in confusion. "Moves?"

"Ron believes that Draco is trying to get back at him, and he's doing that through you."

Hermione scoffed in annoyance. "Yes, because Ron is that important," she stated humourlessly.

"Ron isn't exactly seeing past his hatred from Draco," Harry pointed out.

"That's obvious."

Harry let out a relieved sigh and scratched his head. "Well, I'm glad I got to warn you. I just want you to be safe and cautious. I'll deal with Ron."

Harry began walking off when Hermione said, "Be careful. There's only one Potter left in this world."

Harry grinned at that.