Absence of Potter

Draco's Craving

With one bite, Draco Malfoy had eaten a fourth of his apple. "Honestly," Hermione said, looking across one of the tables in the great hall. Two apple cores were on Draco's plate. "You're going to get sick, Draco."

"Better him than me," Ron said. "I can't believe that I made the Quidditch team, and as the seeker no less." Draco rolled his eyes, taking another bite of his apple.

"Good thing you don't brag, Weasley," Draco said. "Just because you're destined to defeat the Dark Lord doesn't mean that you get to do whatever you want to. You've already had, what, three girls that you fancied this term?"

"I wouldn't say that," Hermione said. "I think that he only has his eyes on one girl." She looked into Ron's eyes and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Not now," Ron squeaked. "I have to look good for the rest of the team, Hermione." Hermione laughed.

"Yeah, Granger," Draco said, sneaking a wink at Hermione. She kicked his shin hard under the table and he nearly knocked the food off of his plate.

The trio ate in silence for the rest of the meal. When they were finished, Albus Dumbledore walked onto the platform on the other side of the room. With his wand in hand, he cast a spell that made his voice incredibly loud.

"Good morning, students," he said, his voice booming throughout the room. "As you all know, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbridge, has just been cleared of her duties and is being taken to Azkaban as we speak." A cheer erupted throughout the Great Hall. "We still have yet to determine the winner of the house cup this year."

"I hope its Slytherin," Draco whispered.

"You always hope its Slytherin," Hermione groaned. "I for one hope that Gryffindor wins this year."

"Slytherin has one for five years straight," Ron said. "I doubt Gryffindor has a chance."

"But they have you as the seeker fr their Quidditch team," Hermione said, smiling.

"They might as well have a rotting potato," Draco mumbled. "Ron hasn't caught the snitch once, and the only reason that he was made seeker was the prophecy."

"Draco," Hermione said, and Ron interrupted.

"No, he's right," Ron said. "Sometimes I wish that I didn't have the whole world resting on my shoulders. I wonder what it would be like if I hadn't been the Chosen One."

"Probably a lot more interesting," Draco said. "All that you've used your title for so far is getting girls, and look where that's gotten you."

"Don't be rude, Draco," Hermione said. "Ronald is a very honest young man, unlike some people here. He does what he feels is right, and he has stopped going after random girls. Ever since Lavender and Cho. I've been hoping, actually, that he might invite someone to the Yule Ball this year, since they had to cancel it in our fourth year."

"I don't need a history lesson," Draco said. "And I'm sure that someone will invite you to the ball, Granger." Hermione smirked.

"And why is that?" she challenged.

"I don't know," Draco said quickly, making Hermione and Ron chuckle.

"I know one bloke who's going to invite her," Ron said, winking at Hermione. Before thy could continue talking, Dumbledore began to speak again.

"Now," he said. "Since we were not able to have the Yule Ball two years ago, the professors and I have decided to relight the tradition this year. Let us hope that the Dragon fire will not be so damaging this time." A laugh erupted across the room, and even Severus Snape was smiling. "You are dismissed, please return to your dormitories for further instructions."

Everyone got up in unison, except for Draco. As soon as Dumbledore began to speak, Draco had gotten up and started walking out the hall. "Don't be an idiot," he said to himself when he had walked out the door to the Great Hall. "Hermione Granger could never love you."