Where the hearts meet - A short story of love and hate

Chapter Three

"Nott, I was looking for you. What were you doing, still babysitting ?", asked Draco. 

Theo rolled his eyes at this snarky remark. He turned his head slightly to look at his friend, a small smirk on his face. 

"Well, look who's here. I'm not babysitting, I'm just here keeping Hermione company since she's resting her ankle. Is that a problem, Malfoy?, answered Theo.

- You and I have better things to do. Let's go. Now."

Theo huffs in annoyance at Draco's command, clearly unhappy with being told what to do. He glances at Hermione apologetically, silency giving her an 'I'm sorry' look before standing up from the bed. 

"Alright, alright. I'm coming. Keep your knickers on."

Hermione couldn't hide her disappointment. As surprising as it may seems, she enjoyed his company. Theo noticed it immediately, his smile dimming a bit. He didn't want to leave either and gave her a small nod. 

"Guess I'll see you around Theo. Thanks for the help and everything..., said Hermione with a hushed voice. 

- No problem at all. Anytime Hermione. Take care of that ankle, alright?"

Leaving the infirmary, Draco got closer to his friend. 

"And everything? What does it mean?, he whispered.

- Relax mate, it's nothing like that. I was just being polite and friendly, like any decent person would be after helping someone, answered Theo, rolling his eyes. 

- Remember Nott, Granger is off limits. You can't have her, said Malfoy, threatening. 

- I never said I wanted her, mate. You really think I'd go for a busty-haired know-it-all like her?She's not my type, I have higher standards."

Suddenly, a figure passed by them, walking with a determined step. A paper snake slipped from her pocket and fell at their feet. It only took Theo a few seconds to recognize the origami he had made earlier, to pass the time in the infirmary. Hermione had left the hospital wing, what if she had heard everything? For his part, Draco's eyes widened as he recognized Hermione. He turned to Theo and gave him a glare, silently cursing himself for making such a carelss remark. His mind was racing, trying to figure out a way to fix the situation before things got worse. 

"Shit. What do we do now?, asked Theo. 

- Shhh! We don't know if she heard us. Let's just act natural and hope for the best.

- Since when do you care about her? Feeling a bit sensitive Malfoy? 

- I don't care about her feelings, you dolt. I don't want to deal with her nagging and anger, that's all. We don't need more trouble, especially when you went out of your way to make yourself look like a knight in shining armor. 

- Stop with the bullshit. She's more fun that it seems, I like that about her."

Draco's expression turned to one of surprise at Theo's unexpected declaration. He didn't expect his friend to actually develop feelings of any kind for Hermione. 

"Are you serious? You like her? Are you for real, mate? 

- I know she's yours, bro code and everything. But you never shoot your shot after all.

- She's not mine, you idiot. But she's also not available.No use in you getting your hopes up for nothing", answered Draco, anger creeping in his tone. 

Draco's jaw clenched, a mix of annoyance and frustration building inside him. He could feel in his bones that this conversation  was taking a dangerous turn. But he couldn't stop himself.

"Are you seriously going to pursue Granger? After all the insults and mockery you've just thrown at her? You think she'd ever give you a chance?, he asked. 

- An apology goes a long way you know. 

- And what kind of apology do you plan to giving her, huh? Oh, sorry for all the shitty things I said, I was just being a prat? It's not my fault, you know how Malfoy is, he pushed me to do it? That's not going to cut it.  She's not that stupid", said Drago, folding his arms accross his chest, clearly not convinced. 

But Theo had no intention in continuing this conversation. Draco watched as he walked away in direction of Gryffindor's dorms, his disbelief and annoyance mixing into a confused expression. He couldn't believe what his friend was planning to do. He clenched his jaw, muttering under his breath. 

"Bloody fool... He's going to get himself rejected. What the hell is he thinking?"

But a worry persisted in his mind, gradually taking up more and more space. What if it worked? What if Hermione fell under his spell like many girls before her? He had to face the facts, none of these options suited him: he couldn't bear to see her on another's arm, even less hanging on Nott's, but knowing her broken after hearing their words gave him a pang in the heart.

"I guess Nott was right. I do care about her feelings after all."

Chasing that thought from his mind, Malfoy resumed his walk towards his common room.