From the Point of View of a Mudblood

Chapter 22: The Train Ride That Broke His Heart (and His Nose)

"Promise to write to me every week!
And I'll write back too. And make sure to address it like I showed you. And don't forget to tell me about your trip to Australia! And-"
His lips pressed onto her's to shut her up. He was amused when he pulled away to see her surprised face.
"I know what to do, Granger. I'll see you in September. Stay safe. Be healthy. And go to your friends."
"I'm going to miss you, Draco. Have a nice holiday."
She kissed him again. This one was different. It was genuine and sweet. It felt innocent to Draco. Like they were 11 again.
"I'll miss you too, Granger."
He releases her hand as she turns to meet her friends. As he watches his girlfriend walk away, he studies her body once more, thinking back to their conversation the week before.
'You're perfect. I'm in love with you, Hermione Granger.'
He smiles at the memory of that night.
She was sitting on the bench of the room on the train, waiting for Ron and Harry to come. She kept letting her thoughts drift to him. To his soft hands and warm embrace.
"Hermione! Are you ok? We've been talking to you for five minutes!"
"Oh, I'm sorry boys. I just had something on my mind as all."
Harry lifted a skeptical eyebrow at her response. He could tell that she was thinking about Draco. And apparently Ron had noticed that something was off.
"Hey Hermione, your lips look a little different. Did you change something? Did a charm go wrong?"
"Oh, um." She lifted her fingers to her lips. "I-it must have been a charm. Don't worry about it. I'm glad your leg is better. And, Harry, thank you for helping me with my issue last week. You guys are great."
"Anything for you, Hermione."
"Yeah, we've got your back!"
She smiled as a knock sounded on the door. She looked up to see Draco. Harry stood up before she could think of what to do.
"Hey, Hermione? What's he doing here?" Ron had a confused look on his face. Harry's was more aggressive. "Yeah. I thought I told him to leave you alone."
"I'm not sure. Let me ask him." She gently pushed Harry out of the way so that she could squeeze out of the room. All Harry and Ron could see was their mouths moving. The doors prevented sound from coming in.
"Wow, that must be some explanation," said Ron as Hermione led Draco into the room.
"Um. Uh... Harry, Ron, Draco and I have something to share. And then we have to go and tell his friends."
"No, Hermione. I don't think you want to tell us." Hermione knows that Harry was protecting Ron. She knew about his feelings for her.
"I think she does, Potter. Granger and I are dating."
"Draco! I said that we needed to ease into it. I told you not to spit it out like that."
"So. Um, you and Malfoy are a th-thing?" Ron looked exasperated. "Yes, Ronald. Draco and I are a thing." She smiled as she took Draco's hand. Ron's face twisted at the sight. He seemed angry. The next thing Hermione could take in was Draco pinned on the wall and Ron pulling back his fist.
"Ronald! Release him! Please!" Harry pulled Ron back and Hermione held Draco. "We should go. We want to tell his friends today, too. Thank you for being so understanding, Harry. Ron, we'll talk later."
"I would like an explanation, too, Hermione. We'll see you later."
"Bye Harry. Bye Ronald." They walked out of the room and left the boys alone.
"Why him? Why Malfoy? Why couldn't she see that I'm right here. I'm here! And he's not. But she chose him?"
Ron sank to his seat and placed his face into his open hands.
"I'm sorry, mate. They've been at this for a while. There's nothing we could have done."
"You knew? How long is 'a while'?"
"She explained that they met on her first day on King's Cross in First year. They've been on and off since then. They tried to be friends but Draco didn't want that. I caught them on the roof of the Gryffindor Tower during our first year. I'm really sorry, mate."
"I don't understand why him. And now? She punched him a month ago!"
"I don't know what to tell you."
"Come on, Draco. Tell me this is a joke! You can't possibly be with that mud-"
"It's not a joke, Pansy. Granger is my girlfriend. And don't call her that name. It's barbaric." His friends had taken it a little better than Ron and Harry had. But not by much. She classified the fact that nobody was pinned to the wall as "better." But they were still surprised. Some were angry. Others congratulated us. Overall, she enjoyed their company. They were nice people, except Pansy Parkinson. She was staring daggers at Hermione. Granger had the feeling that Pansy had feelings for Draco. They chatted for a while but when the 20 minute announcement rang, Hermione gave Draco a kiss and got up to leave.
"Hey, let me come with you. I can hold Weasel back. Or hold you back, it it comes to that." He let out a small chuckle.
"That's not funny, Draco. I'm going to have a civilized talk with Ronald like adults."