-Hermione-
"I don't understand how you are still sane."
The leaves cracked underneath my boots as they were already frozen. The sun was hiding somewhere behind a curtain of very white clouds what made the day seem a lot colder immediately.
"Mh-what?", I murmured, lifting my head a little.
"Look at this weather, it's depressing, honestly."
"I suppose.", I replied silently.
A breath of mine froze in the air and vanished right before my eyes. I had always wondered how some people could not see the magic behind this very process. No actual magic for sure but a truly enchanting occurrence of nature, far more magical than silly card tricks.
However the day seemed sadder than others. The bright white clouds appeared to overwhelm the earth beneath them and the cold air stood almost still, leaving one's surroundings somehow dead still. It seemed as though someone had pressed the pause button and we now were walking through a stationary freeze frame.
"Wanna hear what I suppose? I freaking suppose my feet are going to fall off any second!"
"Besides, this sweater is not providing warmth at all."
"If you would just put on the coat we bought, you'd be a lot warmer.", I stated in a matter of fact voice.
"Give it to me.", he bore his eyes into mine.
"Huh?"
I felt stupid but I somehow couldn't bring out anything else, being just as intimidated by the proximity as one could be. All I could think about was my undying wish for him to step away from me soon, telling myself that I simply didn't want my friends to start yet another fight with the blonde boy but I knew there had to be more to it.
"The coat, give it to me."
"You know, Granger, if I didn't know better I'd say you're scared of me.", he spoke lowly, scanning me from head to feet.
"I'm not.", I replied throatily.
"Hey, knock it off, dickhead!", Ron bellowed.
He took a step forward, putting on an angry expression but luckily Harry grabbed him by his arm and held him back. The black haired boy turned their fuming friend around and pulled him along, mumbling something about me being able to take care of myself.
"Maybe you should be.", Draco spoke quieter than before, ignoring the interruption as though it had never occurred.
"Maybe I don't wanna be.", I breathed as my voice cracked so much that I could only barely get out a word.
You are scared, admit it.
After a few hours of walking in silence, when the sun was already down, Harry exclaimed that we would build up our tent there and stay for the night. Ron was still obviously mad and once the tent stood he disappeared inside. I shook my head in disbelief. I liked this boy and he was my friend but he really had an annoying temper.
Harry had gone to get some fire wood for the night and I was just doing the protective enchantments. I assumed the pale boy had to choose between following Ronald inside and staying out here with me, so he chose the less exhausting possibility.
"They wouldn't do that.", I sighed but I was kind of starting to doubt that. Him being with us had driven a gap between me and my friends, especially Ron and it seemed to be only a matter of time until this whole situation would blow up.
"To you: no. To me they would.", Draco replied, burying his hands in the pockets. I could feel his gaze on my skin as I finished the spells.
"You cannot blame them.", I then imitated his actions and smiled as I could slowly feel my fingertips again.
He shrugged his shoulders, slowly bending down to tie his shoelace as it seemed to have loosened, so I waited quietly next to him. I felt rude for simply leaving him standing at the spot right there, not least because he voluntarily had started a conversation with me.
"They're my best friends and yet we still have difficulties. If even we have our spats, how can you expect it to be different with you?"
"You treat me differently.", he stated. I gulped, sliding my hands deeper into my pockets.
"Well, I'm more mature.", I spoke, lifting my eyebrows at him to overplay my racing pulse. "And I, unlike other certain people, despise prejudices against others just because they're different."
I lifted my chin with an attitude I hadn't used in a long time, crossing my arms in front of my chest to stress my point. He glanced down at me and I thought I saw the corners of his lips twitching slightly, but I was probably wrong about that.
"Well, you're still a mudblood.", he said in a kind of serious, kind of amused tone.
"A mudblood you escaped with from your lunatic aunt.", I fired back in my know-it-all voice.
He smirked. "Don't think that changes anything."
"Draco?", I asked quietly. "You should wake up. Wake up!"
"What the-", he hissed, giving me a confused look. "Hell, it's just you."
Charming. "Of course it's me, who else did you expect?"
"You were bleeding, I thought you should wake up, I-", I started to explain.
Absentmindedly Draco wiped off the blood from his face, as though it didn't bother him even the slightest bit. "It won't happen again", he muttered angrily.
"I-I don't understand", bewildered I stared at him, wondering what he could possibly mean by that.
"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't just let you bleed like that-", I retorted sarcastically.
"Yeah, why didn't you?", he interrupted me, making me fall silent unwillingly. "My thoughts exactly."
Debating whether I should scoot back over to my previous sleeping spot or stay right where I was, I covered my fingertips with the ends of my sleeves, finally choosing the latter. A sudden numbness filled my body, as I gazed into the dangerously dancing flames.
Why didn't you?
That's more like it, deary.
I gulped down the lump that was forming in my throat, blinking away a few lonely tears. It was war and I was selfishly concentrating on all the wrong things. This was war and we were running from it – that was all that should matter. No, it was all that did matter. Determinedly, I sat up straight, gazing into the flames until my eyes hurt from the unhealthy brightness. With a sigh, I tore my eyes from the fire and looked down on my hands. Even though they were now wrapped in the warm light of the flames, my skin had its usual healthy colour, much different from the pale image of my dream...
A/N: I know it kinda sucks and I know it's been ages but it was really incredibly hard to get back into this story after such a long time. I hope you still like it and don't hate me xx
