Because of you

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I wake up before Hermione does. As I watch her sleep, I start to think about seeing Blaise later today. He's still my friend, but I don't know what to do if he crosses the line again. I'd hate to lose him, but it would kill me to lose Hermione. All I can do is hope that he doesn't try to push the issue again. I'm self conscious as is, I don't need him pointing out the obvious. It just makes me even more uncomfortable knowing that he's right.

"Morning." Hermione yawns as she wakes up.

"Morning." I smile.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Not long."

Hermione grins at me and slowly crawls out of bed. I watch her leave the room to go change. She turns around at the door and blows me a kiss before walking out. Smiling, I get up and start to get ready for the day ahead. I just hope that this is a better day than the last time all of us were together. Unfortunately, Neville won't be there to stop me if Blaise pisses me off again. He's spending the day visiting his grandmother. Ginny will be there though, although she seems more likely to encourage a fight than to break one up.

"Stop worrying about it." Hermione whispers as she walks up behind me and puts her arms around my waist.

"It's hard." I sigh.

"I know. Just try not to think about it. For me."

"Okay."

I turn around and hold her close to me. She rests her head on my chest and I rest my chin on her head. I close my eyes and try to stop thinking about all of my insecurities. It takes a little bit, but eventually I can just focus on Hermione. After a few minutes, she pulls away and takes my hand. We walk out of our secret room and all the way down to Hogsmeade. Ginny and the others are meeting us at the Three Broomsticks.

"About time you got here!" Pansy shouts as we enter the restaurant.

"Nice to see you too." I smile.

We fall into some easy conversation. It's a few minutes later when Ginny shows up, followed shortly by Blaise. I try not tense up as he sits down next to Pansy. Hermione squeezes my hand from underneath the table. She glances at me and I nod slightly. No one else seems to notice the brief exchange. Not even Pansy and she picks up on everything.

"So what's everyone doing for the holidays?" Pansy asks.

"I'm going home to knock some sense into Ron." Ginny smiles.

"Don't hit him too hard. You might kill some brain cells." Hermione grins.

It's become their habit to make jokes about Ron. They aren't happy with him and I understand why. I never really liked him anyway, but how he cheated on Hermione made me like him even less. Ginny even feels a bit of ill will towards him. I suppose it's nice to have her on my side. She'd be a frightening enemy.

"Draco's meeting my parents." Hermione says.

"Really?" Pansy questions.

"Yes." I reply.

"Nervous?"

"A little."

"I'm sure you have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks Pans."

I smile at her and she grins back. It's nice to be talking to her again. We've been a bit distant since the war, but now that the threat of retaliation from the Dark Lord is gone we can be ourselves again. It's nice to not have to pretend. It feels good to have people who genuinely like us for us and not just because our parents ordered us to get along. It's comforting to have real friends.