The Dark Side (Unedited)

Chapter 23

A Hogsmeade outing had been scheduled for the next week, so they decided that they would go as a group again despite the dilemma that had unfolded at the previous trip. Hermione did want it to be just her and Draco, but she knew that it wasn't fair to dump Ron on Harry and Ginny.

He was still exceptionally moody, but that was just Ron's personality anyway. He never left Harry and Ginny alone together, sitting between them at meals and always partnering up with Harry in class. She could tell that Ginny was about to explode, so she planned to distract Ron for a couple of hours while they were at Hogsmeade so that they could have a few private moments together.

The day for their excursion finally arrived, so they padded to the cosy town and rushed into the bar to escape the icy wind. This time, conversation was slightly less awkward, with Draco contributing more and Ron even joking and laughing like usual. After their warm beverages, they decided to face to cold weather.

"Hey Ron, Draco wants to have a look in Spintwitches, do you want to come too?"

"Yeah sure, sounds great. I heard that they have a massive sale on at the moment, actually." He said with genuine enthusiasm. Hermione smiled proudly as Draco struck up a conversation about a new broom that was in store, and they managed to slip out and leave Harry and Ginny by themselves.

As they walked, the broom conversation drizzled to a close, and Ron slowed to walk next to Hermione.

"I know what you're trying to do."

"Sorry, Ron. But in case you haven't noticed, she's already pregnant and there isn't anything that you can do about it anyway."

"I know, it's just.... I feel like everybody is moving forward, and I am just stuck in place, watching everyone else's life unfold. I feel like I'm turning into someone like George."

"Oh Ron, that isn't true! You've got a job, none of us have done that yet." Hermione said, grasping at something to make him feel better. "I'm sure that you will find someone for you again, you know why we broke up. It wasn't working and we both knew it."

"I know Hermione, I just don't know if I'm going to be able to find someone as good as you." He said sheepishly. "I can't bloody believe that I just said that."

"Don't worry, Ron. You're brilliant, you'll find a girl." He smiled and began to talk to Draco about which team he supported.

Half an hour later, Hermione was still watching the boys flit around the store, looking lost in their wonder. She desperately thought of a way to get them out of there, but she knew she would have to physically pry them away from the walls lined with plaques and trophies.

"Guys, I've got a load of homework waiting to be finished, so I might go, but you two take your time okay?" She ducked out of the store after their blank faces barely recognised her excuse.

She barely noticed the beautiful creature as she walked by, but at the last second something caught her eye and she turned to face a beautiful and grand honey-coloured owl. He was the only one left, sitting in a cage on a rickety table that hid a hunched wizard, who eagerly looked at her as if trying to persuade her to buy the owl so that he could pack up his shaky stall and head for the hills. She already had Crookshanks, but as far as she knew Draco didn't have any pets.

Before her brain even realised it, she was rummaging through her purse for the right amount of money. She knew that she could not leave the breathtaking owl at that dirty old store.

As she heaved it home to Hogwarts, she hoped that Draco would accept the owl, and that it would help him on his journey to be a better person who was able to love.