Hermione Granger and the Lost Love

Insecurities

I began to look at Malfoy as a close friend, someone I could count on for advise or just to talk to. We would hang out in the late evenings at the library when nobody else was there. I had received special permission this year from Professor McGonagall to have extended library hour privileges. Therefore if Harry or Ron were ever at the library with me, I would just wait for everyone to leave and then Malfoy would sneak in. 

 We would have a real splendid time together. Usually by the time everyone left we were both done with homework, sometimes he would have a little left over so I would help him. Once we were both finished we would just talk, he would bring snacks, some were so expensive that I had never even heard of them before. He would tell stories of the mischief he would cause at Malfoy manner. I would tell him what it was like living in  the muggle world and oddly enough he seemed really interested. 

 It was weird though because it was almost as if we had an unspoken agreement to not acknowledge each other when other people were around. I didn't mind really, his friends still carried a prejudice towards people without pure blood. I mean it did hurt that he cared about what they thought, but on the other hand I understood because  I wanted to keep our friendship a secret from Ron and Harry, they would never forgive me.

 That is what makes what happened hurt that much more. Things seemed to be going really well, he would finally start opening up about really personal stuff. It was right after Ron rudely asked me to go to the Yule Ball with him. We were sitting in our usual spot and I really wanted his opinion on the matter. Knowing how he felt towards Ron, I was nervous as to how he would react to it. I finally got the courage to ask him.

"Malfoy, I need to ask you a question about the Yule Ball.."

His grin split ear to ear "That's funny I wanted to bring that up as well."

Feeling much more confident now I just blurted it out "Look I know we don't really talk about my friends but I really need your advice about something. You see I really wanted Ron to ask me, but Ron being....well Ron waited till the last minute and somebody else asked me. I don't know what to do. Should I forgive Ron and go with him after all?"

I was so wrapped up in my own issues that I barely noticed Malfoy's face fall. He cleared his throat and began "Who asked you to the Ball?"

"You're not going to believe this but....Viktor Krum!"

His mouth fell open and his pale eyebrows scrunched together. "He-what? Krum asked you?" The disbelief in his voice was poorly hidden. 

"What is that supposed to mean? What am I not pretty enough for you to believe a guy would actually ask me out?" That hurt more than I like to admit.

"What? Of course not. I just..never mind, forget I said anything." He dropped his head and pretended to start doing his homework.

Just wanting to be at peace again I decided to drop it. "Okay..Well then what did you want to ask me about the Ball?"

There was silence and I waited. And waited. Still no response, so I repeated the question. Still nothing. I couldn't believe it he was actually ignoring me. He looked up for a second and glared at me. What was going on with him?

"Are you really giving me the silent treatment?"

He started packing his books and mumbled forget it under his breath.

"Oh no no. You will not get off that easily."

He finally looked up. "I said forget it Granger." His words were filled with acid, where was this coming from? Then I heard what I thought I'd never have to hear from him again from under his breath.

"What did you say?" I practically growled it.

He walked away and I followed screaming my head off, completely forgetting it was after hours. "Are you serious right now? You ignore me for no reason and now you insult me? Great real mature Malfoy. Well pay attention to this because I promise you I will not be repeating it." He finally stopped and turned around to look at me. "This little thing we have right here is finished. You are a foul excuse for a man and I never want to speak to you again." My blood was boiling and I could feel the tears start to run down my face. 

Not wanting him  to see me cry I turned on my heals ready to walk away when he shouted "Granger wait! I-"

"No. NO! You do not get to say anything to me ever again."

We were staring at each other now and he looked as if he were going to say something but I cut him off again. "The worst part is I was actually starting to consider you a real friend." With that I turned around, not wanting this conversation to continue any longer.