Stay By My Side ✅ (Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy)

Blood And Pain

Hermione POV

Deep down I knew that there was two sides to every story, and Ron most likely had one.  Whether or not I was ready to hear his side, I do not know. I do know that right now my heart wasn't in the right place, I was too consumed with heartache and confusion to even contact him to demand answers. I should have done that straight away. Any other girl in my position would have, right? For all I know the whole thing could be a complete misunderstanding and that Ron is faithful to me.

Surely he wouldn't betray my trust... we've known each other for too long. But then again, I knew my friends wouldn't lie to me. If Harry claims he saw Ron with another girl then I shouldn't doubt him, neither Harry nor Ginny have a reason to lie to me.

Three days is all it took for my heart to be ripped right out of my chest. It took three days for me realize that Ron is an idiot, a lying, backstabbing cheater. Three days is all it took for Draco Malfoy to spread rumors around the school that I tried to seduce him. I knew that it would get out; the worst thing about it is that he knows damn well that it's all a bunch of lies.

I awoke on a Thursday morning. I knew I had to go to school. I'd been skipping out since Monday when I found out Ron had been unfaithful. I'd been too depressed and upset to go into school, mostly embarrassed in case Slytherins gave me bother for those rumors. I told myself to suck it up and go in today. I tied my hair back in a ponytail and put foundation over my pale skin, which had bags under my brown eyes. I have not been getting much sleep recently.

Smile Hermione, Don't let them think you're bothered. Just act normal and get through the day.

Satisfied with my appearance, I took a deep breath and made my way to the Great Hall to meet Ginny. The first thing I noticed upon entering was all the stares and sniggers I received, which all mostly came from the Slytherin table.

"Hi." Ginny says awkwardly just as I took a seat next to her. She turns her head and looks on angrily to the Slytherin table. "Ignore those fools, they obviously have nothing better to do. Heck I'll give them a piece of my mind..."

"Hello Ginny, and I do have every intention of ignoring them. So you don't need to give them a piece of your mind."  I tried to keep my voice sounding normal but instead it quivered. I really hope I won't burst into tears.

"I have not seen you in a while... I was worried about you. I wanted to visit... but I didn't because I thought you would not want to see me. How are you?" Ginny lightly brushed her thumb against my shaking hand as a friendly gesture.

"I've been better," I admitted. "But I'll be fine. I can pull myself back up and go back to my normal self."

I was uncertain of whether I was speaking the truth or not, I'm not sure whether I was only saying that to convince Ginny or myself.

"Everything is going to be alright Mione. I promise you... oh and... I um... heard about the rumours..." Ginny's says tucking her hairs behind her ears looking everywhere but me. "It's bloody disgusting and disrespectful if you ask me, those pack of fools need to grow up, Malfoy especially."

"Draco Malfoy is a prat," I said almost immediately. I was surprised at that harshness added in my own voice. "None of it is true of course. That ferret walked in on me in the bathroom while I was showering after I forgot to lock the door by mistake. He probably done it on purpose so he could tell everybody false stories, that wouldn't surprise me one bit." I was sure to keep my voice low.

"I know they are not true. There is no way that you'd ever seduce Draco Malfoy." She whispered followed by a loud tut. "It'll all die down soon when they find something better to talk about. Maybe Pansy Parkinson will fall flat on her face again while posing in the corridors to impress some losers."