Fiercely Stubborn Hearts

Chapter 10

The next morning came too early for Hermione, who woke up from a restless, terrifying sleep at seven in the morning. She showered, dressed and checked to make sure that all of her homework was completed. Eight o'clock. She would go to Hogsmeade now. Pansy would be awake.

She walked out to where breakfast was on the table and saw Pansy sitting alone at the table, Draco sitting at the end as usual.

She walked up and tapped her on the shoulder, "You coming?"

Pansy's head snapped up. She looked like she hadn't gotten a good night's sleep.

"Where?"

"Hogsmeade. Remember?"

"Well, I thought-"

Hermione shook her head, "You did nothing wrong. I knew that if I didn't get out of the room, you would've done something."

Pansy breathed a sigh of relief, "Still, I'm sorry that I didn't do anything. I promise, I do trust you."

Hermione shook her head, "I would understand why you wouldn't."

Pansy smiled, "I promise. I trust you."

Hermione sighed and nodded, "Thank you."

Pansy stood up and made a show of brushing herself off before looking to the brunette, "So, where are we going?"

"Breakfast first. And then we'll meet Harry and Ginny for lunch at Three Broomsticks."

Pansy nodded, "Sounds good. Ready to go then?"

"Yes, are you?"

Pansy patted her pockets, "Let me just go get some money."

"Okay."

Hermione looked down the table to where Draco was attempting to remain as invisible as possible, "Good morning, Draco."

A small smile came to his face, "Morning, Hermione."

She could feel her face light up when he called her by her first name, having had the same doubts as to whether the day before's agreed upon friendship was actually real.

"What are you doing today, Draco?" she asked, sitting down next to him.

He looked over at her and shrugged, "Not much. Staying here, I suppose. I don't really have anybody to go to Hogsmeade with."

Hermione's brows furrowed, "You could come meet Harry and Ginny with Pansy and I."

He shook his head, "No, no, that's fine. I don't want to intrude on anything that I wasn't invited to. Especially if it's Potter and Weasley. They're not exactly welcoming when it comes to me."

"Pansy's coming and I didn't tell them. Plus, what's one more?"

"A party?"

"Oh, come on, Draco, I'm sure they'll be perfectly fine with it. And I'm sure Harry would like to thank you for coming and helping he and the other Aurors out."

Draco appeared to suck on his teeth in thought, "Well, if Pansy doesn't mind-"

"I don't!" Pansy called from the girl's side of the dorms.

Hermione grinned, "See! Everyone's okay with it!"

"Well, we have yet to see Potter's opinion on it."

Hermione reached forward and grabbed his hand, nearly dragging him up and out of the seat, with that unexpected strength he always encountered in her, "Come on, Draco! He'll be perfectly fine with it! As will Ginny!"