Redemption.

Chapter 22

"WHAT?!"

Hermione closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She was sitting with Ron and Harry in the Three Broomsticks. The entire bar seemed to be looking at them, thanks to Ron's outburst.

"Keep your voice down, Ron." she hissed. She had just told them about her and Draco, and Ron's reaction was just like she imagined it would be. His face was red with anger and shock, and he was fuming.

"Hermione, have you lost your mind or something? Are you feeling okay? Should we take you to Madam Pompfrey?"

"Shut up, Ronald." she snapped. "I'm perfectly fine. If this is how you're going to take it, then I don't think we have anything to discuss here."

"But Hermione," Ron whined. "He's Malfoy! Or have you forgotten that? How could you date him?"

"You are one prejudiced, nasty little bugger." she told him coldly. He looked so surprised at her attitude he turned to Harry who was keeping unusually quiet.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Do you think he hexed her or something? Spiked her juice with love potion maybe? Or-"

"Ronald Weasley." Hermione said in a dangerous voice that he knew only too well. "You better take that back, or you're going to regret it."

Ron looked like a bludger had hit him on the nose. It would have been funny if the situation wasn't so serious.
Hermione glanced at Harry. He was looking at her funny, but he seemed to be taking it better than Ron. His reaction was unexpected. His glasses didn't flash furiously, like she thought they would. He was looking at her quite calmly...

"You knew about it, didn't you?" Hermione asked shrewdly.

Harry looked sheepish. "Yeah, Ginny."

Ron looked simply furious. "Oh, so everyone's in on this little secret except me?! Why didn't you tell me, Harry?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't take it well." Harry sighed.

"Harry, she obviously shouldn't be dating Malfoy of all the people!"

"Excuse me, Ronald." Hermione said sneering at him. "I haven't come here to ask your permission to date him. I'm here to tell you guys that we were involved for a brief period of time. And it's none of your business, who I date and who I do not."

"A brief period of time?" Harry asked, frowning. "So you're not with him anymore?"

Hermione stayed silent. She was kind of surprised Ginny hadn't told Harry about her fight with Draco; probably because Ginny didn't want Harry to burn Draco's underpants... Hermione would have to thank her friend later.

Ron immediately relaxed, and his face split into a smile. "Oh thank god! It was obviously some mistake! Good Hermione, you're not going out with him anymore."
Hermione ignored him. She stared at Harry and he looked at her intently. His green eyes were full of understanding. He got up. "Well it's up to her what she wants to do. We've got no say in it."

Hermione smiled inwardly and thanked him with her eyes. Ron, however was oblivious. He was humming happily , as they made their way out onto the Hogsmead street. Hermione knew what to do. She couldn't be involved with Draco anymore, even if she wanted to. It was because of her, that he ended up in the hospital wing. How could she ever look into his eyes again, without remembering his frail body, pale and lifeless, lying on the bed? And it had been her fault.

She couldn't risk that happening again, because she cared about him too much. Because she was in love with him. She couldn't let harm befall him because of her. She felt disgusted with herself. Sure, he had been harsh with her, too, but why? Only because of her lose mouth.

You've got nowhere else to go, and your parents are locked up in Azkaban.

Way to go, Hermione, she thought bitterly.

In her anger, she'd overlooked that it was partly her fault too. And that his words were aimed at her, only because he was angry. She knew he hadn't meant it. The way he looked at her the other night, in the hospital wing... It had Hermione's guts feeling jittery. She willed her mind not to go into unnecessary places. She had to end it with him. She wouldn't be involved with him anymore. He needed someone else, someone who could understand him. Not someone who had a fiery, uncontrolled mouth.

And moreover, she didn't think their relationship could last. Hadn't Ron's behavior shone her just that? That how unlikely it would be for them to be together- that it was unnatural in the eyes of the entire wizarding world?
She bid Harry and Ron goodbye, and walked up to the castle, her heart heavy but her mind determined. Draco would be getting discharged today. She had to finish things with him.

She had to make him understand that they weren't going to work.