From Malfoy to Draco

Did Lavender Have Thorns?

The Hogwarts Express left Kings Cross station and Hermione's unease seemed to pass a little. The familiarity of the rolling green fields and hills out the window was a welcome site. She loved having a compartment with Harry and Ron, for a while it felt private and secluded. Like nothing else mattered in the world but the three of them relaxing and chatting. It felt like they could escape from reality, even if it was just for a few hours. She used to long for it, during the school holidays. Hermione loved going on holidays with her parents and going to the Burrow, but nothing could compare to the unadulterated time she spent with her two best friends. But it was different this year.

On the way to Hogwarts, Hermione and Ron had to separate from Harry and go off to their Prefect compartment. They both noticed that the two Slytherin prefects, Pansy and Draco, hadn't turned up but they didn't really care because the atmosphere was a great deal better without them. After an hour of talking to the other prefects about their O.W.L results and their summers, whilst two at a time would patrol the train, it was finally Ron and Hermione's turn to do the rounds. Hermione enjoyed this, finally being alone with Ron for a valid reason. Five agonising minutes went by with the two of them trying to say something to each other when finally Ron said, "so, you don't think it's true, do you?"

Hermione was staring at Ron's freckles when he spoke up. "Oh, um, about Malfoy's dark mark? No, it seems so far-fetched. What would You-Know-Who want with him? If you ask me it wouldn't the most logical move." She couldn't understand what You-Know-Who could possibly gain from having Malfoy become a Death Eater.

"Harry's gone a bit mental lately. I mean, I know he lost Sirius and all but I don't know. How you holding up anyway?" Ron asked.

"Oh, well, now that you ask-"

'"Great because I haven't been doing so good. I think of Harry as a brother, right? But ever since Sirius died, Harry hasn't been sleeping well, keeps having nightmares. I'm just tired, I'm always gonna be there for him but I- I don't know," Ron said, getting a little red in the face now.

"Well no matter what, you have to be there for him. He's had such a hard time. Obviously, it's not Sirius' fault for leaving him but he can't have you, his best friend, stop being there for him just because you're tired. You won't do that to him, Ronald." It started to sound more like a scolding instead of a friendly chat, but she was a little annoyed. How can he say this about Harry when Harry needed everyone around him right now? And what would happen if Hermione did tell Ron how she really felt, would he talk about her like this to Harry?

Hearing 'Ronald' come out of Hermione's mouth made him turn scarlet. "You know Hermione, you don't need to start all this every time I open my mouth to say something!" He narrowed his eyes and stormed off.

"Ron, wait! I'm sorry I-" but he was too far gone to hear her now. She wanted more than anything to open up to Ron, she felt so alone standing in the corridor of the Hogwarts Express. She wanted to tell him all about her feelings for him and that she was acting the way she was, was because of Sirius and how much she needed him. When will I get the chance? She thought.

★ ★ ★

That night in the Gryffindor common room, Hermione stayed up after everyone had left to go to their dorms. It was nearing 11:00 and she knew had to be up for class tomorrow. Sitting down in the chair in front of the fireplace, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the quietness. There was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind: why did Draco touch her arm? Why didn't he call her a 'Mudblood' when he walked past her? She shook her head and pushed the thoughts away. She finally got up to go to her dormitory but when she neared the door, she heard Lavender talking to Parvarti and two other girls about her.

"What is so special about her anyway? She's annoying, constantly putting her hand up in class. Besides, I read my horoscope chart and it said that the one I love will love me back very soon!" whispered Lavender.

"You're right Lav, I don't know why he would like her. I think you have more of a chance with him anyway!" agreed Parvarti.

Hermione walked through the door, quite loudly and said, "Hello girls, have a good summer? What were you all talking about then?"

"Oh, hi, Hermione," said Lavender, glaring at Hermione as she walked over to her bed. "My summer was great actually. We weren't talking about anything interesting. I wanted to ask you a question actually."

"M-hm."

"Do you know if Ron is seeing anyone? Parvati wanted to know for her sister but didn't want to ask you, so I thought, well, why shouldn't I ask you?" asked Lavender, looking a little proud of herself, glancing every now and then at Parvarti, whose face was a little shocked.

"Why would I know if Ron is seeing anyone?" Hermione asked stunned and a little annoyed at why they are all of a sudden interested in Ron. "I mean we don't talk about stuff like that!"

"Oh! I thought because you were best friends and all, I guess you're not as close as you seem to be. Oh well, thanks anyway. Goodnight!" and she leapt onto her bed with a huge smile on her face, not even bothering to hide it.

Hermione's face started to go red and she thought about hexing her for even saying his name. She got changed into her red and gold pyjamas and climbed into bed cursing a little before she finally drifted off to sleep.