Between Us - Dramione/Blinny

Ch. 18

Hermione was starting to get worried the longer Ginny stayed out. The red head didn't return to the Gryffindor tower until dinner time, but she indicated that she was in no mood to talk about whatever was bothering her. Hermione respected this and tried to keep Ginny occupied by talking about other things, but she was still worried about her friend.

"I know you don't want to talk about it right now, but can you at least tell me if you're alright?" Hermione asked quietly as they walked to the Great Hall for rounds.

Ginny sighed and looked down at the stone floor, slowing down slightly. "I'm just really confused right now. I don't know what to think about anything, and I'm second guessing a lot of things. I just need a few days to process everything and I should be alright."

Hermione frowned but nodded, giving Ginny a side hug. "Just let me know if there's anything I can do."

"Thanks, 'Mione," Ginny said quietly, unable to give a smile but returning the hug.

They continued on in silence but Hermione noticed that Ginny was staring hesitantly as the doors to the Great Hall. She had a feeling that Blaise had something to do with Ginny's sudden change in mood, but she knew better than to ask.

Draco and Blaise were waiting for them as usual in the Great Hall, and Draco gave Hermione a smile which she returned, trying very hard to not blush.

"Good evening, ladies," Blaise said, looking between Hermione and Ginny.

Ginny avoided Blaise's eyes as she nodded, while Hermione responded, "Hello Blaise. Did you two have a good practice earlier?"

"It went alright," Draco answered instead with a shrug.

Blaise had gone quiet, noticing that Ginny was looking everywhere except at him. He sighed and said, "We should get rounds finished before McGonagall starts wondering where we all are."

The other three nodded and they split up, though Ginny gave Hermione a nervous look before they left the Great Hall. Hermione quietly said, "Just send me a Patronus if you need any help."

Ginny nodded but her nerves didn't subside as she and Blaise walked down the corridor together. He noticed that she was leaving a large amount of space between them again, but this time he didn't find it amusing.

He waited for her to say something until they reached the bottom of the stairs that led up to the Astronomy tower, but when she was silent still he finally sighed.

"Are you alright?" He asked, looking up at her.

She didn't look back at him as she answered shortly, "I'm fine."

"You don't seem fine."

"I'm fine," She repeated firmly.

He sighed again and they continued walking up the stairs as he debated whether or not he should try to figure out what's wrong. It truly did bother him because she was clearly upset about something, and the fact that she wasn't talking to him just solidified that fact. But at the same time, the last time she didn't want to talk about something and he kept pressuring her, she snapped at him. He definitely wanted to avoid that happening again.

They reached the top of the stairs and she went through the doors first again, not waiting for him as she began making her way around the tower.

"Is this about the other night?" He asked, unable to stop himself.

She paused and looked down at the floor, sighing. "It's related to it, but not necessarily the main reason."

"That doesn't really make sense," He said. "So, are you upset with me?"