If It Were Us.

H: Good
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Time passes after the detention. (Which both endure in miserable silence)

H: Oh Ron no!

R: I'll never get it Hermione it's useless!

Ha: We've been working at learning this potion for hours let's go get dinner.

R: I'm so hungry...

They leave the library and enter the corridor. Malfoy and his friends are spotted making their way to the grand hall but jump at the occasion to attack the trio.

D: Well if it isn't Potter and Weaslbee!

H: Move along Malfoy.

D: Now where's the fun in that?

R: I'll show you what's not fun!

Ron whips out his wand aiming it at his nose. Draco puts his index finger on the point and tips it away from himself.

D: it's better to let someone think you're stupid than prove them right.

Draco's eyes move to Hermiones

D: You definitely don't want to make that mistake in front of your girlfriend.

H: I'd let Ron blow out your teeth or shrink your nose, but why should he improves your looks Malfoy!

Draco grimaces hide the hints of a smile creating on his upper lip. In all the months he tormented her after what happened under the staircase- he never called her mudblood. He threw insults at her but never that one. They hadn't spoken about the room of requirement and what happened within it.... but Hermione knew Draco was right. She had called him selfish, but he wasn't- she was for trying to hold on to him in a world that would never let them be together. She had never apologized, but she had truly wanted to. Never spoken to him one on one since- just as he has wished. He had gone back to Pansy, although she did miss the way he did not kiss her when he saw Hermione was in the room. She wished sometimes it was her cheek he pressed his lips to. She wished he looked at her with intensity that made her know he wanted her still, but he never did. He never sat facing her in the Grand Hall so she found herself memorizing the shape of his back to pick him out at the table... but eventually Hermione found herself beginning to feel for someone other than Draco. She found Ron. Part of her heart would always be with Draco. Hermione, for all her knowledge, would always question what life would be with Draco.

D: THATS RIGHT! Walk away Potter!

Hermione pulled Ron and Harry down the corridor to the Grand Hall. Draco watched them go, his friends snickering as the trio walked away.

He was happy for her. Glad she found joy with Ron. He did wish it was him sometimes holding her hand, but knew their world would never allow for such unconventional relationships. In the grand hall he sat with his back to her table as to not stare at her. He never looked at her eyes save brief passing in the hallways. To look at her was to stare at her and never look away. But she only ate green apples, never red anymore. He saw her look at the Apple smoke glazing her eyes as memory clouds her vision. He knew she thought of him in the way he thought of her... but eventually he began to love Pansy.

For the years to come they would only exchange quick pleasantries— share passing glances— and their fingers would brush when they shook hands. And with every touch, every glance, every day, they would question: what would life be like—

If it Were Us...