Struggling Through New Beginnings

Chapter 20

Hermione’s stare wasn’t lost on several others though. Greg sighed heavily as he saw it. Ron huffed and sloshed water all over himself when he did. And, Ginny tilted her head before looking between the two a couple of times.

No one said a word until they were dismissed from class. But, the sound of voices could once again be heard as soon as people got out of the room. Draco had been one of the first out, with Greg and Blaise close behind. Hermione packed her things more slowly and left to wait for her friends in the hall. She looked up the stairs in time to catch the sun shining off of Draco’s hair as he turned at the top step and disappeared.

She didn’t even realize she sighed until Ginny whispered in her ear, “Looked good carrying those water buckets, didn’t he? All those quidditch muscles moving and shifting.”

Hermione nodded before she thought about it, and then turned red as she faced her friend, “Ginny!”

“What?” Ginny asked innocently. Harry and Ron joined them just as she said pointedly, “Just because I love Harry, doesn’t mean I can’t look and appreciate, Hermione. Quidditch does a body good!”

Hermione smiled a little, but didn’t get a chance to answer because Harry stepped forward and stood close to Ginny. “You still love me?”

Ginny glanced up at him and put her hand on his arm, “Of course, Harry. I told you that last night.”

“I know,” he mumbled, “but all day you’ve…”

“As much as I enjoy the angst of teenagers, with your love of publicity, Potter, I am sure I will be able to read all about this in tomorrow’s Prophet. Now, I would like go enjoy my lunch and have it stay down,” Snape spit out. “So, please remove yourselves from my vicinity.”

Hermione was the first to turn and head up the stairs. When she reached the top she turned to look back and noticed that Harry and Ginny were once again holding hands. Behind them Ron smiled at her happily and behind him Professor Snape scowled up at the group. Hermione turned back with a smile lighting her face. For at least that moment, all seemed right in the world once again.

The feeling lasted until she neared the doors of the Great Hall and saw Pansy waiting beside them. Her eyes met Hermione’s and the look of sorrow and fear on Pansy’s face made Hermione stiffen. She wasn’t up to fighting with anyone. And, she honestly couldn’t say she was upset with Pansy, so much as herself for allowing the thoughts and feelings she’d been having to affect her so much. With a sigh, she waved her friends into the hall and went to stand near the steps. When Pansy didn’t move she waved her hand.

“Weren’t you waiting to talk to me?” Hermione asked.

Pansy nodded and walked slowly toward her, “Please don’t hate me.”

“Oh, Pansy, I don’t hate you,” Hermione chided. “And, I’m not even really all that angry with you anymore.”

“You’re not?” Pansy asked in surprise. “Why not?”

Hermione laughed and sat down on a step, “Do you want me to be?”

“What? No!” Pansy giggled a little as she joined Hermione on the step. “But, I am confused. What happened in the last two hours?”

Hermione shook her head, “Two hours, two days, two months, I don’t know.”

When Pansy just looked at her in confusion Hermione sighed, “You see, the thing is, I think I’m interested in him, too, heaven knows why. But, I don’t know if it’s real, or if I’m just confusing sympathy with other things. He seems so different, more approachable, and…I don’t know what to do.”