Hold On (A Dramione Fanfiction)

12. He Was Just A Kid

Hermione glanced at Malfoy from the corner of her eye and tried to guess what he was thinking. They were waiting for the Marriage class to begin, and people were still talking about his past in his back. If she had been in his situation, she would've lashed out at them, but Malfoy somehow kept his stance and didn't react.

She could hear Lavender whispering to Seamus about Malfoy and how it was a shame he hadn't been sent to Azkaban with his father. Hermione balled her fists and forced herself not to say something. She had hated this girl since their first year at Hogwarts. 

However, Hermione didn't know Draco wasn't as impassive on the inside as he was on the outside. Outside, he stayed still and kept his gaze directed on his wand. Inside, he was snarling and cursing names at whoever was talking badly of him.

He knew he deserved those comments, but he didn't like to hear them. Receiving threatening letters was enough, people mocking him and his mother was over the top.

"I mean," he heard Lavender say. "I can't believe his mother wasn't even sent to Azkaban!" 

Hermione tensed up while hearing this comment and turned around to face Lavender. "Malfoy's mother wasn't sent to Azkaban because she saved Harry's life, Lavender!" she snapped. "Now stop with your gossip and mind your own business."

As she faced the front of the class again, Draco couldn't help but stare in awe at her. Granger had just defended his mother for him. 

Hermione saw him stare at her and she raised one eyebrow. "What? Are you going to tell me a Muggleborn shouldn't talk about your mother? Even if it is to defend her?"

Draco narrowed his eyes. "No, I was going to thank you, Granger." And he looked away, leaving Hermione completely baffled.

*****

"Hermione!" Blaise said, walking towards her and sitting on the couch. Hermione looked up from her Transfiguration homework. "How are you and Draco doing?"

"I don't know, Blaise. Why don't you ask him?" Hermione replied, rolling her eyes. Blaise was nice, but he was more of a nuisance to her peacefulness right now.

Blaise leaned forward and smiled. "Because you're the one who's trying to help him."

Hermione frowned. "What?" 

Blaise chuckled and patted her head, escaping her slap. "I heard you two weeks ago. I was with Luna and we were making love, when-"

"Ew!" Hermione screamed, scrambling away from him. "What is the matter with you people? I don't want to hear Ginny and you telling me about your personal stuff!"

"Oh, so I guess she finally told you about our relationship." Blaise wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. "Yes, Weaslette and I are engaged in a fiery romance in which we cheat on our significant other."

Hermione laughed. "As if you could ever cheat on Luna. You're whipped, Blaise."

"True. But not the point of this discussion. I heard you little outburst and I know what you did for Draco."

Hermione fiddled with her quill and shrugged. "I don't know what you mean."

Blaise scoffed and stole her quill, forcing her to look at him. "I know it was you who threatened those fourth-year Gryffindor and fifth-year Ravenclaw to stop harassing Draco in the corridors. And I heard you snap at Brown in class." He was watching her actions, from the flick of her eyes to the way her hands moved to pack her things.

"So what if I did that?" Hermione asked after a few moments. "I just don't want Malfoy to spend his last year at Hogwarts being bullied by everyone."