THE HEIRESS

Still An Asshole (D)

''And what about Cedric?''

''Johnny said they sorted it out. He even came by with him but we weren't allowed to kiss. We did it anyways,''

''What, just like that?''

I shrugged before punching Ron in the arm, causing him to yelp and let go of my pudding.

''Are you stealing from the sick?'' I asked him before pushing my tongue out at him.

It's been a week since I've come to the infirmary. Harry and Ron had used their break to eat with me instead of the great hall which I greatly appreciated. My brother had been acting like a watchdog these past couple of days and only the fact that now three people were by my side convinced him to finally go and get some sleep in his own bed.

''Focus, Lia!'' Hermione told me as she snapped her fingers in front of my eyes. Ever since dating Krum Hermione had been oddly involved in the gossip that she previously didn't care for and the news that Cedric and I were dating seemed to be the number one topic in the castle right now.

''I don't know, Hermione! They were super awkward with each other and John' watched over us like some sort of 18th century chaperone,'' I grumbled. Harry, who sat on my bed as Hermione and Ron had taken up the two chairs, squeezed my knee.

''I think they've bonded over almost losing you. Cedric told me something like that,'' he said. I raised a single eyebrow at him before turning around to slap Ron's hand away from a chocolate frog.

''Oh come on, when are you ever going to eat all of that?'' he grumbled and I laughed. Despite the news of me and Cedric multiple boys had come to visit me to bring me flowers and chocolate which now filled my bedside table.

''I'm a Slytherin, we're greedy,'' I said before finally handing Ron the frog. Then I turned around to Harry and nodded my chin at him to get his attention,

''What did Cedric tell you?'' I asked. Harry looked up while he tried to recall the conversation and my eyes glid to Hermione as she gave Ron a mean look for not so subtly taking another frog.

''Well, he wanted to apologize to me actually. He said he genuinely thought we were dating and he was sorry for being mean to me because of it,'' Harry explained before scrunching up his nose,

''I honestly didn't even notice him treating me any different. I think we didn't even talk much that time,''he continued before shrugging.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips,

''For Cedric being mean is not giving you his full devotion,'' I chuckled. My stupid Hufflepuff boyfriend was way too endearing.

Hermione gave a dreamy sigh at that and Ron rolled his eyes at her.

''So it is official that you and him are dating, right? And it's been going on ever since the start of this year?'' Hermione asked. I confirmed the rumors with a nod and she smiled brightly.

''We already knew all this, why are you asking?'' Ron scowled. Jesus, if Ron kept being such a wuss about everything romantic he'd never get Hermione the way he so obviously wanted.

''I just want confirmation,'' she explained as she typically rolled her eyes at him.

''How long do you think you have to stay here? Until your hair goes back to black?'' Ron asked as he tugged at my hair.

After the incident it had for some reason turned all white but as days had passed it had taken back to black, creating a sort of grey look. I thought it gave me a cool edge but Johnny wouldn't stop calling me aunty for it.

I shrugged before I made grabby hands at the chocolate Ron was holding. He gave it to me with flushed cheeks and I bit into it gleefully. Then I spit it out again.

''Who the fuck gave me dark chocolate?'' I asked in misery as I cleaned my mouth with a wipe that Hermione had given me.

Harry flicked his wand and the card where the chocolate was attached to came flying into his hand.

''Glenn Anderson,'' he said after skimming through the card.

''He seems to be in love with you,'' Harry said while still reading. I rolled my eyes,

''Yeah, he's annoying me ever since I started the school year. Not even the news with Cedric stops him from showing up here five times a day but he is too scared of Johnny to get closer,'' I explained.

''The whole school wants to visit you. It's all everyone ever talks about at lunch. Some girls have even dyed their hair white because of you! But Mcgonnagal made them turn it back because she said there are enough ghosts in this castle,'' Hermione laughed and I joined in.

''Well, no Slytherin has shown up here, that's for sure. Despite Daphne and some boys of course,'' I explained, a particular Slytherin in mind.

''You don't mean Malfoy, do you?'' Harry asked with disgust in his voice and I stiffened.

''...no,'' I said carefully. Harry glared at me,

''I know you have this weird friendship thing going on with him and I think it's a bad idea,'' he said and I mentally slapped myself. It was fine telling Harry everything about my life when he was many countries away but now he could hold me accountable. I had told him about most interactions I've had with Draco Malfoy, from the time he called me a bitch on the train to the blackmailing and eventually the fight in the hallway that had led us to stop being on speaking terms. Now I regretted that decision.

''You'd just think that he'd somewhat care,'' I finally gave in, feeling the anger I have carried with me for the past few days lashing out.

''I mean, I did almost die!'' I whined.

All three of my friends looked at me as if I was a lost cause and it made my cheeks flush. Maybe I cared too much about it.

''It's Draco, Lia. He cares about no one but himself,'' Ron said defensively and I sighed.

''Yeah, I know,'' I said.

''And think about all the horrible things he said to Hermione!'' Harry continued and I snapped to him.

''Well, I did punch him for that and ever since then he hasn't done it,'' I explained, turning to Hermione with a questioning look.

''Has he?'' I asked in confirmation. Hermione furrowed her brows and then looked at me in surprise,

''I don't think he has, no,'' she said and somehow that made my chest feel lighter.

''I actually don't think he has called anyone mudblood anymore. Well, at least not when I was around,'' she continued in thought and I suppressed the smile that was tugging on the corners of my lips.

''Well, he still is an asshole!'' Ron said.

I sighed, my smile fading. I couldn't disagree with that one.