The Right Thing To Do

Chapter 19

He had the book at the Slytherin dining table. Around food. How despicable.

He'd had the book for almost a week now, and Hermione laughed at how slow his comprehension must be if he was still trying to finish it. She'd found him reading it during History of Magic on Monday, in the library again on Tuesday, and now Wednesday at breakfast.

She stabbed her eggs with her fork and glared. What if he spilled pumpkin juice on it! She would absolutely tattle on him then.

She watched as he turned a page and realized he wasn't at the end. He was at the beginning. He was re-reading it? Ugh!

Why would anyone-?

She stopped that thought, as she was sure she had read that same book twice in one week two years ago.

"Hermione, do you know where Harry's at?"

She looked up and Seamus was calling for her, a few seats down.

"No, we're not talking."

"Oh... alright."

She returned her attention to Malfoy and her book. She could really use that book this week. It had been several weeks now that Harry and Ron had stopped talking to her. Lavender and Parvati had started talking about boys in the dormitories at night, so she either had to silence her curtains to avoid them, or spend more time out. The book would have been the perfect distraction this week. She'd been down to visit Hagrid several times, but there was only so much rock cake one could pretend to eat.

He turned another page and it must have been an amusing part, because Malfoy would bring his fingers to his mouth whenever he tried not to smile. She'd noticed this yesterday. She watched as Pansy Parkinson scooted closer to Malfoy. If she dare put her grubby hand on her book...

Pansy leaned over him, trying to see what he was reading. He shoved her off. Hermione smiled as Pansy pouted. Malfoy stood from the table, rolling his eyes at her and packed up his things to leave – taking the book.

Hermione scowled. She rose from the Gryffindor table and followed him out. She exited the Great Hall and turned left, finding the hallway empty.

"Why are you watching me, Granger?"

She turned and found Draco Malfoy, one arm clutching her book and one arm pointing his wand at her.

"Are you done with that book?"

He blinked at her. He looked at the green and gold book that he was holding.

"What?"

"You really shouldn't read books that aren't even yours at the dining table. If you spilled even the smallest drop of coffee on the pages, Madam Pince wouldn't let you hear the end of it. Trust me," she grumbled.

"Well, it's a good thing I don't drink coffee." He glared at her and turned to walk away.

"Are you done with it or not?"

"What's it to you, Mudblood?" He called over his shoulder, and continued away.

"You're only allowed to check a book out for a maximum of two weeks!"

"Then you can get it in two weeks!" He yelled at her, turning around. "Unless I check it back out again!" He smirked at her and she huffed, turning on her heel to return to the Great Hall.