Spin for the Truth

Hermione was walking back to the head dorms from the library, her best friends trailing behind her. She tried to tell them that she was going back to her dorm to do more homework, but they insisted that they all needed to spend time together and she couldn't think up a good enough excuse to get out of it. 

"Honestly 'Mione, I feel like we haven't seen you in weeks. You could at least pretend you want to hang out with us!" Ron whined. 

"Nonsense Ronald, I see you guys practically every day!" Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes. 

"I think what Ron's meant to say, is we would like to spend some time with you outside of class or studying in the library. We just miss you Hermione." Harry stepped in, trying to avoid having his friends at each others throats the rest of the night. 

Hermione sighed. She turned to face Harry, Ron and Ginny. "You're right Harry, I have been busy lately. It would be nice to spend time together. We can all go back to my common room for a little bit? Since it's just around the corner." 

"Will Malfoy be there? Im not in the mood to be around Death Eaters." Ron spat, a sneer on his face. 

"For the last time he isn't a Death Eater!" Hermione snapped. "And no, he should be at quidditch practice." 

Voldemort was defeated by Harry during 4th year, in the graveyard. While Lucius was found to be on the Dark Lords side, Narcissa and Draco were actively feeding information to the order, which helped to prepare Harry for the "surprise" meeting and ultimately destroy Voldemort before the war could even start. Lucius was sentenced to  4 years in Azkaban, but was released early on good behavior. He is now serving the rest of his sentence with house arrest at the Manor. 

"He is still an evil git and I don't trust him, no matter what Dumbledore says." Ron huffed, crossing his arms. Hermione had to stop herself from immediately coming to the head boys defense. Taking deep breaths to calm her anger, she turned around, ignoring Ron, and continued towards the portrait to the head dorms. Ginny watched Hermione closely, seeing her anger rise at her brothers comments. Ginny had noticed her best friends anger seemed to spike fast whenever the boys were talking about Malfoy. Maybe they had become friends? Hopefully tonight would create an opportunity for her to seem them together herself. 

Hermione quietly entered the dorm, her three friends following behind her. She stopped suddenly, after seeing the 3 Slytherins lounging in the common room. Ron wasn't paying attention and ended up running into her back. He grabbed her hips to stop her from stumbling forward, and instead of letting go he kept one arm resting around her waist and pulled her into his side. Hermione knew that Ron liked her, and she has tried several times to tell him that she didn't see him as anything other than a friend, but every once in a while Ron would get a little to touchy and close, hoping that she would change her mind. 

Hermione cringed a little and stepped out of his embrace, ignoring the hurt look that flashed on his face. She did however, catch the amused look of Blaise Zabini. 

"What are you guys doing in here?" Hermione asked group consisting of Blaise, Theo Nott, and Pansy Parkinson. 

"Granger, it's a pleasure to see you as well." Blaise purred, a teasing smirk growing on his face. 

Hermione sighed tipping her head back and rubbing her temple. "Blaise, im not in the mood." 

"Relax, we are just waiting for Draco to get back from the infirmary." 

Ginny was watching the exchange between Hermione and the head boy's best friend. They seemed to be familiar enough with each other. Once Blaise said that Malfoy was in the infirmary, Hermione's head snapped to look at him, eyes wide with what looked like concern. Blaise noticed this and Ginny watched as he gave her a subtle shake of the head and quickly clarified.