Ch. 11

Ginny sobbed into Hermione's shoulder as they sat in the small clearing by the Shrieking Shack. Hermione had managed to quickly find her, holding her friend close and whispering that it was going to be okay.

The red head eventually quieted down, keeping her head on Hermione's shoulder as she said, "I can't believe he did it there. Everyone heard it."

"To be honest, everyone was watching as soon as they came in," Hermione said. "I can't believe his reasoning though."

"It's ridiculous. But he used that reasoning all summer when he would try to start fights." Ginny sat up and wiped her eyes angrily before looking at her hands and groaning frustratedly. "Dammit, and of course I'm not wearing waterproof mascara."

They laughed slightly at that while Ginny tried desperately to wipe her face off while choking on another laugh. "I probably look like a mess."

"You were just broken up with," Hermione said gently. "It's alright to look like a mess."

Ginny sighed and shook her head, looking down at her hands in her lap. "Honestly, I was kind of expecting that to happen today."

Hermione looked over at her friend, grimacing. "You did say you two were fighting a lot during the summer."

Nodding, Ginny went on. "And he only sent the one letter. I guess the main reason I'm mad is because...well...it was six years. I spent so long waiting for him. I can't get that time back now."

Hermione wrapped an arm around her friend, giving her a squeeze. "I understand. The only thing you can really do is spend a few days grieving and then move on. Besides, Harry might come around."

"You heard me in the bar, Hermione," Ginny said, leaning away to look at her friend. "I'm not going back to him. I meant what I said."

"No, I know. Don't go back to someone who doesn't understand how strong you are. But at least don't cut him out of your life completely. You two could still be friends," Hermione said before straightening her back. "Well, do you want to head back to the castle now? I think we can still catch lunch if we hurry."

They both stood up as Ginny wiped her face again and smiled at Hermione. "Thank you for grabbing my bags by the way."

"Of course!" Hermione said, smiling back.

As they were leaving the clearing, they ran into Draco and Blaise, who were secretly waiting for the girls to come into view so they could 'accidentally' run into them.

"Hey Hermione," Draco greeted, trying to catch their attention.

The girls turned, and Hermione smiled slightly. "Oh, hey Draco!"

Blaise was staring intently at Ginny, noticing the faint black tear stains running down her cheeks. He took an obviously labored breath and said, "Draco and I were just heading back to your dorm; would you two like to join us?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow then looked between him and Ginny. Ginny was trying to avoid his eyes, staring at the ground while Blaise was watching her intently, an almost frantically worried expression on his face.

Hermione sighed and put up a finger as a symbol for the guys to hold and grabbed Ginny's arm, rushing her a little way's away. "I think this might be good for you, spending time with new people."

"I don't know, 'Mione, this is too soon," Ginny said, uncertainty lacing her voice. "I mean, Harry and I just broke up."

"No, no; I don't mean as a date," Hermione stated quickly. "I mean, maybe this would be a nice distraction. I was going to offer you staying in my dorm anyway tonight, but this way we have more people to talk to. Draco really is nicer, and if Blaise is hanging around with him then he had to have changed too."

"Remind me to give Granger a gift basket," Blaise muttered to Draco from their spot, causing Draco to chuckle.

Ginny shot a glance over to them before looking back at Hermione. "Okay. Can we stop by my dorm first so I can grab clothes and the bottle of vodka I have?"

"Of course!" Hermione smiled. "So you're okay with hanging out with them?"

Ginny hesitated before nodding. "But one problem from Squeakers and Ferret, and I'm hexing both of them."

They both giggled and walked back over to the boys, who were anxiously waiting while also trying to hold back laughter. The girls didn't notice this, and Hermione gave Draco a shy smile before the four of them walked back to the carriages. The two boys took to either side of the girls, Draco on Hermione's right and Blaise on Ginny's left.

"So what did you two have in mind for when we get back to the castle?" Hermione said, breaking the silence.

"Well..." Draco started before faltering, looking over at Blaise for support.

"I was just going to take Draco to the hospital wing before anything," Blaise said suddenly.

"What?" Hermione asked worriedly, looking at Draco. "Why?"

Draco glared at Blaise, who simply smirked at him as he said to Hermione, "Draco broke a glass in his hand."

Hermione suddenly stopped and grabbed both of Draco's hands, inspecting them. "Draco, you need to be more careful!"

She immediately let go of his left hand after seeing the somewhat-healed scratches on his right, some of them still containing tiny shards of glass. She sighed and pulled her wand out of her boot, waving it over his hand silently.

They all watched in amazement as the remaining pieces of glass suddenly pulled themselves out of Draco's hand and she immediately flung them away, muttering a quick and healing Draco's hand the rest of the way.

Then she smiled up at him, not realizing she was still holding his hand. "There, how does that feel?"

He smiled brightly back at her, squeezing his hand around hers. "Much better. Thank you, dear."

She scrunched her nose at him, making him chuckle as she said, "What did I say about the pet names?"

"That's right, I forgot I'm supposed to be using different ones," He smirked. "I'm sorry."

Hermione giggled slightly and then realized that Blaise and Ginny were still with them. She turned to Ginny with wide eyes and shifted her weight nervously, immediately dropping Draco's hand, much to his disappointment. Blaise raised an eyebrow and looked between the two of them before grinning at Draco.

"Well," Blaise started, amusement clear in his voice, "That was sickeningly adorable. Come on, let's go find a carriage."

Ginny glared at him as they walked off and she chastised him, saying, "You didn't have to point it out."

He grinned at her. "Oh but I did, Red. I will take any chance I can to make fun of Draco."

Then he leaned backwards to reach behind Ginny and put a hand on Hermione's shoulder, saying, "I'm sorry if you get caught in the crossfire because of it."

"Watch it, Zabini," Draco growled.

Blaise immediately dropped his hand and the two girls gave each other confused glances but didn't say anything. They walked to the carriages in silence, Draco walking noticeably closer to Hermione. Soon enough they were sitting in a moving carriage to themselves, Hermione and Ginny sitting next to each other while Draco and Blaise sat across from them.

Ginny couldn't help but notice Blaise staring at her, and she bent her head down, knowing that he was staring at the tear marks on her face. Blaise sighed and sat back in his seat, looking away while his leg shook up and down. Draco knew this as a sign that Blaise was frustrated with something, and could only assume that it was because Ginny was upset about the events that had happened earlier.

Hermione nudged her friend, casting a quick on Draco and Blaise so that they would only hear a buzzing noise instead of the two girls talking. Then she said quickly to Ginny, "Are you sure you're okay hanging out with them today? You look a little uncomfortable."

Ginny looked at her, blushing. "No, no; I'm fine. He's just...."

"What? Do I need to hex him?" Hermione asked in a serious tone.

"No!" She laughed, casting a quick glance at Blaise and then leaning in close to Hermione. "He's just a lot more attractive closer up! And he's staring at my face, and I know it's because of the black marks all down my face. I must look like a wreck!"

Hermione sighed and took out a small handkerchief, wetting it and wiping Ginny's cheeks. She ignored the two boys watching her with confused and slightly panicky looks, wiping away the black streaks on her friend's face. When she had gotten rid of most of it, she pulled back and said, "There, that should be better. Though he still might stare at you."

"I don't think I mind," Ginny replied, smiling shyly.

Hermione grinned and released the spell, looking over at the two boys and offering nothing but a smile. Draco look over at Blaise, who was equally as confused.How was a simple spell able to block their ability to hear the girls' conversation?