Ch. 12

Hermione's POV

The six of us were all sitting on the couches drinking and eating the pizza. As I had predicted, the three former Slytherins really enjoyed it. Pansy went for the margherita pizza while Blaise, surprisingly, enjoyed the regular cheese pizza. Draco went for the sausage and pepperoni, and considering that he finished half of it on his own, I would say that one was his favorite.

Draco had decided to sit on the same couch as Blaise and Pansy, since there was plenty of room for the three of them. Ginny and Harry took the couch opposite them while I sat alone on the couch between them all. I didn't mind though, since I was able to put my feet up and stretch out comfortably. We were all reminiscing on our school years, laughing now at situations that frustrated us before.

"I'm still mad at your brothers for hexing me into having antlers when they made their huge departure," Pansy laughed while pointing at Ginny. "They were so awful!"

"I bet that's where George got the idea for the Momentary Morphers," I said with a grin. "But you have to admit, it was funny."

"I can honestly say that I am surprised they didn't get sorted into Slytherin," Draco added. "They were cunning and ambitious enough. Their pranks were amazing!"

"On that same note," Blaise said, gesturing towards me, "Why weren't you sorted into Ravenclaw? You fit the bill as far as knowledge goes."

"You don't get sorted based off the traits you have," I answered, looking at them. "You are sorted based off what traits you value the most."

Everyone stared at me in shock and confusion. I nodded and went on, "That's why all of a family can be in one house, like the Weasleys in Gryffindor and the Malfoys in Slytherin."

Harry's eyes widened and he said, "That makes sense then! Especially after what you said in first year after we got past the potions obstacle. 'Books and cleverness, but there are more important things: friendship and bravery'."

The three Slytherins looked at us in confusion as did Ginny, but Harry and I smiled at each other. I shook my head at him. "That's right, but I can't believe you remember that."

"So," Pansy said slowly as if she was putting the pieces together, "You were sorted into Gryffindor because you value bravery over being smart?"

I nodded. "And that's not to say that I don't value being smart. But certain things are just more important to me in life."

"I think I understand," Draco said.

Blaise nodded in agreement. I smiled at them and caught Draco's eye, his smile widening. We just looked at each other for a few moments while the other two couples talked, and I finally looked away as I felt my cheeks starting to turn red.

Ginny stood up and poured herself another drink, before plopping down on the arm of the couch right next to me and looking at me with a grin. "Want to go sit on your patio for a bit?"

"Sure," I said, refilling my glass before standing up.

"I'll join you two," Pansy announced. "Give the boys a little boy time."

She grinned at us while Blaise and Draco scowled at her. Harry gave Ginny a frightened look and she simply patted his cheek and gave him a quick kiss before the three of us went out onto the large patio.

"Alright," Ginny started as she plopped down onto one of the outside couches, pointing at me. "What's the deal with you and Draco?"

Pansy looked at me while she sat on the couch next to Ginny, leaving me alone on the second couch. "I'm also curious about this subject. Do tell, what is going on between you two?"

I looked at both of them and shook my head, avoiding their eyes as I turned to look at the city. "There's absolutely nothing going on between Draco and I. We are simply friends."

"Friends don't look at each other the way you two just did," Ginny retorted, gesturing with her glass.

"She's got a point," Pansy nodded. "You two have been sneaking looks at each other all day."

"Guys, come on," I said, exasperated. "I just broke off an engagement, and Draco and I have hardly spoken in four years. He and I are just friends; besides, he hated me all throughout school."

Pansy was grinning mischievously at me. "I happen to have information that says otherwise."

Ginny and I both looked at her and I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

She looked down at her glass while swirling her wine, and said in a light tone, "Mister Malfoy happens to have liked you since first year."

Draco's POV

I was sad to see the girls leave, especially Hermione. It was amusing though to see Ginny grinning at her husband's obvious discomfort of being left with Blaise and I. I had to admit, the red head was growing on me.

As soon as the door shut, Harry shifted uncomfortably and looked between the two of us. There was an awkward silence that hung in the air as the three of us sat, taking drinks every so often. I finally couldn't stand it and shifted forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees.

"So, Potter," I started. "You're an Auror, right?"

He nodded after taking a drink of his rum. "Head of the department."

"Congratulations," Blaise commented, raising his drink slightly. "I'm honestly not surprised. Though I did think you would be a great Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

"A lot of people thought that," He said. "It was a good second option, but at the same time there's still Death Eaters out and about. Maybe once they're all rounded up and I'm tired of chasing dark magic, I'll go ahead and settle into teaching."

"Not a bad plan," I replied. "I'm sure McGonagall would be ecstatic to have you back. You were her favorite, after all."

Harry snorted at that. "I was far from her favorite. That would be Hermione. Which, speaking of..."

He shifted forward on the couch as well, eyeing me suspiciously. "How is it that you just so happen to walk back into her life when she's just become single?"

I raised an eyebrow. "If you're insinuating that I took advantage of the situation, you'd be wrong. It was purely coincidence; I had troubles with a werewolf that I needed advice on, which you were there for, and Hermione happened to be the person that I was going to have to go to. I didn't even know she had become single until after lunch yesterday."

He watched me for a few moments before nodding and then taking a drink. "So, what's your intentions with her?"

I scoffed slightly. "Come on, Potter. You're not her father."

"I'm pretty much her brother, though," He shrugged. "I just want to make sure she doesn't get hurt again."

"Look," I set my drink down and focused my attention on him. "She just got out of a relationship. I am not stupid or cocky enough to try and throw myself into the mix while she is still dealing with what happened. She deserves better than that."