What Friends Are For, Part 12 of A Woman Scorned (H/D, PG-13)

[sesheta66]

Title: What Friends Are For, Part 12 of A Woman Scorned
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~2950
Pairing/Characters: Harry/Draco, Hermione/Ron, mention of Snape
Challenge: awdt's prompts of "Maybe it was the newness of it all" and "Do you think I'm stupid? and 100quills prompt 005 - Fixed
Warnings: No beta. Please point out any errors you find.
Summary: Ron is growing weary of Hermione's absence.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.


Earlier Parts:

Part 1 - A Valentine Surprise
Part 2 - The Plan
Part 3 - Without a Trace
Part 4 - A Beautiful Lie
Part 5 - Whatever It Takes
Part 6 - The Best Laid Plans
Part 7 - At His Wit's End
Part 8 - Last Hope
Part 9 - A Troubled Mind
Part 10 - A Mind at Rest
Part 11 - On the Edge



Part 12 - What Friends Are For:

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Ron asked, hands flailing and face red with anger.

"Well ..." replied Hermione, trying to maintain control.

"You are living here with him, I barely see you any more, and when I do see you, all you can talk about is him. What am I supposed to think?"

"What?!" This was just too much.

"Well, explain yourself!"

"Ronald," Hermione began through gritted teeth, trying to maintain control. "You know very well that we are trying to get Harry back. We have been working day and night --"

"I'll just bet you have."

"Right. Get out. Now. Get out before I hex your bits off! And don't come back until you have regained some sense of reason in that thick head of yours."

"You can't be serious!" Ron said incredulously.

"Ronald, here's how this works. This is not your home."

"It's not yours either," he pointed out.

"That's correct, but I am here as a guest. You are not. In fact, part of my 'work' here has been to keep you away from Draco so --"

"So it's Draco now, is it?"

"Oh, for the love of Merlin, Ron! Of course it's Draco now. We have been in each other's company practically non-stop since Harry was kidnapped. We collaborate, and we talk. We are friends. Nothing more, nothing less. Friends, Ronald. Remember what that's like?"

"Yeah, and we ended up as more than friends, and now --"

"And now you think that somehow, in his deepest despair, Draco has decided that he suddenly doesn't love Harry? Let's think this through, Ronald. First, Draco is beside himself with worry. He eats, sleeps and breathes Harry. That's when he actually eats and sleeps. Second, he is determined, relentless, fuelled by his anguish. He's a machine that works non-stop to get the love of his life back where he belongs. And finally, in case you hadn't noticed the obvious, HE'S GAY!"

"Yes, well, he dated Parkinson in school --"

"How many years ago was that? Have you seen him with a girl -- any girl -- since then? Even before he and Harry were together, he wasn't with girls. Dating Pansy was his way of trying to live up to the expectations Lucius had of him. And why am I even bothering to explain this to you? Here's what's happening. We are working together to get Harry back. Harry, the man Draco loves more than life itself. Harry, my best friend in the world besides you, and right now I'm dubious about us. Harry, the man who has been stripped of his wand, his power, his freedom. Harry, the man who is probably right now praying for us to rescue him. Harry, the man who gave up his childhood and put his life on the line for others. Not just friends, either, but the entire wizarding world. Harry, the man who calls you his best mate, who is counting on you. Harry, the man who deserves far better than the likes of you worrying about something so ridiculous that it isn't worthy of discussion. Harry, who is being held captive while you waste my precious time worrying about yourself!"

"Ronald, under any other circumstances, I would give you the benefit of the doubt, and appreciate your concerns. But I will say this once more, and we will not discuss it again. I love you. Draco loves Harry. There is nothing -- I repeat, nothing -- going on between Draco and me, except the combined efforts we are making to get Harry home where he belongs."

"I am not wasting any more time talking to you about this or anything else that doesn't directly relate to our search for Harry. This conversation is not over by a long shot, but I'm not having it with you today. Not until Harry is back. Now leave before one of us says something that there's no recovering from."

"I'll leave Hermione, but you're right when you say this conversation is not over. I don't really think anything is going on; I just said that out of frustration. And yes, I know Malfoy is gay. In fact, strange as this may sound, I don't think he would do anything to betray Harry. I can't stand the git, but I know he loves Harry, and more importantly Harry loves him. But -- now don't stop me, because I just want to say one more thing, and I want you to think about it once I leave."

Ron took her hands in his, and looked at her with pain in his eyes. "Hermione, you don't see the way you look when you talk about him. I suppose you don't even realize it yourself, but it scares me. I think you are spending too much time with him, and you're losing sight of your own feelings. I don't pretend to be an expert -- or even an amateur, for that matter -- but I see that there is more there than friendship. At least for you."

"Ron --"

"No, Hermione, I need you to hear me. Really hear me. I don't want to lose you. I can't just stand by and watch this happen, and not say anything. It's bad enough my best mate is in love with the ferret, but now my girlfriend is falling for him too. This can't end well. You are playing with fire, Hermione. You will lose me, you will lose Harry, and you may very well lose a lot more than that. Be careful." With that, Ron left a stunned Hermione behind, wondering what the hell had just happened.

---

"I've found it!" Draco called as he arrived back at the flat. "Hermione, I've found the potion!"

"How? Where?" she asked as she came into the front room.

"Severus, how else?" Hermione noticed the look of pride he held in his gaze when he spoke of his mentor.

"He's been invaluable, hasn't he?" she asked.

Draco nodded. "Now, we'll need one week to brew this, and it's got nothing to do with lunar cycles -- thank Merlin! -- so we should be ready to go soon. I just need to pick up a few ingredients at the apothecary, and we can get started."

"You didn't stop on your way here?" she asked.

"Nope! I just had to share the news with you first. After all, we have been working together, and it's only a five-minute diversion. I'll Floo over there right now, and be back in a flash." He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek before heading off.

---

Feeling as though she'd been caught up in a whirlwind, Hermione made herself a cup of tea, and sat herself down on the sofa to think.

As she thought about Draco, a smile crept onto her face. He had looked almost like a child at Christmas when he came rushing in here, he was so excited. Hermione felt a warm glow inside at the thought. He had been so upset for so long. He really deserved some happiness.

Oh, God! Is Ron right? Do I have feelings for Draco?

She replayed the events of the past few weeks in her mind. She had been spending nearly every waking moment with Draco, and they were getting on well, but was there more to it? They worked well together, and they did have a lot in common. They seemed to share a passion for knowledge that she had known with no one else in her life. Despite the circumstances, Hermione actually looked forward to working with him every day. It was challenging, invigorating, and very rewarding when they found something new.

She thought about how Draco looked and had to admit that he was good looking. No, she corrected herself. He was gorgeous. But surely anyone that had a pair of eyes could see that. It didn't mean --

But what did it mean? Did she think about him that way? She didn't think so. Maybe it was the newness of it all. She hadn't ever partnered with anyone before, unless she counted her work with Ron and Harry in school, but this was different. Draco was an equal, and they worked well together. He was smart and he seemed to love research as much as she did. She tried to analyze the situation objectively, but found that her emotions and Ron's words were swirling around in her head, causing her thoughts to be blurred.

---

"Hermione, I'm back!" Draco called. "And I've brought take-away. Your favourite."

When did he figure out what my favourite take-away is? Ron doesn't even know what my favourite restaurant is. Hermione shook that thought out of her mind, and made her way to the kitchen to find Draco had the meal spread out on the table. Sure enough, it was from her favourite restaurant, with all her favourite dishes. She beamed at him as she took her seat.

"So, tell me all about this potion," she said, and Draco launched into his explanation.

"Well, Severus asked around a bit, and finally someone came up with the Valaniserum, designed to strengthen the mind. It apparently can have dire effects if used too often, or people would use it all the time. Also, Severus warned that the feeling of strength and power it evokes can make the potion addictive, so I shouldn't take it more than once or twice."

"Are you sure about this?" Hermione asked.

"What choice do I have?"

"Well ..." She knew there really wasn't one. "I could take it if you want."

"No. You read about the spell, and you heard what Severus said. It will take someone very close to Harry to be able to find his spirit and break into his mind." Hermione made to interrupt, but was stopped by Draco's raised hand. "I know you love him too, Hermione. But you know that I'm the closest person to him. I don't mean --"

She took his hand in her own. "I know, Draco. I only wish I could do more." He relaxed as she said that.

"Well, there's not a lot to do for this potion, but I could use some help with chopping up some of the ingredients."

---

After they ate, Hermione cleared the table and Draco got the ingredients together. They spent the next hour painstakingly chopping up and measuring the herbs for the potion. While they worked, they both remained quiet, which gave Hermione's mind a chance to wander. She kept sneaking glances at Draco, trying to figure out if Ron was right, if she had feelings beyond friendship for this man.

"Right, then. We're done," Draco announced as he measured and placed the last of the stinging nettle into a bowl. "What's wrong, Hermione? You seem distracted."

"Oh, it's nothing, really. Let's get this potion started."

"Alright, but once it's brewing, you're talking."

"Deal." Hermione only said it to get Draco off her case. She was hoping that when the time came, he would forget, or she could come up with something else. As it turned out, however, the potion was a bit picky, so her mind was totally engulfed by it, and she hadn't thought of anything else when he interrupted her thoughts.

"So, now the potion is brewing, and we have half an hour before the next ingredient needs to be added. Spill."

"Tea?" she asked.

"Sure. Then we talk."

"Really, Draco. It's nothing. Nothing at all."

"It doesn't look like 'nothing at all' and I know the weasel was here earlier. I must conclude that he has said or done something to upset you. Now get the tea, then we talk."

As she settled on the sofa, tea in hand, she looked over at Draco, wondering how to start. A sigh was the best she could do. Her stomach was in knots.

"What did the weasel say to you?"

"Well, he's upset that I haven't been home."

"Understandable. To be honest with you, Hermione, you don't really have to stay here any more. I'll be fine."

"No you won't. You hardly eat or sleep, and I suspect that if I wasn't here nagging you, that situation would worsen. Don't deny it."

"I had no such intention. You're probably right. I just seem to focus on whatever I'm doing, and I forget about everything else. I just miss Harry so much."

Putting her tea down, she gave his hand a squeeze. "I know you do. But we'll get him back." He nodded, though she sensed a hint of doubt.

"So what else did Weasley say? That alone wouldn't have upset you to the point of distraction."

Hermione decided, since there seemed to be no getting out of the conversation, to be honest with Draco. So she told him all about Ron's accusations, their fight, her telling him to leave, and his parting words.

"I see," Draco said, taking some time to process what she had told him. "I noticed that you mentioned in your argument that I miss Harry, that I want him back, that I am gay. Did you happen to mention to Ron that you are not attracted to me, or that you would never betray Harry or him?"

"Um ..."

"So you basically defended me, but said nothing about yourself?"

"Um ..."

"In other words, you basically told him that even if he was right about your feelings, he could trust me -- someone he has hated his entire life -- to be sure you didn't do anything you shouldn't?"

"Well, when you put it that way ..."

"Actually, Hermione, that's the way you put it."

"Oh, God," she groaned.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"Is there any truth in what he says?"

"I ... I don't know," she said, burying her face in her hands.

Draco pulled her hands away from her face and met her with a smirk. "I know I'm irresistible, and I'm certainly a better catch than the weasel, but do you honestly think you feel anything for me besides friendship?"

"I didn't think so. But then Ron said --"

"Forget for a minute what Ron said. How do you feel?"

"Well, I think you're brilliant."

"True."

"And you are a great conversationalist."

"Also true."

"And you are surprisingly fun to be around."

"Hardly surprising, really." She had to roll her eyes and chuckle at that.

"And you're decent enough looking," she ventured.

"Decent! What?! I am gorgeous, woman!"

"Yes, well, I suppose."

"Honestly! Of course I'm gorgeous, but how do you feel about me?"

"I care about you."

"Yes, yes, typical Gryffindor! Do I make your head swoon, your stomach flip, your heart swell?"

"Well ... no."

"Right. And when you look at me, do you have to hold back from touching me or kissing me?"

"Um ... no?"

"Well, there you have it!"

"But Ron said that my face lights up when I talk about you, and --"

"Well, of course it does!" She looked confused. "Hermione, anyone that has spent any time with you knows that you are most alive, most vibrant, most excited when you are learning. You soak up information, and thrive on that. It drives you to learn more." She still wasn't sure where he was going with this. "Hermione, for a smart witch, you are being remarkably daft. Clearly the weasel has rubbed off on you. Anyway, think about what we've been doing every day."

"Oh," she said as it dawned on her. "We've been investigating, researching and learning."

"Right. So when you talk about what we're doing, your face probably lights up. Since I happen to be there with you, my name would come up. Besides, I'll have to presume that you have never worked with someone as brilliant as me, so that would naturally mean you would speak of me with awe in your voice."

"I do not speak of you with awe!" she defended. Draco was laughing.

"I was joking, of course. So, do you feel better now?"

"Much."

"And you don't fancy yourself in love with me?"

Her cheeks went pink. "No," she said sheepishly.

Draco took Hermione in his arms and gave her a warm hug. He kissed her on the forehead, pulled back and smiled at her. "Now, go home and talk to Ron. State your case and give him shit for not understanding your passion about these things, and for putting these ridiculous thoughts in your head. Yell, scream, rant, rave, whatever. Then have the best make-up sex you've ever had, and don't come back here until he's completely worn out."

Her face went red at his comments. "But --"

"Hermione, I'll be fine. I can continue brewing this potion myself. It's not a two-person job, and there's nothing else to be done until after the potion is ready anyway."

"You could practice the spells," she reminded him.

"Yes, but not until the last of the ingredients has been added to the potion and it's set to brew for the week. I plan to sleep tonight, finish adding the remaining herbs in the morning, and start working on the spells in the afternoon. So there's nothing more for you to do here tonight. Go to Ron. Not that the git deserves you, but since you love him, you'd best go to him. Now out!"

She smiled and nodded. "Draco?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

"Any time, Granger. After all, what are friends for?"

Part 13 - Running Out of Time


Author's Note: The potion's name, Valaniserum, comes from the latin valesco, meaning "to grow strong" and animus, meaning "mind." The stinging nettle plant is used in herbal medicine to help build energy.

Comments

[softly-sweetly.livejournal.com]

Besides, I'll have to presume that you have never worked with someone as brilliant as me, so that would naturally mean you would speak of me with awe in your voice."

omg, spewed juice everywhere *mops up*

So funny, so perfectly, dead-on Draco. Fnatastic doll, as this story has bee so far *kisses*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Heheheh. Yeah, we love our Draco that way, don't we?

*smooches*