2

meetings and silent pleasures

I'm not quite sure what exactly caught my attention, but I noticed Hermione leaving her seat between Ginny and Ron, an unusual look on her face. She made a B-line for the doors, slipped outside and closed the door behind her. I look down at my bare plate, at a sudden loss of appetite. I look over at Draco, he's still rambling on about something his father just bought him to his buddies, why doesn't he stuff a sock in it already?

I quietly slip away from the table and discreetly head for the doors to outside. Once I'm outside I head towards the lake, it's a favorite thinking spot for most of us, who like to think in peace. I cross the grounds quickly and reach the edge of the lake in a couple of minutes.

I scanned the edge of the lake looking for any sign of Hermione; I wouldn't have known she was there if it wasn't for a small bit of black splayed across one of the roots. I slowly walked over to her, as I came closer I noticed a small tear drop running down her face as she stared at the water front.

She looked up when I was nearly standing directly in front of her. She blinked once and then frowned when she recognized who exactly was standing before her.

"Hey," I said, watching the lake front, my back to the tree trunk. I could see from the corner of my eyes that Hermione was staring at me like I'd grown three heads. There were several moments of silence as Hermione watched me watch the lake. We stayed like that for sometime before she asked, "What are you doing here, Pansy?"

I eyed her for a second and smirked at her, "What? I came here to think in peace and you just happened to be here too." She eyed me suspiciously, "You don't believe me do you?" I asked, "You know it is possible for a Slytherin to tell the truth."

Hermione looked down, guiltily, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way…" she said, her voice trailing off at the end.

Suddenly she was rising from her position, standing she turned to go back inside. I thin I was more surprised than she was when I found my hand wrapped around her wrist keeping her from leaving, "Please, don't go. Your presence is…. comforting." She looked down at me in shock before sinking back to the ground in her spot next to me.

We pulled our hands away like we'd been electrocuted. Then turned and watched the lake front, I can't believe how good it felts to have her hand in mine.

I lay on my back to watch the clouds pass over head, through the bare branches of the tree over head. I was surprised when Hermione laid down beside me, our shoulders and legs touching, we didn't move except to breath, my limbs tingled as they touched her.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" she demanded.

"Because, contrary to popular belief, I'm not always a bitch," I answered, "and because I like you." Love you even. "You got spunk, and you're smart and not afraid to show it. But also because you need someone to stand by you and support you when it feels like things are going to fall apart."

"People like that are called friends, and unlike you I have them." She snapped.

I snorted, "You mean Potty and Weasel? Don't you ever get tired of them always asking to copy your homework? Don't you get mad when the only time they talk to you is when they want to copy your notes?" I said levelly, my voice close to being icy. She was silent then, and subtly moved away from me, "I don't mean to be a jerk. But you've got to admit that, that's the way things seem don't they?"

"I don't have to admit anything." She snarled.

"Fine then, don't say it, ever. Keep it locked up inside where it won't hurt anyone but you." I said quietly as I got up and left. I didn't turn back to see her reaction.

I was halfway across the grounds when the warning bell for class rang. Crap I'm going to be late for class, good thing its potions first.