All Harry Potter Characters don't belong to me.
The Source - Chapter Nineteen
"Speaking"
<Thinking>
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Draco and Harry were not 'best buddies' now, but they were the type of friends who had a mutual respect for each other. Draco thought that he could do with one less enemy and an extra acquaintance, that's why he accepted Harry's proposal to have a truce. Plus, he only picked on Harry and his two friends because during their first year Harry had declined his offer to be friends in front of everyone and that was very embarrassing. Many years of revenge was Draco's plan, but right now, having a halfway decent friend for once sounded really nice, so he accepted.
Ever since the defeat of Voldemort, Harry had been contemplating what kind of person Draco was really like. He was a Slytherin, a snobby brat and always picked on him and his friends, but he could also be very noble. Defying his father and helping them defeat Voldemort took a lot of courage; Harry didn't think he could betray his family even if he knew they were dreadful, that's why Harry admired Draco for his actions. He was the one who declined Draco's offer to be friends in their first year and now Harry wanted to take that back and be the one to offer a new start.
Harry told Hermione and Ron about the truce between him and Draco. Hermione took the news well and Ron was still sceptical but still respected Harry's decision.
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Draco was in his room with Ginny and they were both doing their own homework. Draco however could not concentrate, and was staring off into space.
<I wonder if she knows? She must have heard about it by now. Potter would have told his two friends and she would surely know. Why isn't she saying anything about it? Is it because she doesn't care?>
Ginny was looking at Draco and noticed the deep concentrating look he had on, but it didn't seem to be directed at his work.
She waved her hand in front of his face but still he didn't blink.
"Malfoy!" She yelled.
Draco shook his head and looked at Ginny with blank eyes.
"Huh?" he said. Ginny sighed.
"What is up with you today?"
"Nothing," Draco answered grumpily.
"Ok, then," Ginny said reluctantly and returned back to her work.
Draco thought for a while longer until he just couldn't stand it anymore. He just had to know if Ginny knew about his truce with Harry, but he couldn't be too direct.
"So, Weasley," he started casually. "Anything interesting happening lately?"
Ginny looked up and made a thoughtful look before she shook her head.
"Nope," she said and then turned to face Draco. "Why? You want to know something in particular?"
"Ah… No, nothing in particular," he said dejectedly.
Ginny returned back to her work for a couple of minutes when Draco spoke again.
"So, there's nothing new happening in Gryffindor?" he asked eagerly. Ginny turned her head and looked at Draco again.
"Nope, just the usual boring news," she answered and then turned her head back.
"Really? Not even anything new happening in Potter's life?" Draco said eagerly. Ginny giggled and turned her head to face a frowning Draco.
"You know, Malfoy, you're not very subtle when it comes to finding things out." Draco frowned at being laughed at.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Weasley," he said quickly. Ginny smirked.
"If you're wondering whether I know about your truce with Harry then yes, I do know."
There was silence, and Draco waited for a comment from Ginny, but she never gave one.
"And…" he asked impatiently.
"And what?" she said back casually.
Draco was furious that she didn't have a reaction.
"Nothing," he said grumpily.
<She was all happy when I agreed to accept the Auror training but now that I have a truce with Potter she doesn't even give a smile or anything> he thought crossly.
Ginny was grinning at how Draco was acting like a child who wanted to be praised for doing a good job. She found out about Draco's truce with Harry when she overheard Harry talking to Ron and Hermione. She was so happy that she went to sleep smiling and the next morning had a sore cheek.
Ginny started to pack up her things and noticed that Draco was ignoring her.
<What a big baby> she thought amusingly. After she had finished, Draco was still angry and didn't even look at her. She walked over and touched his cheek lightly with her fingertips. This made him look at her and he could see her wonderful smile.
"I'm happy for you, Malfoy," she said and then left the room.
After Ginny had left, a huge smile made it's was onto Draco's face and stayed there for a long time.
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On the other hand, as Ginny was exiting Draco's room with a huge smile on, she met none other than Hermione Granger. Ginny immediately lost her smile and froze.
Hermione saw Ginny and could only be shocked. She walked very slowly towards Ginny until she was right in front of her.
"What were you doing in Malfoy's room, Ginny?" she asked worriedly.
Ginny was at a lost for words. Being caught by Hermione was not what she was expecting. Ginny quickly grabbed Hermione's arm and dragged her away from Draco's door.
"What are you doing here, Hermione?" Ginny asked back. Hermione frowned.
"Answer my question first, Ginny," she said firmly. Ginny sighed. She was not getting out of this.
"I can't tell you here, Hermione. Can we go somewhere else?" she said desperately.
Hermione nodded and then led Ginny to her own private room.
They stayed in Hermione's room for a long time. Ginny told her about how she accidentally triggered Draco's Vervexia, making sure to leave out the details about her knowing all about him. Ginny then twisted the story a bit to hide what really happened because it would surely blow her cover. She ended up telling Hermione that Draco was stubborn and wouldn't take his medicine so she had to take it up to him every night. She also told Hermione that she wanted to cure his Vervexia for research and experience purposes.
Ginny could see that Hermione was listening to the story and at the same time contemplating how much of it was true.
<Please let her believe me. It is kind of the truth, I've just left some little details out that's all.>
"So that's why you were in his room," Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Ginny said.
"And you've been doing this for how long?"
"Ever since the first two weeks of school."
"Why didn't you tell us Ginny?" Hermione said hurtfully. Ginny sighed.
"Because then Ron would find out and he would throw a fit. You know how much he hates Malfoy. Oh, please don't tell him about this, Hermione." Ginny pleaded.
Hermione frowned. She didn't like lying to her friends.
"Well…"
"Please, Hermione. Please, I'll do anything," Ginny begged. Hermione sighed.
"Can't Madam Pomfrey take the medicine up to Malfoy for you? I don't trust him with you alone in his room. You know what the git is like."
Ginny inwardly smirk. <Of course I know what he's like; it's all you other people who really don't understand him>
"But Hermione, it's good for my training," Ginny lied, "I get to see the real effects of Vervexia and not just read about it in books. Please, Hermione, I promise to be careful." Ginny secretly laughed at her last comment. <Malfoy is the one who needs to be careful around me.>
Hermione hesitated for a while but then nodded.
"Alright, Ginny, I won't stop you, or tell Ron about what you're doing. I'm just worried bout you that's all." Ginny got up and hugged Hermione.
"Thanks, Hermione. I really appreciate this." Hermione hugged her back,
"Just be careful Ginny." Ginny had pulled back and was picking up her book bag.
"I will," she called out as she left Hermione's room.
<Merlin, that was close> Ginny thought as she headed back to her room.
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Draco was sitting in the library doing his work when a pile of books where dumped onto the table in front of him. He looked up and saw the stern face of Hermione.
"What do you want, Granger?" he drawled out as he returned back to reading his book.
Hermione sat down in the chair next to Draco "I came here to give you a warning, Malfoy. You better not do anything to Ginny or else you'll regret it," she said acidly.
Draco closed his book and looked at Hermione coldly.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Granger. What has the Little Weasley got to do with me?" he asked casually. Hermione glared at him.
"Cut the crap, Malfoy. Ginny told me everything."
Draco's eyes widened slightly. <She knows that Weasley is the Source?>
"That's right," Hermione continued, "She told me about how she has to bring you your medicine every night and about how she's looking for a cure for you. I promised I wouldn't tell Ron but I don't know why she insists on curing a git like you. If it were me I'd just leave you to rot." Draco got angry.
"Well, you aren't her, Granger, and I don't think its any of your business what happens between the little Weasley and me," he said defensively.
"It is my business because Ginny is my friend," Hermione snapped back.
"So, she's your friend now is she? I'm sure she doesn't feel like it when you three deliberately leave her out of all your plans and ignore her," Draco growled. Hermione was shocked.
"Is that what Ginny told you? That we deliberately ignore her?" she cried out.
"No, but even a blind person can tell you don't treat her like a friend. Real friends don't overlook each other."
"We don't overlook her. We're just protecting her." Draco smirked.
"Well, she doesn't need your protection. I'm sure she is capable of protecting herself."
Hermione was about to protest but Draco stopped her.
"By the way, Granger. Did you know that the little Weasley was smart enough to advance to 7th year potions but chose to decline?" Draco asked provokingly.
Hermione frowned. She didn't know what Draco was getting at, but still answered,
"Of course I know." Draco smirked.
"It must be really devastating to know you're not the smartest witch in the school, eh, Granger," he taunted. Hermione did not appreciate Draco's tone of voice.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Malfoy, but I'm actually very proud of Ginny. I aim for good grades because I expect the best from myself and not because I want to be the smartest. There are many other people in this world who are smarter and better than me and I admire them for their intelligence, I don't envy them like you do."
Hermione stood up and picked up her books from the table.
"Just remember, Malfoy, if you do anything to hurt Ginny I guarantee that I will personally hex you to the moon." And with that Hermione left Draco to be by himself again.
End of Chapter Nineteen. Thanks for reading and I Hope you Review.
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