Out of Time

Chapter 4

Hermione's been dreading this, but it must be done. Without waiting for an invitation, she commandeers a chair at Harry's and Ron's usual table in the common room. They both stare at her, mouths agape, while she casts her strongest muffliato.

Ron recovers first - or maybe he's just boldest. "Speaking to us again, then?"

"You're welcome," she returns haughtily, lifting her chin, and he drops his gaze. "Harry, you'll be glad to know they released Draco from the hospital wing today."

Harry does look somewhat relieved at this and Hermione softens a smidge. Only a smidge.

"And I'm sure you've both heard loads of people assuming you stood up for me because we're shagging each other wild, so thank you for that." She gives Harry a pointed glare and he turns a little pink. Ron smothers a cough, looking quite uncomfortable, and Hermione lets the moment simmer.

"Now I'm going to say something without this devolving into a gigantic row, and the only way that's going to happen is if you let me talk. Agreed?"

Both wizards nod, an amusing mix of wary and penitent.

"I know Draco had a lot to do with it, but the current level of... attention to this is a problem. His family knows, along with plenty of other people outside the castle."

"Death Eaters, you mean," Ron states flatly, and Hermione silences him with a stare.

"It's in everybody's best interest that people forget about this. It can't seem to be a thing. That means -"

"- so it is still a thing, then?" Ron cuts in again, and Hermione considers silencing him personally. She should have known Ron could never manage to shut up long enough for her to get this out.

"Not that it's your business, but yes. It will be. But not on the surface. He's going to appear to go back out with Pansy Parkinson. Right after that, Theo Nott is going to ask me out and I'm going to say yes."

Ron begins to splutter. Hermione grows more concerned about Harry's lack of participation, though, and waves a hand in front of his eyes. "Harry? Are you tracking this?"

"Why Theo Nott?" Ron finally chokes out, turning redder than Hermione's seen him in ages, which is saying something.

She sighs, exasperated. "Because it's false, Ronald. Theo and Pansy are together. Draco and I are together. It works. Should I say it's you instead? Are you going to ditch Lavender to help me continue seeing Draco on the sly?"

His face grows more red and seems to swell a little, making Hermione giggle.

"How about Harry, instead? Should I say I'm seeing Harry now, since half the castle already thinks he's gotten up my robes? Might hurt his chances with Ginny, though, so maybe you'd be in favour of that after all."

Ron ignores this dig. "So now, all of a sudden, the Slytherins are alright? Just *poof*" he flitters a hand in the air, "and they're all a good sort, now, no problems at all?"

"I didn't say that," Hermione defends, trying to keep her voice even. "But no, they're not so bad. Some of them. Even if you aren't ready to believe it about Draco, yet -"

"He tried to use an Unforgivable curse on Harry!" Ron shouts and Hermione really doesn't feel like having this argument again. She refuses to rise to the bait.

"Some of them aren't bad. They're people like everybody else. They're not perfect, either. But I'm not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater."

Ron stops, mid-retort. "The what?"

Unsure of herself, Hermione looks at Harry. He seems to understand the reference. "It's - a saying. I didn't think it was exclusively a Muggle saying, but maybe it is. It means just because the bathwater is soiled, it doesn't mean the baby is, too. Not all Slytherins are - oh, forget it. Pansy and I have actually spoken a few times, now. She's not exactly approachable, but she's not hateful."