Loving the Lonely

Chapter 4

A week following Draco's incident, Hermione is bent over a set of translations and chewing on the tip of her quill as she examines the runes. The library is silent and the work is peaceful, if a bit difficult on her own, but she's thankful for it. So rapped up in her work, Hermione doesn't even notice the person coming up to her until they pull out the chair across the table. 

"Hard at work again," Theo says as way of greeting. Hermione looks up and blinks blearily at him, dark shadows under her eyes. "Merlin's beard, you look like you haven't slept in days," he hisses, leaning forward. 

"I feel like I actually haven't," Hermione mumbles, though it's distorted through a yawn, and Theo is frowning at her. Tossing aside her quill, she rubs her eyes and stretches her arms over her head. Her shoulder pops and Theo winces sympathetically. "This project is driving me mad, and Draco isn't making it any easier." At Theo's questioning brow, she explains. "He's decided that working together is, and I'm quoting directly, "bad for a Malfoy's reputation." She scowls and Theo wonders briefly if she'll enact a terrible revenge on his friend. "He's insisting that we work separately, and I was far too tired to argue this morning." 

"I'll talk to him," Theo announces. Madame Pince's grumblings can be heard from the desk, and Theo drops his voice. "I'll make sure he knows that you two have to work together. He'll listen to me, he has to." Theo starts to stand, but Hermione shakes her head wildly. 

"No, don't do that," she says. "It'll lead to an argument and then you'll be mad at yourself later if...if something happens to him, like before. Just..." Hermione groans and looks towards the work she's been doing. She shrugs. "Just let us work apart for a day or so. When he sees that it's too difficult  without doing it together then the problem will sort itself out." 

Theo hesitates, debating her proposal, before giving a terse nod. "I'll let this go, under one condition." 

"And what would that be?" She's already closing her textbook and sliding her work into her bag. 

"Let me and Blaise treat you in Hogsmeade. You deserve a break after all that Malfoy has put you through, and last weeks shock with his condition."

Hermione's brow shoots up. "What do you mean by treat? I won't let you buy me anything. That's not the sort of person I-" 

"Just a small meal at the Three Broomsticks, nothing else," he compromises quickly, interrupting her protests. 

She frowns a moment before letting out a sigh. "Only because I really am hungry, but I'll buy for the next Hogsmeade trip," Hermione says firmly. 

"Fantastic!" He lights up and reaches out to drag her bag up onto his shoulder by the strap. "Let's go. We've got to get Blaise from the kitchen after we drop your bag off at the dorm; The elves are probably stuffing him with treacle tarts by now."

Later, after they amble out of Three Broomsticks, stomachs full of rich foods and butterbeer still heavy on their tongues, Blaise takes the lead towards a few shops. When Hermione notices the certain one he's headed for, she groans, "why are we going to Honeydukes?"

"To get sweets, obviously," says Blaise, loping an arm around her shoulders. 

"You had treacle tarts earlier, and butterbeer just now. Shouldn't that have been enough?" 

"Not for me," Blaise laughs. "Plus, it's the second part of our treat to you, even if you don't eat any of the sweets today. Just save them for another time." 

She grumbles, "I won't let you pay for me anymore. You've already bought me an entire meal. Let me at least get my own sweets!" 

"Not a chance," Blaise replies with a cheeky grin. "This is out treat to you. However, I wouldn't be opposed to you buying our meal on the next trip."