Love's Potion [Dramione]

Chapter 16

Hermione's biggest regret from the past weekend was getting an apology from Draco Malfoy.

It was early Monday morning, and all she could think about were the words "I'm sorry" coming from Draco Malfoy's mouth. And then from that, she would proceed to think about what a nice mouth he has, and how she wouldn't mind kissing it again. But mostly, she thought about the apology, and how she knew she could probably never get him to say it again.

After he had walked off yesterday, and Hermione had ditched her two best friends, she searched nearly all of Hogsmeade for him – but to no avail. He seemed to have just disappeared into thin air. Later on that afternoon, she had run into Blaise Zabini and inquired about his best friend, but he didn't know where Draco was, either. This was all very frustrating for Hermione, for she had felt that she was finally getting somewhere with Draco...and that maybe, just maybe, he was starting to come around.

"Hermione," a sweet voice called out from behind her, breaking Hermione out of her reverie. She spun around on the couch to see Ginny standing behind her with a big smile on her face. "You look lost in thought. What's up?"

Despite the fact Hermione had seen Ginny last night, she had not told her about her encounter with Draco. She knew Ginny would probably read too much into it and try to talk her into talking to Draco again. Of course, Hermione would love nothing more than to speak with Draco again...if only she could find him. Still, she didn't need her good friend hassling her about it. Nor did she need this information accidentally being leaked to Harry and Ron.

"Oh, it's nothing," Hermione replied. She was a terrible liar, and Ginny knew it.

"Does this happen to have anything to do with a certain Fifth Year harlot?"

"Ginny Weasley!" Hermione gasped, surprised to hear her sweet friend refer to someone like that. However, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Because, you know, Malfoy could do so much better than her," Ginny continued.

Hermione nodded. "I agree. And he probably will. There are still a few pretty Sixth Year Slytherins he hasn't pursued yet. Perhaps one of them will turn out to be his lifemate."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a nitwit, Mione. I was talking about you."

"Give it up, Gin." Hermione sighed, shaking her head slightly.

"I'm not going to give this up!" Ginny cried. "Not until I see you happy again! And not until I see you deep in thought with a smile on your face, instead of that ghastly frown you are displaying right now."

Hermione frowned. "I am not frowning."

"Actually, you are," Ron said, entering the common room. "And it's ghastly."

Hermione shot him a death glare as he grinned.

"I couldn't help but overhear part of your conversation," he said.

Hermione groaned inwardly. "How much did you hear?"

"Just the part about you displaying a ghastly frown." He eyed Hermione as she sighed in relief. "You know, frowning is quite unattractive. You're so much prettier when you smile."

Hermione blushed furiously. But not as much as Ron, whose face had gone redder than his hair when he realized what he'd said. Quickly, he cleared his throat and said, "You know, I mean 'you're' as in a collective noun, meaning most people, not...'you're' as in you are. Not that I wasn't including you in the you're, but -"

"Seriously, Ron!" Ginny snapped. "It's not a crime to tell your best friend that she's pretty. Especially when it's the truth." Ginny smiled sweetly at Hermione, who was blushing even harder now.