Dramione - Hate Is A Strong Word

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

~Draco's POV~

     The next day was when things got bad. It started when the owls swarmed the Great Hall in the morning. Hundreds of Daily Profits were dropped to waiting recipients, Hermione being one of them. Stiffening, I realised news had spread; Hermione's face, along with mine, was plastered over the front page, consuming the headlines of the papers across the country. Hermione picked it up, but, upon glancing at the front page, gasped and dropped it in shock just as quickly. The rest of the students had similar reactions and turned to face us, watching our response. Hermione looked up at me, I was still aghast, she stroked her thumb across my cheek soothingly.

"It's okay Draco." She said. "It'll be fine, we can get through this." Determination was set deep in her eyes; filling me with hope and comfort. I knew she was right, we wouldn't let this hurt us.

"Of course; people can say and think what they please. I don't care. I've got you." I spoke into her hair, as I pulled her closer into my side. She wrapped her arm around me in response. Hermione opened the Daily Profit to read the article, too curious not to look. I peered over her shoulder as she read.

HERMIONE GRANGER: CURSED OR COMMITTED?

The latest scandalous couple – none other than Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy (pictured together on the front page), have left the wizarding world bewildered and demanding answers. At 8:34 yesterday morning, Draco Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Jean Granger declared there 'love' for each other before the students and staff of Hogwarts. Hermione Granger, the brains of the Golden Trio, would never go near Draco Malfoy, an ex-deatheater, until the beginning of the academic year. What changed for Little-Miss-Perfect? Is she really as loved up as seems, or has the devious deatheater cursed our Gryffindor Golden Girl.

Why would Granger be involved with anyone from the Dark side? Of course, Draco Malfoy is devastatingly handsome, and Granger has been known to choose the most ostentatious boys. Victor Krum, world class seeker, and Granger's first love interest, gained Granger lots of attention in her fourth year of Hogwarts. Harry Potter was competing in the Triwizard Tournament at the time, so greedy Granger found the most dashing boy around, to throw the spotlight on herself. Is the bookworm jealous of Potter now? Is she trying to steal his publicity for defeating the Dark Lord, by dating one of his followers? Not too long ago, Granger shocked the wizarding world by ending her relationship with Ronald Bilius Weasley in a dramatic scene to acquire attention. However, now she has the latest bad-boy in her clutches.

A source from Hogwarts, who preferred to remain unidentified, accounted the pair bounding into the Great Hall, holding hands and sharing an intimate, but passionate smooch, before proceeding to the Gryffindor table to eat breakfast. The witness described it as 'shocking and outrageous'. The couple were seen embracing on numerous occasions in the halls of Hogwarts. A first year Gryffindor student, who admired Hermione said, 'I think Hermione Granger is acting very weird, I thought she hated Malfoy, everyone says that in past years they constantly screamed at each other.' A Slytherin seventh year commented, 'Draco has besmirched the Slytherin name and is nothing but a filthy blood traitor.' A fifth year Ravenclaw student, who witnessed the reveal, said 'Has Hermione been cursed, because her behaviour is very out of character.'

So the question appears; has Draco Malfoy cursed Hermione Granger? It seems very likely, as for the past seven years of knowing each other, hexes and foul words were the only thing passed between the two. But why would Malfoy curse Granger into dating him? What is Malfoy trying to accomplish?

We questioned Harry Potter, but he refused to comment, too horrified to speak. However the bitter and outspoken Ginny Weasley, very close to all three members of the golden trio; Potter's girlfriend, sister of Ronald Weasley and best friends with Granger, offered an unhelpful and unnecessary comment 'Mind your own business, leave her alone and let her be happy, you sad old fool.' Ginevra, the youngest of the Weasley clan, is envious of the golden trio, trying to interject anywhere she can, rudely disturbing my conversation with Harry Potter, saviour of the Wizarding World.