The golden flames from the torches that lined the third-floor corridor were the only source of light that dimly lit the sleeping portraits that hung against the stone walls. The sounds of the painted figures could be heard as they stirred in their sleep and snored while they dreamed. The night was still, and even the trees that could be seen through the arched windows were motionless against the non-existent breeze. Spring was just arriving and the once snowy grounds were scattered with the remains of dew and ice. Greenery was peaking through the view and the Forbidden Forest was thickening at its edges. The silence was eery, despite the snuffling portraits. But as still as this night was, movement disrupted the stationary grounds at the end of the hallway.
Whispering grew gradually louder and the sound of laughter broke the silence like the crack of a whip. The sight of bushy brown hair flicked around the corner accompanied by a streak of red. Rule-abiding Hermione Granger was not frequently seen roaming the corridors after hours, but since the appointment of the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher seven months prior to this night, Hermione had little tolerance for 'silly' rules, and Professor Umbridge certainly had the habit of constricting the students' freedom this year. Hermione's companion was more than willing to follow these footsteps.
The conversation between the two was nothing more than pointless banter, but nonetheless entertaining for them. Hermione's arms swung to the rhythm of her steps, whereas Ron's hand rested lightly by the side of his jeans, occasionally twitching when the former's fingers moved close. While he was a risk-taker in the wizarding world beside his bespectacled and black haired companion, Ron became ferociously more contained in personal situations. His ears glowed crimson as Hermione laughed playfully at his childish joke and his fingers gave an uncontrollable twitch as she lightly stroked his arm. Was this flirting, or was Hermione completely oblivious to the colour of his ears? Either way, the late evening was still an enjoyable one. However, it was about to take a different route as the couple turned the stone-lined corner.
"Oh look, it's Weasleby. What's wrong with your ears? Trying to blend into your hair?" Draco Malfoy stood leaning against one of the hidden doorways that lined the castle walls, his arms folded in a casual defense, his wand clutched securely in his right hand. As Hermione made a startled movement beside Ron, Malfoy straightened himself and turned to face the two Gryffindors. His blond hair caught the torchlight and it glowed ominously beside the darkened window between them.
"What are you doing here so late, Malfoy?" Ron asked taking a firm step forward.
"I could ask you the same thing. Although I'm sure you're used to spending these cold nights without a warm bed. Your family couldn't even afford for you to sleep on the floor."
With a movement as quick as a flash of lightening, Ron drew his wand and pointed it straight at Malfoy's heart, his breathing becoming rapid and his teeth bared in a low growl. Malfoy mirrored the move and directed his ward right at Ron's face.
"Stop it, both of you!" Hermione commanded and moved to stand between the boys, but Ron pushed her aside.
"I'm sick of him insulting my family."
"Too much truth for you to take, Weasel-King?" Malfoy sneered. There was a spark of anger in his eyes that erupted when Ron moved Hermione out of the line of fire.
Ron swore loudly at Malfoy and Hermione looked around, hoping not to find a patrolling teacher catching their loud voices.
"Ron, stop it. Let's just go back to the common room and --"
"No, Hermione!" Ron interrupted her. "I've waited for this chance all year. That stupid Inquisitorial Squad has made it hard to even breath in the castle, and now I've caught their ring leader."
"Feeling brave, are we? Well that's a first." Draco scoffed, his wand still pointing at Ron.
"Draco," Hermione pleaded.
"Draco?" With this distraction, Ron lowed his wand and turned to face Hermione. "Since when do you call him Draco?"
This time it was Hermine's turn to blush. Even Malfoy's pale face gained a little colour.
"Now, Ron, don't jump to conclusions." She began, but the fury had risen too far in Ron to tolerate any demands.
"YOU!" He yelled at Malfoy, his wand once again pointing in his enemy's direction.
"Me." Malfoy stated. "It's not as though I have much competition with you hanging around like a bad smell."
BANG!
Red sparked shot out of the tip of Ron's wand and hit the stone door behind where Malfoy had been standing only moments before the latter ducked. The door swung open to reveal a miss-matched staircase heading towards once of the lower floors of the castle. Having almost toppled down the steps, Malfoy aimed at Ron and greeny-blue flames swirled in the air, their tip targeting Ron, who blocked the impact with a counter-curse that, with little aim, just missed Malfoy's left shoulder. With a movement like a slashing sword, Malfoy shot what looked like lightening at Ron, and it hit Ron square in the hip. Ron's robes began to smoke and he growled like a dog at Malfoy and limped forward. With one last effort, he shot more red spark's at the Slytherin's face, but found his spell blocked.
"Protego!" An invisible shield momentarily glowed blue as Ron's curse hit it and the short-lived duel had ended. Hermine had her wand out and was not about to release her protective shield. Both boys were panting now. Malfoy's blond hair was askew and Ron's hip, still smoking, seemed to be secreting a yellowy-green liquid. They both looked over at Hermione. Her shield was hovering directly in between the duelers, but Ron's eyes her on Hermine's shoes. She stood a good four feet to the right of her shield, closer, by far, to Malfoy than to Ron.
"Well." Ron adjusted the robes on his hip to a more comfortable position. "Fine." He brushed his sweaty hair from his face. "I see, then."
"Ron, don't." Hermione's voice was tiny.
"No, there's nothing to explain here. I suppose I won't wait up for you in the common room then." And with a struggled movement, Ron turned on the spot and limped back down the corridor.
Hermione groaned, but Malfoy was not grinning. He looked from Ron as Ron disappeared around the corner, to Hermione, who was stroking her right arm with her left hand as though it had been bruised.
"I'm-- I'm sorry." Malfoy spoke softly, but Hermione shook her head. Gingerly, he wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulder, but instead of pulling away, she rested her head against Malfoy's chest.
Without another word, the couple turned away and walked in the opposite direction to Ron and down the newly revealed steps in the wall. From outside the still frosted window, the trees began to sway in the breeze and the leaves on its branches shivered in the chilly wind.
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