Chapter 63
Prompt: Crookshanks hates me
“Draco, come sit down by me, you’re getting all worked up over nothing.”
Draco gaped at her. “Worked up over nothing?! They hate me, every person in your life hates me, even Crookshanks hates me.” Draco continued his frantic pacing around the living room as he ran his hands through his hair.
Hermione’s heart softened as she took in his distressed state. Draco was always in such control and always appeared the picture of confidence that sometimes she forgot the anxiety beneath the surface.
“That is simply untrue. There’s Harry-”
“Hates me. Always saves me a seat near him to keep an eye on me.”
“My father-”
“Hates me. Forced me onto his motorbike to try and murder me.”
“My mother-”
“Hates me. Tried to remove my teeth by the gums.”
“Crookshanks-”
“Granger. Crookshanks was literally laying on my face in bed this morning, trying to smother me. Face it. They all want me gone!”
Draco’s chest was heaving and his eyes were wild.
Hermione stifled a smile as she mentally went through the same list as Draco, but arrived at a wildly different conclusion.
Crossing the room, Hermione raised her hand to stroke Draco’s cheek.
“Draco, all of those people you described love you and were each just trying to show you it in different ways. You need to see yourself how we all see you and stop only looking for the bad.”
She paused, “However, there is one thing you were right about.”
Just then, Crookshanks entered the room and stared angrily at Draco, his fur raised.
“I’d do my best to keep your distance from that one, he absolutely hates you.” She shot Draco a wink and sauntered out of the room, leaving him alone with his nemesis.