Nerds United
A few weeks into the new school year, Draco and his friends had established a rhythm with the Gryffindors.
In public their truce was made known with polite nods in the hallway as greeting instead of the usual sneers and thrown insults. They ignored each other in the classes they shared but worked together diligently when group work was required.
In private the Slytherin and Gryffindor trio met up in a secluded part in the library doing homework. At first, doing homework was quite a silent affair, nobody wanting to break the tentative non-hostility. But one day, while brooding over a rather difficult Arithmancy assignment, Hermione approached the blonde Slytherin.
Plopping inelegantly into the chair next to Draco, Hermione began babbling. “You know, I really love Arithmancy. Especially if we get advanced problems to solve. I think this one is particularly tricky. Do you want to discuss solutions? I’m really curious how you would go about it. You’re the smartest person in this class and I’m dying to finally hold an actual intellectual discourse!”
Eyeing the Gryffindor girl warily, Draco slid his notes over to Hermione and began explaining his answer. Soon both were in a heated discussion, scribbling wildly on parchment and flipping enthusiastically trough textbooks, quoting various passages.
Their friends, though surprised, knew better than to interrupt.
“I’m so done with homework for today”, muttered Harry, using Hermione's distraction to shove his books and parchment into his bag. “I’ve had enough for this whole year”, groaned Ron, pushing his homework as silently as possible into his bag.
“Feel you, mate. Whose barmy idea was it to study anyway? We’re merely two weeks into the new school year”, whispered Blaise.
“What do we do now?”, asked Pansy in a hushed voice, eyeing Draco and Hermione with wary eyes.
“Now, that the people who would nag and bully us to do homework are conveniently distracted, how about a round of exploding snap?” Blaise suggested.
Nodding their approval Ron took out the cards and Harry casted a silencing charm to not disrupt the bonding nerds.
“…and then Draco said ‚Professor, the sign is wrong, it has to be a plus and not a minus’. And the look on her face was just so hilarious. You would think that Professors wouldn’t make silly mistakes like that at their subject!” Hermione chattered happily at dinner.
Since that study session last week, Malfoy and Hermione were attached to the hip. Walking to classes together, sitting and working together in class and discussing almost every free minute in the library. The only time those two weren’t glued together was mealtimes in the Great Hall and the evenings after dinner. And even then did Hermione nothing but swoon about her new found friendship.
Seeing the two of them so intimately close together all the time had Harry’s blood boiling. Hearing Hermione rave about Malfoy made Harry sick. Worst of all, he couldn’t comprehend why he was feeling this way.
He missed his friend, yes. But that wasn’t why he was so agitated. He was kinda jealous. Harry too wanted to get to know the blonde Slytherin. At first, Harry just thought he could make the engagement work without interacting that much with Malfoy. Malfoy was after all an enormous, bigoted prick. But Harry couldn’t deny that he was intrigued. Not only did Malfoy had good looks, he was also smart and witty as Hermione constantly reminded him.
So, when Hermione was once again ranting about how wonderful and cool Malfoy was, Harry’s frustration was finally big enough so burst.
“Draco is so smart. I’m so glad I finally have someone who is actually interested in discussing topics I care about. I learned so much already. Pureblood culture really is fascinating.” Hermione mused.
“Well, sounds like you found your soulmate”, Harry replied bitterly.
Ron choked on his mouth full of mashed potatoes, eyes bulging in shock. Patting Ron on the back, Hermione said “I don’t believe in soulmates, Harry, that’s totally irrational. Draco and I agree on this topic, by the way. We’re just really compatible, intellectually. I really like him.”
“If you like him so much, then maybe you can marry him!”, Harry snapped and stomped angrily out of the Great Hall.
Ron tried and failed to breathe, his face turning from red to blue. “Oh, Ronald, honestly. Breathe!” Chided Hermione, grabbing his hands. “Draco and I aren’t like that. Our relationship is purely platonic.”
Regaining a more natural colour, Ron frowned.
“That means, the absence of romance.” Hermione supplied.
Relieved, Ron nodded. “That’s good then. You had me worried there, ‘Mione. You spent so much time with Malfoy. But I trust you and I’m glad you have someone to talk to. I try, but I know I’m not the right person to discuss theories with. I love you, and if those discussions with Malfoy make you happy then I’m okay with it.”
“Oh, Ron. You’re so sweet. I love you, too. There’s really no need to worry. Besides, I’m not into blondes, I rather go for redheads.” Hermione gave Ron a reassuring kiss on the cheek.
Chuckling Ron said, “Thank Merlin, I’m born a Weasley, then! But I think you should talk with Harry. He seemed rather upset about you and Malfoy the last few days.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Both stood up and went to the Gryffindor common room where Harry was sure to be found sulking near the fire.