I could feel the tension in the air. The six of us were trapped in a situation none of us wanted ever to find ourselves in. Harry and Ginny looked uncomfortable as they never wanted to be stranded in the middle. And they had been trying stay out of it. Now they had no choice but to stay and watch everything go down, simply because to their dismay, Malfoy called them out. Lavender was staring at the wooden railings as if the carving patterns suddenly peaked her interested. Ron was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and appeared to be more annoyed than angary. And Malfoy, well, I wasn't too sure how he felt. Either he resented the current situation as much as I did, or he was entertained to see how it unfolded.
"Alright, I guess everyone is staying," l sighed and decided to look right into Ron's eyes, even though he was trying his best to avoid any eye contact, "I don't get it, Ron, why do you have to be so hostile toward me? Ever since the beginning of the school year, you've been nothing but mean to me, and to Malfoy."
"Look at you," The red-haired boy sneered, "You can't be seriously asking this question."
"I am," I frowned, finding his attitude agitating, "I find myself having trouble understanding your behaviours. Let me ask you this once for all: what's your problem with me?"
"Haven't we had this conversation before?" He walked up to me with a faint maliciousness in his eyes, "Do you really want me to repeat it again?"
"If you are trying to blame it all on me again, then spare it," I didn't flinch, "I want to know what the real problem is. Don't you think it's time to face yourself and stop running away from it? Keep avoiding me it's not going to get anything solved."
"What are you trying to say?" He got even closer. I remained still, "Hermione, I've told you before and I will tell you again: You drove me away. It's painfully obvious you started seeing Malfoy because you wanted to make me jealous. Despite the plan failed, you still choose to associate yourself with him. How pathetic."
"Oh please," I heard Malfoy let out a dismissive laugh and the sound of the chair he was sitting on shrieked as he got up and came to stand behind me.
"You got to be kidding me," I couldn't believe what I heard, "Is this what you keep on telling yourself?"
"You know I'm right," He rose his eyebrow as if he just dusted salt on my non-existent wound.
"I know we haven't spoken for a while," I said slowly and acted as polite as I possibly could, there was no point to start a heated argument, "But how can you be so blinded and not see it through? It's ridiculous, you are being ridiculous, Ron."
"I'd just call it delusion," Malfoy said coldly and placed his hand on my shoulder, "I fail to see a point of continuing this conversation, it's not going anywhere."
"You want a way out because the truth hurts, isn't it?" Ron curled his lips.
"Weasley," Malfoy pulled me back a little as he stepped up closer to Ron, "I'm not sure if anyone has told you this yet, but you are out of your mind. This is the epitome of insanity."
"Just why would you think that?" I threw my hand, half-furious, half-amused, "Where did that idea even come from? Why would I try anything to make you jealous? What sense does that make? Even if this is an act, why on earth would I continue on with it for so long?"
"Because you want to get back with me, simple like that," Ron shrugged as if he was spitting out the truth.
"Are all you of hearing what I'm hearing?" I scanned around the room, looking at others unbelievably, "Isn't this the most absurd thing you've ever heard?"
To my surprise, everyone except Malfoy had a brooding look on their faces. Malfoy, on the other hand, was impatiently tapped his foot and completely done and over with the situation and couldn't be more ready to leave. I should have known speaking to Ron would go south rather quickly from the beginning, yet I went against the best of my judgements.
Why did I even bother to talk to him?
Part of me wanted to make peace with him before we went on our separate ways so I would never have to carry that slightest guilt of cutting all ties with an old friend and those who chose him over me, but the other part of me stopped caring completely when I realized I was alone on my side.
All I had is Malfoy, who miraculously chose, promised and vowed to stick by my side.
"Hermione," Ginny said quietly but firmly, there was something in her eyes I couldn't read, though I could tell she saved whatever she was about to say next as the last resort, "I know, no, we know you and Malfoy signed a contract."