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"Stay."
A bit hesitantly, Hermione slowly sat back on the chair. Draco Malfoy kept his eyes on the book spread open on his side of the table, seemingly unbothered. Yet, he allowed his hand to take hold of hers to stop the witch from leaving.
Meeting with the prefects is over and all of them already left the room except for the two of them. "I'll be finished before you know it." He said, finally releasing her hand.
With timid movements, Hermione took her book out of her bag again and produced some parchment, quill, and ink. She wouldn't say it out loud but she thinks, after all this time, he still has the capacity to understand her. She had all the intention to do her assignment right after the meeting, but decided to do it somewhere else given the fact that he obviously will use the room too.
After the Yule Ball, things have gone back to like when they were not friends. Probably even worse. At least before, they were civil with each other. But after that night when he brushed her apology off, they mostly never crossed paths anymore. Hermione wasn't so sure who avoided who.
But as Hermione silently started to work on her papers, she couldn't help but read through his action. It's as if he took his time to memorize her when they were together that even when they've decided to break it off a year ago, he still knows her. And maybe it was because of the many times he should have left but didn't that he was able to understand her like the back of his hand.
She almost laughed recalling that one time she was so upset about Divination that she didn't want to be disturbed where she sat in one of the empty classrooms. The softest sound irritated her that she flung her phone -- she uses it to listen to muggle music -- towards the door where the sound came from. The door revealed Draco Malfoy but he disappeared behind it again seeing the flying object. Being a seeker has its merits.
Hermione was expecting some dramatic turn away considering he must have thought she was angry at him. Yet he reappeared, and stayed. Still in his Quidditch uniform, complete with cape, shin and arm guards, he said "Let's talk."
All the times he didn't leave -- even laughing when she's mad -- has just occured to her. She now remembers how she loved hanging out with him. How exactly she took his efforts for granted, was beyond her. Maybe she wasn't mature enough like she thought she already was.
Draco on his end kept his eyes on what he's reading. He said he'd be done soon but all he did was regress. He wouldn't say it but he can feel her watching him.
The fact is, he likes hanging out with her. And if he's being honest, he'd like to share the room with her for a bit longer. He just doesn't know how to do that anymore considering their not so pleasant history.
He used to date self indulgent takers. The Malfoy name made him an easy target for witches who hangout with him only because they wanted prestige or to marry into wealth. At the end, they all took their problems out on him.
Being with Hermione was different. He knew she was different the first time he saw her. She was the only person who did not give him the look that she wanted something from him. It's why for the first time in his life, he was the one who took the first step. It's not like she's given him any choice but to stay where she was.
She wasn't one for fake chivalry. Even carried his books -- like they can't use magic -- for him when she notices he's having difficulty. Sharing his burdens. Physically, mentally, emotionally, all that. And he was happy. He remembers how frequently he laughed because of her.
How he didn't stop her from leaving that night was beyond him. Maybe it's because he thought she wouldn't really leave like the many times she stayed. Or maybe, he wasn't that mature enough like he thought he was.
Finally acknowledging the fact that he won't be able to finish his task as he expected, Draco started cleaning his side of the table. He'll do his assignment some place else. Although he would like to stay, it's not right for him to spend more time in the room considering his earlier statement. But as he stood up to leave, she's given him no choice again.
"Stay."