Chapter 1: Side Commentary

“You what?” Ginny stared in shock at her friend, positive Hermione Granger had lost her mind. The youngest Weasley shook her head, thinking, hoping, she’d heard her friend incorrectly.

“I think Draco Malfoy somehow got more handsome over the summer holidays,” Hermione whispered, glancing across the Great Hall at the boy in question. Man, really, she thought, He’s certainly grown up a lot. The almost white-blonde head turned in her direction, and Hermione quickly turned away. Ginny was still blinking at her as if she’d said something crazy, like ‘I want to stop going to the library’ or ‘I’m giving up books forever!’

“Are you mental?” Ginny asked incredulously, “You can’t be serious. After everything he’s said and done to you, you still think he’s handsome?” Hermione shushed her, frantically looking over at Ron and Harry who were avidly discussing Quidditch.

“Please, Ginny, keep your voice down. I was just making side commentary, it’s not like I’m in love with him.”

Ginny’s eyes widened slightly, then questioned her friend’s mental health again.

“But, Hermione, what about him calling you all those names? Surely his demeanor outweighs his appearance.”

“Of course! Gin, he’s an absolute prat, and a spoiled one at that.” Her adamant response seemed to set Ginny more at ease, although she swore to herself that she would spend the rest of dinner watching Hermione out of the corner of her eye. Hermione glanced across the Slytherin again, and muttered under her breath,

“He is very handsome though…”