Unusual Bonds

The answer to Hermione's question on Ian's social life came a few days after their date. She was paying him more attention now. Not just in the library or in private corners.

She was walking to breakfast one morning when she heard Ian's voice. With her face brightening, she followed that sound. But her face instantly fell when she saw exactly who he was talking to. Cormac McLaggan. They didn't look unlike how Ron and Harry looked when they were walking to class, talking about something in a gripping conversation. Hermione watched as the two smiled at whatever comment spoken, laughing as the other retorted.

"Hey Granger!" Cormac waved in her direction. Ian looked her way, pink washing over his cheeks.

"Hey…" She walked up to them. They were much taller than Ron or Harry, making her feel like a mouse. "What's ah… going on?" She squinted at Ian.

"Oh, you know, just catching up on how ridiculous it is we have to take so many Ministry required tests this year." Hermione knew Cormac had a crush on her. She knew it for a while now. Since term started.

"I see… Ian could I talk to you for a moment?" She asked, not actually knowing what she was going to say. Too early, it was just too early for this.

"Yah," he said, standing up from his leaned position on the brick wall. He turned and waived at Cormac. "catch you later man." Hermione could tell that what Ian said wasn't a typical remark, it was rather American. She was used to it by now, but judging by how the other boy waved as well – with confused eyes- she could see that it had caught him off guard.

"What's up?" Ian wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked. Her cheeks turning pink, she was not used to any sort of PDA, no matter how small.

"I didn't know you were friends with Cormac." She stated softly, her books wrapped to her chest.

"Only in passing," He clarified. They were now nearly to the great hall, and she still hadn't spoken to Ron about what he saw the other night. "Why? Does he bother you or something?"

She had to think about it. Cormac wasn't necessarily a bad person, in fact they really hadn't spoken outside of class in the past 6 years. He only was a problem because Ron, yet again, had a problem with him. "No, I was just wondering."

The went on to sit at their separate tables. Unfortunately, for Hermione, it was just Ron seated by Harry. With no Lavender. Which would normally be ideal, but Lavender being around seems to help Ron keep his feelings to himself.

"Hello boys," she said in a small, high tone. She everted all eye contact and went straight for the orange juice. Harry was reading the daily profit without such care. However, Ron was looking at Hermione in an uncomfortable way. Face slightly turning pink and fingers twitching.

"Hermione, I didn't know you had a boyfriend," Ron said. He was desperate for her to tell him everything. Desperate for her to say that what he saw the other night was nothing. Harry's head snapped up from the inked page. Not that he normally cared about who Hermione was with, it was the angered way Ron approached it.

"Well it's… recent," she simply stated, not wanting to further the subject.

"Well it didn't look recent the other night!" he was turning an even darker shade of pink.

Hermione tried not to display her anger, "not really any of your business Ronald." She was mono tone. Not wanting to deal any further, she took one last bite of her eggs and stood up. "I'll see you later Harry."

"What's her problem?" Ron asked, watching his angered friend walk away.

"Don't know, I have enough girl problems of my own…" Harry breathed, thinking about his tense relationship with Ron's sister.

"Hey Granger!" Hermione heard from behind her later that day in the corridor. The voice sent shivers to her core.

"Cormac," She acknowledged her blonde house mate. His face was bright and beaming, making Hermione even more uncomfortable.

"I was wondering if you would care to join Ian and I on a little adventure?" He guided her into a corner, lowering his voice.

She perked up at the mention of Ian. She needed more excuses to see the odd Slytherin. No matter how sketchy the idea. "What sort of little adventure?"

"Oh… just… something I've been wanting to do. Rosewell said he'd go if I could convince you."

She really didn't need to be asked twice. "Um… when?" She whispered out.

Cormac looked around for any teachers. "Now." He gripped her arm, almost causing her to lose her books.

Part of her wanted to complain, part of her didn't care. And part of her itched to run to her next too classes she would be missing if he wasn't dragging her in the direction of the forbidden forest.