Hello hello! Apologies for the delay in updating this. College has been crazy! The next chapter will definitely be up sooner. A big thank you to everyone reading this story, hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Disclaimer: I still am not JK Rowling... :(


Chapter 3: Shouting and Secrets

Hermione turned when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked around in confusion. There was no one there.

'Meet me outside the castle in 15 minutes.'

Judging by Harry's terse whisper, the rumours of the relationship had reached him already. She was not looking forward to this conversation. Reluctantly Hermione rolled up her essay, and went to fetch her cloak and a scarf. It would be chilly outside, and she had a feeling Harry wouldn't be easily calmed down.

Outside, her breath coming in icy puffs, Hermione looked around for Harry. Why couldn't they have had this conversation inside? Everyone thought they were dating anyway. When Harry appeared, his face red with anger, she was suddenly glad other students weren't around.

'What the hell Hermione?'

'Harry, I can – '

'No!' He flung his arms in the air. Hermione realised she would just have to let him rant. Sometimes, Harry really did have a flair for drama. 'Don't say you can explain because you bloody well can't! Dean and Seamus think we're dating! This was not part of the plan. You can't just go spreading rumours without checking with me first. Everyone gawks at me enough already! And how the hell do you think Ron will react? This is all wrong, and it's not fair! I don't know how to be your boyfriend! I don't know how to be anyone's boyfriend, I bloody well made Cho cry when I kissed her! And you've been kissing that git Krum! He's bloody famous!'

It was really quite impressive how he didn't seem to need to stop for breath, Hermione thought, as Harry paced back and forth, still yelling and jabbing an accusatory finger at her.

'And you just tell everyone we're a thing, without thinking at all! How are we meant to do this? You're meant to be the clever one, this was a completely stupid move Hermione. Even Ron wouldn't do this!'

He heaved a huge sigh, and looked at her expectantly. She took a moment to compose herself. He had done a lot of yelling, and frankly some of what he had said had hurt. She wished he would let her explain before hurling all this anger at her, but it was his nature. He hadn't quite gotten over his angsty phase.

'Harry, please just hear me out. I didn't start these rumours. I don't want this either.'

'Well then who did? I didn't tell anyone about us, and you're the only other one who knows. So don't pretend you're not to blame!'

'I'm not. You are.'

Harry's face turned a deep red, a shade that even rivalled Ron's fury.

'You' Hermione continued, her voice calm in spite of her emotions 'are the one who felt the need to put on that little show for Ginny and Dean. Ginny is the one who mentioned us, Parvati and Lavander overheard her. You know how they are, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole school had heard about us by now.'

Her arms were crossed, and she was glaring at Harry. If he would only stop and think for once, he would have saved them both a lot of unnecessary stress. Harry let out a string of expletives, causing Hermione to raise her eyebrows. She hoped he was planning on apologising when he had finished cursing. A few minutes later, he turned back to her looking a bit sheepish.

'I may have gone a bit overboard Hermione.'

She nodded, but appreciated the apology of sorts.

He looked around in confusion, as if only noticing where he was. 'It's bloody cold out here, isn't it?'


Harry led Hermione into the kitchens, holding up a hand to stop her when she started another SPEW rant. They did not have time for that. The kitchens were so much warmer than outside, and private too. Also, he was no Ron, but he always appreciated a place that had a plentiful supply of food.

With a warming cup of tea in his hands, Harry stopped shivering. Things were a bit more relaxed with Hermione, if kind of awkward. They sipped tea and ate their pumpkin pasties in silence. He felt bad for yelling at her like that. He shouldn't have gotten so angry, but this whole situation was so strange. He really didn't know what was going on with them now.

'You said some interesting things earlier, Harry.'

He flushed red at the thought of his rant. He had said many things he wanted to take back now, but once you had yelled something at a person it was hard to make them forget it. Obliviating her really wasn't an option, he would never get away with it.

'About Cho,' Hermione continued, and he winced. He hadn't wanted Hermione to know how insecure he felt about that relationship. How he knew that, in Cho's eyes, he was just a very second rate Cedric. He had been an awful boyfriend. 'how many times do I have to tell you it wasn't your fault she was crying? She had been through a lot, she really wasn't ready for another relationship. I'm sure your kissing was just fine.'

He went even redder. But he wasn't determined not to be the only embarrassed one. 'How was Krum's kissing?'

This time she blushed, but she smiled too. 'Oh it was...just fine.'

'Really?'

'Oh stop worrying about that Harry. Yes, he's a big Quidditch star but you're not exactly a nobody yourself Mister Chosen One. You have no need to be insecure. Krum's not a git, I have no idea why Ron says that now. Honestly, at the time it's surprising he didn't snog Viktor before I did.'

'You seriously don't know why he hates Krum now? Honestly Hermione, I thought you were smart.' She made a face at him. 'You're the reason he doesn't like Krum now. Ron's a bit thick sometimes, he only found out he liked you when you were with Krum. And if another guy is with the girl you like you have to hate him, even if he used to be your hero.'

Hermione looked unsure about this, but returned to the plan. Harry was glad, it seemed to be a safer topic than kissing. The thought of kissing Hermione was too confusing and strange to deal with now.

'The school knows something is going on between us, sooner than we'd hoped, but we can work with that. I reckon we pretend nothing is happening for now. We'll be spending a lot of time together anyway with Ron being so very busy, and we can start flirting now and then. Sneaking glances, that kind of thing. Have something starting slowly, get Ron and Ginny's suspicions up.'

'If we can get them to notice us at all.'

Hermione frowned. 'Has Ron said anything to you about us? Lavender has to have mentioned it.'

Harry shook his head. Ron's reaction was something he was not looking forward to.

Hermione nodded, chewing her lip. 'Well, deny it if he asks. But at least he'll be aware of the possibility. We can work on that.'

He knew Hermione would have the whole thing planned out perfectly. This unexpected turn of events must have annoyed her as much as it had angered him. He felt worst about his outburst now.

'I am sorry about earlier, are we okay now?'

She smiled at him 'More than okay, we're falling for each other. Haven't you heard?'

They were both laughing, for the first time in a long while, so loudly that they startled the house elves.


The drama! Extra special thanks to Laura Scofield and halffictionalprincess for their reviews on the last chapter. I really appreciate the feedback, so please leave me a review if you can! I will be back with more of TWAW soon. Thanks for reading :)