Chapter 7

Flashback*

Hermione gathered up her bag said goodbye to Ron and Harry as they set off into the entrance hall to follow the other students to Hogsmead. She had led them to believe she was staying behind so she could finish up an essay for Ancient Runes. As soon as they were out of her eyesight she darted up to Gryffindor Tower to drop of her bag and grab a jacket. She had just turned a corner when arms grabbed her around the waste and pulled her into a nearby classroom. She shrieked in horror but hands were covering her mouth before she made too much noise. Once the door was closed the hands released her. She spun around to see Draco smiling smugly at her. "What was all that about?!" She said to him loudly. "Shhhh" He brought his fingers to his lips. "Blaise saw me waiting around that portrait of the Fat Lady. We already had a close call with him. I didn't think you'd want another." She nodded. "I need to grab a jacket, it's freezing outside!" She said in an exasperated tone. He shrugged off his and put it around her.

Present Storyline*

"Hermione! I still don't understand your relationship with Draco" "Shut up Harry! What if someone hears you?" She whispered harshly. "I don't expect you to understand. You are dating Ginny. She isn't misunderstood." Harry's eyes widen in her direction. "Misunderstood?! That is what you are calling Malfoy?" "Will you just call him Draco, please?" Harry laughed but not in an amused manner. "Harry, I actually do love him. I want at least one of my best friends to understand. Ron never will, his mind doesn't work the way yours does. He is also too busy with Lavender to think of anything else!" Harry looked down at his Defense Against the Dark Arts homework and sighed. "Hermione, I would rather have double DADA with the Slytherins and Snape but since you are my best friend, I can... try" She beamed at him. "You misspelled vampire" As she pointed with her quill at his parchment.

Flashback*

"Miss Granger, what are you doing wandering around here?" Snape asked her. "Oh, I, um, was looking for you" She glanced around Snape and saw Draco peaking his head from a room. "And why would you need to see me? I was under the impression that you knew everything" Snape said sarcastically. "I just, uh, wanted to know when our essay on the Forgetfullness Potion was due?" She already knew the answer. "Liar, you already turned your essay in" She could feel her face growing hotter. "I think 5 points from Gryffindor, will teach you not to lie to me. Now run along before I make it more" He said cooly. Hermione side stepped him and trotted along back towards the stairs. As she passed where Draco was she whispered from the corner of her mouth "Library, second break" And she ran up the stairs, she had a feeling Snape was still watching her and didn't want to give him another reason to further take points.

Present Storyline*

Hermione, Ron and Harry were all seated near the fire in the common room discussing Harry's latest lesson with Dumbledore one evening. "So Dumbledore reckons that You Know Who made something of Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Gryffindors into horocruxes?" Ron asked Harry. Harry shook his head at him. Hermione was sitting there more quite than usual. She could only think about her rendezvous with Draco in half an hour. Harry really had come around to their relationship and was even willing to let Hermione borrow the cloak. She was still skeptical, she wasn't one to go sneaking around and break rules. This meant more to her than Harry knew. His acceptance made the whole thing a little bit easier on her. She was still terrified of the day Ron would find out. She was almost sure that it would end their friendship.

"Hermione? Are you evening listening to us?" Ron snapped at her. "Oh yes, of course. Sorry, was thinking about my Arthimancy homework" Ron threw her a dirty look and resumed talking to Harry. She threw herself, reluctantly, into the conversation.

She made her way up to the girls dormitory to find that an owl was sitting on the window ledge and it appeared as if it was waiting for her. She slowly walked over to the barn owl and it stuck its leg out. Hermione started to untie the envelope and she immediately recognized her mother's handwriting. She knew she hadn't written home in awhile so she wasn't shocked at all to see this.

Dearest Hermione,

Your father and I have been thinking about you. It has been awhile since we heard from you so we thought we would send this letter. Are you coming home for the winter holidays? I know you sometimes like to stay at school with your friends. We are planning on going to Paris for a few weeks and thought we would extend the offer to you. If you want to stay, that is okay with us. Please, just let us know you are alright or if you need us to send you anything. We love you sweet girl.

Love,

Mum and Dad

Hermione now felt a bit guilty for not writing to them sooner. As she sat on her bed she pulled out a quill and parchment and began

Dear Mum and Dad,

Paris sounds lovely but I think I am going to stay at Hogwarts this time. I have loads of studying to get done. Remember that boy I was telling you about, well he needs my help and I think the holidays will be a good time to figure some things out for him. I miss you both.

Sending lots of love,

Hermione

She put her letter into the envelope and tied it to the eager owls outstretched leg. She hadn't told her parents much about Draco, just that he was a friend and he was going through a rough time. Hermione felt bad lying to them but she didn't want her parents to find out over a letter. They never cared about blood status as they were both muggles. She knew they just wanted her to be happy. However, Draco was special to her, She wanted them to meet him in person. Her parents adored Harry and Ron and always asked Hermione why they never spent time at their house. Hermione tried to explain to her mother that Ron didn't have much knowledge of the muggle world and it was always easier for her to meet them at the burrow. She put her things away and scooped up Harry's cloak and made her way back to the common room. Harry was now seated by the fireplace alone. The common room was deserted, it was nearly midnight. "Here take the map" He said as he handed it to her. "Oh Harry, thank you for doing this" He smiled. She threw on the cloak and headed for the portrait hole. She was grateful that Harry was being so mindful. If he knew what Hermione was sneaking out to do with Draco, he would never forgive her.

Sorry this chapter took so long to get uploaded and that it is shorter. There will be more chapters in Hermione's point of view to come*