October 15th 1994

Draco left the Slytherin Common Room to leave for Hogsmeade to meet his mother for lunch. It was getting colder outside and he hated it. At least his black suit kept him warm from the cold wind. Even though he much rather would prefer Hermione were by his side. For the past month he has been keeping their relationship a secret from everyone. The entire school, his father, god father and her parents. The only people aware of said relationship was Draco himself, Hermione, and his mother Narcissa. Draco had to go about the halls with Pansy hanging all over him. He could tell Hermione was jealous over said occurences, but he always made it up to her during their late night meetings after curfew. Almost every night they snuck up to the deserted classroom on the 6th floor. It wasn't always east to sneak out due to Filch and Mrs. Norris. So Hermione often used the ring Draco got her for her birthday. Some nights Draco would walk to the quidditch pitch and then Hermione would use the ring to join him. She'd watch him fly about the night sky under the moonlight. He'd always ask if she'd want to ride but she'd decline every time. He didn't know why she didn't like flying, probably because she doesn't really know how. As Draco entered the Hogshead he caught a glimpse of his mother in the back corner. He walked over and sat down.

"Don't I get a hug, Draco?" Narcissa asked softly.

"Not here mother." Draco slouched in his seat and folded his arms, glaring at anyone who looked his way. "How are things at home?"

"Things are well dear. How are things here?"

Draco sighed. "They're okay I suppose. I've been meaning to ask you something. Everytime I'm with-"

Before Draco could finish his sentence, he felt a firm grasp on his shoulder. "Sit up straight Draco. Purebloods don't have poor posture." Draco immediately sat up straight in his chair, his chin held high.

"Sorry father."

"Your god father tells me you've been absent from his classes lately. Why?"

"I've been feeling ill."

"Sick or not, I still expect you to attend class everyday."

"Lucius, be gentle with our son." Narcissa said calmly.

"You need to stop babying him 'Cissa. He's not a child anymore." Draco stood up to leave. "Where do you think you're going?"

"To go catch up on schoolwork."

"Draco, stay for lunch with me and your father."

"Sorry mother, Father insists I be top of my class." Draco turned on his heel and left back for school grounds.

Lucius sighed, "Haven't you taught him any manners Narcissa?"

"Of course I have Lucius. You always expect perfection from him. He's just a boy. You know he's sensitive."

"Malfoy men aren't sensitive. They aren't to be babied either."

Hermione was in the courtyard when she saw Draco make his way to The Owlery. She looked around quickly to make sure no one saw her follow him. Once on the path about a hundred paces behind Draco she called out to him. "Malfoy!"

Draco turned around and stopped walking. He sat on a rock to wait for her and caught his breath. As Hermione got to him she stood between his legs and hugged him. "Draco, what's wrong? Did everything go okay with your mum? You weren't gone very long."

"My mother failed to mention my father would be there as well so I wasn't able to ask her about the word being carved into my chest every time I touch you." Draco sighed heavily and hugged Hermione, resting his head against her stomach.

"I'm sorry Draco. What happened?"

"Oh just the usual. My father belittling me and being an arse." He sighed sadly and looked up at Hermione. "Can we go back to the castle and take a nap together?"

She looked down at him as she ran her fingers through his hair. "You're still tired?" Draco nodded sleepily and stood up. "Yeah, let's go sleepyhead."

Draco gently kissed Hermione and pulled her closer. "I love you Hermione."

She instantly went red in the face and smiled shyly. "I love you too Draco." "

Touch the ring at 2:30 okay?" Hermione nodded and smiled as Draco made his way down the path back toward the castle. Once Draco was out of sight she jumped when she heard two familiar voices.

"Granger?! You and Malfoy?"

"I never would've seen that coming."

"I wonder what Ron would think. What about you Georgie?"

"I dunno Freddie. He's probably curse him into oblivion!"

Hermione turned around to see the Weasely twins. "If either of you tell anyone, I'll hex you into oblivion. No one can know! Please keep this secret."

"What's in it for us Granger?" Fred asked.

Hermione sighed. "Anything you want I guess."

"You guess?" George asked. "Oi Freddie. I wonder what Parkinson would do if she found out."

"She'd probably go mental."

"Come on you guys. Don't do this."

"Did he ask you to the ball yet?"

"Ball? What are you talking about?"

"The Yule Ball of course."

"We heard Flitwick talking about it at breakfast."

"It happens every Triwizard Tournament."

"Traditional really."

"No, he hasn't asked me. I don't think he will really."

"Why not? He loves you doesnt he?"

"Well, yes but,"

"Then why wouldnt he ask you?"

"Because us being together is a secret! Now, if you''ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."

"Where's that Granger?" Fred asked.

"Probably Malfoys bed." George chimed in. "How do you get into the Slytherin Common Room Granger?"

"Yeah tell us!"

"With a ring Draco got me. It apparates me."

"But you can't apparate within Hogwarts."

"Yeah, how'd he do it?"

"He got the ring from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade."

"Brilliant."

"Thanks Granger!" The twins made their way back to the castle.

"Wait! You two aren't going to tell anybody, are you?" Hermione asked.

The twins looked to each other and back at Hermione and said. "Never."