Rubbing his face in his hands, Draco leaned back in his chair, away from the desk in front of him. On the desk lay the finished letter to Professor Dumbledore, one of many attempts. The garbage bin next to the desk was overflowing with failed attempts.
Standing up, he glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced. It was past 8 in the evening and supper would have ended by now. To punctuate the last part, Draco's stomach growled painfully. Quickly, he gathered up his cloak and the sealed letter and exited his room into the common room, startling Wren and David, who were sitting too close together to constitute studying.
"Malfoy! We thought that you were at the library or somewhere else. You weren't making any noise…" Wren trailed off, scooting away from David.
"It's alright, I was just sleeping. I'm off to send a letter. And don't worry, your secret is safe with me," he said, winking at them as he exited the common room.
Swiftly, trying to avoid detection, Draco made his way to the Owlery. The caretaker, Filch, would find anything that he did questionable and out of line, especially dressed as he was, as if he was planning a trip outside. He wasn't ready to face Dumbledore yet, even though he was asking for his help, and that would directly where Filch would take him.
"Draco?"
Startled, he spun around to come face to face with his worst nightmare, Pansy. She was dressed rather sloppily, a look that he had only seen on her after they had spent some time alone together.
"Already replaced me, have you?" Draco asked with a sneer.
The questioning look on her face melted into a smirk. "Jealous?"
"Hardly. Just proves how lax your morals are for a pureblood. I have no use for you anymore," he said scornfully.
"Of course you don't. Granger is good at distracting you, isn't she? I suppose Potter and Weasley gave her all the experience that she would need to know how to please you."
"Don't you dare accuse her of being a slut! You are not fit to wipe the bottom of her feet, pureblood or not. And as a pureblood, you know that it is unacceptable to accuse someone that you have no intimate knowledge of of being a slut."
The smirk on Pansy's face grew and Draco realized his mistake. "You just as good as gave me a confirmation that you two are involved. How could you lower yourself, Draco? You are making this too easy…" she trailed off as she walked away, giving a little wave over her shoulder.
"Damn damn damn damn!" Draco mutter, griping his head in his hands. How could he have said that to her? He should have just kept his mouth shut! But he couldn't let Pansy just accuse Hermione of being a slut when her only offense was that she had what Pansy wanted.
Straightening, Draco continued on his way to the Owlery. It would not matter soon. The help that Dumbledore would give him would make his relationship with Hermione acceptable and he would protect them both. Whatever Pansy would try to do, it would not make much difference within a week.
Harry and Ron were walking back from the library, where they had left Hermione studying, when Pansy Parkinson stumbled upon them. Upon seeing them, a cruel smile appeared on her face and she approached them.
"Potter. Weasley. I have some news that you will be interested in knowing."
Harry looked at her in confusion, a hint of disgust showing on his face. "There is nothing you can tell me that would interest me. Let's go, Ron."
"Not even when it has to do with Granger? I know she has been acting weird and won't tell you. I overheard you before, talking about it. Don't you want to know why?"
Both of them turned around quickly and studied Pansy, sure that she was playing some joke on them. Harry turned to Ron and whispered in his ear, "We shouldn't bother with her. It'll just be something stupid."
"Tell us," Ron demanded, ignoring Harry, who punched him in the arm. He knew that Pansy was baiting them. Whatever she had to say would only upset them and would be a lie.
"I don't know…but I guess I should. Telling you would benefit my plans. Your dear filthy Granger is screwing Malfoy. Who knew she was such a whore?" Pansy said before hurrying away, leaving Ron and Harry with their mouths hanging open.
Slowly, they turned to face each other.
"It can't be…"
"She wouldn't…"
Suddenly, they took off running for the library, not realizing that Hermione had already left.
Dumping her book bag on her bed and heaving a sigh, Hermione sat down and stretched, content. She had finished all her upcoming assignments and she had spent quality time with Harry and Ron. She could now relax tomorrow, Sunday, and she and Draco could spend the entire day together.
She jumped as someone knocked on her door. Quickly, she opened it and revealed Draco, dressed in a pair of pajama pants and a grey t-shirt.
"Can I come in?"
Hermione smiled and allowed him in, shutting the door and locking it. "Spending another night with me?"
"I can't stand to be away from you. I have to. Besides, its the only time we really get together," Draco said dramatically, making her smile grow wider.
"Well, get comfortable. I'm going to get ready for bed," Hermione said, heading for her bathroom.
In her absence, Draco spread himself on her bed and slid a note into her nightstand drawer, for her to find later. He slowly began to drift into a meditated state as he waited for her to come back, so he could hold her. He was startled when a kiss was placed on his forehead, his eyes snapping open to see Hermione leaning over him smiling.
"Falling asleep already sweetheart?" she asked gently, brushing his hair away from his eyes.
Suddenly, there was a racket outside in the corridor, as someone argued with the portrait that was refusing to allow them in and the other person was yelling for Hermione.
Quickly, they rushed to the common room, where Wren and David already were. They stood behind the couch, puzzled looks on their face as David went to open the portrait for whoever was trying to get in.
"Let us in, I'm going to kill that ferret!"
"Hermione!"
In rushed Harry and Ron, red faced and boiling angry. David, sensing danger, protected Hermione and Draco with a shield charm, stopping them short.
"What on earth is going on?" Hermione exclaimed, completely shocked at the behavior they were exhibiting.
"Is it true, Hermione? Are you?" Harry asked, his eyes pleading with her.
"Is what true?" she asked, utterly confused. "Really, what are you talking about…?"
"Are you shagging Malfoy?" Ron cried, anger etched into his face and murder in his eyes.
Hermione stood there, mouth hanging open while everyone in the room looked at her and Draco.
A/N: So there has been a good increase in the reviews that I have received, but you'll all have to do better. I know that my writing isn't perfect and that there are many reading this story. I can't improve without your input.
Is this a good turn in the story? I admit that I have no idea where I am going with it now, so this is being built one chapter at a time. I received a good suggestion from one of my wonderful reviewers and I'll have to consider that option. Review please!