It was Friday, and there would be a Quidditch match later that afternoon between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Hermione felt conflicted about this, because she wasn't sure who she wanted to win.

Aside from the general drama of a romance with Draco, Hermione felt really wonderful from last night. She hadn't been aware that he had the ability to be romantic. Had he ever had a girlfriend? She headed down to breakfast and took her usual seat with Harry and Ron. "Nice day for

Quidditch isn't it?" She asked. "Yeah." Harry agreed, Ron shrugged. "Nervous?" Hermione asked.

"A little." Harry said.

"Just tired." Ron said.

Ron didn't usually have to say much to get on Hermiones nerves. But she let it go, knowing she'd just broken his heart. "You're going to be there?" He asked and she nodded in return.

"Have I ever not been there?"

"I guess not." Ron said.

The three of them walked to class, and Harry walked in the middle of them, acting as a brick wall. Ron softened throughout the day, and Hermione was glad. She still wanted to be his best friend.

When their classes were over, Ron and Harry left to go to the changing room and prepare for their game.

Hermione found a place in the stands with her fellow Gryffindor students and waited for the game to begin.

A Slytherin student commentated the game.

"Gryffindor has the quaffle!" He said to the crowd, "It looks like Potter has spotted the Snitch! With both teams around the same score, this could be the tie breaker! There goes Malfoy, close behind!"

Hermione stood up to see better, worried about the outcome of this game. Harry and Draco stayed close to each other, battling for the Snitch.

After a few agonizing minutes, Draco finally left forward and captured the Snitch, ending the game.

Hermione frowned, but didn't really feel that disappointed inside, as though she would've been pleased with either result. She went down to the pitch and patted Harrys back, "It'll be okay. It was only one game."

"Yeah, but it was a loss to Slytherin!" he exclaimed sadly.

When Hermione thought all the Gryffindors had made their way into the changing rooms, she decided to wait outside the Slytherins changing room and attempt to catch Draco as he left so she could congratulate him. Ron noticed Hermione wandering off, and followed her, wondering where she was going. He kept his distance so that she wouldn't notice his presence, and she didn't.

Draco was among the last to exit, and Hermione put her hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "You did great out there." she said, smiling sheepishly. Draco blushed a little bit, making him look equally as sheepish. "Thank you." he said, pulling her into a hug and wrapping his arms around her waist. Hermione lingered in the hug, breathing in his sweet scent.

Ron stared at the scene, puzzled. He must be dreaming, because in what world would Hermione be friendly with Draco Malfoy? Still, he felt resentful and stomped off back to find Harry.

"She was hugging Malfoy!" He yelled to his best friend. "Who was?" Harry asked, with a curious expression.

"Hermione." Ron said, looking as though steam could've been pouring from his ears.

"Honestly, I'm not that surprised, Ron." Harry answered calmly. Ron stared at him in disbelief. "How can you not be surprised about that?" Ron asked in a dry voice.

Harry shrugged. "Hermione mentioned something about him, I thought she was joking but I suppose she was serious, wasn't she?" he replied.

"What do you mean, she mentioned him?" he asked. Harry shrugged again, "It's really not my business. You'd have to ask Hermione." he said.

Hermione had said goodnight to Draco and made sure they were still going together to Hogsmeade the following day. Her insides felt filled with butterflies. Really big, beautiful, excited butterflies trying to find their way out. She sat reading in the common room, warmed by the fire.

Ron and Harry entered and took seats around her. Hermione looked up at them, "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"What were you doing with Malfoy?" Ron demanded.

"So much for tact, Ron." Harry said.

"What is this?!" Hermione said.

"I saw you hugging Draco Malfoy after the game." Ron told her, "I followed you when I saw you wandering off."

"Why?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow. Ron's eyes bulged, "This isn't about that, Mione! This is about you and Malfoy!"

"Yes, well. My business is my business, and you wouldn't be asking about it if you hadn't followed me. Honestly, Ron." Hermione said, angry. She got up and grabbed a pillow from the couch and whacked Ron with it, and stomped off to bed.

Hermione laid in bed, staring angrily at the ceiling. How could Ron be so inconsiderate of her privacy? It wasn't his business who she spent her free time with. However, the secret was now out in the open, and she needed to tell Draco that as soon as possible.

After a short amount of time spent seething, Hermione drifted off to sleep, eager for the next afternoon.

It was exceptionally chilly the next morning, and she dressed accordingly. She ate breakfast early to avoid Harry and Ron, mostly just Ron.

Once she was finished, she went outside and wondered when she'd meet up with Draco. Would he approach her here, or wait until they were in Hogsmeade? Hermione stared at her feet while Professor McGonagall rounded up the students.

She spotted Draco in the distance, walking towards her.

She suddenly felt nervous, as if she couldn't catch her breath. She thought about retreating but her legs took over and she was walking to Draco.

"Hey." Draco said as they came together, "You look really nice today." he said, smiling affectionately at her.

"So do you." Hermione replied, looking him up and down. They walked together, chatting about classes and Quidditch and the cold weather as they entered the village.

Draco held the door of the Three Broomsticks open for Hermione, and they entered. A few students from Hogwarts stared at them with wide eyes, shocked to see the two of them together. This caused Hermione to blush, but she no longer cared what anyone thought.

"Two butterbeers, please." Draco said sweetly to the barmaid. They sat down and Hermione removed her coat.

"You really do look beautiful today, Hermione." Draco said quietly. Hermione blushed furiously, loving the way her name sounded on his tongue.

"Thank you." She said, looking into the silver pools of his eyes. "I have to talk to you about something, though."

"What? Did I do something wrong?"

Draco asked, his voice worried. Their butterbeers were sat in front of them, Hermione took a drink from hers.

"No, no. Of course not." Hermione responded, grabbing his hand gently. "Ron saw us together yesterday, and now they know that we've become friends" she told him.

Draco nodded. "That doesn't bother me. Does it bother you?" he asked.

Hermione thought hard about this. Did it bother her? "No." She finally said, "I won't hide the way that I feel. Especially from my friends." She grinned at him.

Dracos face softened and Hermione felt her heart melt. "What is it that you feel?" he asked, gazing at her deeply.

Hermione stumbled to find an answer for this, "I feel.. That I want you." she whispered. Dracos heart skipped and he leaned towards Hermione, kissing her deeply.