Same standard disclaimer, same standard warning. Things won't be getting purer from here on out.

If you would be so kind as to submit a review I would love it. Everyone has been wonderful so far, thank you for the encouragement!


The Breaking Point

Hermione sat next to Ginny at breakfast. Draco took his normal seat across the room between Parkinson and Theodore Nott, eying Hermione from his spot at the Slytherin table. Ron hadn't been present when they awoke, but from the state of their common room it was obvious that he had stayed up late drinking and crashed on the couch.

Ginny elbowed Hermione roughly as Ron entered the hall, a few long stemmed roses in his tight grasp. The whole of Gryffindor house took notice as Ron veered off his normal course and headed towards the Slytherins. By the time Ron reached the 7th year section of the table every eye in the room was on him. Hermione knew he was using his Gryffindor bravery to propel him foreword.

Ron sauntered up to Pansy and tapped him lightly on the shoulder, the room strained to hear them. "Parkinson, would you do me the honor or accompanying me to the Yule Ball?"

Pansy looked as if her eyes might burst out of her head. It took her a moment before she shrieked out a yes and jumped into Ron's arms, kissing his check repeatedly.

Draco smirked at them as Ron turned bright pink. Pansy pulled Ron into the seat next to her and began cooing over him as she served him breakfast.

The hall broke into furious gossip as Gryffindors and Slytherins eyed one another murderously. Hermione noted Dean and Seamus eying her wearily as if she was liable to burst into tears at any moment over the news. Hermione smiled brightly at them.

At Slytherin Pansy prattled on at Ron and Blaise as Ron blithely shoved his face full of food. Pansy turned abruptly to Draco, "Sorry Draky, looks like you need to find yourself another date, 'cause I'm taken!" She kissed Ron squarely to prove her point.

Draco smirked at her, "Pans you already know very well that I am required to attend with the Head Girl."

Pansy scowled, "Don't you mean your Head Girl Draco? I swear Blaise I think Draco may even fancy the Mudblood."

Ron and Draco hissed at the word, "Do NOT call her that Pans, how many times do I have to tell you that?"

Pansy howled in laughter, "See Blaise, he's a muggle-lover. Too bad you aren't a book Draco, then maybe she'd fancy you back." Draco shot her daggers. "What Draky? Got blue balls over the Mudblood? Seriously Draco, I hear they give you diseases if you touch them."

Draco slammed his goblet down on the table and roughly pushed himself to a stand. "She is NOT A MUDBLOOD!"

The Great Hall went silent at his scream. Pansy stood to face him, at her full height she barely met his shoulders. Her voice rose to meet his, "She HATES you Draco, you will never EVER get GRANGER! Why the hell you you even BOTHER!"

All the eyes in the room focused on the screaming pair. Ron sat silently with his face buried in his hands, Slytherins scowled at the public display. And at that very moment was when Draco Malfoy felt himself snap. He realized that he had had enough of the lies and of the secrets, they hate they had to feign in public, the hurt in her eyes when he mocked her to keep up an appearance of disgust.

Draco smiled sweetly at Pansy, "Hey Pans?"

She startled at his soft tone, "What?" Her voice hesitant.

"Watch this."

Hermione watched the scene unfold like a bad muggle soap opera. Malfoy screaming at Pansy, Pansy screaming back about her and then Draco turned and met her eyes, and she knew exactly what he was about to do.

Draco grabbed up his things and strode confidently toward the Gryffindor table. Hermione shrank in her seat as he came closer. All the Gryffindors gawked at her and still Draco drew nearer, he was coming right for her.

She felt Draco come up behind her, "Granger?"

She looked to him hesitantly, "Yes, Malfoy?"

He extended a hand and pulled her swiftly to her feet. "No more of this alright?'

"What Malfoy?"

He grinned, "No more lies."

He pulled her close, Hermione knew the room was watching. "Draco...?"

He leaned down and kissed her thoroughly. Hermione kissed him back.

The room erupted in a roar of screams, gasps and howls at their display. Draco pulled away and looked about the hall, smirking at their shocked audience. "Oh yes, that is correct Hogwarts, the Head Girl is mine!" He took her by the arm and her out of the hall.

Hermione was hyperventilating by the time they reached the foyer. "Draco why on Earth did you do that?"

He kissed her check, "Because I am sick of lying love, fuck everyone else, we are together, it had to come eventually."

She nodded yes weakly, "It just came as a bit of a shock..."

He snickered, "Not as shocked as the rest of the school no doubt." He inclined his chin to the hall where curious students had already come out to view them.

"Come to class with me love?" She smiled and took hims arm as they left for Potions.