Hermione made her way to Transfiguration solemnly, her mind spinning. What if Ginny did let slip? What if harry or Ron found out? What if Draco found out? She couldn't afford that; she would be the laughing stock of Hogwarts, fancying pureblood Malfoy who would never dream of going for Mudblood Granger. Ever. Not when he had dog-face Pansy and pretty little Daphne and every other Slytherin girl going for him. She sighed and leant back against the wall. At least she didn't have this lesson with Draco; she would have time to regain herself before potions. She walked in and took a seat alone and began to empty her books, quill and paper when she heard the chair beside her scrape out as someone sat down. Hermione glanced up and saw it was Harry, she groaned quietly, now she'd have to try even harder to keep herself composed. "Hey, Harry." She said brightly.
"Hi, Hermione. Are you okay?" He asked. Hermione nodded quickly.
"Fine thanks, you?"
"Fine, I saw you and Ginny talking earlier." He said slowly. Hermione wanted to kick herself.
"Oh, did you?" She said weakly. Harry nodded.
"Looked like you were having a serious discussion." He said. Hermione rolled her eyes, she loved Harry to bits and he may have defeated the dark lord numerous times but he was rubbish at trying to speak subtly. "Not really." She said dismissively. Harry gave her a piercing stare. She frowned trying to avoid the emerald green eyes. "Hermione. . ." He said slowly.
"Girl stuff." Hermione smiled. Harry frowned.
"Hermione. You're not fooling me." Harry stated.
"We were talking about boys." Hermione said, trying desperately to avoid answering him properly.
"Blonde boys?" Harry continued slyly.
"Cute boys." Hermione said, avoiding admitting he was getting it right.
"Bad boys."
"Changed boys."
"Slytherin boys."
"No." Hermione said quickly.
"Malfoy." Harry said smugly.
"No."
"Hermione."
"Not Malfoy."
"Hermione." Harry continued seriously.
"Malfoy." Hermione sighed in defeat, Harry was slightly amused.
"So you were talking about, the blond, cute, bad boy, changed Slytherin Malfoy." Harry summed up. Hermione laughed, "That sentence made no sense Harry." She said.
"I know." Harry replied laughing.
"Potter, Granger. Explain to me what's so funny about this?" McGonagall said. Hermione looked at the board. "Nothing, Professor." Hermione said. They were studying about how people became animaguses. "Well I'd appreciate it if you stopped laughing and listened then." McGonagall snapped. The pair nodded their head sheepishly before taking notes.

The lesson ended and Hermione had a full page of notes in preparation for an essay she had been set. She walked out with Harry and sighed again. "Don't tell anyone, only Ginny knows." Hermione whined. Harry nodded. "I may not approve of him but if you like him, you like him." Harry said gently. Hermione smiled weakly. "We have potions now right?" Hermione said awkwardly, changing the subject. Harry nodded. Together they walked to the dungeons. As they approached Draco looked up and to them, a faint smile formed on his lips- Harry noticed – when Draco saw her. Hermione looked at Draco briefly, smiling to him in greeting then away awkwardly, butterflies dancing wildly in her belly. Harry was watching her closely. "Are you okay Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded focusing all her attention on Harry and trying to ignore the blond snake beside her. "Hey, Harry!" Ron greeted as he approached the dungeons, he walked straight over to the pair and planted himself beside Hermione and blocking her from Draco. "Excuse me weasel. You're stopping me from being near my girlfriend." Draco said coldly, Hermione gasped, she'd forgotten she was supposed to be Draco's girlfriend around Ron. Ron ignored him. "So are you okay Harry?" Ron continued. "Fine. I think your blocking Hermione from being near Malfoy." Harry said, going along with their charade. "Am I? Ah well." Ron said sending Hermione a smile.
"Move." Hermione hissed venomously. Ron recoiled slightly but refused to move. Hermione heard a low growl. "Your pathetic Weasel." Malfoy snapped. Roughly he pushed Ron away and stood between Hermione and Ron. Hermione smiled to Harry weakly who was giving Ron a look which said 'You deserve it.' Draco wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist and Hermione placed her head on him, her knees felt weak as they made and held contact with each other. "So Harry, you okay with me and Hermione?" Draco asked stiffly.
"Of course, Hermione's happy so yes." Harry replied equally stiffly. Hermione smiled at Harry as he looked at her warmly, knowing the deeper meaning in his approval.

Draco smiled slightly before turning and walking into class with Hermione still close beside him. Hermione's breathing was shaky as she walked in. She wished so much this was real. But she knew it wasn't. She could always admit her feelings in the future. Maybe with Ginny with her. Hermione peered up at Draco, he looked so at ease. The pair sat down together and were joined abruptly by Harry who was joined by Ron. Harry growled under his breath, whilst Draco gave Ron a filthy look and Hermione tried to ignore his existence. She sat quietly, deep in thought. There was no harm in telling Draco she thought. She continued to think deeply to herself. "You okay sweetie?" Draco asked easily. Hermione felt another wave of sickness at his fake pet name. "Fine, love." Hermione replied awkwardly. Draco nodded and smiled. For all of potions Harry, Hermione and Draco talked between themselves, with the occasional attempt at joining in by Ron. When the lesson ended, Hermione jumped up. "I'm going to go on ahead to break quickly." Hermione said. Harry, Draco and Ron watched her leave, each wearing an equal look of concern.

Hermione raced to the Main entrance feeling light headed, terrified but also determined. As she entered she caught sight of Ginny heading outside. "Ginny!" Hermione called. Ginny spun around and looked at Hermione curiously. "What's the matter?" She asked as Hermione reached her.
"I need you to help me with something." Hermione said. Ginny tilted her head curiously.
"What?" Hermione moved closer to Ginny and dropped her voice.
"I'm going to tell Malfoy."
"Tell him what?" Ginny asked confused. Hermione gave her a look and Ginny's expression turned to realization. "When, why and how do you need me to help?" Hermione asked.
"Harry knows and just now in Potions I felt so sick and nervous and wanting to hug him all the time or kiss him. I want to tell him soon, like tonight soon. And I need your help because I want you to come with me when I tell him." Hermione said weakly. Ginny nodded.
"I'll help you." Ginny said softly.
"I'll speak to him later; I have Ancient Runes with him before supper. I'll ask him to walk with me to the grounds and can you meet us in the Main Hall?" Hermione asked. Ginny nodded. I have a free last anyway so yeah, I'll see you then." Ginny smiled. "Good luck for then, I won't be able to wish you luck when your with him."
"If." Hermione corrected. Ginny smiled and hugged Hermione as the bell rang for third lesson.