Harry and Hermione were sitting in a corner of the common room after having left the library so they could talk privately. Ron wasn't anywhere to be seen yet and Hermione was secretly glad – it meant he would remain oblivious for a bit longer.

"Hermione, how did it happen?" Harry asked gently. "How did he manage to convince you that he wasn't a bad person?"

"He just acted like himself." Hermione muttered, fighting back tears. "I thought if I got to know him better I might be able to help him. I never thought I'd actually fall for him!"

"When did it all start?" Harry asked.

"Close to the beginning of the year, a few days before the quidditch try-outs." Hermione told him and then swallowed nervously.

"Well... you definitely haven't forgotten it." Harry chuckled.

"I'm sorry I got so mad at you every time you mentioned him. But Harry, he's been so upset! All year he's been trying to carry out his mission and it's killing him!" Hermione turned to look at Harry, pain in her eyes. "If he doesn't do what he's been told to, then he'll be killed. But if he does then I fear he'll kill himself."

Harry was silent for a few moments as he thought about what he had just been told. His first instinct was to hope that Malfoy did end up dead, but seeing Hermione looking so distraught over the issue forced him to rethink. How could he stop her from thinking about the Slytherin?

"Hermione, what about Ron?" Harry asked gently.

"What about him?" Hermione snapped. "He's got Lavender, why would he care about me?"

"I always thought he liked you, that's all." Harry shrugged before falling silent again. Hermione sniffed and turned her face away slightly, not wanting to think about Ron right now. She already had enough to worry about without thinking her best friend had a crush on her.

"Harry, what do you think Snape wanted to talk to Draco about?" she asked quietly. Harry flinched slightly at the use of Malfoy's first name and then shifted closer to Hermione slightly, putting an arm around her comfortingly.

"He might be in on the plan." he muttered.

"What if Snape gets angry at him for being with me?" Hermione asked, turning her head around again.

"He looked angry enough when he entered the library, I think it's more a question of what he'll do rather than if he's angry." Harry sighed, hoping that wouldn't upset Hermione too much. When she didn't say anything in reply he decided to say something else that had been on his mind. "What would you do if Ron dumped Lavender and asked you out?"

Hermione was startled by his question and frowned as she looked at him.

"I-I don't know." she admitted. "I'd have to refuse him, wouldn't I? I mean, I'm with Dra-"

"But you heard him when I said you'd leave if he carried out his mission. He said it was unavoidable." Harry interrupted quickly. "If he doesn't think your relationship is going to last, why don't you just break it off now?"

Hermione stared down at the ground, pain in her eyes as she thought over what Harry was saying and couldn't find a hole in his reasoning.

"But I've fallen for him, Harry!" she finally protested, the first tear spilling from her eyes. "I'll never be able to stop thinking about him. And Ron isn't about to dump Lavender for me."

"I could help you forget." Harry said quietly and cautiously. Hermione looked up again, a question in her eyes as she searched his face for what he was thinking.

"How could you help me-"

Harry leant forward and kissed her, stopping her from finishing what she had been saying and answering her question with actions instead. He had never truly contemplated being her boyfriend, although he did think she was very beautiful.

But then she was pushing him away and she slapped him hard across the cheek, fire in her eyes.

"How dare you!" she gasped out angrily, pulling herself to her feet.

"Merlin Harry!"

Harry quickly got to his feet as well, looking over in shock to see Ron staring over at them with wide eyes.

"I can explain!" Harry said desperately, but he had no idea what to say. Hermione obviously had no feelings for him and Ron would feel like his best friend had just betrayed him. It was practically the end of the world.

"No you can't Harry," Hermione said sadly, sorrow replacing the anger in her eyes as she stared at him. "I'm sorry that you felt you had to do that, but it isn't going to help anything."

"Hermione, will you listen?" Harry pleaded.

"I think you should go." Ron growled, walking over to stand beside her. Harry stared at the two of them for a few moments before sighing in defeat and walking away. He went up to his dorm, slamming the door shut.

"Please don't be mad at him." Hermione said to Ron quietly.

"How can I not be?" Ron burst out angrily. "He kissed you!"

"I know," Hermione looked away and folded her arms, biting her lip. "But he was just trying to help."

"Help?" Ron snapped, before calming down and frowning in worry. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Hermione quickly shook her head and tried to smile, but Ron grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eyes fiercely.

"Tell me." he ordered firmly and Hermione knew in that instant that he was not going to leave her alone until he knew the truth.

"I- I'm really sorry." she began slowly, pausing when she felt her throat close over. The tears in her eyes were threatening to fall and she turned away slightly, wiping her sleeve across her eyes. She swallowed to try and dislodge the lump. "I fell in love..."

"With Harry?" Ron asked in horror.

"No!" Hermione replied, shaking her head and feeling the first tear fall. "With... Draco!"

Ron stared at her in silence as he tried to comprehend what she had just told him. He couldn't believe that she was telling the truth, but why would she lie about this? Her tears definitely looked real, at least.

"Hermione, you can't love that git." he finally managed to mumble.

"But I do, I really do," Hermione said, stepping towards Ron and hugging him, burying her head into his shoulder. When she next spoke her voice was slightly muffled. "I love him and he's going to do something terrible!"

"Hermione," Ron said gently, putting his arms around her and holding her close to try and comfort her. "Forget about him."

"I can't!" she said instantly.

"But... I love you... and I always have."