Hermione tapped her fingers together nervously, leading Draco aimlessly around Hogsmeade. They'd been doing the same loop for about five minutes now, and she seemed unable to change their route.

Well, she was technically too distracted to think about the next store to hit. Her mind kept drifting back to the first twenty minutes they spent in Hogsmeade this afternoon, and the rather unpleasant welcome they received.

"You think it'll work?" she asked, bounding ahead into the square. Draco head been in a foul mood since last night, but she hadn't gotten him to admit to anything so far. Something happened in the corridors last night with Astoria, but he wasn't being an open book about it. She figured she could hassle him tonight when they had patrols together, and hadn't pushed the topic since. They had other things to focus on. "I mean for your mother and Astoria it will but-"

"Merlin's balls Hermione," he grumbled, catching her shoulder. The action managed to finally sedate her bouncy nerves, getting the girl to stand still for the first time since they left the castle. "It'll work on the Weasel too, alright? You'd get upset if you saw someone you liked making out in the bloody middle of town."

"And about that," she continued, holding up a finger as she looked around, "where exactly do you think this will happen? Like standing in the road or against a light pole or leaning on a wall or at a table-"

He laughed, cutting her off. "Quit trying to plan it out. I told you I'm not saying, otherwise you'll spend all day trying to plan it out. Just go with it."

She huffed, hands on her hips. "I can't just go with it! I need to know so-"

Draco barely hesitated, grabbing her shoulders to spin her to the left. "Don't overthink it. Weasley certainly isn't."

Her eyes dulled as she stared across the square at the pair, watching Ron and Lavender sloppily lip lock for all to see. There was one reporter nearby scratching down notes, but no one seemed interested in photographing the make out session. Over a month had passed since their break up, and Ron's new relationship was no longer hot news.

Still, it didn't stop her stomach from rolling. Even when they did kiss, he'd never held her like that.

"Let's go," she grumbled, her voice much more subdue than before. "You're right. I'll just go with it when it happens."

Draco hadn't said anything about it since, but it didn't help erase the image from her head. It was just a kiss! Ron hinted that he'd done plenty more with Lavender so what was the big deal? Usually she thankfully didn't have to witness it. Lately the PDA examples were her and Draco, and she could at least be satisfied that they bugged Ron.

Now she was less concerned about where this took place, and hoped to Merlin Draco decided to do it the next time they happened past Ron. Reporters had not so subtly followed them throughout town since they arrived, their mere presence together enough to cause excitement. At least she wouldn't have to worry about the scene being missed.

"Quit moping," he said, nudging her with his shoulder. "We haven't seen Weasley since this morning."

"I didn't want to see him at all," she replied, sighing. Draco already explained before they left that Astoria almost never came to Hogsmeade unless she was looking to get drunk. Apparently there weren't enough decent shops there to even bother with, and since she had such a strong reputation for her habits, it didn't take much wondering to figure out what she did with her time at the castle. "I was hoping he'd just see the newspaper headline like the others."

"It should be much more satisfying for him to witness it," Draco laughed, shooting her a grin. "It's always better to witness firsthand."

"Then shouldn't you want Astoria here?"

He cringed. "I don't need someone screaming my ear off on a Saturday. I'd rather just wait for the blowup tomorrow."

Despite herself she smiled, shooting him a knowing look. "She's going to just explode when she sees this. She'll probably demand your mother moves the wedding to Monday."

"No. No. Don't say things like that."

Laughing she grabbed his hand and wandered on, her eyes skimming around the town. Only having the eighth years there made it a really calm afternoon, much less crowded than when everyone was released into the town. She actually enjoyed looking around through the windows of the shops without having to shove through a crowd.

She was almost feeling better. Ron couldn't discourage her from their decision to make headlines. His relationship… it had nothing on hers and Dracos-

Hermione almost tripped over her own feet at the thought. Fake relationship. Why was she comparing them like her deal with Draco wasn't a rouse?

Lost in thought she didn't focus on the fact that they'd circled back to the main square in Hogsmeade, the reporters one step behind them. She didn't really acknowledge when Draco's grip subtly tightened on her hand, waiting until they were just past the building next to them before spinning her and dragging her backwards, their momentum stopping when his back rested against the brick.

She barely had a moment to acknowledge his tact, realizing he could've just as easily pressed her into the wall, but there was no telling what kind of reaction would elicit from her.

Draco's lips were just as soft as last time, the kiss starting off gentle enough that she could get her bearings before he intensified it. His hand came up to gently cup the back of her head, the arm at her waist tightening to draw her in closer to his body.

Hermione would be lying if she said she didn't like it, gasping quietly when his tongue danced across her lips. She slid her arms up and around his neck, far too pleased with their display.

No one ever held her like that when they kissed her, with such gentleness and finesse. It was both touching and exciting at the same time, the hand on her waist slipping under her jacket to rub soft circles over her blouse.

She completely forgot they were doing this for an audience.

Her hands tightened on his neck, dragging him in closer still. She felt his surprise when his hand on her back stilled for a moment before resuming its pace, his kisses becoming deeper and heavier. The hand on her head came down to her neck, his index finger flicking against the juncture of her neck.

This was the kind of kissing she always expected herself to experience.

Of course, good things never lasted.

Hermione shrieked when someone grabbed her shoulders, nearly ripping her out of the blond's grip. Draco's eyes shot open, hands managing to grip onto her and pull her back from whoever was trying to drag her away.

Draco spun her around, placing himself between her and the assailant. Hermione wasn't even surprised when her eyes landed on Ron, wand drawn and face red.

He just had to go and ruin the moment.

"What the fuck," Ron sneered, his eyes glaring between the pair. Hermione drew her wand, watching the blond man in front of her produce his as well. Usually Draco pushed Hermione to handle her problems herself, but not this time. He'd quite literally put himself in the middle.

Trying to catch her breath, she did a quick look around. It looked like more reporters came out of the woodwork, students and paparazzi alike suddenly gathered around the trio. Maybe Draco felt inclined to put himself in between them because of the news coverage, and the very obvious message it would send about his upcoming wedding, but she wasn't certain.

He was a puzzle, and she couldn't make herself believe that he only did this because of the crowd.

"Weasley," Draco replied, his shoulders tense. "Don't you have something better to do than intrude on my girlfriend."

Hermione felt her eyebrows rising as her breathing steadied. They hadn't officially given each other a title in so many words, and Draco was definitely making a statement right now squaring off with Ron. This might be more than she bargained for.

"Yours?" Ron seethed, attempting to sidestep Draco. He looked torn between fighting the blond and going after his ex. Behind Ron she could barely make out Lavender standing within the crowd looking crushed, but she couldn't care less in that moment.

She wasn't certain if she should be totally offended Ron thought he had some sort of ownership over her or if she should be touched that Draco was ready to defend her.

"Well you two definitely aren't dating anymore," Draco continued, his tone more controlled than the Gryffindor's. He leaned to one side, his posture not nearly as tense as his shoulders. Hermione could tell he was trying to keep his cool. They might want to make a scene but didn't want a blowout quite like this. "It shouldn't matter who she's kissing."

"She shouldn't be kissing someone like you!"

Draco chuckled, and Hermione could tell he was enjoying antagonizing Ron a little bit too much. She sincerely wished Harry came to Hogsmeade today, but she knew that he'd stayed back to practice Quidditch with Ginny. Maybe if the pair was there the situation would diffuse.

"At least I wait until I'm out of a relationship before kissing someone else," he retorted, his smirk growing as Ron's face continued to redden.

"What about your fiancé!?"

"What fiancé? I told Astoria multiple times we aren't together and we definitely aren't getting married. Just because she wants to play dumb doesn't make it real."

Ron didn't look convinced, his glaring eyes focusing on Hermione again. "I knew you were a slag. You've been seeing him behind my back since the beginning!"

Surprised, she stepped forward. There was no way he could be serious right now. "Are you kidding Ron!? You were seeing Lavender behind my back! Don't turn this into something it isn't!"

She could hear the crowd muttering, the reporters going nuts as the floating notepads furiously scribbled along. "Don't bring her into this!"

"Then don't bother us!" she screamed back, moving up beside Draco instead of behind him. "You started all of this! We're not together Ron and I will kiss whoever I damn well please!"

Her words didn't seem to do anything to deter his anger, his fists clenching together as he glared at the couple. "No you won't! You don't get it do you? We're still going to be together!"

Hermione paused, thrown. She thought Ron was trying to get back at her, not get her back. "Wh-"

"You can't say that to my girlfriend," Draco snapped, sounding offended. "You blew it Weasel. Grow up and get lost. She hasn't come crying back to you yet so what makes you think she will?"

Ron growled, oblivious to the people around him. His voice dropped, barely catching their ears and they were within a meter or two of each other. "Trust me Hermione, you will. I spent years getting you, I won't allow him to taint you. Don't worry, I'll save you from-"

She was prepared to listen to some misdirected declaration of love, but Ron didn't get a chance to finish his bullshit lies. One moment Draco was beside her, listening with about as much curiosity as she was, and the next he was several steps ahead and Ron was lying on the ground.

Blinking, it took a moment to replay the scene in her mind and realized he'd outright punched him, the splintering sound of his fist connecting with the redhead's jaw echoing in the suddenly quiet clearing. His face was already turning red where Draco punched him, and for a moment it was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Hermione felt her jaw falling open a little. She really hadn't expected that.

All at once the square erupted, reporters suddenly surging forward to question the pair. Lavender screamed for her Won-Won, rushing forward to comfort him as he cursed on the ground. Draco pocketed his wand, turning to her with a wink as he took in her stunned expression.

"Well, we definitely made an impression."

She hesitated before smiling, noting the way his body remained tense. Whether he actually intended to act like that was a mystery, but the fact that he put himself on the line was enough to make her feel better was a pleasant surprise. They were just supposed to stir the pot, not knock the whole god damn thing over with a fight.

"What was that for?" she breathed, moving forward as the crowd approached, her hand jutting out to grab his own and inspect it. The knuckles weren't even bleeding, his skin tainted red from the force behind his hit only. There was nothing she could do to erase the red hue, but she was more than a little surprised that his skin didn't even split.

Draco rolled his eyes, kissing the side of her head before he spoke. She didn't expect it, eyes widening as he pulled away. "I can't let him talk to my girlfriend like that, can I?"

She couldn't stop the surprised smile that blossomed across her face, unsure what to do with that response. The reporters were within earshot, asking questions that fell on deaf ears. Whether he said that truthfully or to draw the reporters attention she wasn't sure, but it caused unexpected butterflies to bubble in her stomach either way.

"N-no, I guess not."

"Ready to go back to the castle now?" he asked, holding out his arm. Hermione hesitated, glancing briefly down at Ron. Some of the reporters were focused primarily on him and Lavender, trying to ask questions even while the girl wailed about how unjust the whole thing was.

From the look on his face, he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon, even if he was beyond pissed. That was something she would need to handle later.

Lifting her chin, she made sure she looked directly at Ron when she spoke. "Yes, I'd love to go back to our rooms now." Hooking her arm through his she grinned, the pair shoving through the crowd.

It took a little effort and a lot of wiggling, but they managed to separate from the horde at the edge of Hogsmeade. Reporters really weren't supposed to travel on the path back to Hogwarts, though that didn't stop a couple of strays from continuing to follow and harass them. No matter, they wouldn't be able to enter the grounds.

At the edge of town Hermione almost stilled, noting the amused looks of Blaise and Pansy as they leaned oh so casually against one of the buildings, clearly having witnessed the entire thing. Their mischievous eyes followed the pair as they left, Draco barely giving them a nod as they headed back.

Hermione was certain she would be hearing from one or both of them before morning.

"What exactly are we going to do about this?" she breathed, ducking her head as she spoke. The chilly wind that blew by helped cover her voice, but she still feared the reporters might overhear. "This wasn't the plan."

"We're just going to have to figure it out," he breathed, the arm draped over her shoulders tightening a little. "Somehow."

A/n: And the drama goes on. We'll see how this goes for them in the next chapter! And maybe a little bit of drama when they go out for patrols. Let me know what you think, and I'm sorry for the delay.