AN: YAY, a third person point of view chapter, haven't had one of those in a while!

Over the next few weeks, time seemed to move extra quickly. Classes were still the usual tension but the work that came with them seemed to be piling higher by the second. There was little time for Harry and Draco to see each other, especially since they had to be secretive about their meetings. Hermione and Pansy were still the only ones who knew about the blooming romance, though neither knew that the other knew. Even when Draco had offered information about his relationship with the boy-who-loved to Severus Snape, the potions master hadn't asked questions. In fact, although Draco didn't know this, Severus had gotten rid of the information as soon as possible so that it could not be used against him or his pupil later on. And Ronald Weasley still didn't know what was going on behind closed doors because Harry couldn't muster the nerve to tell him.

Harry wanted to tell his friend, knowing that if they really were best friends then Ron would support him. But Ron hadn't taken it well when his relationship with Draco had started. And Harry knew that he had been relieved when he and Draco had broken up because of Draco's initiation. He also knew that Hermione had intervened to keep Ron in line about his feelings on the situation. 'Maybe Hermione could talk to him again…" Harry mulled over the idea but in the end shook his head no. It wasn't right to put her further into the middle. She was already in the middle because she knew when Ron didn't. He'd tell Ron the truth… eventually.

The three of them, Harry, Hermione and Ron, were sitting in the library. As usual Hermione was the only one who was really doing the work that had been assigned. The guys were pretending to study so that she wouldn't scold them. Then out of the corner of his eye, harry saw white blond hair duck behind a bookshelf.

'Draco…' he thought and started to get up.

"Where are you going?" Ron asked. Both he and Hermione stared at their friend. Ron looked puzzled while Hermione had a knowing smile.

"Umm… to the toilets. And then I have to ask Madame Pince about a book for DADA. I'll be back really quick." Quickly he marked the pages in the books he had brought with him and headed away from the table. He didn't realize that his friends noticed that he hadn't gone in the direction of the librarian desk or in the direction of the toilets.

"He didn't go the right way…" Ron muttered as Harry left his view.

"Guess all the work's getting to him." Was Hermione's response.

"Bollocks! You two think you pulled a fast over on me but I know what's going on. Now I just have to wait until he tell me himself." Hermione looked at him stunned. Ron lowered his voice before continuing, "Come off it Hermione. There's no way I could be your boyfriend without some of your smarts coming to me. I know that he and ferret-head… well bloody hell, they must be going at it!" Even though he was whispering it was like he was yelling because there was so much emotion in his voice. He took a couple of deep breaths. "They must be shagging and do you know how I know?" Hermione shook her head. "Because there is a pair of blue boxers in Harry's drawer." Hermione started to laugh loudly. "Oh, be quiet will you! Like you don't know what Lavender's knickers look like." Hermione just laughed louder at that, clutching the table to keep from falling off her chair.

"Oh, oh… I'm sorry." She had tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she tried again. "I didn't know you paid attention to such things." Her laughter quieted to a muffled chuckle as Madam Pince came over to see them. "and no, for your information, I don not know what Lavender's knickers look like. I think she might have a bright pink pair but really, I don't know."

"Shut up!" Ron muttered, crossing his arms in front of his chest in frustration.

"I didn't know you knew." Hermione said a few minutes later.

"Yeah, I knew something was up when you said he was up at 6 am to study with you. Like that would ever happen. After that morning I just watched to see what was going on. Something was bound to happen and then I'd know. Malfoy doesn't really insult us too much anymore. And during potions Harry is all dreamy eyed and looking in the Ferret's direction. The mysterious boxers were the final clue. I guess I could have the whole thing wrong but you would have corrected me by now, so I'm confident in my deduction."

"You're not mad that I kept it from you?"

"Well I am your boyfriend so I don't think there should be secrets between us but I understand that he's you're friend too. We both know what's it's like to be loyal to a friend." Hermione nodded once, relieved, and then leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.

"Are you ok with it?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I keep trying to remember what you told me before, about wanting his happiness. And I do want that, so I won't say anything…. Do you think he's gonna tell me?"

"Of course he is! You're his best mate, nothing will ever change that!. I truly believe he will tell you. He just doesn't want you to be upset with him for something he can't control. I don't think this is just some passing fling. I really think that they love each other. So just be patient and he'll tell you…"

"Well I know one thing…" Ron stopped to clear his throat. "They can't love each other half as much as I love you." He blushed brightly at his words, his face turning a horrible shade of red that clashed wondrously with his hair. Hermione smiled and scooted her chair closer to his. Leaning in, she wrapped her arm around his shoulder and whispered, "Why don't we go find a deserted hallway… maybe you'll discover what knickers I'm wearing…" If it was possible, Ron blushed even further and he gulped loudly, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Hermione placed her free hand in his and started to stand, pulling him as at the same time. Suddenly a book was dropped onto their table and Pansy Parkinson sat down in the seat Harry had vacated. Plunking herself back into her own chair, Hermione sat back down, openly scowling at the other girl.

"Need something Parkinson?" she questioned the Slytherin.

"Not anything you were about to give to him," was the pug faced girl's response as she looked pointedly at Ron. "But yes, I do think that we need to talk."

"I don't think that we have anything to say to you." Ron started, trying to dismiss the other girl. Looking to his girlfriend, he started to stand, urging her to join him.

"Nothing to say to me? You have nothing to say about your mutual friend? I know that I have a few things to say about mine." Ron sat back down when Hermione didn't move.

Hermione stared at Pansy for a moment, trying to figure out of she was lying. "Parkinson, everyone know you have no friends." She was trying to bait her.

"Please you don't survive in Slytherin without at least some friends. Now stop trying to avoid the point. I know what's been going on with my friend and I don't doubt that you know what's going on with yours."

"What is your point, Pansy?" Hermione questioned, then looked pleased with herself at Pansy's initial agitation of the use of her first name.

"My point Hermione…" she let the fall, "is that even though I support him because he is my friend, I'm still scared for him." Both Ron and Hermione nodded in understanding. Though Ron was also nodding in agreement. He was scared for Harry, scared that he'd get hurt or worse, killed.

"I still don't understand why you came here. It can't be good for anyone for you to be seen with us."

"If people are really so concerned about us talking, then just tell them that I came to ask you about potions. Or did you forget that we're in the same group?" Pansy pointed to the book that she had dropped on the table. It was her potions text and notes. "So just play the part right and no one will think that I wanted to be here."

"How are you doing with our extra assignment?" Hermione asked happy to have a strong cover. Pulling out her own potions notes, she opened to the work she had been doing with Harry. She and Harry we almost done with their part of the work. Pansy was working with Blaise Zabini so she was certain they were to a similar point.

"It's been going really well." Pansy almost smiled at the casual conversation. She wasn't used to having such conversations out in the open. When the potions group met she had to act her 'usual' self. "I don't know how Blaise got into Advanced Potions. He really is abysmal at it, I'm the one who's been doing all our work."

"Sounds like me and Harry, although he is trying to pull his weight. You need potions to be an Auror so he really is trying his best. I didn't know Blaise wasn't doing well in class. No offense but I assumed that he was the one doing all the work."

"Blaise tries to come off as though nothing ever bothers him but he still has a big ego so when it comes to classes he talks big. And in his other classes, he's doing just fine. It just seems that potions is not his forte. I don't what he wants to do in the future that he needs this class."

"Maybe it'll be useful for when he's a Death Eater!" Ron whispered fiercely. He didn't like any part of this conversation. If Harry wanted to go and shag the Ferret that was fine with him. He didn't have to trust Draco, only Harry's judgment. But he wasn't about to sit here and trust Pansy Parkinson. No matter what she said, she was still a Slytherin.

"Pansy didn't even flutter an eyelash at Ron's words. "I suppose that could be possible but I don't know. Look whatever you might have against me because of my house doesn't matter. I came here for Draco who is off somewhere gallivanting with Potter. Draco is my best friend and I don't want to see him get hurt." She held up a hand to stop Ron from speaking. "I'm not saying that Pot- Harry will hurt him. I do believe that they care for each other and wouldn't hurt each other on purpose. But we're all trading on dangerous ground here. I've been holding in my fears the past few weeks with no one to tell and for some reason I thought that it might be good to come here and discuss them with you. I guess I was wrong." She started to gather her things. "Hermione, I'll see you in class." And then she stood and walk away, her hair sweeping around her shoulders as she huffed in frustration that could have been real or made up. She made it seem like she'd been forced to sit with the two Gryffindors.

As Pansy turned out of sight, Hermione turned to look at Ron. "Ron, I think she was being sincere."

"Slytherins aren't sincere. It's not in their nature."

"And that's why Harry won't tell you about Draco…" Then in a similar fashion to Pansy, Hermione gathered her books and quills and stormed out of the library. Ron stayed sitting at the desk, trying to figure what was going on around him.

AN: Well I still need to know who people want to die. Your choices are Hermione, Snape, Ron and Pansy. I really do want your input or I'll just have to pick for myself. So please review and tell me what you think and make sure you stick in a name. Thanks.