Chapter 2

Harry had decided to go to bed early. It had been a long day, and he could barely keep his eyes open. Suddenly, Ron burst through the dorm room door. He was beet red and thoroughly pissed. Harry did not dare say a word. I cannot believe that Hermione is such a tease! Ron angrily exclaimed.
Harry had to had his laughter, Hermione was many things, but a tease was not one of those things. He was aware that Ron had thought that Hermione wanted him back, and had warned him that he did not think that was what she was hinting toward. Harry remembered the horrible falling out; he did not ever want to see something like that again. Finally able to regain control of his thoughts at the humor of the situation, he asked, I take it she did not want to get back together?
She told me that she had most definitely not been waiting to get me back. She denied having shown me all the signs that she did not want to get together with anyone else, how is it that she won't get together with anyone else, and yet she doesn't want to get together with me? Ron's anger was slowly fading into distress.
Harry did not know what to tell Ron. He had a great deal of trouble reading girls, and in this situation he was just as lost as Ron was. He had not believed that Hermione would want to get back together with Ron romantically, but he also did not know what Hermione was playing at... what if? A thought suddenly entered Harry's mind. What if Hermione was really interested in someone else, maybe him. Harry drifted off. He did not want to tell Ron his theory. Ron would be livid, and Harry had endured enough angry Ron from the night.
Perhaps what?! Ron demanded.
Harry sighed. He knew he should have kept his mouth shut. Maybe there is someone else that she is interested in? Harry offered.
Like who, you? Ron spat.
I am not sure, there are any number of people that she could be interested in that may not have shown an interest in her, thus those who have shown an interest in her she turns down because they are not the one. Harry replied. He was impressed at his eloquent reply, and secretly hoped that Ron would accept that and go to sleep.
Like Vincent?
Harry had not thought about Vincent. He was still taken by the fact that he was not the stupid lug that he had been just a few years before. Could Hermione possibly be interested in someone like him? Harry was upset by this idea. Harry had hoped that Hermione had secret feelings for him. Harry yawned and crawled into bed. Anything is possible Ron.
~~~
Hermione had returned to her dorm that night in tears. Lavender and Parvati had both tried to get out of her what had happened. This was all futile though, and finally Hermione had cried herself to sleep.
~~~
The Slytherin dungeons were busy that night with a celebration. Draco Malfoy had witnessed the exchange of words between Hermione and Ron; he was feeling rather cheery. He snuck downstairs to visit the kitchen and get some butterbeers for his house. He met up with a rather upset Dobby the House Elf. Draco Malfoy, sir. He started after receiving Draco's request for butterbeers for his house. He held some anger toward the boy that he had been forced to endure for the better part of eleven years. He did not want to concede to helping him with his celebration, but Dobby had an idea. Yes, Dobby will get them for you. Dobby gave Draco the lot of his request and then returned to the kitchen with a devious grin.
Draco went down to the dungeons still gleeful about what he had seen. He told the whole Slytherin Common Room what he had seen. Vincent ran out of the room seemingly concerned about something, he returned shortly after, he had probably encountered Filch. Draco chuckled to himself. Vincent probably has feelings for that stupid little Mudblood. If he knows what is good for him, he should avoid her at all costs.
The party in the Common Room went on until way past dawn, which probably was not good for the Slytherin's considering the classes that they had to attend in the morning. A few had gone up to bed, but for some reason many still hung around, and the butterbeer never ran out. Draco had passed out by the fire about 2:30 am. Pansy had noticed and while he slept she managed to bewitch his hair a lovely lime green color and made-up his face with way too much make-up. Draco awake and those remaining were hysterical. Draco Malfoy look atrocious.
This was not to be the worse of Draco's circumstances. He awake with a large crowd laughing at him, and he could not speak a single word. It seemed that every time he tried to say anything he burped up blue bubbles. He stormed down to his dorm trying to figure out what had happened, and he had a thought that a certain, Dobby the House Elf, had something to do with the predicament that he was finding himself in.
~~~
Hermione awoke the next morning still trying to forget the previous evening and the argument that she had with Ron where he had called her a tease. I am most definitely not a tease. She thought angrily. Who is he to call me a tease? At least when Draco calls me names they are somewhat based in reality. Draco would never call me a tease. A know it all Mudblood... She shuddered as she thought the word. But he would most certainly not think to call me a tease. Her anger grew more and more the more she thought about he encounter with Ronald Weasley the previous evening. What was I ever thinking having feelings for the stupid prat. He was worse than Malfoy ever is. She sighed knowing that was not exactly true. Draco had a tendency to be more than a little horrible to her. Suddenly the combination of anger at Ron and sadness at realizing how lost in her dillusion she was, she began to cry again.
~~~
Harry awoke trying to remember what exactly had happened the previous evening. He had another dream about Voldemort and was trying to think of something a bit more cheery. All he found himself left with was the memory that his two best friends were totally livid at one another, or at least that was his assumption from what Ron had left him with the previous evening. He decided that perhaps he should talk to Hermione and try to make her feel better. Especially if I am the one that she has been waiting for. He thought to himself. He felt horrible that Ron was so upset, and yet he could not shake the possibility from his mind that maybe, just maybe Hermione had feelings for him. He quickly got dressed and headed down to the Common Room. It was dark heading down the stairs, but he could make out a figure for the fire. Hermione, no that isn't her. The figure by the fire was crying, which was the state that he had expected to find Hermione in, but the figure by the fire was Ginny Weasley.
Harry approached the fire quietly, unsure of what to say or do when he got there. He put a comforting arm around Ginny's shoulder and she began to sob even more uncontrollably. Her fiery red hair was tangled and flew in every direction. She appeared to have been crying by the fire all night. Ginny, what happened?
This simple question seemed to be a trigger. Somehow, and Harry was not sure how, she seemed to cry even harder. Harry just held her, not knowing quite what else to do. Finally she fell asleep in he arms. Goodness is everyone having a tear fest today? About this time Hermione slowly made her way down the stairs. Harry looked up and saw that she too had her share of crying the previous evening, just as he had assumed. Harry gently lay Ginny down on the floor and made his way over to Hermione, who seemed completely oblivious to the fact that he was there. This was probably good for them both; had she noticed him coming toward her, she probably would have made her way back up to her dorm in a flash of tears. Instead, she did not notice him until he had pulled her into a hug. 'Mione, everything is going to be all right. He cooed in her ear as her crying slowly subsided. Ron told me what happened. Harry explained releasing her from their embrace. He is overreacting, and he will get over it. Then you can tell him who it is you are really waiting for if not him.
Hermione gasped. Oh my gosh, he knows! Whatever am I going to do. Nonononono!!! I thought I had done such a good job hiding my feelings for Draco.
Hermione, if I may ask, Harry interrupted Hermione's thoughts of horror. I know who it is you have been avoiding dating guys for. Harry chose his words carefully. He was so convinced in his mind that he was the one that she had been waiting for that he just wanted her to confess. Instead at this point she began to sob.
There is no use denying it anymore, Granger. She thought to herself. How did you know about my feelings for Draco, Harry? She asked in a whisper.
Harry exclaimed in severe shock and disgust. Oh my gosh it isn't me... Ron is never going to speak to her again. I thought it was me.
Oh no! What have I done, he didn't know. Good job keeping your cool Granger. Hermione scolded herself. Harry, please don't tell anyone, it has been my most carefully guarded secret since the moment that I realized it.
Well Ron won't kill her if he doesn't know... I don't know Hermione. Ron is totally devastated. This will totally make it so much better. Harry said sarcastically. Of course I will keep it a secret.
Keep what a secret? Ginny asked groggily from behind them.
Hermione and Harry said in chorus.
Are you two secretly dating? Ginny asked as Ron made his way down the stairs.
YOU TWO ARE WHAT?! Ron asked infuriated. Harry after all I confided in you, and you were dating her the whole time! He stormed out of the room and down to the Great Hall.
Great, look where secrets put us Hermione. Harry said angrily. Now I don't have any friends. I can barely look at Hermione and Ron now thinks that we are having some sort of secret relationship.
 So you really are dating? Ginny asked quietly.
No, we aren't. We never have dated and I would never think of dating her. Harry spat glaring at Hermione. Yes Hermione, I will keep your secret, after seven years of friendship I owe you that much, but after this I never want to have to speak to you again unless absolutely necessary. Harry left a devastated Hermione with Ginny while he went down to the Great Hall to try to salvage what was left of his friendship with Ron.
Whatever was that about? Ginny asked Hermione after Harry left the room.
Well what do you have left to lose? Hermione asked herself. Well Ginny it goes like this... Hermione went on to tell Ginny about everything. The two year crush on Draco, the incident with Ron, and what had just happened.
goodness this is not good. Ginny chose her words carefully. First we have to try and make my pigheaded brother see that your friendship is more important than a little misunderstanding. Then we have to get you your man.
Is this girl crazy? Does she not realize that this is Draco Malfoy that we are talking about?
 No, what Hermione? No we don't try to fix things with Ron. Sweetie I know that he can be pigheaded sometimes, but it is your seventh year, you have to fix things with him. Your friendship even managed to survive through that horrible breakup you had. It has to survive a little infatuation with a mean, but very good looking Slytherin.
Oh my, I am going to totally regret this. Okay. We will smooth things over with Ron, but as for me getting Draco, I do not think that there is any way in the world that I will be able to make that work.
Leave that to me Hermione. Ginny said with a wink. Now let us go fix things with my brother. Hermione was doing noticeably better, and whatever had caused Ginny to be in tears at fire all night seemed to have left her mind for the time being. What they saw when they entered the great hall was kind of a surprise. Headmaster Dumbledore was breaking up a fight between Ron and Harry. I did not know Dumbledore ever broke up fights. Ginny whispered.
Me either. Hopefully he does not expel them. Hermione breathed.
Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, will you please come with us? Dumbledore's voice broke into both of their thoughts. They followed gravely as they were led to the Headmaster's office. He motioned for all of them to be seated and then he spoke sternly, You are all too good of friends for this to be happening. You will fix your friendships now. The Dark Lord will use any opportunity given to make sure that misunderstandings like this divide us all. He rose. You will not be able to leave this room until you have all resolved your issues. With that he left the four stunned teenagers alone.
Well I am most certainly not going to hang around and listen to Harry and Hermione tell me about their secret rendezvous. I am out of her. Ron made a move for the door, but one of the paintings interrupted.
You heard the Headmaster. You are not to leave until your friendships are restored. I don't care if it takes days, weeks or months. I will not let you out until it is restored. Ron sat back down angrily.
Ron, perhaps if you would stop being so pigheaded and listen you would find out that you are angry about the wrong thing. Harry spat angrily. Sorry Hermione, but I want to get out of her someday so if you do not tell him I will. I believe that because it is your secret to tell, perhaps it would be best if it came from you.
Ginny put a hand an Hermione's shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. It will all be over in just a moment whether I tell him or not. He will never forgive me and we will still be stuck in here forever, but I am so tired of keeping secrets. She took a deep breath. First off Ron, I would like to inform you that had you hung around the Common Room for another minute, we would have explained to you that Harry and I are not involved in any sort of secret relationship. Actually if you would have hung around another minute you would have seen Harry hatefully end our friendship and run after you. Keep your cool. You will not cry. You will tell things as they are, and then you can cry.
If, and I am not saying that I believe this, but if you are not dating Harry in secret, then why exactly won't you date me? Ron said through gritted teeth. See her try to lie her way out of this. She is going to have to come clean as the tease that she really is.
 He wants me to be lying. He wants it to be Harry so he can be mad at the two of us. He is most definitely NOT going to react well to the truth. Well you see Ron, she paused and took a deep breath,
You know, if he actually got what you just said he deserves an award. Harry growled. I cannot believe that she has feelings for Malfoy. That stupid prat. He is going to get a nice hexing when I get out of here.
 What about Malfoy? Ron asked raising his voice. She could not have possibly just said that she had a secret crush on Malfoy?!
 Ron, Hermione has a crush on Malfoy, not on you. Now hug and go back to being friends. Ginny interjected. Please let this work. Please let this work. At that precise moment Ron fainted.
Now look, you killed him. I wonder if all but one of us dies if the fourth person will be let out by default. Harry pondered.
No, this happens every time he gets news he doesn't like. Ginny replied.
He dies every time he gets bad news? Harry questioned. Goodness, I am going to ask him what the afterlife is like.
 No, he is fainted. He should awake shortly. Ginny answered curtly. Why did I ever have a crush on him? Oh yeah, hero of the wizarding world, attractive, beautiful eyed, but he is so dang stupid today. It must be the anger. He most definitely does not wear anger well.
 Ooh look ice water. Hermione said deviously, picking up a glass of ice water that had just appeared on Dumbledore's desk. I have most definitely had enough of those two and their anger. This way I can get back at one of them. She dumped the water on Ron, who yelped and stood up quickly.
Great now we are all going to be dehydrated by the time we get out of here because Miss I'm So Smart has decided to dump our only water on poor Ron who has just gotten the news that not only does the girl of his dreams not want him, she wants his worst enemy. Girls and their feelings. Why can they not choose guys worthy of them.
 First of Harry, SHUT UP. Hermione shouted. That felt good. Secondly, I love both you and Ron, like brothers, and I suppose that brothers are supposed to hate all of the people that their sisters go for.
I haven't had this problem with Ginny. Ron interrupted. What would I have done if Ginny would have tried to date Malfoy? Wait, Ginny is smarter than that.
 I am so tired of having to keep this a secret! I just want to have someone there who will support me no matter what and not judge me, just because I cannot keep myself from having feelings for Draco. Don't you think that I have tried to stop having feelings for him? I have tried and tried, and failed. Hermione started to sob uncontrollably. Ginny tried as best she could to comfort her.
Well Hermione, admitting that you have a problem is the first step to recovery. Harry said cheerfully. Now that it is out in the open, we will just mix up a potion and it will be all good. I can have my friends back, and things will be back the way that they are supposed to be.
 Ginny interjected, maybe Hermione is not the one with the problem, maybe you two are the ones with the problem and she just foresaw that you two would not accept her feelings so she had to hide them. Honestly sometimes men are so dense.
 Yes, and falling for the enemy should be all okay? Ron said sarcastically. What is Ginny going on about. Obviously the reason Hermione did not tell us is because she knew that it was wrong to fall for Malfoy.
 Are we at least all friends again? Hermione asked between sobs. I can't get through this alone!
 Yes, we are friends. Ron answered curtly. Harry sat quietly contemplating in the corner.
Ginny asked.
How am I supposed to be friends with someone who seems to think that dating my worst enemy would be great fun? Whatever is she thinking? Is she thinking? I don't think that she is, if she were thinking she would realize that she most definitely cannot have a relationship with Malfoy. Malfoy would not date Mione. He calls her all sorts of horrible names. But she can't... Harry drifted off. He is going to hurt her, and I won't be able to protect her.
 She can't what Harry? Ginny asked sharply.
He'll hurt her. Harry said as he the tears trickled down his face. I would not hurt her. Ron would not hurt her. Why is she so insistent on someone who continually hurts her?
 Harry, that is not your problem. Hermione firmly stated. What is he going on about? Does he think that I have never noticed all of Draco's snide comments toward me?
 How do I say this and not have Ron hate me forever? I love you Hermione, Ron loves you too, and there is not going to be anything that we can do when he hurts you. Yes, that will work, yet is this friend love I speak of, or love love?