Du-du-du-dun Du-du-du-dun ~ Hehe I knew I would eventually get to the good stuff it just took me about 8 chapters more then I thought I would.  Now spies are revealed and long kept secrets are broken open.  I'll stop rambling now and just get on with it, shall I?

*Disclaimer ~ I still don't own anything unless JKR would like to share……maybe? Please!*

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

Falling Head Over Heels

The Story of Hermione Granger and

Her relationship with Draco Malfoy

By: Befuzzled

Chapter Thirteen ~ Secrets Revealed

"Sometimes love can hit you everyday

And sometimes you can fall for everyone you see

But only one can really make me stay

A sign from the sky sent to me"

~Basson

Hermione and Draco stared after the running assailant not quite knowing whether to give chase or hoped he kept his mouth shut.  They chose the latter just because they were rather tired after the long weekend and then the practice.

"I'm sorry," started Draco, "I shouldn't have done that."  He hung his head is despair and wasn't ready for what Hermione said next.

"No, it's okay.  I glad, in a way, that you did.  And thanks for a wonderful time at the Masquerade."  She smiled weakly at his as he glanced up.  "Things are just really confusing for me right now and I don't know if this could ever work out.  I mean let's face it you have your Slytherin image to uphold and you can't be associating with a book-work mudblood and I couldn't even imagine the rath of the Gryffindors' grudge on me.  And we already have so much to do being Prefects I don't know how we could mange to hide this on the side, and.." she was finally cut off from her tirade.

"Hermione?"

"Huh?"

"Would you please shut up?"

"Oh sorry, I needn't mean to ramble it just kinda happens when I'm nervous about something and I think this qualifies and .."

"Hermione?"  She looked down at her shoes.

"Sorry."

"It's okay.  All I wanted to inject was that I'm not asking you to go out with me or anything; I think that would just be too weird for the both of us.  I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful time at the ball.  It was also to help you figure out it was me, I guess.  I just hope the stupid prat who was spying on us doesn't tell everyone."

"Well, I guess we'll find out if that happens.  But for now I think I should go."

"Yeah."  He watched Hermione run off in the direction of the school.  He wasn't exactly sure why he had kissed her on that he had wanted to after the night in the house of mirrors and the kiss on the bench. 

He started walking slowly up to the castle he didn't care if he was late for curfew he still had that pass from Snape allowing him to be late because of the lessons with Hermione, no not Hermione, Granger.  Her name was Granger.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

Hermione rushed up to the giant building and closed the entrance door behind her.  He didn't know what was wrong with her.  She had butterflies running through her stomach; her head was filled with mush ( she had just proved as much to Malfoy); she could hear her heart pounding and could feel her blood rushing through her veins.  What was wrong – it was Malfoy for crying outloud – I should have slapped him on the spot.  But I can't say I didn't enjoy it.

"Miss Granger?  What are you doing out of your common room at such an hour?  Dinner was over two hours ago."  The voice stung Hermione's ears as she looked up into the face of Snape.

"Oh, I'm sorry Professor.  It was just I was outside with Malfoy and um broom lessons and it ran late and um, sorry Professor it won't happen again."

"Sentences Miss Granger, sentences."  His voice snapped at her.

"I was outside with Malfoy.  He was giving me a flying lesson.  I'm sorry I didn't realize how late it was getting."

"If you were outside with Mr. Malfoy then where is he?"

As if on cue Draco pushed open the door.  "Were you looking for me Professor?"

"Yes Mr. Malfoy.  Were you giving Miss Granger here a flying lesson?"

Draco glanced at Hermione, her eyes expectantly watching him, not knowing if he would make up a lie just to glorify himself.  He nodded, "Yes, Sir.  I helped her with loops and spirals this evening."

"Does her understand them?"

Hermione looked at her feet trying to pretend not to be there.  "Yes, sir, she understands them, she just needs a little more practice to build up her experience level."

"Em-hmm.  Well then, I suggest both of you should go back to your common rooms."

"Yes, Sir."  They replied almost in exact unison causing Snape to stare evilly between the two.

The rushed off before they could get into any trouble.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

The next morning at breakfast Hermione and Draco both were reassured that the spy had not told anyone.  Neither were getting anymore than the usually sneers and smirks from the other's table.  Hermione was beginning to think the person would just forget about it or maybe he hadn't been able to distinguish would she and Draco were.  But her hope of that was dashed when the mail arrived.

It was a small piece of parchment but never the less she didn't want to give Harry or Ron a chance to spy it's contents so she excused herself and went to see on the main stairway before she finally read it.

            Hermione,

            I saw you kiss him.  I won't tell anybody but I want to talk to you.

             Meet me at the lake at seven o'clock say you're going for a run. 

            I think the library excuse is starting to become transparent.  Don't

             you think?

It was unsigned.  Hermione shuddered to think who would want to blackmail her.  If it was a Slytherin she could already see the headlines:

"Mudblodd Makes Advances Towards Pureblood Malfoy."

~Great job Granger.  You managed to ruin the rest of you're year with just one kiss.  Be proud of yourself~

Hermione didn't want to think about it anymore.  She gathered her books into her bag and went to Transfiguration with out a word to anybody about the letter.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

Hermione had managed to push the thoughts out of her mind for the rest of the day.  Well at least until 6:30.  She went up stairs and changed.  Coming back downs the stairways dressed in a combinations of orange and navy she approached Ron and Harry in the Middle of a game of Exploding Snaps.

"Bloody hell, Hermione are you going on a run?  We don't even have practice."  Ron's face contorted with confusion and anger.

"My gosh Ron what's you're problem?  I'm just trying to stay healthy running a few nights week isn't going to kill me."

"It is when you hardly eat!"

"What are you talking about?"

Harry interjected before Ron exploded.  "Look Hermione we're just worried about you.  At all the meals you're either involved deeply in a book or conversation.  And when you do eat it's a piece of toast or some fruit.  Haven't you noticed how thin you've become.'

"Sorry I didn't mean anything by it.  I just have a lot going on right now.  Eating just doesn't really fit in."

"Ever thought of dropping some of the obligations?"

"No.  What do you want me to do Ron, drop you and Harry?"

"I didn't say anything like that-"

"Then do you want me to give up being a Prefect?"

"No-"

"Do you want me to give up running so we can go back to fighting like this every week?"

"Hermione, " Harry started cautiously, "we just wants what's best for you, That's all."

"I know, I know and I'm sorry.  I just get so caught up in everything I guess I really didn't notice I was skipping meals.  If it helps, I'll try to pay attention to what I eat, okay?  But now I really have to go."

"Okay Hermione."  She rushed out of the room nearly running to the tree by the lake.

She wanted to cry, but instead sat down to try and compose herself.  There was a tap on her shoulder.  "Are you okay Hermione?"

"Do you want the truth or what I've been telling everyone else?"

"The truth please."

"Well then no.  There is so much crap going on and I just can't deal with it.  I know I should back off from something but it all seems so important it hasn't always but it does now."

"Oh, and I guess I didn't make it any better sending you that letter this morning."

Hermione shook her head and for the first time in the conversation looked up.  Sitting next to now were the gangly arms and legs of Paul Gold.

"That was you?"

"Yeah and I'm sorry.  I needn't mean to pry but I just had some extra time and thought I could get some extra practice in.  I knew Draco and booked the field but I thought I could try anyway.  And then when I got there I saw him kissing someone and it turned out to be you.  I guess I was jealous kind of that you would go for a Slytherin instead of me but that's a whole other story.  I'm sorry if I caused more stress to you today."

Hermione stared him.  She was dumbfounded and didn't quite know what to say. ~"…go for a Slytherin instead of me…" what was that supposed to mean?~

"It's not your fault, honestly.  Everything is just coming to a head today and it's kind of overwhelming."

"Okay.   Can I ask you something?"

"You mean something other then what you just asked me?"

"Er, yeah."

"Of course."

"Why were you kissing Malfoy?"

"He kissed me to show me that he had been my partner at the Masquerade Ball.  I didn't stay to find out that night, I really didn't want to know, but his kiss gave him away."

"So you mean you kissed him at the ball?"

"No not him, I kissed Romeo.  He just happened to be behind the mask."

"Oh I see."  Hermione could tell he was becoming slightly self-conscientious.

"So do you want to go for a walk around the lake before we head back inside?"

He nodded and stood, offering a hand to Hermione.  "I also have a question for you but I don't quite know how to phrase it."

"Hermione you can ask me anything, I promise."

"Thanks.  Er, um what did you mean when you said  you were jealous that I would go for a Slytherin instead of you?"

"Since we're being honest I'll tell you.  Do you remember that beat off where I missed the bludger that knocked you out?"  Hermione nodded remembering.  "Well I felt so bad after that I sat by your bed side while you were unconscious as long as Madam Pomfrey would let me anyway.  I talked to you, told you my thoughts, and feelings about everything.  I got to trust you even thought I know you couldn't hear me and I have developed a crush on you Hermione Granger."

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide and jaw opened.  Paul put his hands on her shoulders and shook her gently asking if she was okay.  "I'm sorry I never knew.  Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why would the smartest and prettiest girl in school want with me?  I'm just not up to your standards and I don't know I guess I thought it would go away."

"Oh Paul.  You're really sweet and the next dance we have I would be honored if I could take you.  Or if that's too far away the next Hogsmeade trip you're going with me."

"Hermione?  Are you asking me out?"

Hermione gave out a giggle, "I believe I am.  Are you going to accept?"

"Yes, I couldn't have asked for anything more in the world."

They finished their stroll around the lake and walked back up to the dormitories together, right into a waiting Harry and Ron.

Harry started, "Oh Gold, where did you find her?"

"Hermione what took you so long you said you were going out for a run an hour and a half ago."

"I'm sorry."  Hermione began to study her shoes.

'You guys back off it's my fault she's out so late."  Ron and Harry eyed him suspiciously.  "I asked her to meet me by the lake so we could talk."  Her glanced at Hermione who was in shock that he was sticking up for her.  "It was a very, insightful, conversation."

Hermione just stared and Ron and Harry glanced back and forth between themselves, Paul, and Hermione.

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

"The next Hogsmeade trip – I have a date."

Hermione's cheeks turned crimson red.  "I um have to go to bed now.  You know have to decide what things I have to um drop to you know balance out my life. Um, yeah, so good night."  Before she could dash off Harry and Ron each gave her a hug whispering jokes about Paul into her ear and Paul hugged her kissing the top of her hair.

Boy was this a confusing night.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

AN: (This is my longest chapter so far; hehe) To tell you the truth this is not how I had envisioned this chapter.  Once I started writing my brain left and my fingers took over.  Now I have to figure out a way to wheedle Draco back into her thoughts.  Shouldn't be too hard since I'm the writer.

PLEASE review I like the impute and it is encouraging to know that people care.  Flames are acceptable as well I might be able to fix it to your liking, maybe.