A/N: Hi again everyone. Here's Chapter 8! I'm also going to change the title of the story, so if anyone has any ideas, please feel free to leave them in a review. Thanks!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters are property of Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling.

Professor Snape looked around his already heart at work class as he took roll. There were only two students missing. Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger.

Ron and Harry were partners for the sleeping potion they were making and were starting to become slightly worried about Hermione. They were busy chatting away about Quidditch when Snape walked up to them.

"Since you two are so buddy-buddy with Miss Granger, can either of you two tell me where she is?" Harry and Ron looked blankly at Snape, then Harry spoke.

"We saw her about a half hour before class, but then she said she was going to the library and she'd see us in potions." Harry finished with a shrug. The Potion Master eyed him evilly, trying to catch him in the act of lying, but Potter was clearly telling the truth.

"What about Mr. Malfoy?"

"We don't talk to him," Ron said flat out. Snape gave them both dark looks before he walked away.

"You don't think Malfoy did something to her?" Ron asked, cutting the roots on the table more aggressively.

Harry shook his head, "No, they're probably not even together."

******

"Just say it Hermione, Please."

"I can't. I'd be lying." Draco's grip loosened on her.

"Then why don't you want to be with me?" There was a mixture of hurt and anger in his voice.

"I do. I do but I can't. Not anymore," Hermione's brown eyes were beginning to water.

"Why? Who cares about what everyone says? I don't anymore. You shouldn't," he reached into his pocket and took out the ring he had given Hermione. It was made gold, with a diamond heart in the center. "Please, Hermione." He took her left hand in his and squeezed it gently.

Hermione looked down at their linked hands. Slowly a small smile began forming on her face.

"I want to be with you, Hermione. We can easily jump any hurtle we have to face. Take this ring back. It's my promise ring, because I promise you, with all my heart and soul, that I'll forever be with you and that one day, I'll marry you." He placed the ring onto her finger.

"I love you," the Gryffindor whispered.

"I love you too," the Slytherin responded. He leaned his head downward just a little and pressed his lips to hers.

******

"Where is she? Class is going to be over in less than half an hour and she still isn't here." Ron looked anxiously at his watch then at the door. Harry stirred their potion and sighed. Ron sighed after him and continued to cut up the roots they needed. He was about to throw them into the boiling cauldron when the dungeon door flew open. Harry and Ron looked in unison to see Hermione walk in, her hair clearly messed up and her breathing heavy, showing she had been running.

"S…Sorry, Professor…I…lost track of…time." Hermione managed to gasp out. Snape surveyed her and his eyebrows raised slightly.

"I'm pleased you've decided to grace us with your appearance Miss Granger. 15 points will be taken from Gryffindor for your extremely late entrance. Go now and join Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley." Snape waved his hand in the boy's direction.

Hermione sighed in relief that she hadn't gotten detention and sat down on the right side of Harry.

"Why bother to come to class at all Hermione? What happened?" Ron immediately asked as he began cutting more roots.

"I…well…" Hermione stuttered out as she ran her left hand threw her hair. Harry caught something glitter on her ring finger. His eye's widened slightly and he seized her hand and looked at it. Hermione quickly snatched her hand away and gave Harry a look.

"Be right back," Ron said as he got up to wash his hands at the sink.

"Draco gave you that ring!" Harry quickly stated. "You gave it back to him though." He gave her a curious look before he realized why she was late.

"Are you…?"

"Yes we are," Hermione answered and a small smile appeared on her face. Harry smiled at her.

"All right. So that's why you were late."

"Yes, but Harry, please, don't tell Ron yet. I don't know how I'll tell him, but I will. Soon, but not now." Harry sighed slightly.

"All right. But I can't keep your secret forever."

Ron walked back and sat down. "Okay, anyway, why were you late?"

"You heard what I told Snape. I lost track of time in the library," She smiled at Ron, hopping he'd believe her. Ron raised his eyebrows a little but then shrugged it off.

"So you weren't with Malfoy?" he asked. As if on cue, Draco walked into potions. His usually slicked back hair was untidy and there were lipstick marks on his cheek, which he was trying to rub off. Snape took a look at him, then glanced at Hermione, who pretended to be copying the notes on the bored.

"Sorry Professor," he said as he walked up to Snape's desk. Snape placed a finger on the collar of Draco's shirt, which, like his face, had lipstick marks on it.

"I assume you were having a bit of fun, Mr. Malfoy?" he said all most teasing like. Draco moved his robe up, and stuck his collar underneath it.

"No, Sir, I just…lost track of time," he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Snape smirked slightly.

"I think I shall suggest that Professor Dumbledore give the students watches for Christmas," he said. "In the meantime, Malfoy, make sure it never happens again. Take down the notes on the board." Draco nodded and sat down at his usual spot and began to write down the notes, stealing a glance at Hermione, who gave him a small smile. He grinned back. Snape went around checking the potions and deducting points from Gryffindor, before the bell signaling the end of class rang.

The trio went to the rest of their classes, without anything eventful happening, unless you count Neville accidentally knocking over a glass filled with cockroaches over, freeing them and McGonagall lecturing him on how to be careful.

It was dinnertime for the students, and everyone headed for the Great Hall. Ron, Harry and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table, joking and laughing with the rest of the house. Hermione was sitting by Ron, and Ron was sitting by Harry, across from Ginny and her friends.

"Hermione, what happened? I haven't seen you this happy for awhile." Ron commented as they finished laughing.

"What? Oh, nothing," she smiled brightly at him. She looked over Ron at Harry, who had seemed to go a shade paler.

"Harry? What's wrong," Hermione asked, as Ron looked at Harry curiously. Harry bit his lip and motioned for Hermione to turn.

"Hey Herm," Draco said cheerfully, about to take a seat next to her.

"What are you doing here?" Ron quickly questioned, standing up to face him. Harry groaned slightly and Hermione looked up from Draco to Ron.

"I'm...going...to sit down…with my girlfriend," Draco said slowly.

"You girlfriend? Hermione, what's he talking about?" Ron asked. Hermione in the meantime had tried to disappear into her plate of food. Harry made a 'stop!' formation to Draco over Ron's shoulder. Draco looked from Ron, to Harry then to Hermione. Finally the thought dawned on him.

"Oh my--Hermione! You didn't tell him?" Draco asked. Hermione shook her bushy head slowly.

"You didn't tell me? Tell me what?" Ron asked, looking at Hermione, then at Harry. "Harry, do you know what they're talking about?" Harry sighed and nodded.

"Ron…I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you privately, I didn't mean for you to find out like this, but Draco and I…we're back together." Hermione said as she stood up in between Draco and Ron. She showed Ron her left hand, which had her ring on it. Ron looked from Draco to Hermione.

"What…?" he said in disbelief. By then most of the Great Hall was facing them, whispers from the other tables being heard.

"I'm sorry Ron." Hermione said, placing her hand on Ron's arm. He jerked himself away from her.

"Don't bother to be," he mumbled as he walked past them, pushing Draco slightly as he walked by. Hermione watched him walk out the Great Hall, hurt in her eyes.

"I'll go talk to him," Harry said, jumping up from his seat and following the red head out the doors. The rest of the Great Hall had lost their interest and went back to talking amongst themselves. Hermione sat down, placing her elbows up on the table and resting her head in her hands. Draco sat down next to her.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry, I didn't know you hadn't told him. And I never thought he'd react like that."

"It's all right, I should have told him straight off. It's just…I didn't want to hurt him." Hermione lifted her head and looked at Draco.

"You're always thinking about making other people happy. Why don't you concentrate on making yourself happy for once, okay?" Draco said as he kissed the top of her forehead gently. Hermione smiled at him and rested her head against his shoulders, not caring who saw anymore.

"You're right…"

A/N: Don't forget to review!