Harry blinked. He hadn't been expecting that at all. He looked at Hermione, who had unwrapped herself and was now looking pleadingly at Ron. Harry looked back to Ron.
"What on earth is going on here?"
"Listen Ron" Hermione said, walking towards him "It's not what it looks like." He raised his eyebrows.
"*How* is this not what it looks like? You say you're going to get a jacket, and I find you like that?" Hermione stopped in front of him.
"Ron, I have something to tell you." She glanced back at Harry. "We have to tell him." Harry nodded. Ron groaned.
"Let's go to the common room."
Hermione walked grimly to the common room, followed by Ron and Harry (who was torn between trying to comfort Ron, and kicking himself for letting something like this happen.) They reached the common room which was empty. Hermione sat on the floor, gazing into the fire then turning to Harry and Ron who had sat in armchairs. Hermione cleared her throat. She looked over to Harry, then back to Ron who was eyeing them both suspiciously.
"Would you just explain what's going on?" Ron asked impatiently. Hermione nodded.
"The reason Harry and I, the reason we were like that-"
"-Draco was attacking Hermione" Harry cut in. He knew it must be hard for Hermione to get this out, but Ron needed to know, and now. Ron's eyes widened.
"Hermione? What?! Why?" He looked wildly to Hermione. She blushed slightly
"He..um threatened to use the Imperious curse on me. I didn't want to tell you, I knew you'd go mental." Ron's ears turned red as the idea dawned on him about the Imperious curse. His hands clenched into fists and he looked to Harry. Harry felt it was time to explain now.
"Hermione told me after Draco threatened her. She made me swear not to tell you. But I've been watching out for her, and making sure she's never alone. Today, Draco distracted me using Crabbe. While I went to check it out, Draco grabbed Hermione. I took care of him." Harry glanced at Hermione. She nodded.
"I was so scared…I just needed someone to lean on" Hermione sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Ron nodded solemnly.
"I understand why you didn't tell me. But why didn't you tell Professor McGonagall, or Dumbledore?"
Harry looked to Hermione. He hadn't really questioned her when she had come to him for help. Now he was wondering the same thing. Hermione seemed to be considering her answer, looking between the two of them, then back at the fire. "I didn't want to go to a teacher, because everyone would know. I suppose that sounds stupid. I guess it is stupid, but I didn't want a teacher following me everywhere. I would have had to sleep alone, as well. Or maybe even in with Professor McGonagall. And Draco would have been expelled…"
Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows. They exchanged glances. Ron looked worriedly at Hermione.
"Why wouldn't you want Draco expelled after what he's threatened to do to you?" Hermione shook her head slightly.
"I didn't expect you to understand." She sighed. She looked at them both. "I know he seems all bad, but I don't think he is. Here he has the chance to be good. But if he is sent off the Durmstrang, do you think he has any chance at all?"
Harry nodded. He understood, or at least he thought he did. Draco was out of his father's clutches here. If he was expelled, Draco would definitely follow in his father's footsteps. Draco had technically saved Hermione once. He warned them the death eaters were coming there way the night after the Quidditch World Cup Final.
Still, he was dangerous. Harry supposed Draco had got some notion in his head to isolate Hermione, or perhaps he just fancied her and had no other way of expressing it. All in all, Harry just felt sorry for him but was still worried about Hermione. Ron seemed to agree, at least somewhat, although he was still more angry than Harry was. Then again, Harry had a chance to express his rage this afternoon. He sighed.
"Well, he had better not try anything again" Ron frowned. "Or else I'm going to Dumbledore. You're lucky Harry was around Hermione." Hermione nodded.
"Yes, tell Dumbledore if he tries anything again. I'm not sure he will though. I think Harry gave him quite the fright this afternoon." Ron seemed pleased at this.
"What'd you tell him Harry?" Harry squirmed a little.
"I told him that I was more powerful than his father, and that he had better not do it again, that's all." Harry avoided Hermione's eyes. Ron nodded, and seemed satisfied. He turned to Hermione.
"Now you really aren't going anywhere alone. Not until we know that Draco will leave you alone, right Harry?"
He looked over to Harry, who had already been through this. He thought it best not to rub it in Ron's face and nodded. Ron was probably already hurting enough about it. Harry supposed he should have told him on the quiet, but he couldn't break his word to Hermione. The three seemed to have reached the end of the discussion. What more was there to say, after all? "Well, I think we had better get some lunch." Harry said, standing. "It'll be over soon." "I'm not really hungry" Ron mumbled, but he gave him a stern look.
"Well, you're coming anyway. Come on!" He helped Hermione off the floor, and Ron had no choice but to follow.
They made their way to the great hall with no trouble at all. Lunch was indeed ending. Hufflepuff had won the match, and everyone was celebrating, even the Ravenclaws. Hufflepuff were now ahead of Slytherin, and even if they had lost they were glad about that. Harry looked glanced over to the Slytherin table. There was no sign of Draco and he caught Pansy Parkinson saying "I haven't seen him since before the match." Goyle muttered something about him not feeling well, and staying in his room. Harry allowed himself a smile. He supposed Crabbe had relayed the entire story to Goyle, and Draco had sent them away to make excuses for him.
At least he wouldn't be anywhere near Hermione for the rest of the day, and at night she was sharing a room with 2 other girls. They had discussed this point on the way to lunch, and decided she was safe in her room. Plus they couldn't do anything anyway, not being allowed in the girls' dormitory. Ron had also glanced over at the table, and caught Harry's eye, almost smiling.
They ate for last few minutes of lunch in almost-silence. They heard about the highlights of the game from Lee Jordan, who was only too happy to recount the match for them, almost play by play. Things got more cheerful, and they headed back to the common room in higher spirits. Gryffindor was going to win both the cups for sure this year, and everyone was happy about that. Even Ron was looking more cheerful.
The common room was once again crowded, and they decided instead of doing their homework in the common room to go to the library. After an few hours, Harry excused himself. He felt he had a lot of thinking to do, and Hermione had explaining to do as well. Ron was still looking slightly put out by the whole experience, and Harry couldn't blame him.
He made his way back to Gryffindor tower, meeting Nearly Headless Nick on the way back. He glided out through a set of armor, which would have usually startled any student, but Harry was too caught up in his own thoughts. Nick looked down at Harry, his usual cheer fading.
"Alright there, Harry? You look a little down."
"I'm fine Sir Nicholas. Just have a lot on my mind." The ghost nodded.
"Yes, I see. I take it Ron is doing a bit better?" Harry stared at him.
"How did you know about Ron?" Nearly Headless Nick chuckled.
"Well Harry, it's pretty easy to spot when two boys are having girl trouble." He chuckled. //Girl trouble?// Harry thought, confused. //Oh. He thinks Ron and I had a fight over Hermione. I guess it must look that way.// Harry smiled.
"It was just a bit of confusion, I think everything's all sorted out now." Sir Nicholas smiled.
"Well I'm glad to hear that, don't want any fighting in our own house, do we?" Harry smiled and shook his head.
"Not when we're set to win the cup this year." Sir Nicholas nodded and excused himself.
("Off to see the Bloody Baron about Peeves again, I'm afraid.") Harry nodded and continued until he reached the Fat Lady.
"Everything sorted now?" Harry was on the verge of frowning. Did everyone think that was what happened? And how had they all found out? The fat lady must have heard some of the conversation and told Nearly Headless Nick. Harry sighed.
"Yes." He said shortly. "Warble fin." The fat lady sniffed haughtily and moved aside.
"Just wondering.." She said to no one in particular.