Things were now a lot less awkward between Harry and Hermione in History of Magic. As Professor Binns droned on and on Giants Wars of the 1st century in a monotonous tone, out of the corner of Hermione's eye she saw Harry write a note and give it to Ron. He smiled as Ron opened it and read it. He smiled back at Harry, who then went back to taking notes on a brutal victory of a rather barbaric giant tribe. Ron then leaned over and gave the note to Hermione. Hermione opened it and read:

"I AM GOING OUT WITH HERMIONE."

She was puzzled at why Ron gave this to her. "Why'd you give this to me?" she whispered.

"I dunno," Ron whispered back.

"Because this is not news to me that I am going out with Harry." She had fun saying that- I am going out with Harry. It had a certain ring to it that she liked.

"Yeah, well goes to show you how crazy he is about you."

"I don't see how this proves anything." Ron simply glared back at her as she handed the note back to him. Hermione then ignored Ron and her surroundings and daydreamed about the Hogsmeade trip on November 1st- only two days away.

***

The next morning was Halloween. Hermione woke up in the middle of a dream where a giant talking pumpkin was giving her advice on how to kiss.

After she had gotten dressed, she went down to the common room to meet up with Ron and Harry. As Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs, and people saw, they began whispering and glancing from her to Harry, who was standing on the other side of the common room.

"Why is everyone staring at us?" asked Harry as Hermione approached.

"I was going to ask you the same question," Hermione replied.

Wondering what was up, the trio went down to breakfast. Harry sat down next to Hermione and Ron sat across from Harry. As they were about to dig into their blueberry pancakes, a cold, malicious voice spoke from behind Harry and Hermione.

"So, I guess it is true," sneered Draco Malfoy.

Harry and Hermione turned around to face the blond boy.

"What's true?" said Hermione with a puzzled expression.

"The rumors."

"What rumors?" retorted Harry.

"That you two are now an item."

"So what if we are?" said Harry defiantly.

"Awww, how cute!" mocked Malfoy. "Scarhead and the Mudblood are going out! Anyone want to make a bet on how long they will be together? I say two days."

"You know what? I have a question for you, you rich snob!" yelled Hermione as she got up out of her seat and faced Draco. "If you hate Harry and I soooo much then why is half your worthless existence devoted to us, even if it may be mocking us. What, your own pathetic life isn't good enough for you? You have ferret around in other people's business to fill that void?" she sneered, placing extra emphasis on ferret with a mischievous grin. Now, she stood before a speechless Draco Malfoy.

"I- uh- er- um-" Malfoy stuttered.

"That's exactly what I thought!" Hermione whirled around and sat back down, leaving everyone in the vicinity staring at a dumbfounded Draco.

"Wow, Hermione, I'm impressed," said Ron after Draco had gone back to the Slytherin table.

"Yeah well, ya know, I try."

Harry smiled to himself and thought, Yeah, I am impressed. And that's my girlfriend.

So it was out. The news that Harry and Hermione were going out had spread, but how? They had been going out for less than 24 hours! Maybe that would explain why everyone was staring at us in the common room this morning, thought Hermione.

"How would the Slytherins know? Only Ron knows, and obviously you and me, so how does the whole school now know?" commented Harry.

Hermione then remembered about that note Harry gave to Ron, and Hermione now thought of when she was leaving History of Magic, she saw a piece of paper on the floor, but hadn't thought twice about it. "Maybe because Ron left a note on the floor saying we were going out and the Slytherins had that class next!" she said, looking over to Ron.

"Oops," he replied guiltily. Hermione did not really care though, this was her first boyfriend and nothing could spoil it.