Chapter Four
As Harry broke from his shock induced stupour he became aware of his situation and surroundings. Draco was currently snuggled in his arms and Hermione was stood, mouth agape looking ready to collapse.
"Huh, he what-I didnt...Huh?" Hermione said her ability to be articulate sadly lacking.
Draco sniggered, "How verbose Granger, aren't you supposed to be the smart one?" Hermione, however, was still so stunned that she continued to stand perfectly still attempting to lower her jaw through the floor. Harry was a little more aware and at his boyfriend's comment slapped him lightly upside the head. Draco grumbled slightly before snuggling further into Harry's embrace and burying his face in his lover's neck. Draco felt Harry's chest rumble slightly before he heard the slight cough the brunette emitted.
"Did he just say that he was in love with Pansy? As in Slytherin-Pansy-Parkinson-Pansy?" Harry asked bewilderment evident in his tone.
"Yes love, he did, unless of course you know another Pansy in the school." Draco said contentedly nuzzling Harry's collarbone.
Harry shocked look continued for a few seconds before a grin began to creep across his features. Harry emitted a small laugh before speaking. "Well bugger me! Our Ron in love with Pansy, now that's a turn up for the books!" Harry continued to look a cross between amused and shocked and looked down at his lover. Seeing the grin on Draco's face, Harry answered it with one of his own, tightening his arms around the blonde in his arms. Harry looked up at Hermione and saw that her mouth was still wide open her eyeballs making an admirable attempt to leap out of their sockets. Seeing this Harry was struck by the memory of his friend's crush on Ron.
"Oh, God, Mione I'm sorry, this must be so hard for you to deal with." Harry said disentangling himself from his lover's embrace and making his way to his friend's side.
Having regained control of her faculties Hermione turned to look at her friend, a look of genuine confusion emblazoned across her features. "What are you talking about Harry? Why would this be hard to deal with? I mean, yeah it's a shock and all, but Ron's one of my best friends. If Pansy makes him happy, then I'm happy for him. I just really wasn't expecting that. He's never even mentioned fancying her." Hermione said a slight look of annoyance replacing the confusion. "I can't believe he didn't tell me." Hermione swung around to face Harry, who had moved back to Draco's side, and practically snarled at him. "For that matter, I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Hermione cried, outraged.
"Hey! I didn't know, he told me when he told you! He's never mentioned a thing to me either!"
Harry tightened his arms around Draco and glared at Hermione.
Hermione rolled her eyes at her friend and moved to stand before he and his boyfriend. "Not Ron, you idiot, you and Malfoy! I can't believe you didn't tell me." Hermione said sadness evident in her tone. "Do you not trust me or something?"
"Of course I trust you Mione, but we wanted to keep this a secret to keep Draco, and you and Ron safe. If I'd told anyone about us, it would have put Draco in danger from his father and the person who knew as well. I couldn't risk you, Ron or Draco like that." Harry looked up at his friend forlornly from under his lashes.
"Oh sweetie, I'm sorry." Hermione said moving forward to pull her friend into a hug. "It's just, so much seems to have been going on with you and Ron and neither of you have told me a thing." Hermione said rubbing her hands up and down Harry's back gently. Harry remained in Hermione's embrace for a few moments before returning to his lover's arms and burying his face in that ivory neck once more.