*****

Hermione was sitting by the desk taking out her binder filled with her best notes on Charms when Malfoy walked into the room and sat down on the chair besides her. Hermione took out her notes and gave them to Draco who stared them, although she knew he had no interest in them whatsoever. After a few awkward moments of silence Hermione, remembering the note, looked at Draco square in the eye and said, "What do we need to talk about?"

Draco stared at Hermione as if she just received a C on a final exam.

Hermione, noticing Draco's confusion replied, "The note you sent me…."

Draco's face immediately paled. Damn it! That dumb owl! "It's nothing…" Draco mumbled.

Hermione then started to explain to Draco a simple spell in Charms that she was sure was bound to come up on their final exam. Suddenly, Draco slammed his hands on the desk, causing Hermione to stop talking and stare at him. "What are we doing?" he said.

"Well, before you interrupted I was trying to teach you a simple Charms spell which you really ought to know since it's..."

"No, that's not what I meant," Draco said interruption Hermione.

"What did you mean then?" Hermione asked softly slowly realizing where this was heading to.

"I mean…why are we ignoring each other?" Draco stated trying to sum up all his thoughts into a short reply.

"It's what we agreed to before we left. You wanted it to be like this Draco," Hermione said. She wasn't in the mood to discuss why they should ignore each other again; she already played it in her mind at least four times a day. And Hermione, he is Malfoy not Draco!

Draco stood up grabbing Hermione's hand and sat down on the couch with her besides him. They were so close Hermione could feel his breath ticking her neck. They were so close Hermione could smell him.

"Hermione I can't take this any longer. I want to be with you," Draco said softly.

Hermione was floating. She didn't even realize how good it made her feel that Draco still had feelings for her until he just stated it. Hermione knew now she wasn't alone.

Hermione didn't resist as Draco leaned over to meet his lips with hers. She closed her eyes awaiting the moment she would be able to taste him once again. When the moment arrived and Draco's hands were wrapped around her Hermione felt safe and everything seemed very uncomplicated.

Hermione looked into Draco's eyes and asked, "Why must we hide this?"

Draco pulled back and said, "Hermione that's not fair. You know why already…."

Hermione replied sadly, "We can never be with each other."

"We can Hermione, I am here now," Draco said. "And I'm not going anywhere." He gently placed his hands under her soft chin and tilted her face towards him so he could bend forward and kiss her sweetly on her mouth.

Hermione tried to think if she really wanted a secret relationship with him or if it was best not to even get it started. However, it was hard for her to maintain her thoughts when he was kissing her like she was the only girl on the planet.

Breaking their kiss Hermione said softly, "We should stop."

Draco, licking his lips and pushing the hair from Hermione's face nodded in agreement.

Sitting up Hermione had to ask, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Draco replied, "Exactly what do you mean by that?"

"Are you sure you want to have this 'secret' relationship with me?"

"I want to." His voice was firm with conviction, and she knew that this time he really meant it.

*****

Draco woke up the next morning, in high spirits still from the pervious night. He quickly got into his robes and headed into the hall. There was great commotion and everyone was talking to each other in disbelief as if they just found out a huge secret. He spotted Pansy in the middle of the commotion yelling, "Get your paper here with the truth about everything going on here at Hogwarts." Pansy was standing, handing out newsletters as if it wasn't just a bunch of dumb articles on where the stars were in the atmosphere. Pansy's finally getting some attention. At least now I don't have to deal with her unwanted attention to me. Draco then noticed a bunch of people staring at him and looking down at the paper. For Merlin's Sake, did Pansy include what a great pureblood family I come from or something? Draco sighed and continued to walk uncertain about why he seemed to be getting these weird looks from his fellow classmates and even the Slytherins. He walked up to Crabbe who he spotted through the thick crowd and said, "What's the bloody hell is going on?"

"I can't hear you, speak louder. Too many people…" said Crabbe yelling.

Draco repeated the question louder and Crabbe nodded and spoke, "It's nothing Draco, just a dumb romance article on two students from different houses or something."

Draco eyes sparked with delight. Hmm let me guess Potter and…no WESEAL and Pansy… "Who are they? I won't let them forget this…" Draco said winking at Crabbe.

"Er…it was a kid from Slytherin," Crabbe said thinking hard, trying to remember the article he read only moments ago. "His name began with a D I think it was… yeah… and er…it was also that girl, the one who used to have frizzy hair and buck teeth…ummm…the smart know-it-all…oh yeah I remember! Granger!"

Draco felt as if his heart stopped and paled. He felt as if Potter just stole the snitch from right under his nose. Immediately, he ran through the crowd at looked at Pansy and demanded a paper. Pansy smiled an evil grin and handed over the paper to him saying, "Check out the gossip section. You might enjoy it. The rest of Hogwarts sure does!" Laughing at her own joke, Draco noted on what a pig she looked like with her pug nose. I don't believe she sank this low! Draco in disbelief read through the article. For Merlin's Sake! How did she find all this out? About my owl and... Draco nearly dropped the paper. No. Draco sighed. There is no way she could have figured all this out! I mean I didn't tell anyone about Robert and Henry and I'm sure Hermione didn't. Draco knew it was over. Everything. His father was going to find out. Snape might tell him or if he didn't he was sure Pansy would. His reputation was completely ruined all for a dumb girl. Draco threw the paper to the ground and stomped on it wishing it would just disappear. Everyone now was going to think of him as a soft, romantic, trader. All except maybe Goyle and Crabbe . They were to dumb to remember anything. Was it even worth it? Why in bloody hell did I risk all of this? I could have any girl I want. But I chose GRANGER! No Draco, a voice in his head told him. You didn't choose Hermione, your heart did.

A/N- Sorry guys I know it's so short! I'm on winter break and vacation and I'm using the library. Next chapter will be MUCH longer, I PROMISE!

NEXT CHAPTER: Hermione reacts to the article along with Harry, Ron, Ginny, and everyone else. Also some true confessions are revealed.  

Thanks to all my current reviewers. Especially the ones who review after every chapter I post. I love you all!