*****
Hermione woke up the next morning in a great mood. The previous night was playing in her head as she stood up to got ready for the day ahead of her. Hermione admitted to herself she wished her relationship with Draco wouldn't be so secretive but she also knew that sooner or later the truth would come out. Only, of course, when Draco was ready to tell people, Hermione added to herself. Hermione didn't really mind letting 'people' know about her relationship with Draco. Ron and Ginny already knew, it was just Harry that didn't. If her friends changed their attitude towards her just because of her silly crush then they aren't truly her friends, are they? No, Hermione told herself firmly. Yet she also wasn't sure if this was just a silly crush. Hermione never really had a crush before so how was she supposed to know? Yes, at times she did fancy Harry but that was different. Hermione stopped thinking. She didn't like where her conversation with, well herself, was going. She finished getting into her robes and stared in the mirror fixing her appearance. What have I become? Talking to myself about boys? Caring about what I look like? Since when did I care about my appearance? And wait, no I don't want anyone to know about this relationship. I'm just going to get over this crush by myself. No one has to know. Hermione stared at the girl staring back at her. It was her- but it wasn't her. Nothing is wrong with looking like this its just makeup- everyone wears it! Hermione sighed as she left the common room, heading into the hallways to meet up with her friends.
Hermione was walking through the halls when someone pulled her into the closet. It was dark and Hermione didn't know where she was or who she was with. Then she heard the familiar voice, "Hermione…" Draco replied out-of-breath.
"Draco what are you doing?"
"It's out Hermione," Draco said sounding very… scared. This was the first time Hermione heard Draco scared and frankly she didn't like it. But, Hermione being the smart witch she was, knew exactly what he was talking about. She knew it wasn't him who told anyone. If it was he wouldn't seem so upset. And it defiantly wasn't me.
"Who was it?"
"Pug-faced Pansy."
"For Merlin's Sake Draco why did you tell her?" Hermione said. Harry is going to hate me! Everyone is going to hate me!
"You think I told her?" Draco said. Yes, he was trying hard not to blow up with Hermione. At the moment she was probably the only person who didn't hate him. However, she was making it difficult.
"No…I don't…but…then…who…how did she know?"
"You're smart! Why don't you figure it out?"
"Well then, how does the whole school know?"
"I thought you would have figured that out already…"
"Draco I'm in no mood for games!" Hermione said practically in tears.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get you all mad but it pretty much ruins both our lives if you know what I mean."
Hermione nodded.
Draco started, "Her newspaper…we were the gossip for this week." Draco handed over the paper.
Hermione turned hot pink and dropped the paper. She crumbled herself into a tiny ball and sat in the corner of the dark closet crying. "How did she… know…they all now about Robert... and everything!"
"Look, Hermione I know this is hard for you but something is going on."
Hermione just looked at Draco who was now sitting besides her.
"First Dumbledore sends us to mugglesville and now Pansy turned all Professor Trelawney on us."
Hermione laughed silently, "Someone had to have told her."
"Who?"
"I don't know! Okay…I just don't know! I don't understand anything anymore."
"Look we should go back…err how about I meet you tonight at 10 in the library. Use Harry's invisibility cloak."
"What will you use?"
"I have a cloak too you know, how else would I know about everything that happens around here."
Hermione elbowed Draco in the ribs, "Give me a break!"
"Wait Draco…," Hermione started but Draco had already left.
Hermione walked into the Great Hall trying hard to avoid all the staring eyes which seemed to be following her wherever she went. She sat down at the table. All talking stopped. Lavender Brown put her food by Hermione and said, "So 1-10."
"What?" Hermione asked. She knew everyone was staring at her and didn't feel like talking.
"Don't tell me after all those long hours with Draco you two didn't snog?"
Hermione's face turned bright red.
"So," Lavender continued, "Rate him 1-10."
"Leave us alone Lavender! Barked Harry.
Lavender stormed off muttering something under her breath which was incomprehensible.
Hermione faced towards Harry and was about to speak when Ginny dragged her into the bathroom.
Drink it.
Hermione, in no mood to argue drank the potion.
Sit down.
Again, Hermione did as she was told.
"Hermione relax. Rest. Trust me you must need it, poor thing. But this will pass through. I got you a relaxing potion. It's exactly what you need. Ill talk to Harry too. None of the Professors will know either I mean who would read something by Pansy! Now just relax Hermione…forget about everything," replied Ginny.
Hermione knew at that moment she had the best friend a girl could ask for.
"Ginny in here…in the bathroom?"
"Oh of course the common room…come on!" Ginny helped Hermione up to the common room and Hermione feel asleep immediately.
*****
When Hermione woke up the next morning it took her a moment to remember why she felt so miserable and worried. Then the memory of the previous day rolled over her. She went into Harry's room. She would force Harry to believe how sorry she was from keeping the secret from her. She would kneel on one knee and beg for forgiveness. She pulled back the curtain- only to find that Harry's bed was empty; he had obviously gone down to breakfast.
Hermione dressed and went down the spiral staircase into the common room. The moment she appeared everyone stared at her as if she committed a crime. Hermione heard them talking. It was as if they wanted her to hear. "She disgraces the Gryffindors going out with him!"
The prospect of going down into the Great Hall and facing the rest of the Gryffindors, all treating her like an escaped prisoner from Azkaban, was not inviting. Resolutely, she walked to the portrait hole, pushed it open, climbed out of it, and found herself face-to-face with Ron.
"Hello," he said holding up a stack of toast, which he was carrying in a napkin. "I brought you this… Want to go for a walk?"
"Good idea," said Hermione gratefully.
They went downstairs where they quickly crossed the entrance wall. Neither of them bothered to look into the Great Hall. Soon they were striding across the lawn towards the lake. It was a sunny morning, and they kept moving, munching on their toast, as Hermione told Ron about everything. She included Robert, Draco, Henry and all the events that occurred up till this morning.
"Hermione Granger! Do not go anywhere without me even again! Me or Harry!"
"Harry and I and Ron…what in bloody-"
"Hermione isn't it obvious! Someone somewhere wants you for something. I bet you someone asked the Henry to get close to you so he could use you for something I mean come on! Someone must have told Pansy and you know that-"
"Have you seen Harry?" Hermione interrupted. She needed to change the subject. She couldn't believe it! Why hadn't she thought of it sooner? Ron even got it! Ron figured it out and Hermione was too blind to see what was right in front of her face for the past few weeks.
"Erm…yes I did…he was at breakfast," he said.
"Does he hate me?"
"Honestly?"
"Yes!"
"Well. No, I don't think he…not really," said Ron awkwardly.
"Not really? Ron spit it out!"
"Harry is jealous Hermione! Isn't it obvious?"
"Jealous?" Hermione said incredulously. "Jealous of what? Does he want to be embarrassed in from of the whole school?"
"Look," Ron said patiently "Malfoy saved you, although he was a prat, it was him who was their for you and not Harry…"
Hermione stared blankly at Ron.
"You know how he got that thing for saving people. Hermione, he just wished he was their he feels left out. He really wants to help you. We are worried!"
"That's not funny Ron!"
"What did I do?"
"That thing for saving people?"
"Oh come on! He does. It's his weakness. Remember how Vold-you-know-who used him (referring to the Sirius event in book 5)?"
"Okay, so he likes to be their for you. But, this was a dumb thing that happened it has nothing to do with Voldemont."
"Look he uses people."
Harry approached.
"He used me…and it felt horrible. I don't want that to happen to you Hermione. Pansy's family is in his inner circle. They might have a plan that involves you. Hermione think at any point did Henry want you to tell him about me?"
Hermione froze. "No, but once he made a comment that said something like: let me guess? You have a friend who is going to beat up the bad guy? Eh? And rescue the world from his 'magic powers'. So when is he going to attack?"
"Predictable." Ron said.
"Did you say anything?" Harry said seriously.
"No!"
"I bet you that Malfoy is part of this somehow… him and Pansy!!" Harry said.
"NO! He changed! He isn't like his father. He doesn't want to be like him!" Hermione said in protest.
"You're standing up for him now?" Harry asked.
"You deserve better than someone who can't be the same with you in public as he is in private" Harry said.
Then Pansy approached.
"Watch it mudblood! Let poor my Drakey-poo be! If you lay another dirty hand on his perfect-"
"SHUT IT PARKINSONS!" roared Harry and Ron in unison.
"Call her Rita Seeker," Harry said, "A gossip reporter which no one wants around."
"We will get rid of her though just like we did before," Ron said.
*****
"Drakey! That dirty b*tch is using the Imperius on you! She has the wits! She is playing you like puppet for her sick pleasure!
"Pansy! I like Hermione! I do NOT like you! Get it through your brain. Oh wait- you don't have a brain do you? Because you never THINK!" Draco said.
"Draco…you don't mean that! Tell me the truth."
"I just did!"
Draco walked away again.
"Draco you come back here this instant! I am not done talking with you!"
"But I'm done listening."
A/N- A lot happened. Sorry if it was hard to understand. I don't think it was- but if it was let me know- ill re-write it. Thanks! 300 reviews! I love you all! You are so kind and nice and thanks! Special thanks to those who review every chapter! Next chapter ill start responding to the reviews I get! Hope you liked this chapter!
NEXT CHAPTER: wait…you know what? You'll find out next Friday!