When Harry left the Great Hall for first class beside Hermione it took all he had to stop himself from running to Draco. It would probably ruin the lie the Slytherin had surely made up for his housemates in explanation of the two boys' recent over-friendliness. So he made due conversing with Hermione, asking how she had been for the last few days, the answer obviously being "fine". Does anybody actually say anything else when asked how they've been? They could've jumped off a cliff and been completely paralyzed and still when asked how they've been they'll surely say "fine". Human nature is sometimes strange.

"So yeah, you haven't noticed anything strange with me in the last few days have you?" Harry asked almost hesitantly. He had to know whether she knew about him and Draco or not, if so, he needed a valid excuse. He took it seriously when Draco said no one could know they were still together.

Hermione looked at him, trying not to bite on her lower lip nervously. Should she say she had noticed something strange between Harry and Draco or would that give her away? If she hadn't noticed, she may sound stupid, or maybe he'll think she's lying. But if she told him she noticed it, would he think she had something to do with it? Maybe he thought it was just something natural, that he had done it all on his own. She didn't want to sound ignorant, maybe she should just tell him, subtly.

"Well, uhm," she looked down the hallway, anywhere but at his eyes," I don't know, it seemed like you've been a lot...friendlier with Malfoy. But then again, I haven't really been around you a lot you know?"

Damn, she'd noticed. "Oh yeah, I-uh," Shit, he had to come up with something good. What had Draco said? He hadn't told him. Shit," Well, about that..." He'd have to pull something out of thin air," I think someone slipped something into our foods, like as a joke or something. It passed though. Just some sort of practical joke." He half-laughed nervously. Would she buy it?

"Oh. Huh. Yeah. Well, somebody has a bad sense of humor." Hermione forced a smile onto her lips. He couldn't know, he would've said it outright if he'd suspected her, right? He wouldn't have befriended her again. Yeah.

Harry smiled more convincingly," Yeah, yeah they do."

"Any idea who?" She had to ask, she just had to.

"No, but whatever, it's over." There, just end the conversation. She bought it, now don't push it.

"Yeah. Good idea, just let it go." It was almost is though a load was lifted off her shoulders. He didn't know, he didn't need to.

"Yeah." They had reached the classroom. Harry looked in and saw Ron sitting between Dean and Seamus. Anger rushed to his head and he clenched his teeth slightly. He wanted to go over and pop Ron one in the jaw, but what good would that do? Absolutely none. He walked instead to a table in the middle of the classroom, on the opposite side of the room as Ron, beckoning Hermione to follow him. She seemed pleased as pie at the invitation, it had been so long since anyone was remotely nice to her.

She turned to him as she sat with such happiness on her face Harry was suddenly awkward.

"What?" He asked with a puzzled look.

"Nothing. I'm just so happy we're friends again." She sighed and turned to the front of the room as the DADA teacher arrived, Mr. Geroffa. He had now been DADA teacher for two years, a new record at Hogwarts.

He wasn't the most exciting teacher they had ever had, but he was nice, and the classes went by quickly. Today they studied Snerploes, strange little bright yellow creatures with dewy blue eyes that took up half of their tiny faces. They had a tendency to cause troublesome magic every time they sneezed, it made for an interesting hour since they were allergic to pretty much everything.

Ron approached Harry and Hermione at the end of class, looking between them with something similar to disgust upon his face.

"Hermione," He took the time to pronounce the name, unlike when they were friends and he had taken to calling her 'Mione, she glared at him," I need to speak with you."

Harry looked at Ron suspiciously but stayed silent and glanced over at Hermione who, to his surprise, nodded curtly and followed Ron out of the room. He looked after them and wondered what this was all about but refrained from following them and eaves dropping. It was just too much of a break of trust, and he had just gotten Hermione back.

Eventually he walked out of the classroom and made his way to the secluded hallway in hopes that Draco had gotten away from his housemates for a little while.

-

"Did you fix it?" Ron demanded as soon as he was sure they were out of sight. He faced her and again her back was to the wall. It made her very claustrophobic, she never thought she'd see the day where she was actually afraid of Ron.

"Yes." She answered, her eyes to the floor. Suddenly a thought occurred and she looked up into Ron's eyes," You didn't tell him. Why didn't you tell him?"

Ron looked at her, unsure of what to say. He opened and closed his mouth a couple times before speaking, his voice quieter and softer than it had been a moment ago," He didn't need to know."

Wow, he still sort of cared for her. "Well, thanks."

"It wasn't for you," Ron spat back at her. "And I don't care if Harry took you back, our friendship is still no longer."

Hermione's face hardened. She was a fool. Of course he hadn't done it for her. " As if I would want you back."

Ron's face flushed red. "I'd watch it if I were you. One more slip and you're out of the game for good."

"Is that a threat?" Hermione stared incredulously.

Ron sneered, the look would've made Malfoy jealous. "Test it." He said, dangerously quiet, then turned and stalked away.

How could some ridiculous chain of events completely ruin such a good friendship? Hermione pondered the thought as she walked off in search of Harry, the only friend she had left.

-

"I wondered if you would come." Draco purred as Harry stepped into the corridor.

"Where else would I go?" Harry smiled genuinely, charmingly.

Draco looked back at the brunette, questions bubbling up in his thoughts but he pushed them all away and allowed Harry to melt into his arms. Their lips met in a heat and both boys got dragged into the passion of the moment. Draco pushed his hands through Harry's messy hair and loved the soft feel of the silken locks. He felt Harry's hands slide up his shirt to caress his bare back, kneading at tense muscles he hadn't known were knotted.

After what seemed like centuries and yet not enough time the boys let go of each other and bid farewell, walking away to their own respective second classes.

Would what they had last? Could it? Draco scuffed his shoes against the stone floor as he walked, lost in thought. As soon as he lost the sense of Harry at his back he was cold again. Alone. He couldn't stand another class period like that. Would they ever be accepted for what they were? A couple? Lovers? Soul mates even? His father wouldn't. Or couldn't. It was a close line between the two when it came to Lucius. If he found out how would Draco be punished? Would Lucius go so far as to murder his own son over a choice in lovers? Or worse, would he force Draco to hand Harry over to Voldemort? He just didn't know. It scared him what his father was capable of. He used to admire Lucius' cold composure, the way he didn't let emotions get in the way. Now it just frightened him. Of course he would never tell anyone of his fears. Malfoys didn't have fears. That frightened him as well, how far Harry had pushed into his mind. He was the only one who knew the hopes and fears in Draco's heart. Nobody should have had that privilege. What was he getting himself into? This relationship was getting too complicated too quickly.

A/N Wow, I am so sorry this took so long to post. Ever had writer's block? I had a severe case. Hope you like what I finally came up with. I've even got continuation ideas that I hope to post soon, though school is starting in just a week. Anywho, please review. You know I love to hear feedback from you all.