Chapter six: Secrets get out and trouble awaits Harry and Hermione

The next day, Harry and Hermione walked down to the Great Hall, hand in hand with Ron following behind them.

"It's about time you two." Ron said laughing.

"How?" Hermione asked.

"It's been really obvious since the end of our 2nd year." Ron said airily.

"Ha ha. That was so funny I forgot to laugh." Hermione drawled sarcastically.

"Suit yourselves." Ron shrugged and walked away.

The Great Hall was the same as always. The same bustling and talking amongst the four House tables.

Suddenly, as Harry and Hermione walked through the doors, the noise deadened quite quickly. Everyone turned their heads towards the young couple.

"Harry. This is getting really creepy." Hermione whispered.

"Don't worry. I'm here with you, ok." Harry reassured her.

"Ok." Hermione answered.

They sat down at the Gryffindor table and started eating. As more people began to enter the Great Hall, the noise started again.

"What was all that about?" Harry asked Ron suspiciously.

"What?" Ron asked innocently.

"You know!" Hermione snapped. "About me and Harry going out!" she hissed in a dangerous voice.

"Oh, that. Well you see,... I got to go." Ron said hurriedly.

"Where? Potions doesn't even start until 9:30 and it's only 8:55 now!" Hermione replied, almost screaming.

"Tell me Ron. I know something's wrong." Harry said.

"Go on then! Side with your bloody girlfriend! Just remember this, Potter! I'm supposed to be your best friend!" Ron shouted, causing most people in the Great Hall to stop and listen.

"HE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND! YOU'D BETTER REMEMBER THAT I'M YOUR BEST FRIEND TOO!" Hermione screamed making Ron flinch. "I'M GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THIS, ALONG WITH MY FRIENDS FORMING A GIRL GROUP SO I DON'T NEED YOU TO ADD TO MY PROBLEMS! AND YOU'D BETTER BE LUCKY THAT GINNY, SOPHIE NOR STEPHANIE ARE HERE TO HEAR ALL OF THIS!" she added and she also had tears in her eyes.

Just as she had finished screaming at Ron, the rest of Blue had come into the Great Hall.

"What's wrong Mimi?" Sophie asked Hermione as they sat down.

"Come on. I tell you what, right? We'll take a walk by the lake and you can fill us in on what we missed, yeah?" Ginny suggested.

Hermione nodded, then Blue got up from their seats and went out to the main hall towards the big oak doors.

When Hermione had finished telling the girls what had happened, Sophie had a look of fury and disgust on her face.

"I SO CAN NOT BELIEVE HE DID THAT TO YOU!" Ginny screamed.

"Girls, can you do me one small little favour?" Hermione asked as she wiped away remaining tears.

"Sure, what do you want us to do?" Sophie asked.

"Put the Avada Kedavra curse on Ron for me." Hermione said and all four girls burst into a fit of laughter.

"No really what is it you want us to do?" Ginny asked as she stopped laughing.

"Ok, ok. I was only joking there. Can you at least hurt him for me?" Hermione said.

"Sure. We're on it girl! No one, and I mean no one hurts a member of Blue and gets away with it!" Stephanie said.

"I agree!" the other girls chimed.

"Well, come on girls, the Quidditch match is about to start." Hermione reminded them.

"Oh my God! I completely forgot!" Stephanie gasped and the girls ran towards the Quidditch field to watch the game.

"Oh look there's your boyfriend, Steph." Ginny joked.

"Shut up!" Stephanie whined and she was also blushing.

Ron saw the girls coming towards the Quidditch team. His eyes travelled from Ginny, to Sophie, to Hermione and finally they rested on Stephanie. She looked so beautiful. Her long, red/brown hair cascading down to her shoulders. Her crystal clear eyes twinkling happily in the sunlight. Ron was so certain that she had more freckles on her face than he did on his, which he thought was impossible.

"Come on Ron! We've got a game to win against Ravenclaw!" Harry said and both boys walked with the rest of the team and were ready to play.

"Come on! We've got to get our seats girls! The game's about to start." Ginny said and the girls ran to the Gryffindor stands and took their seats.

The game began.

Within five seconds of the Snitch being released, Harry and Draco both caught either side of it. Slytherin and Gryffindor had tied.

"You were great Harry!" Hermione screamed as he came flying towards her on his broom.

"Thanks 'Mione. C'mon, sit on the back of my broom. I promise I won't drop you ok." Harry said, holding out a hand for Hermione.

She held onto his hand tightly and slowly climbed on the back.

"Harry, I'm kinda scared." Hermione whispered.

Just then, without anyone knowing it, a bludger came zooming towards Harry and Hermione, knocking Hermione off the back.

"HERMIONE!" Harry, Ginny ,Ron and Draco cried.

Draco swooped down to catch her and caught her just before she hit her death.

"Thanks Draco." Hermione breathed then she passed out.

Draco took Hermione to the Hospital Wing.

She looks so beautiful. Draco thought. Wait, am I supposed to be thinking like this about my girlfriend's best friend?