A Couple's Obstacles

"I would go anywhere, anytime baby say the word

To prove that this heart of mine is yours

No matter what it takes I'll see it through, do anything to get to you

Anywhere, anytime"

Students were filing into the Great Hall, ready for a new day but oblivious to the news to come. Hermione looked across to the Slytherin table, and noticed Draco eating by himself. All of his so-called "friends" had abandoned him ever since word got out that he and Hermione were a couple. Now they just give dirty looks whenever they pass him since they feel betrayed by their own kind. She had a similar experience with the Gryffindors, but not as extreme. Some of her friends, including Harry and Ron, were still baffled as to why she would get herself involved with their own enemy. Others, such as Lavender, were excited that she gets to date the best-looking guy in the whole school. It seemed as if everyone was talking about this new topic but hushed down when Professor Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement.

"I have some news to tell you, and I urge you all to listen carefully to me."

Everyone in the hall quieted down as they turned their attention to their headmaster.

"Two of our students, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, have gone missing" he paused for a while to let everybody finish their whispering, "I do not know what happened but I have been told that they seemed to have vanished into thin air leaving a black rose behind. I do not know the significance of that particular item but I advise you if you see it anywhere, or if you witness first-hand a disappearance, that you report it immediately. I assure you that all the teachers in the school have taken protective measures to ensure your safety."

By the time Dumbledore finished, everyone erupted into conversations of what he had just said. Nobody knew what he was talking about so they were more than curious and frightened that strange occurrences were happening right in their very school. That is, except the four people who had actually eye witnessed Dean's vanishing. They all sat silently playing with their food, engrossed in their own issues and problems to care about their surroundings.

"Hermione," Harry calmly said.

The brunette looked up from her plate at the sound of her name to the person who was sitting across from her.

"Hmm?"

"Umm... me and Ron," he looked at the red-headed boy beside him, "we've thought about it."

"Thought about what?"

"You know," Ron paused, "you and... and... and-"

"Draco."

"Yeah, him."

"Well? What have you got to say?"

"We've thought about it and we think that you're making a big mistake getting yourself involved with Malfoy," Harry said.

"Draco."

"What?"

"His name's Draco."

"That bloke doesn't deserve a name," Ron muttered under his breath.

"I don't think that I'm making a big mistake," Hermione stated, who apparently didn't hear Ron's comment.

"You didn't let me finish. Even though we think you're making a big mistake being with...," Harry paused, "him, we'll still support your decision."

Hermione beamed. "You will?"

"Yeah, but we're only doing this for you."

"I know. Thank you guys!" she said as she leaned across the table to hug her two best friends.

"Just remember, if he tries anything funny on you, we'll be here-"

"To kick his arse," Ron said.

"Oh, don't be silly. You don't need to do that!" Hermione exclaimed.

"You're right. After all, what's magic for? Just use a couple of hexes and curses and for sure, he'll learn not to-"

"Ron!"

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"Well, I'm glad you've given him a chance," Hermione said.

"That doesn't mean we're going to start being friends with him. We'll try to be civil towards him as long as he does the same," Harry told her.

"The keyword there is try, Hermione," Ron stated.

"I know it'll be hard for you boys to do this, but trust me on this," she smiled and turned her attention to the Slytherin boy across the hall, "doesn't he look terribly lonely back there?"

They turned around to see what she was talking about. Sure enough, Draco was sitting alone at the end of the Slytherin table, playing with his food and looking miserable. Everyone in his House were still giving him dirty looks and calling him a "traitor" but he had learned to ignore them. It was very ironic how only a couple of weeks ago, he was surrounded by admirers and followers, but now he was completely alone. Well, not entirely alone; after all, he has Hermione on his side, and that was enough for him. He looked up to meet Hermione's gaze, and smiled weakly. She grinned back knowing she felt sorry for him since he didn't have loyal and sincere friends like she has. Feeling very uncomfortable, Draco got up from his seat and slowly walked out of the Great Hall, all the while keeping his eye on Hermione. This wasn't a very smart move since he accidentally bumped into someone.

"Watch where you're going!" Pansy exclaimed.

"Bugger off, Pansy" Draco said.

"No!" she felt more and more confident towards him ever since his reputation dwindled. "What's wrong with you lately! You've been completely ignoring me and now I hear you're with that mudblood?!"

She instantly regretted saying those words since his face suddenly became cold, and his eyes seemed more dangerous than they have ever been.

"Don't ever, and I mean EVER, call her that again, do you hear me?"

Pansy scoffed. "You say that to her face every chance you get! And you're telling me to stop it?"

"Some people change for the better, Pansy. Others just stay ugly and idiotic... with you as their queen." Before she could say anything, he walked away to avoid any further conversation with her.

He found himself walking along the corridors to the Potions classroom. Of course, that is his next class so there's no excuse as to why he would be here. He entered the room and noticed that there was nobody else there except him. He was very early, but he didn't care since he didn't feel like being bothered anyway. He sat on the appropriate seat and rested his head. There were so many issues and events clouding his mind that he thought his head would explode.

I knew I would be given a less-than-dirt status from the Slytherins. Dating a Gryffindor, a muggle-born, would definitely cause this uproar from them. But she's worth it. Every second of it. I would, without a doubt, do anything for her even... oh, my nightmare! I wonder what it was telling me. I hope it won't come true. No, don't think about it; it's just something silly. Probably just from all the stress. But why does the pain feel so real? He wondered to himself. Maybe I should... yes just in case, start protecting Hermione more to prevent anything from happening to her. I mean, you never know right? I wonder who that voice was. It couldn't have been him, could it? How would he know that I care for Hermione? People must think I've gone mad to have feelings for her, especially Father if he hears anything. Ha ha. Oh Merlin.

Draco's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he heard students starting to enter the classroom. They were all chatting about Dumbledore's announcement, and making their own theories of the vanishings.

"Can you believe what he said? Maybe it's The Attack of the Roses!"

"Or maybe it's all really just some kind of joke from the teachers!"

"But why those two?"

"Maybe they hated roses."

Draco could tell they were only just a group of Slytherins since they were laughing and making fun of the disappearances, not taking in the seriousness of it all. They hadn't been there, he had. They hadn't actually experience the horror of watching Dean fading into thin air, and here they were, joking about everything. Had he been that shallow before? Had he teased everything that he didn't understand? The answer was obvious. Of course he did; he tormented Hermione many times before he knew her better. He was the leader of all the Slytherins having many followers along the way. But that all changed ever since he put his life in perspective. He was thankful for that, or else he'd feel nothing inside, but have everything at his feet.

He looked around the classroom, and noticed that everyone was there, except for...

"Hermione!"

"Wait up!"

Hermione walked into the room very quickly with Harry and Ron trailing behind her. They were panting and couldn't wait to sit down on their seats. They had been yelling at her to stop dashing to class so fast since she had ran all the way from the Great Hall to the dungeon to avoid being late for Potions. The moment they sat down, the Potions master entered the room from his office. He started lecturing on the various kinds of potions that they will be studying and making, but Draco wasn't paying attention. He never did, and yet he still has the second-highest mark in the class. Next to Hermione, of course. He glanced at her and noticed how she was sitting so upright and listening to every word that Snape had to say. He smiled at the sight, unaware that someone was speaking to him.

"Mister Malfoy!"

He jerked his head to the front of the room, where Snape was standing.

"Do you know the answer to my question?" the Professor asked.

"Erm... w-wha-"

"Speak up!"

"What was your question?"

Snape's eyes narrowed and his voice became even deeper than it already was. "Maybe, Mister Malfoy, you would know what I asked if you were paying attention here, instead of looking over," Snape nodded his head to the Gryffindor direction, "there. Can anyone answer for Mister Malfoy?"

Immediately, Hermione's hand shot up in the air, but Snape ignored her completely. "Anybody?"

Seeing as nobody knew, except one, he gave up and answered for them. "Pathetic. A Bicorn is a mythic demonic creature that has two horns and lives on eating the flesh of faithful and enduring husbands. The female equivalent of Bicorn is called Chichevache. Its horns are useful as potion ingredients," he paused as most of the students were taking notes on his information, "I want you to write a ten-foot essay on what I said about the Bicorn, except in more specific detail, and the various potions that requires the horns in order to produce an effect. Go."

At his command, all the students took out their quills and parchments and started to write. It was an easy essay, one that Draco could do in no time, so it didn't matter if he began it now or at the last-minute. He wrote one sentence but stopped when his mind began to wander off.

What would Dumbledore know about the disappearances? Draco knew that he said he didn't know what happened, but that's not his usual self. He knows everything, which is what makes Dumbledore such a mystery. Could Draco himself have anything to do with this? After all, his family is known to be associated with the Dark Lord and it would explain why the Headmaster would want to talk to him. But if that was the case, he would've heard something, especially from his father. However, he hadn't received a word from his family for some time now. But wait... there was that letter he burnt that his father wrote to him. Draco cursed himself for getting rid of the letter so fast, without even reading what was inside. Could there've been a message that could explain what's happening now?

Draco had a sudden feeling as if he was being watched and automatically looked up from his work. He saw his Professor give him a look, and then turned back to marking papers. It wasn't exactly unexpected since he knew that Snape would definitely oppose Draco's "Slytherin-Gryffindor" relationship with Hermione. He guessed he's probably not one of the Professor's favourite people anymore; he's just any normal student to him, maybe even less than that. Draco returned to writing his essay, even though his mind was on many other things.

A whole day was done and over with. Finally!, Draco thought as he plopped down on the couch. He decided to skip supper and head straight to the Heads' tower to avoid any confrontation he would have with his own House if he went to the Great Hall. He didn't care if he had to skip a meal as long as he doesn't have to suffer any kind of torment. He'd never thought that the whole school would know he fancied Hermione so fast, but then again, there are many gossipers attending Hogwarts. Maybe Potter or Weasley told one of the Gryffindors about them, and in turn, he or she would tell everyone else.

I don't care anymore as long as Hermione's with me, he thought as he rested his eyes. He was about to fall asleep when he heard a faint tapping in the distant. He got up and walked up the stairs to see what was going on.

Tap, tap.

He turned to the direction of his bedroom and knew the noise must be coming from there.

Tap, tap.

He opened the door and looked around the room for anything unusual.

Tap, tap.

His eyes finally rested on one of his windows, and saw his family's eagle owl just right outside.

Tap, tap.

"Alright, I'm coming!" Draco said as he walked quickly to the window and opened it for the owl to come in. Once it was inside, he closed the window to avoid the cold evening air, and took the letter the owl had.

"Draco Malfoy"

His name was neatly written across the center of the envelope and immediately knew it must be from his father. His hands slightly trembled when he had a thought that this might be the letter that can explain the vanishings. After all, what other business did his father want from him? He could verify his prediction the very second he reads the message. He would know the answer, but who would he go to? He could tell Hermione but she would want him to go to Dumbledore. If he went to the Headmaster, then he would have to face the decision of whether to follow his father or Dumbledore. He was about to open the envelope when he heard someone call him faintly.

"Draco?"

It must be Hermione! He thought happily as he went down the stairs to see her in the common room.

"What's all that food for?" he asked when he noticed that she was holding a plateful of food on one hand and a cup on the other.

"Your supper!"

"You brought me my supper?"

"Yeah! I noticed you weren't there so I decided to bring some food for you to eat so that you wouldn't starve yourself."

"What would I do without you?" he asked rhetorically.

"Rotting away somewhere. Oh, what's that?"

"What's what?"

"The paper in your hand."

He forgot he was still carrying his letter and tried to make up an answer. "Oh, this? It's nothing. You know, just notes for my classes."

She raised an eyebrow but seemed to believe his reply. "Can I see?"

"Why?" he asked quickly. He didn't want her to know that it was actually a letter from his father since he felt that she would be better protected if she doesn't know that sort of information.

"I just want to see what you wrote," Hermione said innocently.

"Um... well you know, it's only some boring notes from History of Magic. It's nothing important. In fact, I'll just put this in my room, and I'll be right back."

Draco ran back to his room before she could say anything, and hid it deep inside one of his drawers that he was sure no one would find it in. He would get back to reading it later, but right now, he would rather spend some quality time with his girlfriend. He ran back to the common room to see Hermione sitting on the couch patiently waiting for him.

"Miss me?" he teased playfully.

"You were gone? I didn't notice," she joked back. "C'mon, eat."

He followed her instruction and began filling his mouth with various kinds of delicious foods while she watched him in amusement. He must've been really starving since he finished his supper in only ten minutes.

"Mmm... that was great," Draco said as he kissed Hermione on the cheek. "Think you could do this everyday?"

"Do what? Bring food to you? Don't even think about it! I'm not your house-elf, you know! Speaking of house-elves, you should really-"

She got cut off when he kissed her passionately on the lips. He didn't want to hear her lecture about treating house-elves properly and decided to take appropriate actions. Apparently, it was a good idea since she enjoyed it as much as he did.

"What was that for?" she asked, with her face obviously flushed from Draco's sudden move.

"To shut you up," he said smiling, "And I've wanted to kiss you for the whole day."

"Oh well, there's no need to stop," Hermione said. Draco grinned mischievously and leaned closer until their lips finally touched, and forgetting all about his letter.

A/N: Thnx guys for the reviews. This chapter seems longer than usual, yeah? I seem to have ideas for the ending of the story already =S..but i can't put it into words..argh! Well anywho, please review...it's my motivation to keep writing (or improve anything) :)