Chapter Nine

It was lunchtime. I paced in the common room, nervously awaiting Draco's arrival. Why nervously, you ask?

I really couldn't tell you. His statement of 'let them suspect,' had really gotten to me. It just wasn't right!! This was Draco Malfoy, the boy who had tormented me for the first six years of my academic career at Hogwarts. The boy who, previously, never would have made dirty his hands or his reputation by having sex with a 'mudblood.' It was just wrong that he would make such an about face as to imply that we should have a relationship together. And then look positively deflated when I was more than a little surprised.

I heard the statue, sliding across the floor to allow access to the door. And soon after the door opened and there stood Malfoy. He still looked so deflated, just standing there in the doorway. He walked in and set his book bag off to the side, and plopped down onto the sofa.

"So," I said, sitting on the sofa. The same sofa we had sex on. Memories came rushing back, once again, causing me to become a little flushed. And let me tell you, it was not from embarrassment.

"Yeah," he said, not looking at me.

"I guess we're supposed to finish that conversation." I said slowly. He still refused to look at me.

"Yeah," he sighed. He sank deeper into the sofa.

"So..." I started. I was completely at a loss for what to say. Why did I have to be the one start? "What did you mean, exactly, when you said 'let them suspect'?"

"Exactly what you thought I meant, Hermione." I loved the way he said my name. Unfortunately, hearing him say it subjected me to another wave of not-embarrassment.

"So, you want a real relationship, then?" I asked. Oh, god. What if he really did? Was that what I wanted? I had the sudden feeling that, yes, it was what I wanted. He was silent.

"Draco?" I prompted. He turned, taking my hand and finally looking at me. His eyes were pleading.

"Yes, that's what I want, Hermione." He said. His voice was a little shaky, as though he was unsure of what he was saying.

"Do you really?" I asked. I wanted to be sure.

"Yes, I do." He said, his voice more firm. Close enough for me.

"Good," I said, smiling slightly, placing my hand on his cheek. "Because I do, too." He paused. I half expected him to spit out something foul like 'stupid mudblood! Why would you ever think I'd want something with you?' But he didn't. He smiled.

"Really?" He sounded disbelieving, and he placed his hand against mine, as if holding it in place.

"Yes," I smiled in return. We sat there smiling at each other, like total idiots for who knows how long, him holding my hand against his cheek. And then it hit me.

"Oh, Gods!" I exclaimed. "What am I going to tell Harry and Ron?" My deciding to like Draco had happened basically over night. And it didn't seem in their nature to accept such a quick turn about. Draco stiffened.

"Is that all you can think about?" He asked, his eyes narrowing. "We just decided to have a relationship and all you can think about is what you're going to tell Pothead and Weasel." I too stiffened. Why did he always have to be so cruel to them? But I supposed in this case he was correct. I should have been thinking of him, not of them.

"You're right," I said.

"I am?" he seemed surprised. Apparently he was not used to being told he was in the right. Certainly not by me. "I mean, I am, yes." I smiled.

"But on a similar note...." I said. "Are we 'going public' or..." I didn't need to finish the sentence.

"I think that might be best, for now." He said. This confused me. He had said 'let them suspect' and now he said that we should keep our relationship virtually secret.

"I know what I said earlier," he continued, noting the confusion on my face, I supposed. "But in retrospect I realize that probably isn't a great idea."

"Why is that?" I asked. He was ashamed of course. Ashamed he was with a mudblood.

"No!!" he practically shouted. What? Had I spoken aloud, yet again? "No, you didn't, but I could follow your though pattern."

"Then why?" I asked. He said nothing.

"Why don't we get some lunch?" He asked, obviously evading my question. And I would let him for now. There was no use in pushing him. I knew from experience. I had yet to find out what 'the rest' was.

I sighed. "Alright," I said. "But, you will tell me why?" It had been presented as a question, but I had most certainly meant it was a command. I refused to be left in the dark.

"Yes," he said, kissing me lightly on the mouth as we stood from the sofa. "I promise, I will."

[Author's Note: Okay... short and not so sweet. But you'll get over it. Look how FAST I updated!! Despite the disappointing response from the LAST chapter. Thank you to MysticalSpirits and Exploded Toilet Bowl for actually reviewing and I apologise to MysticalSpirits if I wrote your penname wrong. I'm too lazy to check what it actually is. As for the rest of you... REVIEW! I feel unloved and such. And still looking for that beta... like I said... email. BrujaGalesa at sign (wouldn't show up!) yahoo. co. uk (without all those spaces of course...) If you can actually make an email out of that, then... yeah. And sorry not update on SF has been forthcoming. I'm a litte stuck... I shall make an attempt though!]