Chapter Seven: The Couple

The team carefully devised the plan. They would alternate the time they spent on devising it. When the students had to go to class, Crowley would work on it. Similarly, when Crowley had to teach, the students worked on it. When they were sure that their plan was flawless, they decided to put it into action.

"Okay listen…we are going to do it tonight. I overheard them talking after lunch in the Great Hall today. They are planning to meet in the Astronomy Tower at 9:30 tonight, so we will meet at about 9:15 just outside the stairs which leads to the Astronomy Tower,"Draco said confidently.

"Okay. That sounds good," Harry said. "You all know your positions right?"

"Yeah…look, I have to run! I have to research stuff for Binns' essay. Harry…Hermione, you coming?"

"Yeah…let's go to the library," Harry responded.

"I actually finished my essay a few hours ago. Why don't you two go on? I'll meet up with you guys later," Hermione told Harry and Ron.

Harry and Ron nodded and hurried of to the library.

Malfoy didn't leave the room…he was too busy examining Crowley's collection of Dark Arts Items.

Crowley mumbled something about needing to get something from his office. So, Hermione plopped herself on one of the chairs. There was an awkward silence, but Hermione finally spoke.

"Malfoy, I never thought I would say this, but I am glad you are working with us. You are helping us a lot," Hermione said thoughtfully.

"No problem…I live to blackmail, and humiliate people. It is my job," Draco responded.

"So, why do you hate Harry so much anyway?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know…I don't hate him. I just don't like him very much."

"But why?! Why don't you like him? What did he ever do to you?"

"You want to know why I hate Potter?" Draco asked sneering at Hermione.

"Yes. I want to know."

"It is because of you! You and Potter are like bread and butter, or fork and knife, or even Hilary Duff and a piece of crap!How come I am never in your little clique? How come I am never with you? Potter gets to hug you, but I never do! I want to hold you! I want to touch you! I want to kiss you! Potter gets to do all of that, but I never do! How unfair is that?" Draco choked. "No…you didn't hear me say that! None of that is true! Ignore everything I said!"

Hermione stared at Malfoy for a very long time, and finally said, "So…that's how you feel."

Malfoy blushed a little, while Hermione just looked at him in absolute awe. They were both very silent. Crowley finally came into the room. He looked particularly cheerful. He was smiling brightly and he said, "Well, unless you want to take over teaching today, I suggest you twogo to your next class."

Draco and Hermione looked at each other, and Draco smiled sweetly.

Ugghh! He is just too frickin' charming! Why do I have the sudden urge to hug him? Hermione thought.

Why is she just so darn beautiful? I must resist the urge to hug her, Draco thought.

The two smiled slowly, and mumbled their goodbyes and ran away in different directions. A few seconds later, they thundered back to the very spot they were in before they departed. They grasped onto each other's necks, and hugged…for a very long time!

"Ahem. Do I seem to be the only one who didn't hug someone within these past three weeks?" A voice asked.

Draco and Hermione ignored Ron, for they were now kissing each other passionately.

"I see that I am not wanted at the moment, so I will just leave," Ron said with a touch of amusement in his voice. "Wow Hermione! You made a move quicker than Harry! The only thing I ever saw you snog before was your text-books!" Ron added unnecessarily.

Three minutes later, Hermione noticed that she was late for class, and she let go of Malfoy.

The embarrassed couple walked away slowly to get to class.

Hermione and Draco were late for Transfiguration, which meant trouble. Professor McGonagall did not take it well.

"Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy! You are five minutes late for class! I will not excuse tardiness! 15 points from Gryffindor and Slytherin! Please take your seats!"

Hermione grimaced as she sat down; Ron was grinning at her.

"Say Harry, did you know that Hermione and Malfoy were snogging a few minutes back?" Ron asked Harry playfully.

Harry snorted and replied, "Seriously? The only thing I ever saw Hermione snog was her textbook!"

"That's what I said, while I watched them doing it," Ron said.

"Ronald! Will you just leave me alone?" Hermione begged pleadingly.

"No," Ron replied. "So tell me…how was it?" Ron asked seriously.

"None of your business!" Hermione responded haughtily. "So, did you manage to finish your essay?"

"No. I haven't even started!" Ron said.

"Then what in the name of Merlin where you doing in the library?" Hermione asked.

"We decided to spy in the girls' bathroom. We used Harry's Invisibility Cloak," Ron said cheerfully.

"Ron! How could you?!" Hermione screeched.

"Miss Granger! Please be quiet!" Professor McGonagall hissed.

"Yes professor…sorry," Hermione said.

The trio returned to transfiguring their frogs into a shoe rack. Ron managed to get the frog divided up into little pieces. Harry saw this and looked revolted. Hermione, on the other hand, managed to perform this difficult spell successfully. Professor McGonagall was delighted when she saw Hermione's "shoe rack" and awarded her ten points.

"All right…your homework is to find the uses of this spell and write a two-foot essay on it. Class dismissed," Professor McGonagall said.

While Hermione was gathering her things, Draco Malfoy suddenly came up to her.

"Hello Hermione…"

End of Chapter Seven