Chapter 6: Confrontations and Ruined Friendships

Hermione was trying very hard to be discrete about her relationship but it just wasn't working, Harry and Ron were getting more suspicious by the day and she was worried they would soon find out that she was involved with Malfoy. She didn't want to imagine what they would say if they found out. The thought of them knowing scared her.

"Ron, I think something is going on with Hermione and Malfoy. I'm not sure what it is but could you talk to her about it? I don't think it would be fair if you was to ask her about her personal life, especially with what I did to her."

"Sure Harry, but do you think something is really going on between them?"

"I don't know, and honestly I hope not. Just ask her whenever you get a chance."

"No problem, when should I do it?"

"We have some free time after Herbology on Tuesday, you should do it then. Just be careful, I don't her knowing I put you up to this."

Tuesday came too soon and Ron was dreading having this talk with Hermione. She was his friend and he hated to accuse her friends of things that they might never do, and in his eyes he didn't see why Hermione would ever like Malfoy. But he was getting slightly suspicious, especially after what happened the other day in the Great Hall. Throughout Herbology, Ron couldn't keep his mind on the lesson. It was constantly wandering to what he was going to say to Hermione and how he would bring up such a disturbing topic, in his opinion, that is. Cornering her after Herbology, he was finally going to make his move that he had so vividly plotted out in his mind just minutes before.

"Hermione can I talk to you, now?"

"Uh, Ron, now? Is it important?" She said glancing at her watch. "We might be late for our next class."

"Yeah, its important. Plus we have about fifteen minutes until our next class, it's not going to take that long."

"Uh, ok, sure." She said, walking into an empty classroom. "What's wrong?"

"Er, Hermione, don't take this the wrong way, but is there something going on between you and Malfoy?" He asked fearing what her answer would be. But he received none. Instead she just looked down into her lap, wringing her hands because of how nervous she was. "Because we, Harry and I that is, saw you looking at him in the Great Hall. It wasn't a look of hatred; it was something like we have never seen before; something… unusual. We just didn't know what to make out of it."

Hermione hadn't said a word since he asked his question, but somehow Ron was getting an idea what her answer was.

"Hermione, please, answer me. Is there something going on between you and Malfoy?"

Hermione still didn't answer. But instead looked up in the red head's face. She had a combination of sorrow, sadness, and 'I'm sorry' written all over her face. Ron knew the answer, but he couldn't believe it. He refused to believe it. He was suddenly so disgusted with Hermione, how could she do something like this. How could she do this again to Harry and him? Malfoy had been their life long enemy. He had tormented the trio throughout all of the years they had been at Hogwarts and according to Harry and Ron, and the rest of the Gryffindors, Malfoy was scum. He was not to be fooled around or associated with. Why anyone would want to become involved with him was beyond anything Ron understood.

He just sat there staring at the floor for a minute or two trying to swallow all of the disturbing information he was fed until he finally came to his senses and just abruptly got up and left, leaving a very distraught Hermione behind in the dark, empty classroom.. She sat there for a few minutes taking in what just happened while tears spilled out of her eyes, silently. Drying her eyes, she got up and left for her next class. Her relationship with Malfoy would be much tougher than she realized.

Noticing the change in Ron, Harry proceeded to ask what she said, but Ron avoided the question completely, leaving a puzzling Harry further in the dark.

"Ron, just talk to me. Please, tell me what she said."

"If you really want to know, Harry, why don't you go and ask her."

Harry had a feeling he knew what she said and why Ron was so upset, but he had to talk to Hermione personally to get a full idea of what had happened. He needed to actually hear her say those betraying words to fully believe why he thought Ron was so upset.

Approaching her in the common room the following day, he decided to finally get his questions answered.

"Hermione, do you know what's wrong with Ron?"

"I have no idea." She answered not looking up for the potions essay she was writing. It was already ten inches longer than Professor Snape had requested, but Hermione wanted to make sure she got a good mark on it, so naturally it was much longer than necessary.

Harry, getting frustrated, decided to come straight out and ask her directly without beating around the bush.

"Is there something going on, between you and Malfoy?"

"Why would you ask such a silly question?"

"Please Hermione, don't answer my question with another question."

"Do you want the truth Harry?"

"Of course I want the truth."

"Fine then, yes, there is something going on between Malfoy and I."

Stunned at her answer, Harry had to take a deep breath to continue his interrogation without blow up with a sudden rush of anger. "What do you mean exactly by 'there is something going on' between you two?"

"Harry, he's my boyfriend, I'm his girlfriend. We're involved, simple as that." Hermione said matter-of-factly. She was tired of lying and of avoiding the truth, and frankly she didn't care what they would think of her choice of relationship; at least she didn't think she would care.

"Hermione, how could you…?"

"He's different now, Harry. Haven't you noticed that he doesn't tease you guys anymore? He's changed and that's why we go out." Hermione interrupted.

"How do you know that he's completely changed? You don't know for sure. I think he is only doing this to hurt you. Don't you see? He's going to take you heart and them break it."

"Like what you did to me, Harry? Draco would never do something like that to me. I know he wouldn't because I'm the only thing he has left."

"You know what I did was never intended, plus I thought we got over that?"

"I never got over it. I never will get over it. I'm finally happy now; happier than I was with you. Why can't you be happy for me."

"Hermione, I can't be happy when I know that he may do something to harm you. I can't approve of this relationship."

"I'm not asking you to approve of it, I just want you to be happy for me. Apparently you're not even capable of doing even that."

"Hermione, I don't think I can stay friends with someone that goes out with an enemy of mine. We're not friends anymore Hermione, I don't think I can ever be friends with you anymore."

"What about what you did to me, Harry, you broke my heart too. You have some nerve accusing Draco of doing something like that, when you did the same exact thing to me. Plus what you did to me was much worse than me going to Draco."

"There's a big difference between what you're doing and what I did. You went to my enemy. At least Ginny was your friend."

"There's no difference at all, and if there is, then going to my friend was much worse than you going to my enemy."

"We're through Hermione, don't consider me your friend anymore, and I won't consider you a friend of mine."

After Harry said his last words, Hermione ran up the dormitory staircase and ran into her room. She laid on her bed, her head hurting and tears flooding out of her eyes. How could he not approve of my relationship? Why couldn't he just be happy for me now that I am finally feeling true love? These thoughts buzzed around Hermione's throbbing head until she finally fell into a light, restless sleep.

A/N: Hey sorry for the chapter delay, I hope I didn't take too long to update. Its just that my comp has been acting stupid and I'm hesitant to do anything on it, afraid it might crash on me… but I have to get over my fear and post this next chappie. So I hope you enjoy it, I think it's better than the last chapter that I wrote; I was truly unmotivated when I wrote it, so please forgive me. Don't forget to review!