Secrets

Chapter Five: I Love You..?

(Disclaimer: I don't own any HP titles…)

(A/N- Hey everyone! I hope you liked the last chapter, and sorry it was so short! I always cut Draco's POV short, because, to be honest, I've no idea what goes through men's heads'. But I'll continue switching like that until someone complains, and feel free to! Oh, this chapter's in Hermione's POV! Hey, I'm going to have a little contest here; do you think I write my kissing and feelings out of experience or knowledge? Review with what you think! If you get it right, I'll send you a preview of the next chapter! Oh, by the way, India is my best friend's name! You'll see why I said that later! READ AWAY!

Tinka Shimmer Belle- I love you! Thanks for the chocolate chip cookie, I wuv it! I'm glad you got everything that happened last chapter! I know it was kind of random, but I hope everything will make sense in this chapter!

Bloomtoperish- Uh, thanks?

Caroline25- I will, don't worry!

Uasuccerbear08- Thankies, that means a lot!

-Belle)

XxX

I couldn't get that stupid Malfoy off of my mind the next week. Hours turned into days, days turned into a week, which went by very slow. During our detentions I'd ignore all of his begging and pleading for my forgiveness and pretend to read. But who was I kidding? God knew I still had feelings for that stuck up little prat… Though he betrayed my trust, he still had a heart- melting smile, and eyes that I could gaze into forever… Whoa, Hermione! Slow down there! Why don't you focus on Harry for a little while?

"Hey Hermione, tonight's the dance! Are you ready?" Harry asked Friday morning about two hours before classes. Harry and I were strolling the border of the lake, hand-in-hand, talking about everything… I didn't mention Malfoy, of course.

"Of course! It is formal, isn't it?" I asked, making sure that the dress I had picked out at Hogsmeade wasn't too dressy.

"Yeah, and don't worry, I bought a decent suit. I wouldn't embarrass you like that."

I smiled. Why was I cheating on such a sweet and awesome guy? I was so happy with him! But Harry just didn't give me the thrill of my forbidden love with Malfoy… Wait- love?

Harry turned to face me, taking my hands in his and looking at me with his gorgeous green eyes. "Hermione, I've something to tell you… You don't have to agree…. It may be too soon…"

"Harry, I don't care, go ahead." I said, staring back at him with interest.

"I-I love you."

This came as a shock to me. He loves me? But isn't it obvious? I love him, but I don't think I'm in love with him… But I just couldn't hurt his beautiful soul gazing at me with the eagerness of a child begging for candy. Maybe I would grow to be in love with him…

"I love you, too, Harry." I whispered so he could hear me. Harry took me into his arms, holding me against him tightly. I hugged back, enjoying his gentle touch. He's so sweet… so kind and gentle… maybe I do love him…!

"Hermione, you're the only one other than Ron who's actually ever accepted me. You don't think I'm attention seeking or…" But Harry trailed off, realizing that I knew what he was talking about.

"No, I don't Harry. I never have, and never will. I can't believe we went five whole years without each other…" I said, smiling.

Harry pulled back from our hug and resumed walking hand-in-hand with me.

"Remember over the summer when Ginny got dared to french me?" Harry randomly asked.

"Yeah…"

"I didn't put everything in me, you know. I've really never liked liked her."

"Same with me when I had to kiss Fred and George… Lord, they're sloppy kissers…" I said with a sigh. Harry laughed.

I suddenly remembered promising myself that I'd talk to Malfoy at my detention, and my stomach suddenly started churning. What was I going to say? What was I going to do?

"Oh, I heard that there's going to be a Hogwarts' Pool Party tomorrow, sounds fun, eh?" I said, remembering how much fun I had before I came to Hogwarts swimming in my pool as a muggle…

"Yeah… man, it's been forever since I've been swimming…" Harry said, looking off into the sunrise.

"Well, I need to go talk to Ginny, so I'll talk to you at breakfast!" I said, kissing Harry's cheek, muttering 'I love you' and running off.

I really didn't need to talk to Ginny; I needed to talk to Malfoy. I muttered an Appearance- Changing spell and posed as a Slytherin before hurrying into the Slytherin common room after saying the password (Grindylow). As I walked inside, I got a lot of wolf whistles from numerous guys around the room. I almost glared at them, but stopped myself, remembering that I wasn't a Gryffindor right now. I winked and walked into the boys' rooms, shutting the door behind me.

It was dark inside, and I heard snoring… loud snoring.

"Lumous!" I said, the tip of my wand lighting up. I gingerly walked over to a bed, shining my light in front of me. The first, second and third beds were empty, but in the fourth bed I found a peacefully sleeping Malfoy. Well, I'd hardly say peaceful; his feet were where his head should be, his hair was everywhere, he was mumbling in his sleep and snoring loudly between words.

"Granger… ooh… oh… yes!" He moaned. I almost screamed. He was dreaming about me! And it was a… good dream, too!

I walked over to a mirror and looked at myself. I now had black hair and green eyes. I was skinny and curvier, and my hair wasn't frizzy and poofy anymore, it was shiny and silky… I loved it… I wore the typical Slytherin uniform, but a shorter skirt, revealing more of my muscular legs… I like this new look…

I walked back over to Malfoy and shook him slightly. "Malfoy?" I whispered, not recognizing my own voice, which was now more sexy and smooth.

Malfoy opened his eyes and looked at me, his vision getting used to the dark. "Ah, come back for more, have we, India?"

"No, it's not India, it's Hermione!" I snapped, tapping my head with my wand, putting me back into my usual appearance.

"Granger! What are you doing here? Are you trying to get all of us in trouble? Or worse, let out our secret?" Malfoy whispered, sitting up in bed.

I tapped myself again, turning back into India Pruiett. "Why do you think I got this disguise?" I smirked.

"Where's the real India?"

"Locked in a broom closet…"

"Nice, Granger…"

"Yeah, but I wanted to talk to you…"

"Really? Missing me?" Malfoy said, smirking his famous smirk and raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah." I said before I could stop myself. "Wait-"

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Us."

"This can't be good…"

"Well, actually, I am coming back to you…" I said, avoiding his eyes. "Harry was getting suspicious, so I spent some time with him… I thought it was the right thing to do…but I'll be with you one condition; no more telling people about us. Blaise knows and no one else."

Malfoy nodded before kissing me softly on the lips. God, I'd missed his sweet kiss…

"I'll see you tonight, Hermione."

"Okay, Draco." I walked out of the room, strutting exactly as India would. The usual call from the boys, but all I did was wink and smile sexily at them. I couldn't get involved…

I ran to the nearest restroom, changed back to 'me,' and went to breakfast, making sure I had everything I needed for all of my classes. (Yeah, I eventually let India out…)

"Hey, Ron!" I said as I sat down next to him, smiling. "Where's Harry?"

"Dunno. Haven't seen him all day." Ron said, glancing at me. "Where do you think he is?"

"I have an idea…" I said, getting up to leave. "I'll be back soon."

I strutted out the Great Hall, picking up my pace. I went outside, onto the fresh, dewy grounds of Hogwarts. I looked around, and then did a double take as I saw Harry and Draco fighting like there were no tomorrow.

"Harry! Drac- Malfoy!" I yelled, running towards the two boys. I stepped between them, only to get a hard punch on the cheek from Harry.

"Oh, my gosh! Hermione!" Harry said, kneeling next to me, tenderly touching where he had hit me. "Malfoy was talking about you… your looks and hobbies… I couldn't take it any more, Hermione…" Harry gently stroked my cheek. "I'm so sorry."

"Great job, Potter. You hurt one of your own. I'm sure she appreciates you now…" Malfoy piped up, who was towering over Harry and I. Harry shot up at charged at Draco in a rage.

"Harry! Stop it! Leave him alone!"

Harry turned and looked at me in surprise, a looking matching Draco's.

"You both c-c-could get in t-trouble." I said, now realizing that tears were coming. My cheek hurt so badly… I put my hand to my developing bruise, and let out a silent sob. I turned on my heel, turned and left without a word. I had nothing to say.

XxX

"Harry hit you?" Ron said, looking at my cheek, sadness and pity on his face.

"Yeah…" I said, looking down. "Listen, if I tell you something, will you promise on your life that you won't tell anyone?"

I had decided since Draco had to Blaise, I could tell Ron. But then again, he was Harry's best friend… and I was cheating on Harry… With their worst enemy… No! Don't tell! He wouldn't understand…

"Of course, Hermione…"

I let out a sigh. "Nevermind, Ron… I-I just can't…" I said, blushing for some odd reason.

"Okay, but when you can, I'm always here…" Ron said, giving me a big hug.

"Thanks Ron… I love you so much…" I said, pulling away from his hug.

"I love you, too Hermione… Man, you're like my friggin' sister…"

I laughed. "What's so wrong about that?"

"Nothing…" He said innocently. "So, why did Harry hit you again?"

I retold my story for the third time, this time speaking slower, as if to a kindergartener.

"Oh, so he meant to hit Malfoy?"

"God, you're so slow, Ron…" I said, rubbing my temples. "I'll be in my room if you need me…"

"O-Okay…"

I ran up to my room to fix my hair again… I decided to straighten it again, making it almost as smooth and silky as India's. I added a bit of concealer and some eye shadow and a little lip-gloss and walked out of my bathroom and into my dormitory. I jumped onto my bed on my back, letting out a sigh. It's not even nine o'clock and I'm already exhausted… I closed my eyes, but they snapped open as soon as I heard my door shut. I sat up and looked around the darkness. I felt scared, being alone here in the dark. I reached around for my dresser so I could pull out my wand, but that was a hard thing to do in the darkness.

"W-Who's there?" I whispered to the black emptiness.

I suddenly felt two warm lips being pushed onto mine. This startled me, making me gasp and pull back, stumbling onto the floor. I crawled backwards until I felt the hard wall on my back, proving a dead end.

"W-Who's t-there?" I whimpered again.

"Draco, who else?" I heard his voice say through the darkness.

"Oh, thank God… I was so scared…" I said, going to my hands and knees and crawling around on the floor for my wand or Draco's feet. I felt a pair of shoes, and I made my way up his legs with my hands in silence. When I reached his belt, I stood up, wrapping my hands around him. "I'm still a little shaky, you know… it hurts…"

"I'm sorry… it's all my fault… but, dang, Potter's protective…"

"Can you please stop calling him 'Potter?'" I said into his ear.

"Sure…"

"Thank you." I whispered into his ear. I felt goosebumps form on his skin and shiver with want.

"Anytime."

Somehow, through the blackness surrounding us both, my lips found his. Passion and want surged between us as Draco kissed back with more power and roughness then usual. His tongue rammed into my mouth as I ran my fingers through his silky hair. He pulled back for a moment, his head going to my ear.

"I love you, Hermione." Draco whispered into my ear.

"I-I, uh, love you, too, Draco…"

"It's okay if you don't-"

"I do…"

I pulled his lips back onto mine and kissed him with everything in me. Draco started kissing down my neck slowly, stopping at my collarbone, licking and sucking playfully. I moaned softly, unable to keep myself quiet.

"Shhh… Someone'll hear-" Draco started, but my door slamming open interrupted him. He immediately jumped off of me and rolled under my bed silently. I sprang onto my bed, closing my eyes, and letting a peaceful look sweep across my face. I started moaning in my 'sleep,' convincing whoever was in the silent darkness with me that I was having a 'dream…'

"Hermione?" I heard a male voice ask.

"Hmm?" I sleepily grunted, sitting up suddenly, peering into the black emptiness.

"Hey, are you okay? Is there someone in here?"

"Why do you a-a-ask that?" I said through a fake yawn. "Lumous." My wand tip flicked on from the right hand corner of my room. I got up and trudged over to it. I lit a few candles and saw Harry standing in the doorway, arm wrapped around Ginny's waist.