Hermione's life began to settle into a routine, though one far different than she would ever have imagined. Every day she spent pretending to be Hermione, getting over hearbreak, and spending every spare minute doing work ostensibly as a distraction. In reality she'd found that through careful budgeting of her time she could finish most of her work before nine at which point she would take a long walk. These strolls would inevitably lead to the Willow, her haven.

There Draco waited for her, quite surprised at his own behavior. He had never been one to wait for a girl before and while he had told himself that he liked being with her because it gave him the knowledge that he was defying Voldemort and his father, he couldn't deny that she made him laugh all by herself and that the kisses they shared were leaving him increasingly less fulfilled.

When winter set in, both were surprised. With the first snow, the Willow ceased to be an option and they had to content themselves with empty corners. Finally Hermione "borrowed" the Marauders' Map again and led Draco into the tunnel that lead to Honeyduke's basement, one that she was sure wouldn't be used for a while as the boys seemed preoccupied enough with Quidditch. But even there winter crept in. Water trickled through the passage and both Hermione and Draco began to receive knowing or incredulous looks from the house elves who did the laundry as the poor elves had to scrub away increasing amounts of mud on their clothing.

One day, Hermione finally came out with it. "I'm filthy. We can't stay here."

Draco laughed and tucked her head under his chin so she could feel as well as hear his words. "When did you turn into such a silly girl, eh?" He tickled her hips and held her as she bucked involuntarily against him.

Regaining control over herself and slapping him lightly on the arm she continued, "I mean, people will notice the mud, even under our cloaks and I know the house elves are talking."

"The house elves?" Draco checked his derisive tone instantly upon seeing her face. "Sorry, old habit."

Hermione sighed and leaned back on him, allowing one hand to drift up to trace his bicep through his shirt. "I think there might be somewhere else we could meet: no heavy kissing, but we could talk there and it would probably be safe."

"How firm would the no kissing policy be?" Draco asked, and grinned as Hermione pushed him away. He leaned back to nibble her ear, making her giggle helplessly. He knew it was one of her sensitive spots and felt an odd surge of pride at being privilege to such knowledge. "Ok, it sounds great. Where?"

That was the point where Hermione started to feel uneasy. She twisted her head over her shoulder to look back at him. "I have to talk to someone about it."

"Hermione!" Draco sat bolt upright. "You know that this has to be a secret! My dad'd kill you and then Lord Voldemort would go to work on you. No one can know!"

"Look, Draco, I'm not stupid!" Hermione had regained her balance around him. "But if we want this to go on, we'll have to risk it. It comes down to how badly you want us to be together. I'll risk it because the only person I'd tell would be someone who wouldn't ever tell another soul. Ever. He's one of my best friends."

"Pot—Harry?"

"No." Hermione sat up and faced him completely. "Just tell me if you want to be together… that's all I need to know." He wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and pulled her lips to his.

Hermione knocked on the big wooden door, taking a deep breath to reassure herself. This was Hagrid, the one who looked after her in third year when Harry and Ron wouldn't speak to her because of Scabbers… Pettigrew really, but still! Hagrid always looked after Hermione and she was sure he would help. He had to.

The half giant opened the door and she forced a smile onto her face. "Hermione!" He engulfed her in a big bear hug. "Someone I hav'nt seen much o' thi' year! How's school?" A hand on her back propelled her inside.

"Fine, Hagrid. A lot of work but it's fun." Hagrid nodded, puttering around, fetching out tea and milk and his rock-hard rock cakes. Hermione allowed herself a true smile, having preempted him. "Hagrid, I brought you some cakes from the kitchens. Dobby gave them to me."

His smile was so wide that for a second Hermione forgot about Draco entirely. But it all came back when, after two cups of tea, Hagrid asked her how Ron was. "Y' hav'nt been comin' t' see me all t'gether th' way y' used to? Is sommat wrong, Hermione?"

"We had an argument." Hagrid raises his bushy eyebrows and she smiled cynically. "It's all right though."

"Meanin' y' hav'nt talked all year."

Hermione smiled. "Not for a few months." She took a long sip of her tea. "But I needed to ask you a favor, Hagrid. And I'm not sure if you'll like it.

"Ask away, Hermione. Ain't nothin' I wouldn' do fer you."

She grinned at his gruff affection. "I have…" Hermione blushed. She had never thought it would be this hard to confess. "There's this boy."

"Ah!" Hermione saw Hagrid hand snake out towards his crossbow.

"No, not what you think! He's… He's in Slytherin house." Hagrid's face immediately darkened even further. "But I don't think he belongs there any more. I don't think he does either. You see, he's been away and now he's come back he's… really sweet."

"Y' love 'im?"

"Mmm…" Hermione demurred. But Hagrid waited for her. "I do." She confessed, feeling her face heat even more.

"Aye. Then 'ow can I help ye?"

Shorter chappie I know, but Read and Review please! (and thank you everyone who's reviewed… means a lot, as always!)