Forbidden Fruit
Libbeh, a self-proclaimed D/H shipper specialist
Plot: Lust. Lies. Sex. Hate. Anger. Oh the joys of being a horny teenager.
Chapter Six: Hermione's Choice
Disclaimer: I claim no rights to Harry Potter & company. J. K. Rowling & etc. own the rights to Harry Potter & company.

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"Harry, I'm really sorry about not being able to go to the Halloween Ball with you."

She looked into his emerald green eyes and saw a hint of sadness that reflected back at her. She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I was elated that you had asked me, but I can't attend the ball with anyone but my designated escort. I'm really sorry, Harry, but duties call."

He gave her a sad smile. "That's okay Hermione. I'll go stag or with Ron if he's not going with Lavender."

"Oh, Harry. It's our last year here at Hogwarts and I don't want you to go stag. It wouldn't be right. Since I'm can't attend the ball with you, why don't you go with Ginny? She needs a date now that Dean isn't going with her."

"No. Ginny's, well, she's like a little sister to me, especially now after we dated for awhile. Besides, Ron would have a fit if he knew that I was seeing her again. Really, it doesn't really matter if I have a date or not. You were the one that I had in mind, Hermione," he said, pausing for a little bit before continuing, "But do you remember when I said that I had something important to tell you?"

She nodded.

"Well, Hermione, I don't really know how to say this, but..."

"Harry, before you say anything, there's something that I need to tell you since I've been holding this in for awhile. I've wanted to tell you this since last year, but I hesitated to because I wasn't sure of what the outcome would be like. However, seeing that this is our last year here and I probably won't see you as much after graduation, with you playing for the Appleby Arrows and me heading off to work for the Ministry of Magic, I've decided to confess that I've developed more than just platonic feelings for you."

Her heart was beating fast as she waited for a response from him. She searched his face, trying to find any sign of emotion, but found none. She was crestfallen.

"Hermione," he began, "I don't know what to say. Honestly, I am at lost for words."

"Oh I shouldn't have told you," she paused for a moment, "Now things will be awkward between us."

"No, you don't understand. I'm shocked that you returned your feelings for me. I had developed feelings for you too."

"Really? It's mutual then," Hermione squealed.

"Oy Hermione, you are so cute. Yes, it's mutual," said Harry.

Hermione smiled and gave Harry a hug. He had reciprocated her feelings. She began thinking of what other girls would think if they knew that Harry had liked her. They would be jealous! She grinned.

"What's so funny, Hermione?"

"I feel relieved that I finally got the balls to tell you and it didn't backfire on me."

"Well, since we both got that out of the way, Hermione, would you be my girlfriend?"

She nodded excitedly, but a horrified look was replaced when she remembered Draco and what Professor Dumbledore had said. Harry sensed that something was wrong and probed. "What's the matter?"

She mumbled something. Harry cupped her face in his hands and eyed her. He could see that she was teary eyed. He knew something was wrong. He gave her an assuring smile and said, "Hermione, please tell me what's wrong."

She blinked and looked away, "Oh Harry, I can't."

"Hermione, there's obviously –"

"Well, if it isn't Potter and Granger. Alone. Again," a cold voice sneered.

Hermione wanted to crawl in a hole and die. She silently prayed that Draco wouldn't mention anything about the deal they made. If anything, she wanted to wait until she had left before Harry and Ron found out. 'Damn it Malfoy. You're always in the wrong place at the right moment for me,' she silently cursed.

"What is it Malfoy," she calmly asked, urging him with her eyes to leave her alone.

"I wanted to remind you that we're leaving tomorrow morning after breakfast."

She let out a small gasp and turned to Harry, who had a bewildered look on his face. She cleared her throat and tartly replied, "Yes, I'm aware of that. Now if you don't mind, Harry and I were talking."

"I assume that he knows," Draco continued. He was being stubborn and did little to hide it.

"No, I don't," Harry spoke, "Hermione, what's going on? Where are you going tomorrow morning with Malfoy? And why? You have class."

"Harry –"

"Potter, Mrs. Malfoy and I are heading off for our honeymoon tomorrow morning. Darling, do be ready by tomorrow morning as we mustn't dillydally around and waste valuable rest time."

He waved his left hand and surely enough, a polished platinum wedding band was visible.

Harry felt sick. Was this a nightmare? Had Hermione done the worse thing imaginable? He looked at Draco, who smirked at Harry. He looked at Hermione, who was fiddling with a gorgeous four carat diamond ring that was on her left hand. Why had he not seen it before? Why did she express feelings for him when she was married to Malfoy? Questions flooded his head and he felt dizzy. Tears formed in his emerald green eyes as he slowly backed away from Hermione. He felt his knees weaken when he was held up by someone behind him.

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!"