Disclaimer: The wondiforous world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling…

I'm sorry to say…that this story will, most likely be ending sometime this week. There are only a few chapters left, and I would like to finish it before band camp starts next week. But, then again, I could go on for another ten chapters….I have no idea. I'll just see where the story takes, but most likely the end of the story will come this week….

Author's Note: OMG! I am so, so, so, so, so sorry that this chapter wasn't up yesterday! Monday I had a bad case of writers block and yesterday night there was a big storm and I couldn't get on the computer. So enough of my rambling, let's get on with the story!

525,600 Minutes: In Truths That She Learned, or in Times That He Cried-
-Chapter Twenty-Five

"What do you suppose it means?" Ron asked at breakfast the next morning.

"I dunno. That's why I asked." Hermione snapped. She was so tired. She had barely gotten any sleep the night before, and recounting the events for the third time seemed to drain her even more. She sighed. "I'm sorry, Ron. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Apparently." Harry said with a grin on his face, looking at the state of Hermione.

Her eyes were semi-closed, her shoulders were slouched, and she was pouring sugar into her third cup of coffee.

"Well, I think we should trust her." Harry said, after sometime.

"You do?"

"Well yeah. Dumbledore winks when he knows something. I think he would have acted differently if he didn't know before last night. She has to be working for the Order."

Hermione and Ron thought for a moment before muttering their agreements.

"Hey! Come one!" Ron said looking at his watch. "It's time to go." Hermione seemed oblivious to the fact that Harry and Ron had sprung from the table. "Come on Hermione!" Ron said as he grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her from the table. Hermione gave a grunt at the sudden movement while shoving the rest of her toast in her mouth.

"So where do you guys want to go first? I hear Zonko's has a whole new line of trick wands and cauldrons. They haven't said what they do yet, but it's supposed to be brilliant!" Ron said, as the three best friends stepped out into the sunny February day.

"Well," Hermione started slowly. "Actually guys I-er kinda promised-" she knew that this subject was touchy with Harry and Ron. They still hadn't fully accept the fact.

"To spend the day with your ickle boyfriend?" Harry said, making a dreamy face. Despite the fact that he didn't fully approve of Hermione and Malfoy he couldn't help but tease Hermione about it. What were best friends for?

"Well, ye-"

"Call me ickle one more time Potter and you'll find yourself very well acquainted with the squid in the lake." an all to familiar drawl said from behind Hermione.

The teenage girl turned around and immediately found herself wide awake an ready for the day. A large smile played at her face. Malfoy looked around to make sure no one else near by was paying attention, gave a smirk at Harry and Ron, and kissed Hermione fully on the lips, leaving her quite breathless. Harry and Ron, on the other hand, rolled their eyes.

"Hello to you too." she said, smirking as the two pulled apart.

"Well, we'll be seeing you later then." Harry said, saying something before Ron could make a comment, which was par for the course for him.

"Yes. See you guys later." Hermione said, turning towards her best friends.

"Bye Hermione." the two boys said together as they both gave Draco a glare.

"Now that they're gone." Malfoy said after watching Harry and Ron disappear from sight. "Happy Valentine's Day." he whispered into Hermione's ear, as he reached around her waist and held out a single red rose in front of her.

Hermione took the rose in her hand, and turned around the face Draco, giving him a warm smile. "Happy Valentine's Day." Malfoy smirked and leaned in the capture Hermione's lips in his once again.

All to suddenly, in both of their opinions, Hermione pulled back. "Some one might see." she whispered, not daring to open her eyes.

"I don't care anymore."

Her eyes shot open. "What!" she nearly screamed. She was fully and completely taken aback.

"I don't care anymore. Let people see."

"But what about the Slytherins? And the Gryffindors? And well, the rest of the school? This," she moved her hands back and forth between the two of them. "It's not exactly normal you know."

"To hell with the Slytherins and damn everybody else. Look, the main people you were worried about was Potter and Weasley. They know now. And I don't really care about the Slytherin's you know that."

"I know, but-"

Malfoy sighed in aggravation. She could be impossible. "Fine. But for today. Just today, forget about everyone else and what they think."

Usually, Hermione would have responded, but at that exact moment her gaze fell into Malfoy's and all she could focus on where the two silvery pools staring back at her. To tell the truth, it made her slightly uncomfortable, it was as if he was reading her mind, her soul. Uncomfortable, yes, but a good uncomfortable. She merely nodded. And besides, she reasoned with herself, it's not like anybody in Hogsmeade will notice….

"Let's go in this shop!" Hermione said, pointing excitedly at the book store in Hogsmeade.

"Only you would pick this store..." Malfoy smirked, as the two walked inside.

"Oh hush. It'll be fun." said Hermione. Malfoy looked at her with narrows eyes before shaking his head and giving a small laugh.

The two went their separate ways, and after about five minutes Malfoy found Hermione again in the Healer section. She was looking at a book titled: Magical Maladies: A Guide to Fixing Them All. The book was old and worn. After skimming through the pages, she turned to book to the back cover and sought out the price. After finding it, she dug into her pocket and counted the money she had on her before stomping her foot on the ground and putting the book away.

"Maybe another time." she said, as she walked to the next shelf.

Making sure he wasn't seen, Malfoy walked to where the book was, removed it from the shelf and quietly made his way to the front counter to pay for it. Making sure he wasn't seen by Hermione.

Hermione and Draco walked down the main road in Hogsmeade, hand in hand. "Where are we going?" they had been in Hogsmeade for an hour already and they were making their way to lunch. Hermione, however, didn't know where Malfoy was planning on taking her.

"You'll see when we get there." Malfoy smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes and gave a huff of impatience. "My, my aren't we the curious one. Curiosity killed the cat."

"Then it's a good thing-"

"You're not a cat? Yes, you've said that before." he smirked, and Hermione gave a small giggle. "Though, I'm sure you'd make a good one." he said as an after thought.

Hermione's mouth dropped open and she hit Draco, lightly on the arm. He just laughed. "Well, let me tell you, it's not fun. Being a cat that is."

"And how would you know?"

Hermione's eyes opened wide, and her free hand flew to her mouth. She hadn't even realized what she had said, it just came out before she had time to process it. She looked at Malfoy's questioning gaze. Could she tell him? Should she? What was she supposed to say? 'Yes, I've been changed into a cat, well almost changed that it. You see, in second year, Harry, Ron, and I thought you were the air of Slytherin, so we made a polyjuice potion and snuck into the Slytherin common room. Though, I didn't so much as leave Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, where we made the potion, cause the hair I put into my drink actually turned out to be cat hair.' Actually, that wasn't half bad. But still. He was the one that they were spying on.

"Oh, it's- erm- nothing."

"Could have fooled me. What?"

"You'll find out in due time." she said, mimicking his tone of voice when he said 'You'll see when we get there.'

Malfoy was about to respond when they came to a side street. Hermione began to turn right, as he began to turn left. Realizing this, he quickly gave Hermione's arm a pull, almost sending both of them tumbling to the ground. But with his quick reflexes he was able to stop himself from falling, and catch Hermione around the waist. He bent down, as if making to kiss her, but instead, he put his mouth right next to her ear and whispered, "We're here." he smirked down at her before setting her on her feet again.

Once Hermione was firmly on her feet, she looked before her and saw that she and Malfoy were standing in front of a quaint café. The café was surrounded by old, decaying buildings, but the café itself was beautiful. It was small, and a beautiful purple color, it wasn't to dark, and it wasn't to light….just perfect.

A gate surrounded part of the front of the café, making it look like a house. Five tables, with two chairs accompanying each one, sat scattered throughout what could be called the garden in front of the "house." A sign reading Madame Carla's Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans hung neatly over the door.

Draco, being a gentleman, opened the gate of the fence and allowed Hermione to pass through. Hermione waited for Malfoy to catch up with her and the two proceeded inside.

The inside was beautiful. The walls were painted warm, luscious, earth tones that seemed to soak the walls with all their might. Even though they were dark, there was a certain shimmer to them. Black tables and chairs sat throughout the inside, all of which were filled by cuddling couples.

Malfoy put his arm around Hermione's waist and the two approached a counter.

"What can I do you for on this fine day?" a small, petite women asked.

"I'd like a-" Hermione looked to the menu, and quickly spotted what she wanted. "turkey sandwich with everything on it. And a tea, please."

"And for the gentleman?" the woman asked after writing down Hermione's order.

"I'll have to same, except make the sandwich ham." he replied.

"Not exactly the same then, is it?" asked the woman. Malfoy stared at her, and Hermione tried to suppress a giggle. "That'll be fifteen sickles, and seven knuts."

Malfoy was quicker than Hermione in getting his money, and paid for both meals, which was met with protests from Hermione.

"Really, I can pay for the food."

"Nope. I got it. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't buy my own girlfriend lunch on Valentine's Day."

"Not a very good un," said the woman behind the counter. "You're good will be ready shortly." she then disappeared behind little door to the right.

"Isn't she just pleasant." Malfoy said through clenched teeth.

"Yes," Hermione was laughing at the look on Malfoy's face. "I think she is."

"Here you go!" The woman was back, carrying their orders. "Have a loverly day!"

"Thank you." the two said, as Malfoy grabbed bother meals.

"Come on, I think I saw a vacant table outside." said Malfoy. The two made their way to the door, which was reached first by Malfoy. He stuck out one of his feet, which were the only free limbs he had, caught the barely open door, and pulled it open for Hermione to pass.

"My, aren't we the gentleman today." Hermione said in passing. Malfoy smirked. True, he may be arrogant, egotistical, and rude most of the time. But he knew how to treat a lady. And he did just that.

"Two Galleons says that guy over there spills his drink on himself." Malfoy said, once they finished their sandwiches.

"Make it four." Hermione said. She had been watching Malfoy, and she noticed that his wand was ever so carelessly pointing directly at the man. After making her bet, she pointed her wand at the man, too. Ready to counter Malfoy.

The two waited for the man to pick up his drink, when he did Malfoy gave a small flick of the wand, and the cup began to tip, but Hermione had been ready. Immediately she flicked her wand, and prevented the glass from fully tipping over, and not allowing any water to spill. Hermione watched as Malfoy "discretely" looked around to find the person who stopped his prank, while she secretly slipped her wand back into her robe.

"I believe that will be four Galleons." she said, as she held out her hand, and stared at Draco innocently from across the table. He narrowed his eyes at her, as he handed over the money, not quite sure if she was the one who did it or not.

"How about some dessert?" asked Malfoy.

"Sounds delicious." she was about to rise from the table.

"No, sit." Hermione stared at him, before doing so. "I'll get it, what do you want?"

Hermione thought for a moment and then shrugged. "Surprise me." With a smirk in her direction, Malfoy went back into the café get the dessert.

Hermione through the window she was sitting by, as Draco walked to the counter and place the order. Suddenly, Hermione remembered something. She reached into her robe pocket and pulled out a small box with a ribbon wrapped around it, and placed it on the table in front of Malfoy's chair.

After making sure the small package was placed perfectly, Hermione turned her attention to the weather around her. It was sunny, with little clouds. And even though it was mid-February, it was rather warm out. Sure, she still needed to wear her cloak wrapped tightly around her, but there was something about the day, that made it warm.

"What's this?" Hermione looked towards Malfoy's voice, to find him sitting down in his chair, with a piece of scrumptious chocolate cake in hand, staring at the petite package.

"Happy Valentine's Day." was all Hermione said, as Malfoy set down the cake. Malfoy looked at Hermione, who was now sampling the cake, before picking up his present and untying the ribbon.

Upon opening the box, Malfoy met the sight of a Golden Snitch. Draco touched it and it immediately began to hover in front of his face.

"Ask it a question." Hermione said, after swallowing another piece of the cake.

"Er--What day is it?" Malfoy felt like kicking him self, what kind of question was that?

Once the last word left Draco's mouth, long, sleek, silver cursive writing appeared on the ball: February the Fourteenth, Valentine's Day. Malfoy stared in awe at the unusual snitch.

"You can ask it pretty much any question and it will give you the answer." Hermione said, very pleased with herself.

"Brilliant!" Malfoy said catching the Snitch and pocketing it. Once he did that, he reached into his other pocket and pulled out a rectangular box. "I suppose I should give you this," he said with a smirk.

Hermione took the box from his hands with a large smile on his face. She gently pulled at the ribbon that was around it, making the ribbon fall to the table. She pulled open the box, and her face dropped in surprise. Placed gingerly on the blood red velvet that lined the box was the most beautiful bracelet Hermione had ever seen.

She could tell that the bracelet was very old, but it shined like it was brand new. She very carefully picked it up. The silver metal was soft to the touch, as soft as silk. She couldn't quite tell what the bracelet looked like. It looked like a vine, that ended at the clasps. But the clasps were very peculiar, they appeared to be halves of something, but what it was she couldn't tell.

Hermione watched in awe, not quite registering what was going on, as Malfoy took her hand and the bracelet and clipped it around her wrist. Hermione, smiled. When clasped together the two ends of the bracelet created a rose, in full bloom, just like her necklace.

"It's beautiful." was all Hermione could say.

"Two pictures for four sickles!" shouted a man with a camera on a Hogsmeade street. "Two pictures for four sickles!"

"Come on," Hermione beamed, as she grabbed Malfoy's hand and pulled him towards the man with the camera.

"Oh, no." Malfoy said, trying to stop Hermione in her tracks, but he found that he couldn't. She really could be strong when she wanted to.

"Oh yes." She said, a now devilish type grin beginning to form on her face as she pulled on Malfoy's arm. "It's just two pictures!"

"Exactly!"

"Oh, it's not like they bite or anything."

"I wouldn't be surprised," he mumbled as they approached the man.

"We'd like to pictures please." Hermione said.

"That'll be four sickles!" the man said, happily.

"Here you go." replied Hermione, handing him the four sickles she won from Draco.

"Thank ya' miss." the man pocketed the money. "If the two of you'll most kindly step over here. There ya go. Perfect." the man smiled, revealing two missing front teeth, at Hermione and Malfoy.

Malfoy was standing behind Hermione, his arms draped around her waist. "Smile!" the two teenagers did as they were told as a puff of purple smoke emitted from the camera. "If you'll just give me a second before the next picture." the man said, as he began fiddling with his camera. He pulled out a black piece of paper from the camera, that was beginning to show the picture of Hermione and Malfoy.

"Righty then! Next picture, shall we?" Hermione nodded and Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Ready then! One, two, smile!"

Just as the camera man spoke the word 'smile' Malfoy bent down and captured Hermione's lips in a sweet kiss.

Author's Note: Well, this turned out the be longer than I thought it would. I think it turned out rather nicely…how about you?

PurpleXPrincess: Yeah, I get what you mean. and I understand where you're coming from, but it was just one of those chapters that needed to be like that…Well, thanks for the review!

Bruinen: Hey cool. I was in the flute section before I made Drum Major…Well, thanks for the review!

Phylicia13: Cool! Midnight! Wish I could do that…probably won't be able to…sigh…I dunno what happened, but I didn't get what you put after the sign in your review…..would be so kind to type it again? Thanks for the review!

Lweb: I liked the poem, and I congratulate you for coming up with it, cause I know I wouldn't have been able to…it was great! I wonder how Dumbledore always knows things too. I guess J.K. Rowling will be the one who truly knows…Thanks for the review!

Natyslacks: lol. Yeah, it was time the mood of the story was lightened a little.

So glad you like the fic. Thanks for the review!

Queen of Duct Tape: You march with your bass clarinet! Wow, snaps for you. Yeah, at our school if you want to be in band you have to do marching band…ugh…airports can be a pain…hope you had fun in Seattle! Thanks for the review!

Mrsbnm-of09: it's quite alright…I love getting reviews whenever possible. You'll have to wait and see about Ryn…I don't want to give too much away! Thanks for reviewing!

Pip08: The scene in the kitchens and on the patrol was two separate days, though it doesn't have an impact on the plot. Thanks for the review!

Exploded toilet bowl, Kiwi-San, bloody heart, Tinkbelle, DMHG 2GETHER 4EVER, and, melz: Thank you all so much for your fantabulous reviews!

Thank you all so much and I am so glad that you all like the story so much….

Until next time,

Your most loyal Author,

The Lonely Goatherd