After that, Ron and Lavender could be seen around school together. People soon forgot that Hermione and Ron had ever so much as dated, and Lavender and Ron were the new "Perfect couple." Hermione was thrilled that she was relieved of that weighty title. She and Draco were finally together, but her happiness was hindered by the fact that they had both decided to keep it a secret.
Hermione wanted to tell the world that she was with a man who finally treated her right, who finally loved her, who she loved back. She wanted to shout it from the astronomy tower and write it all over the walls. She was going stir crazy with the knowledge that she was finally with Draco and yet no one could know.
Oh, there were ways of going about things without arousing suspicion. It obviously helped that they shared a dorm. Beyond that, it was exchanging secret glances, meeting up in secret places, exchanging secret notes: the keyword, naturally, being "secret." Neither of them were very happy with keeping the happiest part of their lives a secret.
"Draco," Hermione and Draco were curled up on the couch in front of the fire.
"Yea?" His head perked up and his eyes opened to look at her quizzically.
"I think it's time that we come clean about us." Draco sat up, forcing Hermione to sit up as well.
"'Mione, look at me," he said, cupping her chin and forcing her to look at him.
"You know that if we tell people about this, about us, what could happen?"
"I know, we've talked about this so many times before, and I don't care anymore. Draco, I just want to be happy with you. As long as we go into things together, as one, what could matter? What could go wrong?"
"Your friends, your best friends since you started at Hogwarts could turn against you," Draco looked concerned.
"Harry knows," she said, "and he understands. We're better friends than that. And as for Ron," she snorted, "things can't ever be the same between us anyway."
"Hermione..." he looked so deeply into her eyes that he could see her soul. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"
"Yes," she nodded, and sealed her answer with a kiss.
The next morning was Valentine's Day. Draco and Hermione headed down to the Great Hall together, hand in hand. They paused outside the door and Draco leaned over to lightly kiss Hermione.
"Are you ready?" She nodded, her face set in a firm resolve. He squeezed her hand and opened the door.
As they walked into the Great Hall, no one seemed to notice. After a moment, however, a set of eyes met the pair. Whispers were sent across the room in wave, and soon hundreds of silent eyes watched the pair. Even the teachers had fallen silent. Dumbledore put his hands together and tried to conceal a smile.
"The things a headmaster must do these days," he murmured.
"What was that, sir?" Minerva raised an eyebrow at Albus.
"Nothing, my dear, just complementing on how absolutely delicious this bacon is. Wouldn't you agree, Severus?" he asked, nudging the Potions Master.
"What?" Severus shook his head, peeling his eyes away from his favorite pupil and the girl who never failed to give him a headache. Albus just smiled.
Draco and Hermione took a seat at the empty end of the Slytherin table. Ron stood up and looked furious, but the combination of a seething look from Lavender and the force from Harry's hand made Ron take his seat again. Draco smiled at Hermione, fixed her a plate of food, and gently kissed her cheek. No one dared to say anything as the pair ate their breakfast. One by one, however, people decided it was hardly a huge crisis and returned to their own business.
"Looks like we're a success," smiled Hermione.