A/N: Holy Mother of Pearl, an updated story!... recently I got a review saying its been four months and I just noticed. I'm so sorry guys, I've been so busy. I just graduated, got two jobs and on my way for college… im in a whirlwind. BUT currently at least today… I find myself bored… with nothing to do on an unexpected free day… so woohoo, ill write.

XXX

It was quite easy to hide the fact that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger was indeed a couple for a while. Due to the fact that they were both heads, in the most advance classes together, and each others "rivals" it was perfectly normal to see them around each other a lot in some form. The only challenge to it was to sneer at each other a couple of times and have a few sharp comments and competitive talk. Simple.

Draco walked down a hall, smiling inwardly to his secret happiness while he walked with an emotionless face towards his room to celebrate the fact that he and Hermione had been going on strong for awhile, before he got yanked into a broom closet.

"What the-" Draco let out before being hushed from a hiss. A moment of silence passed by and only Draco's rushed breathing could be heard.

"Draco, I know about you and Hermione." The voice said in a deep voice.

Okay, maybe they should have been a bit more cautious. Draco gulped in fear of being caught. Who was this stranger before him in the broom closet?

"What, what do you mean? The fact that I have to dance with the mudblood at the Halloween ball? Yeah, I know complete shame if you ask me." He scoffed, thinking protect her.

"Funny. Then I guess what you two did in the library corner was practice…" the voice seemed familiar now. Draco paused before noticing who this mystery person was.

"Blaise." He said in cautious tone. Blaise just laughed.

"Look, I'm just saying, you're not being so careful with her. I walked in on it, who knows who else could or has without your knowledge…"

"How'd you know? It was past curfew that night, and you're not a prefect." He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe I was meeting someone. Damn Draco, did you lose your wit? You stopped being the 'Slytherin Sex God' into a Bookworm yourself, just like her. Always busy with "school" never time for friends. Besides, It wasn't painfully obvious when Jade came up to me complaining how you two were in a heated situation before Granger came and interrupted you… in which you ran after her immediately, leaving poor Jade alone and heartbroken that I had to pick up the pieces for."

"Sometimes you have to do what you feel is right." Draco shrugged.

"I thought we talked about this, I thought you knew the dangers of this and I thought you decided to forget her."

Draco was silent, not sure of what to say. He just felt like he had to go after her, it was as simple as that, why was Blaise pushing this?

"Ok, look. I know you Draco. You're going to do what you've done to any other challenging girl you've bedded. You'll be close; she'll get all affectionate…" Draco's eyebrow raised in anger, about to burst in aggression. "… You'll be all over each other, yadeeyadeeyada and then you finally shag, you'll feel confident and victorious, you'll grow distant, she'll get upset… then you'll drop her all together and she's off to cry to her friends. Do yourself a favor. If you like this one, don't do this. Let her go, save yourself from shame and save her from you."

"Blaise… she's different." Draco said warning him with his tone of voice.

"Whatever you say, Drake." He patted his shoulder, while moving towards the door. "There's a reason why they call you The Slytherin Sex God and it's not just from Pansy raving on about a night that never existed." Then Blaise disappeared. Draco straightened his clothes that had been ruffled when he was pulled into the closet and made his journey back to the dormitory, with thoughts lingering in his head.

The portrait door opened slowly causing Hermione to smile up from the book she was reading while she waited on the sofa. Draco slowly emerged from the doorway deep in thought, looking almost frustrated.

"You alright?" Hermione asked.

"I need you to know something." Draco said, looking to her eyes pleading.

"Sure, what is it?" she said putting down her book looking at him softly.

"I really like you Hermione but I fear that if we continue… we're going to cause a lot of problems."

Hermione furrowed her brows and looked at him trying to understand what he was getting to, as her gut sank several thousand feet in fear. He sat down besides her causing the cushions shift towards him, Hermione looked at him expectantly.

"What are you getting at Draco?"

"I'm saying this is wonderful, you're wonderful, but with our histories and our family, it…" he sighed, almost (but defiantly not) wanting to cry. "We have to end this before you fall for me…"

Hermione couldn't say anything for a few reasons, first; utter shock, second; she has fallen for him… hard, Draco's made her the happiest she's ever been. When they're alone in their common room it's amazing. It was almost real.

"I know that I have, but I don't want you to, I can't risk hurting you. I was warned by my friend that we're getting a bit careless… its noticeable Hermione. I don't want my father to hurt you for my selfish acts."

Hermione scoffed.

"I hate you Malfoy. Everything you are, everything you do… you're a lie. An arrogant git who should have stayed a ferret back in fourth year!" she breathed out, gritting her teeth. Draco's concerned face went to complete shock and hurt, he didn't hide his emotions from her much anymore. Draco went quiet, and began to nod. Hermione laughed causing anger to bubble in the pit of Draco's stomach.

"Oh don't get offended you fool. I'm just proving to you I can dish it out as if we were nothing and come here and admire your smashing looks." Draco's body felt a thousand pounds lighter to hear these words, yet the concern still remained.

"Hermione, I'm serious." He said leaning towards her, but holding back realizing what he was trying to do.

"I know you are." She said softly. "I'm fine with our secret, if we have to be more protective over it, then so be it… I can't get enough of you. I really can't."

"Well what do you expect I am a Malfoy" he wiggled his eyebrows. "But, Hermione…" he said dropping back into a serious tone. "If it's a secret, I have to uphold certain aspects of it and … They've noticed I cut down tremendously to their knowledge and well" he sighed, "that's not fair to you." She nodded.

"So what are we going to do? Do you want to end this?" she asked him.

"No I don't want to end this but I have to…" she looked at him understanding but horribly broken.

"As you wish." She said softly, moving to get up.

"No, no. I should end this. But, im not." Hermione eyed im carefully sitting back down.

"I… I crazy about you, I wanted that to slip out every since you slipped off the stairs..." He stuttered out before crashing his lips onto Hermione's happily.

So they decided to keep it a secret.

XXX

On the way to grey
I could hardly wait
To see you again
To feel your hands

Finally the days flew by; the Halloween ball was only a day away. Outside was stormy and vicious granting the Halloween its best. Hermione stood in front of her mirror staring at herself, wearing a elegant bell gown that had been torn and worn from charms, to put Halloween spirits on. She put on makeup to pale her skin out to make her look like a ghost. And within minutes she would emerge from her room, to find a handsome "ghost" named Draco Malfoy awaiting her down the stairs to walk together, "disapprovingly" to the ball before they dance together before everyone.

Slowly she walked down the stairs, cautiously watching her placement of her feet on the stairs before she rounded the corner to see Draco standing in a haunting tux, paler than usual (if possible) gaping at her presence on the stairs.

"Granger." He winked, holding his arm out for her.

"Malfoy" she sneered while she latched herself on his arm, then grinning widely.

"Do you know how difficult you make our little secret to stay a secret?" Hermione blushed.

"No, I don't think I do" she grinned.

"Merlin." He breathed out. "I can't wait till the ball is over." Hermione just laughed as they let go of each other, pacing on opposite sides towards the Great Hall to meet Dumbledore.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger, perfectly suited for the dance. I hope that you two will get along for the dance, it is customary that the heads of Hogwarts dance together. And thank you for being mature about it. If you will, enter through these doors here, sit with the staff for the introduction before we announce your dance to start the ball off. Now, it is preferred the heads went to the ball together and stayed together during the ball but considering your history together, you can chose differently, that is unless you're fine to follow out those wishes." His eyes twinkled as if he knew. Hermione just grinned where as Draco looked at him a bit sour.

"Yes Sir" they both said.

They followed Dumbledore through the doors to the staff table where they took their seats as Dumbledore announced the year's ball.

"This year we decided to do a theme based on other's views. Which is why we chose a Halloween ball, a holiday the muggle world has in cause of going to other's homes to get sweets? Hm I quiet liked the idea of this holiday if I do say so myself. So if you look around, you will see there are tons of sweets and everyone is dressed as they wish. Now without postponing your dance any longer, I'd like to ask the Head Boy and Head Girl to start the night off with the first dance."

As expected, Draco and Hermione walked from opposite ends of the staff table to meet in the center, scowling towards each other all while grasping onto each other's arms as they made their way to the center of the hall. Dancing gracefully, Draco held Hermione as far back as possible to give off the image. Hermione obliged perfectly.

Harry and Ron sneered off to the side of the crowd angered that it was Malfoy dancing with their friend but as Hermione explained to them, she had no other chance, it was Dumbledore's orders and if they were smart they'd let it go and so they did. Ron was a bit reluctant at first to let it go but Harry convinced him Hermione was capable of handling things herself.

Hermione did her best to not smile as did Draco. Hermione furrowed her brows in frustration.

"Something wrong" he sneered perfectly.

"Just hard to not smile and go along with this as if we were alone, I'm getting used to it now though; just keep sneering like that and you'll remind me of the golden days."

"UCK, Gold." Draco made a sickened face while Hermione let go and laughed.

"Hey you laughed." He said quietly.

"Terribly sorry. Hmm, Maybe I should act extremely upset where my friends decide to push you off me?" she said with a smile tugging on the side of her face.

"Very funny." He said sneering once more. Soon they were enclosed by several other students dancing besides them.

"Ah, much better, I can smile without worrying. As well as… this" Draco said, smiling while staring into her eyes, moving in much closer to her.

"Oh how you tempt me." She giggled.

"Welcome to my world, love."


Covering me
Till the storm is done
What seemed to be the end
Was not the end at all

Finally, Draco said, pulling at his tie as he stormed into the common room. Hermione was already there sitting waiting for him.

"How'd it go with Pansy?" she question quietly.

"Ugh, She thinks were the perfect couple, but she doesn't know that title is currently taken by myself and this fantastic girl im looking at." He said grinning at her before sitting besides her on the couch. "Anyway, she tried to jump on me and I told her that I thought it'd be better if it were too soon to date even though she pointed out the fact that im to wed her in a year."

Hermione simply rolled her eyes and smiled softly at him. Rain picked up harder from the storm that had currently been brewing on for about four hours now.

"You know I'm crazy about you right?" he grinned shifting towards her pulling his tie off his shirt completely before leaning forward towards her.

"Yes" she sighed, leaning in towards him, kissing softly. "Mm," she broke off. "How are you going to deal with the sex god appeal?" she looked at him curiously, not angered.

"Oh I figured, I'd make my official 'dating' status with Pansy, but ignore her, blow her off, be bitter as long as I can to keep her away from my bed. Then if any girl finds themselves trying to draw me into a broom closet or anything of that sort I'll say I turned my ways to being loyal to my future wife in which they would all think of Pansy and hopefully, respect that the 'eligible bachelor, Draco Malfoy, is not so much eligible." He smirked. Hermione nodded, smiling along before pulling him into another long kiss.

Draco softly pushed her back onto the sofa so that she was laying as he crawled himself on top of her kissing her passionately caressing her face, arms and neck before traveling it down past her neck line. Hemrione gasped.

"DRACO MALFOY" she yelled out in surprise with a hint of humor.

"Yes?" he looked at her curiously.

"You're not that lucky, just yet." She snickered.

"Damn you woman, you tempt me so." He said before moving off her then leaning onto the sofa, relaxing before Hermione rested her head onto his chest, while they stared at the fireplace silently crackling with the hint of the rain patting on the windows throughout the room.


When I hear the rain
Should I be afraid?
For my, for my
For my... life

Soon enough, Hermione drifted off into a peaceful sleep with Draco's possessive hands protectively wrapped around her body. Leaning his head down he wondered how he got to be where he was. He was lucky, so very lucky, but at the same time, cursed.

He wanted her for what seemed to be the length of forever and now he had her, but all before then the consequences of his goal just didn't seem to count until now.

Now, Hermione's life is at risk. Now, his life is at risk. If they were found out, this dream life he's living is going to be a living nightmare. Soon enough he'll have to woo Pansy in order to convince his father that he was going through with his wishes. If his father knew that Draco was over looking a pureblood for the muggle born, her life would be cost in order to prevent the tainting of the Malfoy blood. He was, after all the only child and a son at that.

Hermione stirred under his arms, he stared at her peacefully. Wondering what exactly he was supposed to do. Was he supposed to defy all and be with the one person who made him truly happy despite how upsetting it would be to the one's he's known all his life? Or, should he make the one's who he's known all his life happy and defy the one person he's ever loved?

Thoughts consumed his mind, causing a small headache of frustration to build in the very center. Before Draco could process another thought provoking thing, he drifted off to sleep with brown curls sprawled across his chest. This was the best sleep he's ever since he could remember.


Why do you look at me that way?
I told you that I was too busy to see you
I would never keep a secret from you
From you
From you

A couple of months passed by and Draco decided to see how the secret would work, and secretly when he would go to sleep, he'd hope to Merlin the secret would work out in the end. But as the months progressed, Pansy persisted in her actions towards bedding him, causing Draco to become increasingly frustrated.

"It's sickening, Blaise. How she jumps on me at every chance she gets, I mean hell I can barely eat at the table without her trying to feel up my leg."

"We'll mate, you are dating her if I remember correctly." Blaise stated simply.

"Yes but, I'm with Hermione. Pansy is just a cover up to make every one who doesn't know about Hermione, happy."

"What the hell are you going to do when we graduate Drake? I mean are you going to marry Parkinson to make everyone happy and then meet Granger at a hotel once a week… you really think Granger could live like that, most guys would say you're living a dream with two girls at once, but honestly, it sounds like hell and if you don't fix it, you're going bloody well screw everything up."

"Thanks for that" Draco glared. "Besides, I'm eventually working through out all the bugs of what I'm expecting in the end."

"What if it doesn't come out the way you want it to be?" Blaise asked as he looked at his clean finger nails, expecting them thoroughly.

"Malfoys always get what they want." Draco said sternly.

"Yes but your father is also a Malfoy. So doesn't that contradict everything?" Draco groaned and clinched his fist.

"Must you ruin the hope I have left?" he growled.

"If it helps you think things through, yes."

"You're like a sour sweet." Draco scoffed. "Thanks."

"Anytime mate, anytime." Blaise said before smiling.

"Alright, I have to go and see her" he groaned. Blaise laughed, wished him luck and hoped his pants didn't get shredded from her pathetic attempts.

Soon enough, Draco found himself pinned into a dark corner near the potions class room by none other than Pansy, jumping on him as she forced her mouth onto his, kissing him sloppily and uncontrolled. Draco kissed her back, however only wishing it would help draw this activity to an end, to get back to the one he truly loved to kiss.

Pansy started to bring her hands downward on his chest, leading to his firmly buckled belt. Which unknown to Pansy was charmed to stay on by Draco. Draco leaned back groaning in frustration from her pathetic attempts to undo his belt.

"What's with these?" Pansy panted angrily.

"I don't know. Are you even trying?" Draco said bored. Pansy scoffed and began to yank on his belt, trying to tear it off his body.

"Pansy, you're going to bloody rip my pants off!" Draco spat out.

"If that gets them off, then by all means, I'll do it." She said quickly.

"Do you realize how expensive these are?" Draco said dryly.

"Do you realize how incredible rich you are to where these cost nothing compared to your bank account?" she yet again snapped back.

"Ok, I'm not in the mood anymore." Draco said before pushing Pansy out of his way as he walked out into the hall pass the potions room on the way to the head common room.

"Ugh. Honestly" Pansy said to herself before walking away towards the slytherin common room.

Minutes later, Draco entered the common room, up the stairs to Hermione's room, the door usually open and welcoming, was shut and locked. Curiously Draco raised his hand and knocked firmly on the door.

"Hermione?" Sobs were commencing behind the big brown door.

"Go away." She said simply, sobs taking over the silence once more.

"What's wrong love." He asked.

Only sobs answered. Draco sighed, walking away from the door and into his room. If she was going to be that way, he'll have to get to the bottom of this the hard way. The bathroom door however was unlocked. She didn't think of the bathroom doors, or wanted Draco to know about the bathroom door, either way he took it. He walked briskly through the door and straight to where the sobbing Hermione was on her bed.

"What's wrong." He said once more sitting besides her. First she gave him a disapproving look, making Draco feel completely ashamed and worthless.

"Nothing, sometimes you just need to let some emotions out otherwise you could act on them. It's just to release thoughts, pent up aggression and what not." She said simply, wiping away her tears.

"What do you mean?" he asked curiously, knowing there was more.

"Well, I guess I should be honest, I caught a moment of you and Pansy's action in the hall but I know its for your image and, its just, I don't know its hard to see something like that. I mean I know it goes on, but it's just… it's so much different if you see it than hear it." She said, calming down.

Draco was speechless, he never intended on Hermione having to witness it. He hated it for himself but now he hated it so much more due to the fact that she had to see it. Gosh, he was an idiot. How he wish he could turn back time.

"I'm sorry." He said softly.

"No, don't be, I understand, it just, kind of is a put down. I'll get over it. I just need to rid myself of feelings." Hermione sighed, looking at him, forcing a truthful smile.

He leaned in kissing her softly on the check, replacing it with his hand and rubbing his thumb over her cheek gently.

"You mean so much to me 'Mione." He grinned, kissing her on the lips fully this time.


Is it over?
I am fine
Thank you dearly
For your time

The next day was a bit troubling. Seeing Hermione cry over their hidden secret but the consequences of it, and then the fact that Pansy is getting too aggressive than a girl should be. Life really had it for him, he was stressed more than ever and he couldn't concentrate on studying for NEWTS. He was going to suffer, he was sure of it.

Yet again he walked down the hall, his expensive leather boots clicking against the stone ground before a pair of hands reached grabbing his shirt, pulling him into the corner of yet another dark alcove, kissing him hard on the lips.

At first he expected it to be Pansy, his arms preparing to place them to where he could push her off him quickly to give her the death glare that he's accustomed himself with for her actions. However, this pair of lips was different, in a good familiar way. Draco smiled noticing milliseconds later as to who was kissing him. How he missed those lips even though it had been only 3 hours since their last kiss. He sighed into the kiss turning her against the wall for his complete possession. Kissing every inch of her lips thoroughly, their moans and groans began to increase rapidly, almost causing a scene.

"Oi, MALFOY!" someone yelled, immediately Malfoy craned his head back to look whose voice spoke to him before realizing it was Potter and Weasley behind him, glaring. He glanced back at Hermione giving her a warning look.

"Sod off Potter, Weasley." He said before dipping his down back kissing the mystery girl to their view due to the dark shadows casting down on them, the only noticeable thing was Malfoy's platinum blonde hair.

"I'll take points, Ferret!" Potter struck back.

"I'm head boy. You're a mere prefect, and besides what if I was kissing a Gryffindor." He smirked, looking down at Hermione whose eyes were bugging out of her head.

"No Gryffindor would be stupid enough to kiss that mouth of yours Malfoy." Weasley scoffed.

"Want to bet?" Draco laughed.

"Fine, let's see the Gryffindor then." Potter spat out.

"I'm only joking, why I would kiss a Gryffindor. It's Pansy here and if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to her." He said angrily towards the two, only to receive glares.

"One would Figure." Potter said dryly.

"How about you find that mudblood of yours and show her what it is to be kissed in a dark corner, it's rather exhilarating." Hermione softly punched the side of Draco's chest before Draco looked at her with trusting eyes.

"Call her that again you pig and see what happens." Weasley jumped up starting to walk towards Draco.

"Ok, I don't want to fight, alright. Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone. Hell I'll stop calling Granger a mud… well you know. Just let me be with Pansy here and go on your marry way." He negotiated.

"You'll stop calling her a mudblood?" Potter asked shocked.

"I promise." Draco said sternly. "Besides, I never meant it as an insult." Potter sighed, then scratched his head, before looking back up at what he could see of Malfoy.

"Fine. You call her it again and I get to hex you to next week." Potter stated before stalking off with Weasley complaining about how he shouldn't of done that because Malfoy wasn't going to listen anyway.

"That was close" Draco said whispering into Hermione's ear as he leaned down to kiss the side of her neck.

"No kidding." She groaned out.

"No more of this." Draco said simply. "That was a bit too close. As tempting as it is, it just is something we can not risk." He said pushing her firmly against the wall. She nodded understanding. "Thanks."

"Thank you for making it easier to have a reason why you don't call me mudblood anymore." She smiled.

"Well, I thought it'd be the opportune moment" he grinned back.

"Sly Ferret you." She said kissing him softly once more before checking both ways running towards the direction Potter and Weasley went.


I'll be leaving
Don't you cry
I'll be back soon
At least I'll try

The pressures on Draco became increasingly harder. His father, Lucius, was forcing him to receive the dark mark during winter break and as the days drew closer, the more fearful and aggressive Draco's personality became. Hermione had no clue of this however the tense feeling from Draco was easily felt in his presence. She began to worry and this secret was beginning to lose its meaning.


Can't you see
There is no time to think
Selfishly

Yesterday's gone
Tomorrow's here
Can't turn back now
I won't quit


I still love you
I swear,
I always will

I always will
I always will