Disclaimer: Don't own them.

Chapter 5: Hidden Secret

oooooooo

Hermione had no idea what Draco's secret entailed. But she was a bit nervous to find out. Draco took a deep breath and began.

"We had a…guest stay over for the summer. I thought he was…okay, but I knew there was something wrong with him. My father knew it too, and he was…a terrible host. N-not to his face, but…he just was.
"One night, our guest came home late, and my father was suspicious. He started asking him questions. The…the guest got really scared. You know how intimidating my father can be. My dad started…to scream 'Crucio, Crucio!' And…and I wanted to leave, but father wouldn't let me. He…he said I had to watch. I-I had to take notes since this'll be my job. So…so he continues and the guy still won't talk. My dad gets so frustrated and…and…"

"Used the Killing Curse…" Hermione finished in a whisper. Draco nodded. He was shaking, and tears were falling down his face.

"So…so…my dad just…LEAVES, and…I check his pockets. I find out his name, and where he lived. So simple! So…while my dad was at work, I walked to this guy's house. A woman answered the door, and she…she seemed to have known because she began crying automatically. She invited me in, and told me everything. This guy was like…like our protector. He…was saving us from…people planning to kill my father for being a Death Eater. The woman was his wife, and…they…had a five-month old baby girl. And…it got me to realize how I can't…kill people.
"So when I got home, my father was there. He looked mad. He asked where I was. I told him, and he caned me for doing that. And…and that was that. I left." He looked at her.

"So…so where did you go?" Hermione asked. Draco reached for her hand. She held it.

"I…I went to Pansy's. I know it's the last thing you want to hear. And…we had a small fling," Hermione tried to yank her hand away, but he held onto it.

"It didn't work out. It was just hormones. I never slept with her. I couldn't," Draco said honestly. Hermione nodded and wiped his eyes. Her finger stroked his cheek gently.

"So are you…"

"Father disowned me," Draco said.

"Live with me," Hermione murmured.

"I-I couldn't do that. Not after all that's happened…your parents must think I'm--"

"They don't know. I never told. They'd never understand," Hermione said.

"I'll have to think about it," Draco said. Hermione nodded. She scooted closer to him and kissed him. He kissed her back, holding her gently against him.

"What made you come back?" Draco asked her.

"Well…I just…was thinking about stuff," Hermione said, running her thumb along his knuckles.

"What kind of stuff?" He asked. His knuckles brushed along her thigh. It sent shivers down Hermione's spine.

"Stuff I felt during our kiss," She told him.

"Good stuff?" He asked.

"Amazing stuff," She replied. "So…I was just thinking and I wound up in front of here. And I walked in," Hermione shrugged her shoulders. She noticed Draco's legs were open scissors-style. Hermione sat in between them. Draco pulled her against him so that she wasn't necessarily on top of him, but leaning against him. Her chest pressed against his. She leaned in and kissed him. He kissed her back, moving his legs so she'd be a bit more spread out. But by doing this, she felt…she pulled back in surprise.

"It's okay, Hermione," Draco murmured. And it was. It didn't feel right with Ron. But with Draco…she leaned in and kissed him again, with passion. She heard Draco moan softly, but that was that. Her hands entangled in his soft hair.

"Hermione," He hissed. Hermione pulled away.

"I can't kiss you anymore. If I kiss you for much longer, I'll do something I'd regret, and I don't want to upset you," He said. Hermione just looked at him. She leaned in and kissed him again with fervor. She didn't care. He took her by the waist and brought her even closer to him. Hermione's breathing faltered against his lips. Draco broke away again.

"Go," He hissed.

"But--"

"I know you don't want to. I don't want you to. But it's for the sake of your…erm…"

"Virginity?" Hermione teased. Aw, Draco was uncomfortable. He just nodded. Hermione kissed his forehead, got off the bed, and left the room.

ooooooo

It was hard to keep the secret that the Pureblood Elitist and the Know-it-All Muggle were an item. Or involved, anyway. The two never acted chummy in the hallway if they ever saw each other (unless they were alone. Then, they got REALLY chummy), but they weren't frosty. They were…civil. It spread like wildfire that the Head Boy and Head Girl were actually getting along. Lots of students were disappointed that neither one of them had ended up in the Hospital Wing yet. Hermione was amused by this idea. Draco, however, was not.

"It's like nobody knows how to bloody grow up!" Draco exclaimed in frustration. Hermione held back a giggle.

"I'm serious. If Potty and Weas--er…sorry," Hermione stopped giggling to glare at him. "If Potter and Weasley look at me the way they do one more time, I'll--"

"You'll what?" Hermione asked with a smug grin.

"What are you smirking about?" Draco asked.

"You're Head Boy now," She wrapped her arms around his neck. "You can't do anything to Ron or Harry, unless they attacked you or something," Hermione pointed out.

"Mm, that's true," Draco said. He rested his hands on her wrists and moved his hands down her arms. Hermione got goose bumps.

"I wonder how they'd feel if they saw me kissing you," Draco said. He noticed there were no people in the hallway.

"Wanna find out?" Hermione asked slyly. She leaned in closer and kissed him. He kissed her back, but it was a soft, sweet kiss. Hermione sighed softly against his lips. But class soon let out.

Harry and Ron were joking about until they found their best friend locking lips with the enemy.

"OY! FERRET BREATH!" Ron yelled. The two recognized his voice and pulled away.

"Jealous, Weasel?" Draco asked with a smirk. Ron took his wand out. Draco was ready to take out his, but Hermione very secretly put her hand on his back to calm him. Ron and Harry were too busy looking angry to notice. All they saw was Draco pull his hand away. Hermione gave him a secretive smile.

"Why aren't you taking your wand out, Draco?" Ron sneered.

"Because I am Head Boy. And I'm tired of this immaturity crap. Grow up," He turned away. But Ron wasn't done. He charged up behind Draco, and before Hermione could even stop him, pushed Draco to the floor. Draco tried to get up, but Ron put his foot down. Literally. On his back.

"Get off!" Draco growled.

"RONALD!" Hermione yelled. She pulled him off. Draco's nose was bleeding from the impact of Ron's shove. Draco just smirked and walked away.

"Ronald Weasley, you are the biggest prick I've ever met!" Hermione exclaimed with tears in her eyes. She turned around and ran in Draco's direction.

He went in the dungeons. He wiped the nosebleed off with his sleeve.

"Draco?" Hermione asked. Draco jumped a little.

"You scared me," He confessed sheepishly.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked. Draco nodded.

"I'm sorry," She whispered.

"It's okay," Draco said. He hugged her to him, absent-mindedly stroking her hair. She inhaled his scent and sighed. Draco tipped her chin up with his index finger and kissed her. Hermione kissed him back. Draco was pretty certain he was falling hard for her.

"GRANGER!" Yelled a familiar voice. Snape. Draco pushed her away fast.

"What…do…you think…you're doing?" Snape spat.

"I--"

"Fifteen points from Gryffindor, and a detention," Snape said curtly.

"But--" Hermione protested. She wondered why Draco wouldn't back her up, until she realized: He had snuck away.

A/N: Yeah, so there was a lot of fluff in this chapter. Next chapter there will be…oh…a really heavy make-out scene. ;) And we find out what Hermione's detention will be, AND what Professor Blackburn is really like.