"Ok, so you promise not to freak out?" Harry and Ron exchanged confused glances as Hermione lead them through the third-floor, in the direction of the hospital wing.

"That does depend on what it is." Harry reminded her, "Why can't you just tell us? Why does it have to be a secret?"

"Trust me, you'll know." Hermione replied, looking furtively around, "But you mustn't go crazy." Ron gave an exaggerated sigh and rolled his eyes. Hermione, using every ounce of self-control not to smack him in the face, resorted to whispering,

"Tea-spoon." The redhead flushed and glared at her, but before he could retort, Hermione had started towards the infirmary again, Harry close behind her. As they reached the door, she turned to them once more, index finger pressed pointedly to her lips in a silent gesture, then resumed her trek into the unnaturally clean, white wilderness that had a strong scent of disinfectant about it.

They were just about to reach the last bed on the left, when an excited voice piped up,

"Mione! Mione! Mione!" Both Harry and Ron stood there, absolutely stunned, as a small blonde boy with a bandaged arm jumped into Hermione's arms, giggling like a crazy thing as Hermione tousled his hair,

"That's not…" Harry began uncertainly,

"Nah. It-it can't be…" Ron replied, gaping like a fish at the pair of them. Hermione turned back to her friends happily, the small boy lying his head on her shoulder, smiling shyly,

"Harry, Ron. I'd like to introduce you to Draco."

"It is!" They both said together, looking as though they were going to faint.

"Bloody hell!"

"There is no need for that!" Hermione scolded, instinctively covering Draco's ears, "You promised you wouldn't freak." Ron coughed in a 'Actually-no-we-didn't-you-just-assume-that-we-did.' Kind of way, making Harry elbow him hard in the ribs,

"Sorry, Mione. We were just…kind of surprised. Is that really Malfoy?" The brunette shot him a Look,

"His name's Draco, Harry. But yes, it is." The-boy-who-lived put a hand on his head as though he had a migraine coming,

"And, umm…"He fished vaguely around for the right word, finally ending up with a conclusive, "Why?" Hermione sat down on the edge of Draco's bed, settling the little boy comfortably in her lap, gesturing Harry to come and sit by her,

"Can't you guess?" She asked softly. Harry frowned, deep in thought, then shook his head, "Then I'll tell you later. Not in front of him." Draco looked up at her,

"Are you going to tell him Mione?" He asked nervously,

"Why? Don't you want me to? I won't if you don't want that." Draco screwed up his pale face in concentration,

"I don't know…" He said hesitantly, "Papa says I'll be in trouble if I tell, but Uncle Sev'rus says I won't an' Izzy say I won't to. What do you think Mione? Will I be in trouble?"

"I shouldn't think so, Draco. Not if your Uncle Severus says you won't." Draco looked uncertain for a moment, then meekly complied with a small nod of his blond head and buried of himself further into Hermione's arms, who, sensing the child's unease, hugged him closer.

Ron watched this exchange with contempt and, although he'd never admit to it, jealousy. He was jealous that this…boy, who, just a few weeks ago, had hated their guts. A feeling of which was returned with equal malevolence. And now, here he was, sitting on Hermione's knee, stealing her affection for him! He knew he was being selfish. He knew Hermione wasn't stupid enough to befriend someone like that for no good reason, but now it seemed as if she liked Ferret Boy better than him… :-(

Hermione looked up from stroking Draco's baby fine hair to see Ronald sulking in the corner. She sighed and looked down at her young charge,

"Draco, would you mind sitting with Harry for a moment? I need to…deal with something." Draco looked up curiously,

"What, Mione? What do you need to deal with?" Hermione laughed,

"Don't you worry about it. You'll be fine with Harry for a few minutes won't you?" Draco nodded amiably and scrambled off Hermione's lap and onto Harry's. When Draco was happily settled, the brunette turned to Ron, who was scowling ferociously at nothing in particular, who was scowling ferociously back. But before she got up, harry grabbed her arm,

"Don't be too harsh on him, Mione," He warned, "This is a big shock and you know what he's like."

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle." Hermione replied, smirking.

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A/N: Yo! How is everyone? Ugh, i have had such a bad cold this week ,Lol! btw, i might not be able to update next weekend as i'm going to my great grandmother's funerla. sob she was 94 though...ah well. :(

Choclate huggles to,da da da daaaa

miniuncy22, irite4uall, perfectpureblood, Tamike DanarDraco, darkprincess, thinkb4uspeak, Nikki's evil doppelganger, lollenk, i Estel Vinta Amambarrena lomeo A Duath, Queen of darkness, evilness and chaos, blueeyedchibi, 13blackangels, brittagirl, lilmissgullable, TimaeMage0955 and Ilya of Smeg.

I love you all so much! Lilyxxxxxxxxxxxxxx