A/N: Thank you guys! I'm getting great reviews! I'm so glad that you all like this story! Yes Bix and Young J.K. I'm going to write this as fast as I can so you don't go insane with waiting. (And so you don't beat me up for not working on the Death Eater story.)

Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Snogging, Secrets, and Hogsmead

Ron was in a depressed mood for the next two weeks. Hermione spent more and more time with Draco, and both Harry and Ron were getting sick and tired of losing their friend to this…Slythindor. Ron had come up with the concept sitting in the library one afternoon.

"So, have you changed your mind on Draco and Hermione?" Harry asked. Ron glared at him.

"Malfoy is nothing but an actor. He's just trying to use her to get to us! Don't you realize that he's becoming some kind of a…a…Slythindor?"

Harry raised his eyebrow. "A Slythindor?"

Ron answered angrily while staring moodily at his book. "Yeah. Somebody who's in Slytherin but is trying to act like they're in Gryffindor."

Harry shook his head. "I dunno. I think its good that they're together. I mean, Hermione's always talking about inner house uni-"

Ron jumped up. "I was wrong in fourth year! She wasn't fraternizing with the enemy! She was just snogging him! Now she's fraternizing with the enemy!"

Harry grabbed Ron's sleeve and pulled him down. "Ron will you shut up? I know you like Hermione, but you're going insane! Why don't you just tell her?"

Ron rested his head on his arms. "I never get the chance."

Harry looked towards the door. "Here's your chance now."

Hermione was walking in the door to the library carrying arm loads of books. Her homework seemed to have finally gotten to her. Sitting down she sighed. "I've never eflt more busy! I've got schoolwork, S.P.E.W, friends, Draco."

At the sound of Draco, Ron hissed like a cat. He hadn't meant to do it out loud, but it came out all the same.

Hermione shot a look at him. "Why is it so wrong for me to be seeing him?"

Ron couldn't answer. Instead, he stared pointedly at his shoes as if trying to make them untie themselves. Hermione nodded. "That's what I thought."

Harry looked at Hermione. "You don't need to be so mean."

Hermione glanced over at him. "Just because the only snogging experience he's ever had was with Lavender Brown isn't my problem." Hermione slapped her hands over her mouth, horrified at what had just passed her lips.

Ron jumped up. "HOW DARE YOU BRING HER UP? I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND! MY BEST FRIEND! BUT YOU'RE TURNING INTO ONE OF THEM! THE SORTING HAT WAS WRONG! IT SHOULD HAVE PUT YOU IN SLYTHERIN!" With that he ran from the room.

Hermione was in tears before had reached the door. Harry was in complete shock. Hermione had never said anything like that before. He didn't know what to do. He looked to Hermione. "What did you say that?"

Hermione shook her head. "I didn't mean to! It just slipped! I didn't mean it, but he'll never talk to me now!" Burying her head in her arms, she dissolved into tears. Harry patted her back. Biting his lip, he debated on whether to tell her about Ron liking her or not, but knew not to. Ron would never forgive him.

Hermione slowly sat up. "I need to find him. Will you help me Harry?"

Harry pulled her up. "Let's go."

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Downstairs in the second floor girl's bathroom, Ron sat crying. It was here that Moaning Myrte found him. "What's the matter Ron? Lose a fight?"

Ron swatted at her, sobbing harder. Myrtle thought to herself, "Well that struck a nerve! We'll see who's crying soon enough."

"Is it a girl? You know, I just saw Hermione in here a while ago with that Draco boy. They were snogging you know."

Ron jumped up. "I DON'T CARE!" Running as fast as his legs would carry him, he ran.

Myrtle laughed. "I have to have SOME fun." Humming, she dove into the toilet.

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It was hours later until Hermione and Harry found Ron in the common room by the fire. He was still in a bad mood, but was at least speaking to Hermione now. It was past one o' clock when Harry went to bed and left Hermione and Ron by themselves. An awkward silence filled the room. Finally, Ron spoke. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

Hermione held up her hand. "No. It's my fault. I shouldn't have said anything about Lavender. That was uncalled for."

Ron nodded. Again, and awkward silence filled the room. Ron moved a little closer to Hermione. "You know…There's something I haven't told you…"

Hermione looked over at him. "Yes?"

Ron turned to face her. "I…Well I…" They were so close they were almost touching. Ron moved in to kiss her, but Hermione moved back. "Ron, can we talk later? I'm really tired."

Ron nodded and Hermione gave him a hug. As he watched her move up the stairs to the girls dormitory, he swore softly and turned to go to his own common room.

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The next day was the Hogsmead trip. The day dawned dreary as the rain fell softly. Hermione pulled the covers over her head and tried to go back to sleep, but when she realized it was Saturday, she jumped out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater. Pointing her wand at her hair, it fell sleek and straight. Finally she applied some makeup, grabbed her bag, and hurried down to the common room. Ron and Harry were waiting for her.

If Harry was impressed with Hermione's look, Ron didn't notice. He was too busy staring at her himself. She looked incredible. Ron hoped above hopes that his mouth wasn't hanging open. He tried to speak but nothing came out. Swallowing he tried again. "You look…incredible."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks." She looked at Ron. He had done something with his hair. Or maybe he was carrying himself different. Or maybe it was just what had almost happened last night. But no matter what it was, Hermione thought he looked incredible. She smiled. "You look good too."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Can we go? We're going to be late." The three left the common room, Ron not taking his eyes off of Hermione.

When they reached the Great Hall, Hermione spotted Draco. She couldn't believe her eyes. He was wearing a grey sweater and jeans that fit him perfectly. His hair was rumpled as if he had just finished a Quidditch match. Hermione gasped. He looked wonderful. As they pulled on their cloaks, he moved over to her and whispered in her ear. "You look beautiful Hermione." She smiled and nodded. "Thanks. So do you."

The group of students made their way down to the village, battling the cold air the best they could. Harry and Ron tried to talk to Hermione, but she was too busy being held by Draco. Ron tried to hex him twice, but Harry pulled him back. They went their separate ways when they reached the village. Harry and Ron turned towards the Three Broomsticks while Draco pulled Hermione towards Madame Puddifoot's. Hermione didn't object.

……………………………….

"I cant believe her! I honestly cant believe her!" Ron slammed his bottle of butterbeer on the table as he sat down. Ron had relived last night for him, and Harry was astounded that they had come that close to kissing. "I tried to talk to her today, but NO! Draco had to be there!" Ron was fuming now. Harry pulled the bottle away from him. "Uh, I think you need to cut down on the butterbeer mate. That's your sixth bottle. Come on. Let's go walk around."

The two left the pub and turned towards Zonko's.

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"Hermione, what's wrong?" Draco asked over his cup of tea. Hermione looked up quickly. "What? Oh, nothing. I'm fine. Um, what do you say we walk around? It's getting a little…warm in here." As she said warm she looked towards a couple of fifth years snogging. Draco nodded. "Alright, let's go."

They pulled on their cloaks and walked out the door. Looking around, Hermione nodded up the road in the direction of Zonko's. "I need a new quill."

Draco smiled. "Let's go then." Hermione and Draco made their way silently up the way. Reaching the door, Hermione turned. "I'll be right back."

Of course, not even a minute after she closed the door behind her, Harry and Ron came up to Draco. "Oh look, if it's not Potty and the Weasel. What are YOU two doing up here? The only one who can afford anything is Potty." Ron clenched his fists. "Of course, I suppose if you sold that one room house of yours you could afford that book in the window." Draco pointed to a tatty second hand book. "Well…Maybe not. I don't think your house would fetch that much. So tell me Potty. How much does Weasel owe you? Not that he could pay it back, so I wouldn't expect it anytime soo-" Draco's sentence was cut short by a fist colliding with the side of his face. Ron and Harry stood there stunned. Hermione was breathing hard, her eyes blazing and her fist still clenched.

"Never. Insult. My. Friends." Hermione stepped on his chest. Leaning down she whispered, "Feel lucky I didn't repay Harry's broken nose." Much louder she yelled, "We're through!" Hooking arms with Harry and Ron, the trio made their way back to the castle.

………………….

A few hours later, Hermione, Harry, and Ron were once again in the common room. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you guys. It would have saved me a lot of trouble." Harry saw his chance. "I'm going to bed. It's no problem."

Ron and Hermione were alone again. Ron moved closer. "Hermione, I need to tell you something." Taking a deep breath, he said, "I love you."

Hermione gasped. A warm feeling filled her. "I…" Her words never escaped her mouth.