Draco Potter?

Chapter 11: Untitled

Hermione didn't really expect anyone to be in the Common Room this early, so she just snuck back without bothering to freeze time. Unfortunately, there were people there. 2 guys that she knew really well.

"Where have you been?", Ron demanded. "We were worried sick. We've been up all night, waiting."

Hermione was dumbfounded. How the hell could they have known she was gone? If she wasn't feeling so guilty about the whole Draco thing, she could've laughed at how motherly Ron was all of the sudden. "How did you even know I was gone?" she snapped. She so wasn't going to tell them where she was. Actually, she probably would. There really wasn't any point in lying now. But she was gonna stal as long as possible before she told them about Draco.

"Lavender was looking for you. Something about helping her with that really hard potions essay. When I told her you went to sleep early, she said that she was just up in the Girl's Dorms and you weren't there", Ron answered, "hey, don't change the subject! Where were you?"

Hermione bit her lip. Stalling wasn't really an option. "With Draco..." she muttered.

"WHAT!", Ron and Harry yelled at the same time.

"Bye", Hermione said and headed upstairs.

"Oh no, you're not!" Ron grabbed her arm. "With Malfoy? Are you serious? All night?' he looked disgusted.

"Yes..." Hermione whispered.

"Oh my god", Harry said, "Malfoy? My 3d worst enemy and long lost twin? Did you-"he couldn't finish his sentence. Hermione looked at the floor.

"Oh my god", Ron said this time. He let go of Hermione. He stared at her with a look that broke Hermione's heart. It wasn't just a disgusted look, but also a really hurt one.

"Ron.." she whispered and wanted to hug him, but he backed away and said "Stay away from me" before he ran up to his dorm. Harry followed. Hermione sank into a chair and cried.

"Hermione?" a voice said softly.

Hermione opened her eyes. She must've fallen asleep on the couch again. A pretty redhead was looking at her. "Hi Ginny".

"What happened? I was awake early and I hear Harry and Ron shouting. I wasn't sure if I should come down or not".

"Harry's mad at me for the thing and Ron..." Hermione almost started to cry again. "I never knew he liked me that much. Yeah, I always had this feeling that he kind of liked me, but... I didn't mean to hurt him. He's such a sweet guy... But I like someone else..."

"What are you talking about?" Ginny asked worried.

Hermione told her everything. Well, almost. She left out the part about her powers and told it like everything happened in one night. She couldn't get that look on Ron's face out of her mind. All the happiness from the last 24 hours had faded. She felt so guilty. It felt like she betrayed her friends. She didn't mean to. She really didn't mean to. Poor Harry. He was his brother after all. Poor Ron! What was she thinking?

"Wow", Ginny said when Hermione finished "just... wow. You and Malfoy? My friends will be so jealous" Hermione stared at her "Anyway, don't feel guilty about Harry and Ron! They'll get over it eventually. You can't help how Ron feels. And you didn't betray Harry!" Hermione felt slightly better. Ginny was always there when you needed her.

"Thanks", she smiled.

"You're welcome", Ginny replied, "Anyway. Are you and Malfoy like girlfriend and boyfriend now?"

"I don't know", Hermione replied honestly "Probably. We should be, shouldn't we? I really hope so. I'm not sure Harry and Ron will like it that much, though..."

"They'll get over it", Ginny assured her, "Eventually."

They kept talking until most of the Gryffindors came downstairs. Hermione had really missed talking to Ginny. She could tell her anything. The thing about being best friends with boys is that you can't really talk with them. Thank god for Ginny. They went down to breakfast. They ran into Draco at the foot of the stairs. How predictable. Ginny smiled at them and left. Draco stared at her.

"She knows?" Draco asked somewhat shocked.

"Yes", Hermione confessed, "Not that there's a lot to know. I mean, am I like, your girlfriend?"

"Er... If you want to be..." Draco said quietly, not looking at her.

"Of course I want to!" Hermione kissed him. She felt that people were looking at them. Everyone in the Great Hall could see them. All Gryffindors and Slytherins that were already downstairs could see them. All the teachers could see them. But she couldn't bring herself to care.

She pulled away and they walked to the Great Hall, holding hands. People were staring. And whispering. One of the smartest witches Hogwarts had ever seen with someone from a legacy of dark wizards? Most people couldn't believe their eyes. When they both sat down, Draco at the Slytherin table and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, they were still staring and whispering. The majority of the girls staring, looked really jealous. Even Lavender.

After a few minutes Harry joined her. He didn't say anything, but it meant a lot to Hermione that he sat next to her at all. He didn't say anything for most of the day. She didn't even see Ron that day. It was already night when Harry finally said something.

"I really don't think I want to know, but I have to ask: are you and Malfoy actually dating?"

"His name is Draco and yes", Hermione replied matter-of-factly.

Harry couldn't think of anything to say. In the end, he decided that Hermione could date whoever she wanted and that it really wasn't any of his business. Even if it was his long lost twin. Who he didn't care about at all.

The next day everything was back to normal between Harry and Hermione. There was still no sign of Ron. Harry told her that he was lying in his bed staring at the ceiling. He didn't talk to anyone or move at all. He didn't respond to anything. In fact, Neville thought he was dead. Hermione felt really guilty. Halfway through the day she went to see him.

"Ron?" she called carefully.

No answer. She sat down at the foot of his bed. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so sorry".

Still no answer. Hermione looked at him. He looked terrible. He probably didn't get any sleep at all last night. He just stared at the ceiling, not looking at her.

"I guess I'll just go..." she got up and slowly walked towards the door.

"I really liked you", he whispered, "ever since the first time I saw you. I really thought that in the end things were going to work out between us... I was so stupid..."

Hermione walked back to him and hugged him. "You're not stupid. I just don't feel the same about you..." She started to cry. She felt really sorry for him. He deserved so much better.

Ron was surprised that she was the one crying. Like he was the one that broke her heart. "I'm really sorry", Hermione choked.

"It's okay..." Ron lied.

Hermione let go. "No it's not. But I'm glad you said that". She looked at Ron. "I should go. Bye." She kissed his cheek and left.. Ron almost said "Keep your pity cheek kiss" when he saw she was going to do that, but kept quiet. He was just going to pretend he wasn't angry at her at all.

Hermione didn't see Ron again until the next day. He actually showed up for class. He didn't speak to her though. Once again poor Harry was stuck in the middle. Not that he actually forgave Hermione for 'fraternizing with the enemy', but he didn't feel like fighting with her.

They had Potions with the Slytherins that day. How incredibly typical. Hermione was half worried that Ron and Draco would beat each other to death. She really hoped Ron wouldn't be stupid enough to pick a fight. She just didn't have to be so coupley with Draco.

The Gryfindors arrived at the classroom. The Slytherins were already waiting outside the door. Hermione and Draco smiled at each other. She noticed that he was standing apart from the others. Or the other way round. She glanced uneasily at Ron. He was standing with his back to her, talking to Neville. Snape opened the door and they went inside. Hermione sat in her usual seat next to Draco. She could feel Ron staring at them. She tried her hardest not to act all coupley with Draco. Thankfully, he followed her lead. He knew her friends really didn't like the idea of the two of them together.

The lesson passed very slowly and awkwardly. Hermione let out a sigh of relief when the bell rang. Then it happened. It was so innocent. They were leaving. Hermione was so relieved that nothing had happened that she didn't pay attention to where she was walking. She tripped. Draco was walking right behind her and caught her.

Ron snapped. He ran towards them and hit Draco. Draco hardly ever walks away from a fight and fought back.

"Stop it!" Hermione shouted desperately and tried to separate them. Snape didn't bother to stop them at all. He just watched slightly amused. Harry, fighting the urge to help Ron, helped Hermione. He pulled Ron back and Hermione did the same with Draco.

"Get off me!" Ron scowled at Harry. He did. Ron stormed off. Hermione let go of Malfoy too. His face was blank.

"Sorry", Hermione whispered and left with her fellow Gryffindors. She ignored their stares.

Ron didn't show up the next lesson. Hermione didn't really expect him to. Poor guy. She wished she could make his pain go away. It killed her that she was the cause of his pain. He was one of the best friends she ever had. She really hoped he would be again.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, bla bla bla.

Authors Note: Heh. The first 4 chapters were in the wrong order. I have no idea how that happened. I just noticed it yesterday, but it's fixed now. I noticed something else. This fic totally lacks logic. Oh well. It's just my first one. It doesn't have to be a bestseller and made into a movie. Thanks again for all your reviews :)