Hello there! Sorry about the delay in a new chapter. I promised myself I wasn't going to make any promises about updating but I did want to say I was listening to a song yesterday. One that made me realized what the ending of the story was! I also planned it out on paper but, like I said no promises. Haha.

Hope this chapter was worth the wait. I like how it turned out!?

Follow, comment, and favorite! It really does make people want to write more. Hint wink. Haha.

Love,

~ Madison

Chapter Thirty-Five

Shameless Liar

"I said I won't lose control,
I don't want it,
I said I won't get too close,
But I can't stop it,

Oh no, there you go,
Making me a liar,
Got me begging for more,
Oh no, there I go,
Start another fire,

Oh no, no there you go,
Making me a liar,
I kinda like it though,

They're watching, I feel it,
I know I shouldn't stay,
I picture your hands on me,
I think I wanna let it happen,
But what if you kiss me,
And what if I like it…"

Liar by Camila Cabello

Saturday November 30th, 1996

Gryffindor Common Room, Half past nine in the evening

The crackling sound of the fire echoed in room as white noise while Hermione crossed her arms as leaned back against the couch closest to the fire. Quietly, she sighed to herself while watching the girls gathered around and chatting. The thought of spending any of her free time with Pavarti, Lavender, Katie Bell, and Ginny sounded rather unpleasant. The only reason she had even sat down with these girls was because she did not want to turn down Ginny's invite. Hermione would rather be in the library and burying herself with reading a book or even studying a bit. After all, this week was her potions final with Draco…

'Draco…' His name hummed in her thoughts while she recalled the last moment, they had spent together in said library. Thinking about that moment, Hermione decided that the feeling of his fingers on her skin was still adequately fresh in her mind as she adjusted in her seat and cleared her throat. Once she settled into the couch, she noticed that Katie was looking at her and she realized it might be best to pay the slightest bit of attention to the girl's conversation.

"Who was the last boy you snogged Ginny?" Katie wondered tilting her head sideways and turning her attention towards the younger redhead. Hermione then looked towards Ginny to see her eyes go wide and her face flooded with a red heat. The girls all gasped her name as Ginny looked towards Hermione who was definitely intrigued by her friend's reaction. "Come on Ginny…"

"Well, not that this is anyone's business, the nosy lot of you…" Ginny spoke softly looking over her shoulder and then lowered her voice even more. "Harry… and it only happened a few nights ago. Also, I would like it noted that if I hear that any of you shared this privy information, I will hunt you down and hex you. Fair warning."

Hermione could feel her eyes widen a little as the rest of the girls squeaked then laughed at her very causal but rather candid threat. In all honesty, Hermione was mildly impressed at how her redheaded friend handled these girls. Though, she still is not sure why she would willing want to spend any time with them, let alone subjecting her to them as well. It was then that she heard Lavender's voice.

"Alright. Who is next…" she laughed and then made eye contact with Hermione. With a deep breath, Hermione knew in that moment, it was her turn. "What about you Hermione? I mean you've been spending an awful lot of time alone with Malfoy lately…"

'The snooping daft dimbo…' Hermione thought to herself as she watched all attention turn towards her along with the grimace of an attempted apology on Ginny's expression. 'Was it any of their business really? No… Like Ginny said they were just being nosy and wanting gossip to breathe life into…'

"Hold that thought Hermione…." Pavarti leaned to her right with a smile and pulled out a small bag with something in it. "I brought a 'treat' for everyone to try. It is a little chocolate bit that I make sometimes with some house elves in the kitchen. I eat it when I want to relax, and it also helps me make better decisions. Might be just the kick we all need."

The giggles and oo's did not deter Lavender's pointed stare and apparent need to confirm what she has been accusing Hermione of for weeks. Looking away from her, Hermione was handed what looked to be a small brownie like cake. No one in the room paused to ask what was in the little dessert and started already eating their share.

"Uh, Pavarti, what exactly is in the treat?" Hermione asked and smelled the chocolate treat. To her it looked like any other chocolate bit. She then looked up to see the rest of the girls either laughing or shaking their head in what looked to be amusement of sorts. Even Ginny already was eating the treat who then shrugged at Hermione's question proceeding to take another nibble. When she looked towards Pavarti who was about to talk but was stopped by none other than Lavender.

"Really Hermione, there is no test or grade you'll get from being able to determine what the ingredients or potions that have been added to the treat a friend made." The rest of the girls snickered, and Lavender smiled rather tightly. Hermione looked to see if anything was happening to the girls and told herself to just a bite. Once she did, the gooey chocolate hit her taste buds and she mm'ed at and nodded.

"This is quite delicious thank you Pavarti." Hermione said before taking another bite. At that moment she noted that she could not help but feel calmer and happier. 'Maybe it was a calming draught?'

"I'm glad everyone likes them… Now back to you Hermione," Pavarti replied as Hermione looked up at the girl before realizing they had not forgotten. "I am actually curious, have you and Malfoy snogged? I mean – I had heard rumors about a photo floating around at one bit but no one I know can confirm if it was real or just a bit of gossip."

"Oh, uhm yes." She nodded her head and swallowed her last bite that she hadn't realized she had taken so much. "That it accurate… I have snogged Malfoy and more than once."

Once the words came out, her eyes widened as she listened to them before she could stop them. The rest of the girls gasped pleasantly from the confirmation that her and Malfoy had in fact snogged. It also did not help that she added that list bit about it happening more once.

"More than once?" Katie bell chimed in with a smile, "If it happens more than once, admittedly you must have enjoyed it. I mean you must have because look at him… Malfoy maybe be a Death Eater, but he is definitely gorgeous at that. Did you enjoy it? How many times?"

As Katie's questions rang out, Hermione bit down on her tongue in order to stop herself but it was no use… the treat had more than one potion mixed in and Hermione was one of the only ones who had finished her portion completely other than Ginny.

"Although there is no proof that Draco is a Death Eater, I did enjoy kissing him…" she said with ease closing her eyes and sighing slowly. In her mind she had to count how many kisses there were even if she did not want to share that bit. After attempting to recall each memory, she realized that she had in fact at this point stopped counting each kiss. It was more than five times at this point though… "More than five times. I am not sure at this point."

Normally after admitting something so personal, Hermione would be freaking out and maybe calling Lavender a name or two for stopping Pavarti from explaining the what potions had been added to her treats. At this point, Hermione has now counted at least two potions by recalling what they felt like separately. Calming Draught and unfortunately Veritaserum. With a soft smile she leaned back looking towards the girls who were all less giggly and calmer. 'How does one mix potions inside baked goods?'

"Well it was with a bit a practice you see," Hermione looked up and Pavarti mildly surprised by an answer to a question she hadn't realized she had asked out loud.

Pavarti then stood up slowly before getting down onto her knees and sitting beside Hermione on the ground. "The right quantity of potions needs to be added correctly. It really has to do with how potions react to not only heat but the lack of moisture in the air around them. It is rather interesting really. It is also very important noting what potions mix well together because adding a love potion or elixirs to the current mix we all have has led to some weird nights when testing them."

Hermione nodded slowly, then felt warm suddenly as if a heat were blooming inside her but also making it feel as if she were floating. In an attempt to stop that feeling, she reached for the couch in hopes it would help steady her ground. Shaking her head when she realized that the ground was moving by itself ever so slightly, Hermione sat still and looked at the girl in the eyes. "Pavarti… Please tell me what exactly was in those treats… I am not sure I like where this is headed."

"Well, a mild calming draught, a splash of Veritaserum which only lasts for a bit because it was just a drop per serving. Oh, a hint of Wit-Sharpening to help see things more clearly and two lucky individuals of the evening got the one that had a 'Kissing Concoction' that was from the Weasley's Shop. Though I tweaked it a bit so that it was not from the giver but of the person that comes to mind first… Do you feel warm Hermione?"

Hermione closed her eyes to take a deep breath, but the warmth started to spread from her stomach to the rest of her slowly, almost feeling like a faint buzzing of electricity inside her. Shaking her head with her eyes closed she spoke softly, "Very warm Pavarti… Is there something I can do or take to stop the side effects? An Antidote or counteracting potion perhaps?"

There was a long pause as the other girls stopped talking and Hermione suddenly saw his face. 'Oh Gods…'

"Hermione, it's going to be fine." she opened her eyes to see four girls looking down at her as she swallowed thickly. "You saw someone… didn't you?"

Hermione nodded quickly and tried to stand up only to almost trip over Lavender who was looking almost smug from her expression. "I can't leave this room. You all knew what was… Ginny where are you going?" Hermione watched the redhead turning towards the dorms and then back at her friend.

"I- uh, well you see I was going to see if maybe Harry was awake then I remembered I can't go into their dorm anyhow, so to answer your question. Nowhere." she laughed with a guilty smile and Hermione groaned softly but still was not panicking. Not yet…

"Looks like we found the second one." Lavender laughed looking at Ginny who was slowly walking back towards the group. Hermione rolled her eyes and reached for the back of a chair to help steady herself once more before she continued to talk.

"As I was saying, no one in this room can let Ginny or I leave the commons for however long this is supposed to last…" as Hermione spoke, she watched Pavarti grimace and purse her lips. The expression made Hermione sigh and continue talking, "Go on and say it. It lasts for more than ten hours or so like a typical potion without an antidote or counteracting potion. Which is really dependent on the person who has taken the potion."

When the girl nodded Hermione sighed loudly and pinched her expression with how she was feeling about her current situation. 'Okay think… With each passing second your thoughts become more actively eager as well as wanting to see him. When you hit the peak, you will most likely fail to stop yourself and you have about an hour before the full effects hit. Then stay that way until hours four or five… Is there anything that can help to move the potion thorough the body faster or stop me…"

"Someone needs to temporarily use Petrificus Totalus on me." Hermione said with a slight eagerness. "To make sure I don't do anything stupid…"

"You'll be fine. Let's just head to bed girls. No one is hexing anyone. It's a harmless kissing spell…" Lavender shakes her head and walks towards the stairs but stops to add one last statement. "Not like you would need the help of that spell anyways. Though it has been fun."

Hermione looked towards the rest of the girls who shrugged looking slightly apologetic and mellow as if they had many of these 'treats' before. When the door upstairs shut behind them, they left just Ginny and Hermione alone. Huffing Hermione crossed her arms looking towards the redhead with a pointed look, still not panicking.

"I know what you're about to say and you were right." She signed and looked around the room. "Hermione, I don't feel so good either. Let's go sit on the couch and we'll wait it out together. Okay?"

Hermione nodded and walked back towards the couch and still feeling rather floaty but in a good way now that made her want to stay that way. With a small smile she sat on the couch and looked at her friend who was now resting her eyes. Hermione tilted her head and spoke, "How come you had not told me about you and Harry yet?"

Ginny opened her eyes to look into the brown eyes of her older friend before clearing her throat.

"I hadn't intentionally not told you that it happened. I mean, I meant to the day it happened but couldn't find you. So, then I ended up just not telling anyone about it. I kind of just wanted to keep it to myself for a bit." Ginny adjusted in her corner of the couch before snuggling into a pillow. "What are you thinking about?"

Hermione looked at her friends, debating if she should really say what was on her mind. If only just seeing his face was enough but also seeing his cool steely eyes looking deep into hers… Shivering slightly, she recalled the feeling his fingers lazily tracing parts on her skin before his lips tapered into his signature smirk. "I want to go see him… I know it's the potion, but I am this close to going to the Slytherin dorms with Harry's cloak right now…" She held up her fingers making a small pinched gesture before sighing and dropping her hand back down.

Ginny nodded her head and smiled softly then speaking, "You got your wand?" With a nod of the head, Hermione pulled her wand out of her slipper boot moving her robe aside. "Then I say go for it… You'll probably regret it later if you do but you will also regret it if you don't. I say, go with the one that feels right, potion be damned…"

Hermione nodded in agreement, then stood up slowly before looking at her friend. An unexpected ruffling of butterflies fluttered at the thought of what she was about to go do but it made things more exciting. "I know I say this every time I do something surprising, but it's a bit exciting breaking rules, even if it is your own."

Ginny laughed before talking, "Wait, one thing before you go, try to tell me a lie real quick."

"I enjoy spending quality time with Lavender and think she is a great friend." Hermione said with a straight face before pursing her lips and laughing.

"That definitely passes…" Ginny laughed before Hermione looked in the mirror to fix her hair and throwing it up into a messy bun. "Good luck!"

Hermione lifted her wand and said accio Harry's cloak before she heard a shuffling sound and the cloak flew out the boy's door and into her hand. Ginny quickly shooed her friend once she got the cloak. Right as she stepped out of the painting, she heard Harry's voice and sent good vibes towards Ginny.

'Blood Hell this better go well…' Hermione thought to herself as she made her way down the stairs from their tower.

"Show me you're shameless,
Write it on my neck why don't you,
And I won't erase it,

I need you more than I want to,
Need you more than I want to,
Distance, Inches in between us,

I want you to give in,
I just want to give in,
And I don't care if I'm forgiven…"

Shameless by Camila Cabello

Gryffindor common room, a quarter past eleven in the evening

Ginny watched as Hermione spun on her heels with Harry's cloak in hand and heading right for the painting before she heard a familiar voice.

"Hang on a minute, who-" that voice started talking as she turned to look at the top of the stairs. Ginny saw none other than Harry himself looking down from the railing towards her. "Ginny…"

"Harry…" she smiled before dropping the pillow as she awkwardly stood up from the couch. Internally cursing herself, Ginny tucked some hair behind her left ear before she tilted her head to the right. Harry fixed his glasses before tightening the front of his robe and headed towards the stairs. Once out of sight she moved her hand before her mouth and exhaled. 'Not bad, smells like chocolate.'

"Did you by chance accio my cloak or was that someone else?" he asked as he came round the corner and into her sight. Ginny could tell he was either only lightly sleeping or not asleep yet from his eyes. He did look a little tired but more confused than anything.

"Hermione needed to use it because she left her book bag in the library earlier. She couldn't sleep so I suggested your cloak." She answered smoothly and rocked backwards onto the balls of her feet before smiling. "It also gave me a reason to see you, so I was okay with that."

Right as she confidently said that, she watched his cheeks slowly turn pink with what looked to be embarrassment. She giggled softly as he walked towards her looking at the fire before sitting back down on the couch. Ginny felt a nervousness as he sat beside her without a word.

"I didn't mean to run out on you the other day…" she broke the silence with a small smile. "I guess I just wanted to think about things."

"Yeah, definitely." He added as she then turned to see his eyes up close for the first time that night.

She then watched the fire's flickering light reflecting on his glasses. She slowly reached upwards to remove them while he sat very still and watched her in what looked to be awe. Once she set them on the side table, she moved closer towards him, close enough to smell the faint scent of toothpaste and clean clothing. Brushing the hair from his eyes, Ginny slowly moved so that she was on her knees before him and letting her hand cup the side of his face. Closing her eyes, she felt how still he went just before she closed her eyes and softly pressed her lips to his.

It was a gentle kiss as they let their instincts guide them in a dance. Ginny pulled back slowly to see his half-hooded eyes before her then decided if she was going to use this found confidence from that treat that she had, she was going to make the most of it. Tossing her right knee over and past Harry, she straddled his lap feeling his left hand upon her right hip. Tossing her hair to her right, she leaned forward to capture his lips once more and this time the kiss was more ardent and fevered. It was as if she could not get enough of his taste or the feeling of him so close to her. Oh, how many dreams she has had of moments like this, only that this was so much better.

In need of air, Ginny pulled away slowly with her eyes still close and her lips tingling from the kiss.

"That was definitely some thinking you did, Gin." She could feel the laugh echoing from his chest against her body as she laughed in response. Closing her eyes, she tossed her legs to drape across his lap feeling his arm holding her against him. Ginny moved so that her head on his shoulder while she curled into his side.

"If someone asked me where my happy place was, do you know what I would tell them?" she asked with small smile and her eyes still closed.

"No, where would you tell them?" he asked while his thumb began to stroke up and down her arm.

"Right here…" She suddenly felt very tired as if she were about to fall asleep. "With you, Harry..."

"Don't speak, No don't try,
It's been a secret for the longest time,
Don't run, Huh, don't hide,
Been running from it for the longest time,

So many mornings I woke up confused,
In my dreams, I do anything I want to you,
My emotions are naked,
They're taking me out of my mind,

Right now, I'm shameless,
Screaming my lungs out for ya,
Not afraid to face it,

I need you more than I want to,
Need you more than I want to,
It's all there, now it's real,
Now that you have me,
Do you still want me still…"

Shameless by Camila Cabello

In the hallway near the dark arts classroom, a quarter past eleven in the evening

The soft scuffling sound from her slipper boots reminded her that she needed to life her feet up when walking and not dragging. With a shaky exhale, Hermione turned the corner towards the Dark Arts classroom or in other words Snape's room. She had no idea what she was going to do or say once she found him, but her thoughts were to act upon some rather interesting things she had read this past week.

'Who are you kidding, even with a calming draught there's no way you would be able to do anything you'd read about…' Hermione thought to herself. Just when she was about to pass the classroom, she noticed a light and heard slight mumbling. Pausing for a moment, she wondered just who would be chatting with good old professor Snape at such a late hour.

"How dare you use that on me..." the sudden words rang out and she instantly knew the owner of the voice was none other than the person she was looking for. Moving a little bit closer she tried to stifle her books scraping but couldn't making Snape's response lost in the sounds. It was then that she heard shuffling sounds intensifying meaning that someone was leaving the room. It was then she had heard something that was clear to her.

"As for the Granger girl," Snape paused, and Hermione held her breath knowing that they were talking about her. "Word of advice... Don't..."

Then suddenly, Draco darted out of the door and past her as if she wasn't even there. No matter how many times she wore the cloak she always felt as if people could see her. Taking the chance, she quickly followed him as he made his way away from the Slytherin's dorms.

'Where in Merlin's name are you going?' Hermione wondered to herself as the climbed a set of stairs to her right. Once she reached the top, at her distance she watched a broom closet at the end of the hall growing as he approached the door. 'What do you need in the room of requirements…'

Once he opened the door she ran quickly sliding in just in time before the room could stop her if it had wanted to. With a deep breath Hermione started to walk between the piled boxes and older antiques before watching Draco dropping his things at his feet. Just when she looked around the edge of a dresser, she watched Draco sharply gasp and leaning forward. Suddenly worried Hermione strained to get a better look at what was happening but instead managed to bump a metal pot of some sort. Wincing to herself she watched as Draco pointed his wand in the direction of the sound

"Who's there..." His voice was horse and thick. Hermione decided that there was no way of getting out of this one. Dropping the cloak on the ground she stepped around the corner and watched as he lowered his wand.

"I wasn't following you if that's what you're about to say..." she crossed her arms slowly before looking around the room.

Hermione then watched as he pressed his right hand against the dresser again beside him to rest against slightly while his muscles involuntarily twitched from the recent event. There was that concern she had felt again as he looked towards her. With his eyes still open she watched as he reached for his cloak leaving him in a black button down. He proceeded to unbutton and remove it with his eyes still closed, letting it drop to the ground.

"Draco... Are you alright?" she asked softly and walked over towards him.

"I'm fine Granger..." he answered as she raised her hand pressing it against his forehead. The sudden touch startled him so much that proceeded to grab hold of her wrist. His eyes opened to meet wide brown ones that looked right into is. The warmth of her potion now taking full effect as she inhaled sharply feeling suddenly hot.

Without another word Hermione watched as he slowly pushed himself off of the dresser slipping his hand into his pocket. Sighing to himself, he pushed himself off of the dresser and proceeded to spin them so that her back was the one pressing into the wood. He moved his free hand in order to steady himself before her.

Hermione finally relaxed in front of him as he used his hand that was free upwards to cup her cheek. She sighed and leaned into him making Draco shiver lightly tilting his head. He was beautiful. Then with his thumb he proceeded to pull at her bottom lip ever so slightly before she opened her eyes.

"Why won't you say what's wrong?" she asked as her brow then started to fall back into their worried crease. He paused looking at her.

"Because Granger, nothing-" he started, and she cut him off.

"Don't treat me like I am some stupid bint." she bit and looked up at him sneering down at her.

"Do you ever shut up?" he snapped and she glared up at him. Something he was doing in here, he didn't want anyone to know.

"I agreed no games," he spoke through his teeth, "There was nothing in that statement that we had to share our feelings with each other."

Looking into his steely eyes, she wondered to herself if either of them would ever just admit that they felt something for the other person. It was so painfully obvious, that it hurt. Without answering, Hermione swallowed her thoughts and blinked twice before he continued.

"What is this to you Granger..." He whispered looking deep in her eyes, probably searching to see if he would be able to read her like he normally can. She was not going to let him so easily read her emotions. Not right now. Though, she did look up at him eyes wide and unsure. She paused and wonder if she should say something but decided not to. She then watched him as he moved his hand that cupped her cheek towards her chin in order to tilt her face upwards. When he did that, her eyes met his once more.

"Why me?" he asked a different question as she felt him shiver against her.

"I could ask you the same thing Malfoy." she whispered back.

Hermione looked towards his lips feeling that warmth blooming and then looked back towards him. It was that look that always flipped a switch inside of him just as she reached up with her hand to grab hold of his tie. With a singular tug, she found him mere inches from her face, the warmth of her breath against his lips.

Silently Hermione looked into his eyes and over his face in a similar manner that he was doing. He then moved his fingers from her chin, he brushed the loose curls that hang from her bun behind her left ear with his right hand. Leaning forward, he gently pressed his lips against hers as he closed his eyes. Hermione wasn't sure what was about to happen, but she was sure about one thing. She was done feeling shame when kissing him or thinking of him. She was giving in to her thoughts and to how she really felt.