The word "boyfriend" never left Hermione's lips, and the word "girlfriend" never left Draco's. Neither felt the need to define what they had –probably because they didn't quite understand what exactly it was. All they knew was that they were drawn to each other and they refused to ignore the pull. Why question something when it was good?

Ginny had been right when she said that the guy from the ball might be in the NEWTs class. Luckily the redhead wasn't there to confirm it. Regardless it was hard for Hermione. Hard for her to sit in a class with him and pretend as though he didn't exist. Whatever they had was new and foreign and they didn't want anyone to know until they were sure. At least that was the lie that they told each other. Hermione didn't want anyone to know until she was ready to tell her friends herself. The last thing she needed was for them to find out through the information grapevine. Not to mention they would be furious. She would have to mentally and emotionally prepare herself for that bit of destruction. As for Draco's reasoning, it so happened to be two-fold. He didn't want Hermione's reputation to be marred by her association with him. Secondly, he didn't want the rumor mill go spitting out ridiculous lies that he had somehow brainwashed or Imperiused her into being with him.

And so, to avoid the chaos and to simply enjoy one another while things were still good, they kept their thing a secret. They hid it so well that they made it past Valentine's Day –when Draco surprised her with owl-delivered sweets signed by "A Secret Admirer" and dinner away from Hogwarts in a muggle restaurant just outside of London. They made it through most of March –meeting up when Ginny was preoccupied with class and pretty much at every moment when Hermione could afford to be missed. It was almost April now, almost four months since her and Draco's encounter at the ball and she felt like they could last forever. With that said, she knew that she couldn't lie to her friends forever.

Although Hermione was sure that Ginny wasn't privy to the times when she snuck away, the redhead wasn't stupid. She knew there was something different about her friend. The brunette smiled for no reason. She daydreamed often. And, quite embarrassingly, her skin shimmered frequently with the use of glamour charms to conceal Draco's lustful damage. And Draco, he had the most changes of all. He no longer walked about with his head hung low, wishing to remain invisible. That wasn't to say he fraternized with his classmates –Merlin forbid. But there was a confidence in the blond that had been missing. Hermione took pride in helping with that confidence. In fact, she took pride in him every day. He was…wonderful. An utter understatement, she knew, but if she was to explain what her heart said she'd never stop talking.

It was because of that she figured she'd broach the sensitive topic tonight. The longer they stayed together, the closer the end of the year would get, and the harder it would be to see each other without drawing attention. Might as well rip that Magical Wax off quickly.

"Explain to me why we're studying for NEWTs right now instead of making a mess of the room?" Draco asked as he looked up from his book. Hermione's amused expression couldn't be hidden, but she did hold in her laugh.

"Well, for starters, we already did make a mess not more than three hours ago." She said while jetting a thumb behind her. They were in the Room of Requirement, and interestingly enough, aside from the quaint living room setting that had been there when they had first spent the night together, it had also begun adding a bedroom. Shortly after that a bathroom. If they kept using it as they did, pretty soon the whole room would turn into an apartment.

"Secondly," Hermione continued. "NEWTs are only two months away. One month since March is basically over. We have to study. Especially you if you really want to become an Auror."

"I don't know." Draco shrugged. "I don't really need the money. I could always live off of my wealth and embrace the title of rich, arrogant arse."

Draco dodged a flying quill and he laughed. "Alright fine, maybe not."

"Come on, Malfoy," Hermione said as she used her wand to retrieve her quill. "Be serious, will you?"

"No," he shook his head. "Not while you're only wearing that."

Hermione looked down at herself and tried her hardest not to blush. The only thing she was wearing was a bedsheet wrapped around her. Draco wasn't much better off considering he was only in his trousers. She sighed.

"I don't know why I insist on studying with you."

Draco nodded. "I agree. Although I can venture a guess it's because I'm much better company than the female Weasley."

Hermione tensed. Draco noticed, as he did most (if not all) things about her. He let his playful nature drop as concern filled his face.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong per se. I actually did want to talk about Ginny at some point, just not necessarily now."

"Well, we're already on the subject." Draco said as he closed his book and then reached over to close hers. "Might as well discuss it."

"Yes, I suppose…" Hermione said as she nervously rubbed her arm. Draco was staring at her expectantly, but she avoided his gaze like the plague.

Merlin, this is harder than I thought it'd be. She was only going to be bringing up the idea of telling Ginny about them to avoid an even more awkward event in the future. But that meant that she thought about the future. A future with him. And exactly how far in that future was she talking? A month after graduation? Two? Until the end of the year? A whole year?

"Granger," Draco called her name as he waved his hand in front of her face. "You alright? You look a little pale."

"What? Oh, no, I'm fine, I swear. I'm just trying, and failing miserably it seems, not to make this awkward."

Draco's face blanched. "You're ending things with me."

Hermione's eyes grew to saucers. "No! No! I'm not! Quite the opposite actually."

Draco let out a deep sigh of relief. It made Hermione smile that he would be so distressed at the thought of losing her and she let out her own sighs.

"Thanks for giving me a heart attack." Draco said as he ran a hand through his hair. Hermione laughed as she scooted her chair closer to him so that she could rest her head on his shoulder.

"Sorry. I was just nervous."

"I've gathered that. You've yet to tell me why, though."

"It's just that with NEWTs coming, so is the end of the year." Hermione began, her nerves still kicking in. "And with that there's graduation, and then…we won't be here anymore."

"So, you're saying?"

Hermione lifted her head from him so that she could look at him properly. "I'm saying that I don't want to sneak around like I'm a teenager who's grounded."

"Oh," Draco replied as understanding finally hit him. "You want to tell people about us."

Hermione frowned. "And you don't."

"It's not that I don't. It's more like we shouldn't. People won't receive us well, Granger." It was Draco's turn to frown as his head drooped some. "People won't receive me well."

Hermione put a finger under his chin to raise his head up. "I thought you were done with the self-loathing."

Draco cracked a half-smile. "Apparently not."

"Change that." She ordered as she placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "And, if it makes you feel better, how about we –well, I –just tell one person? Ginny, to be more precise. She suspects me of something anyway and it's probably best to let her in on things early."

Draco slowly nodded. "Fair enough. And speaking of fair, I should probably tell you that one of my friends already know about you. Blaise, to be more specific."

"Zabini?" She asked with a slightly cocked head.

"Yes. He kind of coaxed the information out of me around Christmas. In fact, when you meet him you should probably thank him. He gave me some pretty good advice about you."

Draco waited for her to say something, but Hermione merely sat there with a wide grin on her face. It was the same face she made when she was really pleased about something. Usually a high mark on some exam or assignment. "What?"

"When I meet him, huh?" She beamed. "Exactly how long do you plan on keeping me around, Mr. Malfoy?"

It was Draco's turn to grin. He pushed his chair even closer to hers and gently pulled her onto his lap. "For as long as you'll have me, Miss Granger," he said with his forehead resting on hers. "Can we make a mess now?"

"NEWTs," Hermione reminded him, but she was quickly opposing that option as Draco cascaded kisses, nibbles, and licks along her neck.

"Quiz me during." Draco offered as he moved to the other side of her neck. "You like challenges." He kissed just below her ear, his lips brushing her earlobe as he whispered, "Challenge me."

Pleasure.

Resist.

Challenge.

It seemed that every word that sent a delightful shiver up her spine was the pure definition of him and their time together. He gave her nothing but pleasure, he was hard to resist, and their time together, however long, would be challenging. Although, if he continued to make her lose her breath with their antics, gripping the bed's sheets for dear life, screaming his name loud enough so the dead could hear…

The challenge would be worth it.

Author's note: Baby steps indeed. This was a bit of a calm/filler chapter. But of course, chapters such as these are usually followed by…not so calm ones.

Until next time, and happy reading everyone!

-WP :)