Chapter 5
How About Love?

Hermione looked over at Harry in annoyance. He had kept making references to Malfoy. He had 'heard' that she and Draco had been together in Hogsmeade. That was true, but they had only talked. According to Harry, Lavender saw them making out behind Zonko's Joke Shop. Hermione glared at Lavender, who was whispering franticly to Parvati down the Gryffindor table. Spreading fallacious rumors about Hermione and Draco, no doubt.

She looked across the room at the Slytherin table. He was picking at his food, much like she was, looking about as miserable as she felt. He looked up and met her gaze briefly. She shook her head sadly and looked down, breaking eye contact.

Draco saw the look in her eyes, and knew exactly what it meant. 'I thought you were different.' She deserved an answer. But he didn't have one, because he himself had no idea why he had acted like he did. He was in love with her and he had very deliberately hurt her. He was scum, and he knew it.

But something told him not to give up. Glancing around the table, Draco saw Pansy and her little friends smirking at him, and knew. There had been rumors flying all over Hogwarts. Bogus rumors about him and Hermione. Some were innocent, like they were kissing behind Zonko's. But some were just ridiculous. Someone had actually thought he got her pregnant. Draco heard a snippet of conversation from down the table.

"She is such a little skank..." Pansy's spiteful voice could be heard loud and clear even when she was attempting a
whisper.

Draco threw down his napkin and stood, heading straight for the Gryffindor table.

OOOOooooooooooooooOOOO

Hermione's eyes grew wide. Why was he coming over to her? Oh God, he was headed straight toward the table. She saw her friends turn and stare at Draco curiously. Lavender held a satisfied expression, assuming there would be a huge confrontation between the two. He stopped in front of her, and pulled her up by her hand so they were eye level.

"What are you doing?" She whispered, looking nervously at Harry and Ron.

"I'm sorry." He said simply, "I'm so sorry."

Hermione blinked. No one had heard him say it except her, he had been speaking so softly. He cupped the side of her face in his hand.

Draco leaned forward and kissed her, ignoring the sputters of the Gryffindors, mixed with angered Slytherins. He looked behind her at Harry and Ron, then held out his hand.

"You wanna get out of here?"

"Yes!"

"
(00)
+-(Y)--(oo)--(Y)-+ Mr. Moo

Like 5 minutes later…

Hermione and Draco leaned against the large tree on the outer edge of the far side of the great Lake. Hermione slumped against the tree, gasping for breath. They had run from the Great Hall, escaping the yelling and protests.

"How did this HAPPEN?" Hermione groaned, sinking to the cool ground.

"Don't even ASK." Draco said, following her, "I mean, how is it possible to feel this way for YOU."

"Oh. Gee. Thanks," Hermione deadpanned, looking hurt.

"That isn't what I meant. I mean...I don't understand why...It's weird."

"Yeah. You used to be so...cold. You did a complete 180. Why?"

"Well, one morning, I woke up, and saw my father. I hated what I saw. Then I looked in the mirror, and saw a reflection of him. I HATED my life and I HATED my father and his ideals. I didn't want goons and a trophy wife like my father. I want...my life. I want my own life. I don't want to be intimidating to get my way."

Draco looked away, feeling angry, frustrated tears stinging his eyes. Hermione put a hand lightly on his shoulder.

"It'll be OK. We'll show them. Right?"

"I guess...Oh God. OTHER PEOPLE, my FATHER, your friends, Voldemort...do you know how dangerous this is?" Draco said, turning to face her.

"Of course I do. But we can handle all that."

"But Voldemort...he'll go after muggle-borns and anyone who's associated with them. Don't you see? We could both DIE."

"Draco, he hasn't even made a peep, not a word for-"

"Three years I know. But he's just strengthening himself up. You know that. Potter almost died last time, and Cedric Diggory DID die."

"Well, we're here. It's safe here at Hogwarts..."

"Hermione! Use your brain! I know you have one, and It's pretty big! Once Voldemort is at his full power, NO ONE will be safe!"

"Fine. Then I'll go into hiding and you can stay away. It's safer for you that way." Hermione said, looking away from him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"No. You're right. It's dangerous, Draco. I was just trying to be...happy. For once."

"Well, I'm sorry. I really am. Because we will have one hell of a time being happy now. It's not just Voldemort. It's everyone else. We won't be accepted, you know."

Hermione sighed, "Yes, I know. This is your entirely fault. Why'd you have to be so bloody cute?!"

"But I thought it was my wonderful personality you liked?" Draco joked.

"That didn't really dazzle me at first...but now, I don't know." Hermione said, "Actually, I don't think you're that good looking. The ferret look suits you."

"Oh shut up!"

"Make me."

Draco grinned, and leaned over to kiss her, silencing her next comment. Hermione kissed him back before pulling away gently.

"GRANGER! MALFOY! My office NOW!" Came a cold, malicious voice.

Hermione and Draco jerked their heads up to find Snape glowering over them.

()()
(o':'o)
+-ooo---------+
Pikachuuuuuuuu!

Hermione and Draco sat nervously next to each other, fidgeting like mad as they waited for Snape to speak. They were seated in two chairs facing Snape's desk in his office. He was staring at the two of them with unbridled contempt.

"I cannot begin to say how very disappointed I am." He said coldly.

Hermione didn't dare look up, or to her left, where Draco sat, bravely staring Snape in the face.

"Professor, tell me..." Draco began, his voice smooth and calm, "What do you really expect to do about it?"

Hermione gasped, her head snapping up, staring at Draco like he was insane. Snape looked equally surprised for a moment, but recovered quickly.

"Twenty points from Slytherin." Snape hissed, the first time he had EVER taken points from his own house.

"Go on. Take 100 for all I care." Draco hissed back, "I don't CARE about Slytherin, do you hear me?"

Snape's eyes narrowed and he stood suddenly, "WHY YOU LITTLE-"

"SEVERUS!" Dumbledore stepped into the room, "That is quite enough. Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy, please follow me."

Dumbledore led them out of the room, leaving Snape behind. He took them up several flights of stairs, until they reached the Gargoyle statue.

"Airhead" He mumbled, and the gargoyle moved aside, leading them up the large, moving staircase.

Hermione and Draco glanced at each other, the same thought running through their minds 'What is going to happen to us?'

Dumbledore took the couple into his office, where Fawkes was preening himself quietly

"Have a seat." He said, gesturing tot he comfy chairs opposite his desk. He seated himself behind his desk, while Hermione and Draco settled into the chairs.

"Are you going to yell at us too?" Hermione asked quietly, her fingers gripping the arms of her chair.

"No! Of course not, Miss Granger. I saw that scene in the Great Hall, and of course...I found it rather surprising. Rather unheard of, isn't it?" At the horrified looks on their faces, Dumbledore smiled, "BUT, I cannot force you apart, nor do I want to. It may be highly...unusual, but neither of you can help the way you feel, can you?"

"Not really." Draco mumbled, grinning at Hermione, "We really aren't sure HOW..."

"Well," Dumbledore said, "I don't either. I may be old and supposedly wise, but I certainly don't know everything. I do know however, that the two of you will have many trials ahead of you, as well as many happy moments. If you need anything at all, please, feel free to ask me anything."

A/N: I know this took a really long, but I thought about it a lot...

Oh and please review, I know I haven't wrote much of a hit since WCBB but I'm trying desperately, and I am trying to write a sequel to it, but I just can think of anything, I have written like a million first chapters, but the good thing is that I have a friend that is good at writing, so I will ask her for help…

So I want to know what you think I want people to review and read… so If you liked it then please review, and If you didn't then still review it don't have to be good, and I try to reply to all the reviews, so yeah