Hermione, Ron and Harry were standing outside history of magic when they heard someone shout "OY GRANGER" Harry and Ron automatically withdrew their wands and turned towards who ever had shouted.

They saw it was Pansy Parkinson; she was standing very still with her wand pointing straight at Hermione. "Keep your hands off my man Granger" said Parkinson "AFIBULAY" A green burst of light shot from Parkinson's wand. Ron yelled "EXPELARMUS" and Parkinson's wand flew out of her hand but it was too late to stop the curse that was heading straight for Hermione.

Hermione raised her arms in front of her as if to shield herself but then something quite extraordinary happened. Just before the green burst of light hit her a blinding blue light appeared in front of Hermione and deflected the curse.

Parkinson let out a scream of fury, snatched her wand out of Ron's hand (Ron was too busy gaping at Hermione to notice) and ran off down the corridor. "Hermione" said Harry "What was all that about?" Just then Professor Binns came out of the classroom and ushered them all inside so Hermione did not have a chance to answer. Once they were all sat in their seats waiting for professor binns to set them some work Hermione who was sat in front of Harry and Ron turned around and mouthed "I'll tell you in a minute"

Professor Binns set them some questions about the great goblin rebellion so Harry and Ron got their parchment and quills out of their bags and put their heads down. After a few minutes of working in silence Ron turned to Harry "Who cares about some stupid old goblin rebellion?" said Ron stubbornly "It's not like we need to know this stuff is it? Harry nodded then bent down opened his bag and pulled something out of it. "Hey forget about the goblin rebellion" said Harry "Take a look at this" Harry thrust a piece of parchment into Ron's hand and then waited for him to read it. This is what the parchment said:-

Dear

Snape

If you don't want the whole school to know that you were kissing McGonagall earlier today then you will be a little nicer to me from now on. I would also advise that you put all the slytherins in detention for all the times you favoured them over us. Finally if you do not pass me in potions the truth shall be told.

Signed

You know who

Ps. Wash your hair you slime ball

Ron looked at Harry in shock "Flippin heck mate" he said "Don't you think it's a bit over the top" Harry took the parchment and read it through "Yeah" said Harry "Maybe that wash your hair comment is going a tad to far" Ron looked amused "Considering the blackmail in the letter" said Ron "I think the wash your hair bits not too bad" Harry laughed Ron looked like he was about to laugh but then he frowned instead "Are you seriously going to give this to Snape?" asked Ron. Harry nodded and then bent down and pulled something else out of his bag. "Oh by the way you forgot something earlier" said Harry and he held out Ron's valentine's card to him. Ron grabbed it and quickly shoved it under the table out of sight "Oy watch it" he said. Harry just laughed "Read the back" said Harry, Ron took the card from under his desk and placed it on top of the desk; he did it very discreetly so no one would see it.

After turning the card over and reading the back of it Ron looked thoughtful "Hey I recognize this handwriting from somewhere" he said, Harry looked amused "It will come to you eventually" said Harry. Ron shrugged then tapped Hermione on the shoulder; she turned around. "Oy Hermione lend me your answers will you?" said Ron, Hermione gave him a dirty look "Do it yourself" she whispered and then turned back round towards the front. "Forget that" said Harry "What was all that about before with you and Parkinson" Hermione looked at him as if he were stupid. "Well I would have thought that was obvious" said Hermione blushing slightly red. Ron and Harry exchanged puzzled looks. "Is it?" said Harry, Hermione sighed "well obviously Parkinson's jealous because the spell made Malfoy fall in love with me instead of her" said Hermione. Harry looked annoyed and Ron looked dumbstruck "We know why she attacked you; you idiot" said Ron "Why didn't her curse do anything to you?" Hermione began to go crimson, she looked around to see if anyone was listening "You can't tell anyone" she said. Harry and Ron nodded and leaned forward in their seats "Well I've been taking imunamaigc potion every 2 hours" said Hermione, Ron and Harry looked at each other confused "Now it all makes sense" said Ron sarcastically "Why didn't you say so before?" Hermione rolled her eyes "Well if you paid the slightest bit of attention in potions" said Hermione "Then you would know that imunamagic potion stops anyone who drinks it being affected by any kind of magic. Obviously it's useless for the unforgivable curses but for most spells and curses it works well. I first thought of the idea when Dumbledore told us about the spell the night before valentine's day" Harry and Ron looked at each other in shock "Why didn't you tell us?" said Ron, Harry looked annoyed "And more importantly why didn't you give me some" he said "then I wouldn't have embarrassed myself in front of Ginny" Hermione looked guilty "I only had enough for myself" she said.

"Come on Hermione" said Ron "Let me look at your answers as it's partly your fault I haven't got any work done; you've been distracting me" Hermione scowled at him but handed over her answers for him to copy. "Do you want to read my blackmail letter to Snape?" said Harry and he handed Hermione the letter. Once Hermione had finished reading it she looked horrified and was about to say something when they heard a loud gasp. They both turned and saw the gasp had come from Ron "What was……" began Harry but then he stopped as he saw Ron was looking at Hermione's answers in shock. Harry said nothing; he simply bent his head down over his work and smiled.

After class Harry turned to Ron and Hermione and said "Listen I am going to leave this in Snape's office; I'll see you in the common room" Harry thought Hermione might have heard however he was not so sure about Ron. For Ron was looking at Hermione in a strange way oblivious to his surroundings. Harry quickly left the room and decided he would find out what happened later.

"You sent me the valentines' card" said Ron shyly "Why?" Hermione began to go a deep shade of purple "Isn't it obvious?" she said "I love you. I've loved you ever since third year" Ron started to smile but suddenly remembered something and looked deadly serious. "I love you too" said Ron "but I don't want to do anything in case it's because of the spell" she looked at him through eyes full of tears "I've tried so hard not to love you" she said and with that she turned around and ran through the door. "Hermione" called Ron but it was too late; she had gone.

End of chapter eight

Title of next chapter: Big trouble

Next chapter preview:-

Harry spat out his mouth full of pumpkin juice; Ron turned to look at him and suddenly saw what Harry had been staring at. There was Snape holding out a piece of parchment to Dumbledore and both Snape and Dumbledore were looking straight at Harry. "Uh-oh!" said Ron "I think you're in big trouble mate"

Authors note: Well I know it's been a long wait but I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you to all those people who have reviewed and remember keep them coming in. Tell me what you think? Did you see Hermione's secret coming all along?" Was it obvious who the card was from? No flames please