-Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter/all other titles EXCEPT Blossom (lol). All other titles are owned by J.K. Rowling and her companies, etc.

- R & R & ENJOY!

Chapter Eight…Keeping Secrets

After a week, Hermione was allowed to resume classes. A substitute had come in for Potions class, and the whereabouts of Snape were unknown. She was relieved, at least, that she wouldn't have to face him. Facing everyone else was another story. No one except for her closest friends knew what had happened. The story told to everyone was that she had had an allergic reaction to a potion and had to be hospitalized for a week. As for Snape, Professor Dumbledore announced that he was taking a much needed break, and it was not known when he would return.

The first week back flew by so quickly, Hermione could hardly believe it happened. All the teachers were kind and gentle with her, and offered her less work so she could catch up. Hermione, though, was up for the challenge, and completed all of her assignments. Finally, Friday arrived, and she felt that yearning for the day to end. Classes lingered on, and lunch seemed shorter than ever. Eventually, she found herself in the Great Hall, munching on an apple and sitting next to Ron and across from Harry.

"So how was your first week back?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Actually, it wasn't bad at all! It went by so quickly, except for today of course. Uh, Harry don't you have a Quiddich game today?"

"Nope, it got cancelled for one reason or another until tomorrow. So," he said, leaning back in his chair, "you two are stuck with me all day!" Hermione and Ron rolled their eyes and smiled.

"Harry got a letter from Blossom today," said Ron. Hermione smiled wider as Harry fell back onto the floor. He quickly got back into his chair, fixed his hair, and leaned forward.

"Why, yes I did. It just so happens that I have it right here with me." He pulled out a letter and began to read.

Dear Harry,

It is I, Blossom. No, we are not going to get married! Ew, I don't even like you! We hardly even know each other, you psycho! Get a life or something, and please stop writing to me!

-Blossom

P.S.

I'm coming to Britain sometime soon. BUT I'M NOT VISITING YOU! HAHA!

"You see, she really, really loves me. The best part is that she's coming to Britain! Oh joy! Oh rapture! Oh Blossom!" Harry hugged the letter tightly. Hermione laughed lightly.

"Aren't you going to write a reply to her?" Hermione asked. Harry suddenly stood.

"I must write one right now! See you guys later!" He dashed out of the Great Hall out of their site, leaving Hermione and Ron to themselves. Hermione suddenly felt the awkwardness between them, and wished it was Draco next to her instead.

"Poor Harry. If only he had what we have," said Ron, slipping his arm over her shoulder and squeezing her tightly. Hermione said nothing, for at that time Draco walked into the Great Hall and looked straight at her. He smiled at first, but then he saw Ron with his arm around her, and his look grew furious. Draco turned and left the room. Hermione quickly stood.

"Ron, I…um….have to go to the bathroom and then do this …report."

"But it's Friday! Can't you do the report tomorrow or later?"

"I guess, but I have to go to the bathroom. Now."

With that, she quickly ran out of the Great Hall, with Ron calling after her. She didn't know where she would find Draco, only that she had to find him, and fast. She went quickly around and even asked a few people if they had seen him. Eventually she found him outside by the lake, sitting beneath a tree. Relieved, she jogged to him and leaned quietly on the tree.

"What do you want Hermione? I thought you were too busy being with Ron to acknowledge me." Hermione was speechless. Did he really think she wanted to be with Ron?

"I….this….this situation of ours is so complicated, Draco. We come from two different worlds! You're a pureblood and from Slytherin. I'm a muggle and from Gryffindor. Your family hates my kind. Your loyalty stands with Voldemort, and mine with Dumbledore. This is like Romeo and Juliet all over again, except this time I guarantee worse things will occur."

Silence came between them, and the wind blew gently in their faces. Finally, Draco stood in front of her and spoke.

"You're wrong, Hermione. You're so wrong. It's not going to be like Romeo and Juliet, because we're going to have the ending they should have gotten. We're going to be fine! So what if we're the opposites? Opposites attract, remember? My family doesn't like yours….who cares! They're stupid and horrible people to begin with! My loyalty to Voldemort is nonexistent. My family supports him, and therefore I've been raised to like him. Do you honestly think I like the idea of murdering people just because they're muggles? It's insane! My mind was poisoned, and as you saw for years, I gave the appearance of supporting him. If you want me to stop my loyalty to him, I will. You're everything to me Hermione. I…" He trailed off.

Hermione felt like crying for joy. He really did love her! She flung herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"I love you. I've always loved you," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too." He pulled her into a passionate kiss which could have lasted eternity. When they finished, they slowly sank down against the tree, with Draco's arm around her shoulder, and watched the sun set. After blissful silence, Hermione spoke.

"Should we tell people we're together? Ron will be horribly angry. He's convinced that I like him. And…what if Voldemort finds out you don't support him anymore and that I'm the reason?"

"Don't worry. Voldemort and Ron won't find out because we don't have to tell anyone! Let's keep it a secret."

"A secret…" Hermione repeated. She sighed deeply and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Let's keep it a secret.

Xxxxx

Notes:

WOW! I finally updated after an eternity! It's so weird…I woke up this morning and thought "Hmm…let me update." My writer's block is officially over, apparently! YAY! throws party

Ahem…now back to some more serious stuff. I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter! I'm honestly going to update as much as I can. School is almost over so I'm going to do my best! I think I know where I want to go with this story, so hopefully I'll update more like once a week instead of once a year.

If you have any comments or whatever, please REVIEW my story! I'd like to know what you think or if I should change anything with the plot or if something doesn't make sense, etc.

Thanks everyone! Look for CHAPTER NINE, coming soon!

Tracy