Harry and Draco were perched together on the sofa in the head boy and girl common room. Harry was languidly lying in Draco's arms.

"So, your team lost the match. You pay the forfeit."

"I know. I know. I haven't got a story for you but that dirty action can be done now if you want."

"Hermione?"

"Ron's keeping her busy."

Draco started kissing his neck and then turned Harry round and they started snogging passionately.

They got so into it that they didn't notice the portrait hole opening and Hermione entering with Ron in tow.

"I'm telling you Ron, house elves deserve liberation. I will show you that paper I just wrote about the issue and then you'll…"

She stopped in mid sentence.

"Harry?"

Harry and Draco just stared at her.

The silence weighed in upon them. No one spoke a syllable.

"Hermione?" Ron said tentatively.

Hermione looked as though her whole world was falling apart, as indeed it was. She had been in love with Harry for almost all of her school years at Hogwarts, and finding him thus had sent her into shock.

Now she understood. Everything slipped into place suddenly as she discovered what Harry had tried so hard to hide from her. This was why Malfoy had been nice to Ron. This explained the rings. This explained everything. Everything she had been so confused about for ages, now it was all worked out.

How could he do this to me? Why hadn't he told me? I bet Ron and Ginny were in on it the whole time. They've all been sending me round in circles trying to hide the truth from me. They were playing games with me. And I fell for it.

A tear dropped from her eye and landed on the red carpet.

She was slightly pleased to see how guilty the three boys felt. Especially when they saw that tear drop.

Hermione ran from the room as the tears started flowing freely to emotionalize her breaking heart.

Harry let out his breath as she left and then he wheeled on Ron.

"I thought I told you to keep her away from here after the match?"

"Look, mate, I did. I got her started on SPEW and I thought she would be happy to discuss it in the library. But then she went on about his thesis she had written about SPEW and that it was in her dorm. I did try to stop her. But you know how she gets about SPEW. She never shuts up or rests until she's bored you solid about the whole affair."

"Now she knows, what the hell am I going to say to her when I next see her. I live with her! Shit! I think it's safe to say that I fear Hermione more than I ever did Lord Voldemort."

"Relax, honey. It'll be fine. She'll get used to the idea and she'll get over you."

"Thanks Draco. I needed that. But what I really need now is to be left alone to mull it over."

The other's nodded and Ron left to go to the Gryffindor party that they were sure to be having in the Gryffindor common room. Draco left to find McGonnagal and seek her advice.

Harry sat quite still trying to get his brain to function properly. He must have sat there for some time because before he knew it the portrait hole was opening again and then a voice said from the doorway.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hermione! I guess I was scared of how you would react. I know that you liked me in a more than friends way and I didn't want to hurt you."

"Everyone gets hurt, Harry, it's called living. Your mistake was not telling me sooner. What upsets me most is that you didn't trust me enough to tell me you were homosexual. I would have understood. Though I will give you credit. It was cleverly done, I see that now. You lied to me though. And friends don't lie to each other."

"I know. And I'm soo sorry. I didn't like to lie to you all the time but we all thought you might hit the roof if you found out. I didn't want to lose you as a friend, so I pretended to fancy Cho and Ginny, just to throw you off the scent. I suppose you are going to tell me now that you never want to see me again and that I have lost one of my best friends?"

He raised his eyes to meet hers and her positive affirmation that was about to come out froze in her throat.

"No Harry. You haven't lost me. We've been through a hell of a lot together and I still care for you as a friend. Of course I want to see you again, Harry. You're my best friend, why wouldn't I? I may not like the situation but I will accept it. I do understand why you hid it from me and I also know that I can be pretty intimidating."

"Understatement of the century!"