"Harry you can't date him. He's a boy, he has a penis, it's just plain wrong. What ever happened to your love for my sister?" Ron said.

"I am not just dating him. We're in love and that's all there is too it. Sure he may have treated me badly in the past, he may be a blonde, occasionally sniveling, pathetic, little daddy's boy. And yes, he is just a bit too girlish looking, but I love him. He is everything I want." Harry said with a passionate sigh.

"But you're forgetting the important thing, he is a boy."

"Ron I don't care. I love him. I want him. I need him. Hermione please explain to him that I mean what I say."

"It's true Ron they do really like each other even if I wouldn't go so far as too say love. But Harry please be careful. Not only has Malfoy hurt you in the past he is also a Slytherin and his father is not to be trusted at all," Hermione shuddered. "But if he makes you happy then I'm all for this arrangement, so long as it doesn't know in between you and your studies."

Hermione knew all about relationships getting in the way of studies. It had been a week since she and Barty decided to try things out, it wasn't going well. They could barely speak to each other in school, it's not like she could borrow Harry's map and cloak, people would start to ask questions, and besides, now that Harry was involved in the Tri-Wizard tournament he needed all his resources in order to prepare. Since Barty was a criminal in the outside world, something Hermione only found out after their night together, she was very upset. He understood, said it made perfect sense but that he wasn't going to give up his first love just for her.

That made things go even worse, and yet despite it all she remained enamored of him.

"He's a boy! I don't understand why that is being accepted by either of you," Ron shouted.

"Ron calm down. If Harry is making a mistake he'll find out soon enough!"

"Thanks Hermione, you think I'm making a mistake do you? I'll show you, I'll show all of you."

Harry stalked off and left the Gryffindor common room.

"Hermione, I don't know what to say to him. I don't think Harry and Draco make a good couple, think of trying to hang out as a group, it'd be horrible."

"I know Ron, I'm sorry, I don't like Malfoy either but maybe it will turn out alright. Harry is the boy who lived after all; things tend to work out for him. I have to go to the library though, I need to study, I'll see you later."

Hermione walked to the library, full intending to study, when she sat down and opened her DADA book a thought occurred, where is Mad-eye Moody's body? Before any other thoughts or a plan could occur to her there was a rush of air swept past her ear. She looked around but couldn't see where the air might have come from, then she heard a book shut in the stacks right in front of her.

"Hello?" she said.

She heard a shuffling sound just ahead of her, this is Hogwarts anything can be lurking.

"Miss Granger," she heard a familiar voice say.

"Miss Granger I would like to know what you're doing studying Dark Creatures, Dark Meanings, at once. This book was not assigned to your class."

"I am studying it because you can never be too protected from the dark arts."

"Tsk, tsk, the dark arts aren't the evil thing they are believed to be you know."

"Why are you hiding?"

"Shush. I am only here to tell you to meet me at the astronomy tower at midnight. No one has classes its perfect."

"I'll be there."

There was another brush of air past her, this time Hermione knew Barty was leaving.

She wasn't looking forward to going to the astronomy tower, Barty usually had an objective, although she didn't mind being the object he found so much desire in, she did mind the lack of communication.

Hermione gave up studying, there was no she was going to get anything done now, she was too flustered, in her mind this was a Saturday wasted.

Walking down to the Great Hall for lunch she saw something out of the corner of her eye, it was Harry, full on snogging Draco in the hall.

"Ahem," Hermione said.

The two pulled apart like lightning, Draco scowled angrily, Harry looked shame-faced but not unhappy.

"Oh, hello Hermione, how are you?" Harry tried to be as polite as can be.

"Harry can I talk to you, in private," she said.

They walked, leaving Draco standing alone, across the hall.

"I am fine with you and Draco, really I am, but should you really be kissing in the middle of the school? Why not somewhere a little more private? I'm concerned what the other students will say, I only want what's best for you."

"I'm thankful for that Hermione but trust me, I can take care of myself, and anyone else that comes along for that matter."

"Fine but please be considerate of Ron, he's not sure what to think of this yet, he's a bit stubborn. He just wants to be your friend even if he doesn't understand your love for Draco."

Hermione walked into the Great Hall and sat down at Gryffindor table.

Ginny was there eating alone.

"Hermione I heard and Harry and Draco, crazy isn't it? I mean what are we supposed to call them, like Drarry or something?"

"I don't know Ginny, it's really weird. Ron's freaked out by the whole thing of course. He keeps saying 'but he's a boy' I'm pretty sure Harry knows that already."

"Leave Ron to me, I'm his sister I'll get him used to it."

"That's sweet. I really need to get back to studying, I just came down for a bite to eat. Snape's been doubly hard on us since I got detention, and I have ever so much ancient runes, and astronomy homework. It's unbelievable."

"Alright, Hermione, have fun doing work, I know I'll have fun doing nothing at all! I have to go find Dean or Seamus, they promised me they'd take me out. Buh-bye!"

Hermione wandered around until she found an empty classroom where she could think about a few things, mainly Drarry, where's the body, and did she care the body was missing?

She decided she didn't care, well she did but not enough to question Barty, she understood how delicate their arrangement was.

After finishing the last of her homework, the potions essay (which took the better part of five hours) she glanced at her watch and noticed it was 11:30, she had been working all day, nothing to do now but walk up to the Astronomy tower.

Nobody saw her on the way up; when she got there, she was alone.

It was about ten minutes to midnight so she settled down in a corner where no one would notice her and wait. Five minutes later the door opened and Mad-eye Moody walked out, Hermione didn't call out, she sat still, watching as he transformed into her Barty.

Every transformation looked painful but this one especially so.

Barty almost screamed in agony, when it was done he stood up swearing.

"Thank God she didn't see that."

"I'm sorry," Hermione, aid almost giggling so terrified of Barty's anger it seemed funny. "But I did see that."

Barty ran over and grabbed Hermione and twirled her around.

"It's so good to see you and hold you!" He said right before he kissed her.

"I've missed you so much, standing at the front of the room and teaching you is tough, tougher than you'd believe."

"Where's the body?" Hermione had promised herself she wouldn't ask and was now clamping her hands over her mouth. Barty had released her from what was a pleasant hug and was now looking at her with an expression Hermione couldn't read.

"I was wondering when you'd ask me that." He said thoughtfully.

"But I really can't tell you, it would ruin everything, he's alive is that good enough? If it helps I feed him, not much but I do, if you'd like I'll give him feasts but I'm sure he won't eat them. He's safe where he is. Safe, much safer than if I stranded him somewhere. I just need you to accept that."

"If you are willing to promise he is safe than I'm willing to accept it."

"I promise."

Hermione knew this wasn't then end of this discussion but she dropped it for the time being.

"Barty it's so good to see your face."

"I have class with you three times a week."

"That's not you, not you at all. I don't know, there's something in your face, something not evil."

"I'm a companion of the Dark Lord Hermione, there is evil there."

"I assure you, I see no evil in your face, not as it relates to me."

There was a noise at the door Barty withdrew into a corner as two figures emerged from the door.

"Harry!"

"Hermione what are you doing up here?"

"Err- astronomy homework."

"With no telescope?"

"It's a drawing of the sky, for extra credit."

"Oh. Of course you'd be doing extra credit when a tri-wizard tournament is going on."

"I'm sorry Harry, of course I'll help you with everything but not now. I'm very busy. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Draco and I will find somewhere else to gaze at the stars reflected in each others eyes."

"Yes, well best of luck." She kissed Harry on the cheek. "Have fun Harry, but remember be careful."

"Yes Mother Hermione."

They left and closed the door. Barty ran over to Hermione and grabbed her.

"I don't think I like you kissing other men even if they are just your friends, and are clearly musical theatre fans."

"Barty don't be silly, I'm sure you're quite the theatre fan. Now where were we?"

"I had just told you we are learning about jinx's in tomorrow's class." Barty began kissing Hermione's neck. "We will learn the jelly jinx," kiss. "And I will tell everyone how fantastic you are at them," kiss. "Because clearly my legs are turning to jelly because of your soft skin, we really must lay down."

"I can't, not again."

"We won't, we will just gaze at the stars in each other's eyes."