When Hermione woke up, she knew that it was time for the school to find out about her and Draco. She didn't know how Draco was going to act when they found out, he had a reputation to protect, but if he really loved her, he would put her first, Right?
Hermione got up and walked to her trunk. She pulled out a brown shirt and some jeans. She pulled on her shoes and skipped down the stairs, she was in a rather chipper mood this morning. Even with Ron probably madder then ever at her.
Hermione planed on sitting with Draco at breakfast so she stood at the bottom of the boy's dorm stairs and waited for Harry and Ron, so she could at least tell them what was going on. Hermione waited for a little over ten minutes before the dorm door opened, only it was Neville and not Harry or Ron.
"Are Harry and Ron in there?" She asked looking at Neville's smiling face.
"Yea they should be down soon, I dont think either one is going to want to talk to you though. They were both raving over you and Malfoy." Neville smiled wider. "I'm glad you are happy Hermione." He gave her a hug before walking out of the common room. Well at least some one is fine with it. She thought as she stood waiting for the boys.
It was almost twenty minutes more before the guys walked out of the dorm. They saw her and gave loud sighs. Neville had been right neither wanted to talk to her. As they drew nearer Harry stopped and suddenly turned around and ran back up to the dorm.
"Well, good job Hermione you scared him away." Ron said rolling his eyes and passing her by.
"Ron I wanted to tell you that I won't be eating breakfast with you this morning." Hermione said trying hard not to explode on him; she was suddenly very angry all over again.
"Who cares?" Ron threw over his should as he plopped down on the couch. Harry reappeared at the top of the stairs he had a letter in his hand; he skipped down the stairs and briefly smiled at Hermione as he passed. Maybe there's hope still.
Harry told Ron that he was ready and Hermione caught up with them. "Harry I'm not going to eat breakfast with you is that alright?" she didn't want Harry to hate her as well, but she really was looking forward to eating with Draco.
"Uh, Sure Herm, eat with who ever you want." Harry shrugged at Hermione and Ron and he walked out the common room.
Well so much for that. Hermione sighed and followed them out, she followed behind them all the way to the Great Hall, and neither said a thing, neither turned around. They hate me.
In the Great Hall Hermione turned and walked over to were Draco was sitting. Crabbe and Goyel on either side. She sat across from him, he didn't lift his head right away he was to busy eating. When he did however, he took a second look and smiled.
"Decide to join the real men, Hermione? Great decision." Hermione stuck out her tongue and filled her plate. She ignored the stares from all the tables, and ate her food. Laughing and talking with Draco, it was a very good breakfast.
Afterwards she and Draco walked around the Castle lawn until her first class.
"Have fun." He said leaning down and kissing her softly on the lips. Hermione kissed him softly back before turning and walking into class with a small smile.
JANUARY 1ST
Hermione skipped to the Great Hall for the New Year feast. She took her normal place across form Draco and smiled. "Hey handsome. Happy new years." She smiled a secret smile, only the two of them new what had happened last night as the new year came in. "Did you sleep well?" she asked raising her eyebrow.
Draco Laughed, "Very well. You?" Hermione smiled before filling her plate with food. It was a feast and she was hungry, she might as well eat as much as she could. She would be working it off soon enough any ways.
The past month had been hard. There were many snickers as she walked down the halls, lots of name-calling and pranks played on her. A few people even had the nerve to come up to her and call her a traitor, pig, and whore. There were few names she hadn't been called. Once a girl hexed her, she was stuck paralyzed lying in the middle of the Hall for more then an hour. Everyone snickered as they walked by but no one helped her. Until Crabbe walked by and put the counter curse on her. Crabbe and Goyel were the only friends she had, and even they weren't the best.
Hermione tried to talk to her old friends, but only Neville and Ginny talked to her, and that was very seldom. Harry only smiled sad smiles once in a while. Gods forbid he talk to me. Might ruin his Hero look. Every one might think him less then perfect. Hermione had thought this on more then one occasion when she had tried to talk to Harry and he had walked away, pretending not to notice her. Maybe it was always being with three Slytherins that had made her see Harry this way, because she knew that he really didn't care about the 'Hero' appearance.
"You alright?" Draco asked looking concerned at her. He had opened up to her a lot in the past month. Told her things that no one else knew but him and maybe his family.
"I'm fine. Just thinking." She sighed, he would know what she was thinking, he always knew. She smiled, "I love you."
"I love you too." He eyed her, but she didn't continue she just began to eat her feast. Looking down the table at the Slytherin's she realized that most of them had been the only people that would talk to her. None of them called her names well save for pansy. None of them had tried to hex her, or prank her. They hadn't been friendly per-say but they had helped her in some studies and some times, they held short conversations with her.
Not to far down the table sat Daphne, Her and Hermione had talked since the fight in the Room of Requirements. She wasn't such a bad person, but Hermione still had harsh feelings towards her, perhaps because she still felt threatened by her. Adrian sat beside Daphne, his arm draped over her shoulder. He leaned down and pecked her softly on the cheek. Hermione smiled, they looked happy enough.
There was a tap on her shoulder and a small sigh. Hermione turned expecting an encounter with a brave student who was going to hit her or something. She was surprised to see Ron, his face as red as his hair.
"Herm, I'm sorry." He whispered, sitting down next to her. "I mean if Malfoy makes you happy then I suppose I can accept that. This last month has really sucked with out you. I have been really happy with Luna and Harry is great to talk to but your, well your much better on the girl advice and your smart." He paused and took a deep breath, then turned to Draco. "If you make her happy then I suppose I owe you an apology as well. I'm sorry I called her those names; I was just hurt that she was with you, and didn't tell us. I mean she is our best friend and all. I guess I should be sorry that I blew up at the two of you when I fou-saw you together.
"Herm, do you forgive me. I never meant to hurt you and I really miss you." Hermione smiled and gave Ron a hug. She was so happy that he had finally said sorry that she couldn't be angry and ignore his apology as she had planed to do. Next thing she new there were more then ten people lined up behind him all smiling and apologizing for calling her names. Harry gave her a hug and walked over to Cho; he sat with the Ravenclaws and filled a plate. Hufflepuffs joined the Ravenclaws, Gryffindor and a few nervous ones sat at the Slytherin table. Ravenclaws shrugged and did the same. Gryffindor's as well.
Every one talked and laughed, Hermione smiled over at Draco who among surprise was chuckling to himself. "I really do love you." Hermione smiled.
"I love you too." Draco said, then as if he had just had a brilliant idea he stood up and yelled, "I, DRACO MALFOY, LOVE HERMIONE GRANGER. MUGGLE SIDE AND ALL!" There were cheers all around. Draco climbed over the table and pulled Hermione up kissing her, to a loud round of applause. Dumbledore just smiled and continued eating his feast, while McGonagall pinched her mouth in what would appear to be disapproval, only Dumbledore know it was to hide her own smile.
