It was difficult for Draco to pay attention to Professor Lupin's lecture. Draco's mind kept wandering off in different directions. He was pondering about what "wonderful" news could Hermione have for him. Wait! A thought struck Draco. He looked over at Hermione, who was still smiling as she was fervently jotting down practically everything that the professor was saying. What if...what if she wants to say the same thing to me that I want to tell her? Draco looked down at the table. What if she realized she...

The shrill sound of the bell shook Draco out of his thoughts. Students all over the classroom were packing up to leave and shuffling out the door. Draco turned to Hermione. Ron leaned forward on the table, showing off a very mischievous smirk that Draco couldn't trust as a good sign.

"Let's go," Hermione said as she stood up. She threw her bag over her shoulder. As Draco got to his feet, he saw that Ron and Harry were following Hermione's lead.

Ok, this is more than a little bit strange.

The four of them left the classroom. Draco and Ron were on either side of Hermione and Harry walked behind them. Each of them kept to themselves as they walked.

"It looks like everyone is here. What is the occasion?" Luna's voice drifted through the crowd from behind the group. Everyone turned to the direction that the voice had came from. Draco saw Harry suddenly straighten up and attempt to flatten his always untidy hair as Luna came skipping into view.

"Hello!" Luna said cheerfully as she reached the group. The five of the made a circle in the middle of the corridor.

"Hey Luna!" Hermione replied happily.

"Hello Luna." Draco responded.

"Hey there, Lovegood," Ron nodded.

"H-hi, Lu...Lovegood," Harry stuttered.

"Suppose we are heading to lunch?" Luna asked. Harry nodded to answer.

"Well, actually Luna, I have to tell Draco the news," Hermione said.

"Oh," Luna slightly depressed by Hermione's response. Draco didn't feel comforted by that.

"Um, Lovegood?" Harry tried to get Luna's attention, but also ended up getting everyone looking at him.

"Harry, you don't have to call me Lovegood," Luna answered as she turned to him. Harry's cheeks had a slight hint of color to them. "You can just call me Luna."

At least he isn't calling her Looney or something like that.

"Er, ok. Well, would you like to go on to the Great Hall with me?" Harry asked. "Maybe you could even explain what Nargles are, or something like that?"

Draco notice Luna's eyes quickly flash in his direction, then back to Harry.

"I'd be delighted," Luna replied.

Then, Luna and Harry set off together. Draco turned back to Hermione, not seeing Luna glance over her shoulder forlornly at him. Luna looked back at Harry and started to explain Nargles as the walked away from the others.

"Let's go to the courtyard," Hermione suggested before either Draco or Ron could say anything about the scene that just played out in front of them. Both of the boys looked at Hermione.

Isn't her face hurting from smiling all day?

The three of them traveled in silence, again, as they made their way to the courtyard. The tension in the air was practically tangible, though. Draco wasn't comfortable with the situation at all now. He looked over at Ron, who had a wicked smile that he usually reserved for when a prank had gone right or whatever trouble-making that he was doing worked out.

What does Ron have to do with this? I should just jinx that look right off his face, Draco thought bitterly.

Once they reached the courtyard, Draco stopped and didn't notice that Hermione and Ron continued to walk on. Draco looked up to see that the sky was completely dark from the overcast of clouds. It seemed so dense that the sun wouldn't have a chance of shining down on Hogwarts today. Then again, it was Halloween, maybe the sky was accompanying the holiday.

"Draco," Hermione called out. Draco turned his attention from the sky and towards Hermione, who was half-way across the courtyard next to a bench. She was motioning for Draco to hurry up. Draco picked up the pace. He saw Ron lean over and whisper something in Hermione's ear. She bit her lower lip and nodded. Then, just a Draco made it to Hermione, Ron walked away. Hermione sat down and waited for Draco.

"Alright Hermione," Draco said as he sat down next to her. "What's the news you have for me?" And why is Ron following you around like a lost puppy?

"Ronald asked me to be his girlfriend!" Hermione practically squealed out in her happiness. "We're together!" She clapped her hand together, as if for emphasis.

As if he had been knocked loopy, Draco's eyes went out of focus and his mind felt numb. Draco couldn't see how happy Hermione's expression was. He hardly felt the breeze blowing through the courtyard.

This has...to be a...Halloween trick.

"Well? Aren't you happy for me?" Hermione asked, sounding a little depressed. Draco realized that this wasn't a trick.

The world came back into focus. Draco's mind started to register what was going on. He saw that, for the first time today, Hermione wasn't smiling.

"No, Hermione. That's not the way its supposed to be," Draco pounded his fist into the stone bench. He didn't care about the pain surging upwards into his arm from his pale white hand. His knuckles were clenched so tight the bone shone through.

"Wh-what?" Hermione asked with confusion and sadness mixed together.

Draco, stop! A voice said from the back of Draco's mind, but he ignored it.

"Draco, what do you mean? What's not supposed to be?" With each word, Hermione's voice slowly started to shake. "Ron and me?"

Draco nodded his head. Then, he turned to look at the ground.

"Why? Why would you say that?" Hermione asked. Draco hated to hear the melancholy in her voice.

"Because..." Draco started as he turned to face her. "Hermione Jean Granger, I love you."

Archi here, and I totally love Mandie for this! (For using my awesome idea. Lmao.) I think this is the end of the story, right? Like, a sequel? Mandz, correct me if I'm wrong? Or one more chapter?

:)(:

Disclaimer: Nothing. -.-

CLIFFY! Lmao(:

Hello there! Mandie reporting for duty! And to answer your questions, Archi; there is a sequel already in the works,s but there is a few more chapters to come on this story!

Thank you very much for all the fanfiction lurve! You all are great!

**Update as of September 19, 2010**

Archi and I have decided that to end this story and begin work on the sequel. Thank you very much for you support! -Mandie