Note: Hello again! I normally like to wait to put notes at the bottom, but I needed to make mention of something from the last chapter. There are supposed to be breaks throughout the page since the chapter jumps around quite a bit, but for some reason I can't get them to show up. I've tried editing and replacing the document, but it's not going through. *shakes fist* So awfully sorry about that. But enough with this - on with the story!

"Harry, over here!" Ron called from near the fireplace when he spotted his friend come through the portrait hole into the common room. He pushed off his school that had been saving the chair next to him and patted the seat with his hand to indicate Harry should sit there.

"Did you get your books?" Hermione asked as Harry stepped over Ron's bag and sat down.

"No, 'fraid not."

"Harry! I thought you said you would go to the library today! We wanted to work on that assignment tonight."

"You wanted to work on it," Ron grumbled under his breath, earning him a glare from Hermione.

"It's not my fault!" Harry tried to defend himself. "I went to get the books, but that vulture Pince kicked me out!"

"She's not all that bad Harry," Hermione defended the librarian, "Besides, you probably deserved it."

"They are stacked in a pile on a table near the dragon books. I did find them all, she just wouldn't let me check them out."

Hermione sighed. "I suppose one of us will need to go get them then…Ron, be a dear?"

"Why me!" Ron exclaimed.

"Because you and I both know that half of your essay will be written by me. I might as well make you work for it."

"You are a cruel one, Hermione," Ron complained, shaking his head, but stood up nevertheless and left the common room to fetch the books.

Once Ron had left, Harry and Hermione were left sitting in silence. As it was not yet past curfew, most of the other Gryffindors were still out roaming about the castle, and the few in the common room were sitting a ways off from the pair. Hermione bend over a book she had been holding in her lap, and Harry stared dreamily into the fire. The two sat like that for some time before Hermione broke the silence.

"Do you mind if I ask why Madame Pince kicked you out the library?" She closed her book and looked at Harry.

"Hermione, do you remember that conversation we had last summer at the Burrow? What I told you?" Harry kept staring at the fire when he asked this.

"What?" Hermione asked, not following Harry's question.

"She kicked me out because she caught me snogging a bloke." Harry shifted his gaze to Hermione when he said this so he could see her reaction.

"Oh that…" Hermione replied, starting to put together the pieces. "But I thought you had decided not to act on it?"

"Well, I didn't think I would ever find someone."

Hermione nearly snorted at this. She was quite certain there were loads of wizards who would like to get ahold of Harry if they could. "Who is it then?"

"I'm not sure if I should say," Harry hesitated. "I don't think you will be very pleased with me."

"As long as you don't tell me it's Malfoy!" Hermione laughed.

Harry looked back at the fire, hurt clearly written on his face. He swallowed hard and said nothing.

You…you are kidding right?" Hermione faltered. "Harry, he has always been so foul to you! Why him?"

"You wouldn't understand," Harry muttered. He had hoped Hermione would have been more supportive.

"You're right, I don't understand," Hermione huffed. "And you really cannot blame me for questioning you on this! This is Malfoy we're talking about! If something had happened to change him I would maybe understand, but I cannot see any evidence to that. In the corridor this afternoon for example…"

"Something has changed, Hermione. I cannot say what; it's not my place to say, but he has changed," Harry replied forcefully.

Hermione was burning to ask more questions, but decided now was not the best time with Harry so defensive. Instead, she leaned forward to place her hand on Harry's knee, "Just please be careful, Harry. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Harry nodded. "Please don't say anything to Ron."

"No, I suppose he would not be too keen about all of this," Hermione agreed.

"Keen about what?" Ron had managed to slip in the common room unnoticed, causing both Harry and Hermione to jump.

"Just that we've decided to work on the essay tomorrow. Harry is not feeling well," Hermione lied.

"What? After I went all the way to the library for these?" Ron held the stack of books aloft for the other two to see. He groaned when Harry and Hermione stood up to leave to prove they were serious.

"Sorry, Ron," Harry apologized. Truth was Harry was beginning to feel sick. Hermione's reaction had caused a flood of doubt well up inside of him.

When Harry had changed and gotten into bed he immediately began to cry. Worried someone might hear him, he cast a silencing spell and curled up under his blanket. It had been a long time since he had cried last, but he did not try to stop himself. It wasn't that he was sad, more so that he was overwhelmed. These past two days could, if he allowed himself to be slightly overdramatic, change his life forever; certainly his life at Hogwarts, at least. He had become used to fighting with Malfoy over the past few years, but what would they do know? How would they react to each other around other people? The two of them could try to keep their relationship a secret, but it was sure to come out sooner or later. If it had been Ron Harry fancied, it would take ages for anyone to notice anything odd since the two already spent so much time together. But any time he spent with Draco that wasn't used at least to argue would cause all sorts of suspicion.

All Harry was certain about in the midst of all this was that he wanted to be with Draco. They had their differences to sort out, that he was sure of, but the past few days had shown Harry a happiness he could not easily forget.

Note: I know I know, it's a shorter chapter than the others. Don't kill me just yet, though! I'm really excited for the next chapter because my favorite character of all time appears (guess who!). Also, there may be some rather M rated situations coming up in the near future ;) So, you know, take heed if that sort of stuff bothers you. I'll put a warning at the top of the page in the chapter that it occurs for any of you who would like to skip. ~TJ
P.S. Review please! It encourages me to stop being lazy and write more :p