In the Library

"Hey, Malfoy!"

Draco turned when he heard his name and saw Blaise, Flint and Pansy standing near the fire. Pansy was looking stubborn and the two boys looked doubtful. Sighing, he made his way over to them.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Parkinson says you finally, how did she put it? 'Realised you deeply loved her and had agreed to go out'." Blaise said, glancing at Pansy again. Her facial expression hadn't changed.

"So what would you like to know?" Draco asked, folding his arms. Blaise and Flint exchanged a glance of shock.

"You mean it's true?" Flint asked.

"So what if it is? Are you jealous?" Draco reached over and took Pansy's hand, pulling her closer to his side slightly.

Now smiling triumphantly, Pansy held his hand tightly and glared at Blaise and Flint. Draco didn't blame them for being shocked. He had told them many times that he would never consider her.

"Look, I have to go finish up some homework," Draco mumbled, turning to Pansy. "I won't forget to surprise you though, alright?"

Pansy sighed happily and nodded. "I love you, Drakie."

"I love you too, Pansy." Draco said, kissing her forehead. "See you later tonight."

Letting go of her hand slowly, he smirked and made his way to his dormitory, where he then proceeded to pull out as much homework as he could find. The more he had to do, the longer it would be until he had to pretend to love her again.

*

"Have either of you noticed how smug Malfoy looks recently? I think he's nearing the completion of whatever he's been planning." Harry said as he, Ron and Hermione sat at a table in the common room with their work out in front of them.

Hermione remained silent, pretending that she was absorbed in her work.

"Now that you mention it, I have noticed that." Ron said thoughtfully. "Did you hear what people have been saying? They think the necklace which cursed Katie Bell was meant for Dumbledore."

Hermione's quill paused in writing and she swallowed nervously. The cursed necklace had completely slipped her mind. Draco had told her he had to bring the Death Eaters into the castle, but he hadn't said anything about what they would be doing after that. Why hadn't she thought of it and questioned him?

"At least he's too stupid to succeed in anything, so we don't have to worry about anyone dying." Ron shrugged.

Hermione's heart pounded in her chest and she felt like she couldn't breathe. Would Draco really try and kill Dumbledore? Surely not?

But if that was his mission... and he would be killed if he didn't do it...

No. She still didn't think he would. He wouldn't kill.

"Hermione?"

With a start, she looked up at Harry and Ron to see them staring at her. They looked worried and she swallowed nervously, hoping they wouldn't figure out what she was thinking just by looking at her face.

"I'm fine." she said quickly.

Harry frowned as he stared at her, obviously not believing what she said. She stared back at him defiantly for a few moments before he then sighed and closed his book.

"What do you know that we don't know?" he asked.

"I don't know anything!" Hermione rushed out, biting her lip and looking away from him.

"I can tell you're keeping something from us." Harry said angrily. "Why don't you want to tell us? For goodness sake, Hermione, all year it's felt as if you've been trying to protect him! And you still haven't told me the truth about what happened in the Room of Requirement!"

Hermione looked back over at him, her eyes wide in horror. She supposed she should have known they would notice something, seeing as Pansy Parkinson had noticed something going on with Draco.

But she wasn't prepared for it. She didn't know what to say or how to get out of it.

"I'm going to the library." she said quickly, slamming her books shut and shoving them in her bag before standing and hurriedly leaving the common room. Her gut twisted and she hoped she would be able to think up a good excuse for them later.

*

When Draco made his way down to the common room a few hours later he wasn't surprised to see Pansy sitting in front of the fire. She turned as she heard something and her eyes lit up when she saw it was him. In an instant she was by his side.

"So what have you got planned?" she asked quietly, stroking his face softly.

"I thought I'd let you decide where we go." he said with a chuckle. "You should feel honoured."

"Oh, I do." Pansy said quickly, a smirk on her lips now. For some reason it worried Draco and he began wondering what she had planned.

"So where would you like to go?" he asked.

"How about the library?" she asked, raising her eyebrows curiously. Immediately Draco knew she was still trying to figure out if he was involved with Hermione, so he hid his true emotions.

"Sounds perfect." he said, kissing her cheek.

"Wonderful!" Pansy exclaimed, grabbing his hand and making for the common room door. Draco laughed, actually finding her behaviour somewhat amusing.

When they reached the library and walked in, Draco tried to discreetly see whether Hermione was anywhere around. Pansy kept glancing at him, however, so he had to keep smiling and acting as if she was the only thing on his mind.

"Draco, can I kiss you right here?" Pansy asked suddenly, spinning around to face him. They were standing at about the middle of the library near a long table where many people were sitting reading books and working. Obviously she wanted to have the best chance at Hermione seeing if she was in here.

"Wouldn't it be more romantic if it was somewhere like..." Draco lowered his voice and leant down to her ear. "the restricted section?"

Pansy shivered, finding the suggestion quite tempting, but shook her head.

"I want everyone to know you're mine." she said, quickly moving her head and kissing his lips.

Screwed, was the only thing he could think from that moment after.

As Pansy ran her hands across his back, Draco suddenly hissed as if in pain and pushed her back. Her eyes widened in shock, wondering why he was rejecting her now.

"Drakie?" she asked softly.

"Quiet." he hissed, glancing around to see if anyone was watching. He silently congratulated himself on his amazing plan, fighting hard not to just smirk right then and there.

"What's going on?" she whispered in worry.

"I have to go." he said.

"Why?" Pansy's voice had gotten slightly louder again and Draco shot a glare at her.

"If you must know," he muttered, and lifted his left arm slightly. "I have to go speak to someone."

Pansy looked as though she was about to faint in terror.

"It's him?" she asked.

"Yes." Draco nodded, glancing around again. "He can contact us through our... you know. Anyway, I'm really sorry, but I have to go somewhere quiet. If I ignore him he'll punish me."

"Then go!" Pansy exclaimed quickly, shoving him. She obviously didn't want him to be punished.

"Thank you for understanding." Draco said with a small smile, before turning and heading to the very back of the library.

*

Hermione was pacing up and down the Dark Arts aisle, wringing her hands together nervously and wondering what she would say to Harry and Ron the next time she saw them, when suddenly a figure turned into the aisle and they almost ran into each other.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" Hermione said, quickly stepping back. She looked up and gasped, seeing Draco looking down at her in shock.

They were silent for a moment, before Draco let out a sigh and slumped against one of the bookshelves. He was not about to admit it, but he was glad she was here and not out somewhere she would have seen what had happened between Pansy and him.

"Are you alright?" he asked when he noticed her trembling.

"Yeah, it's just that-" Hermione frowned slightly, worried. "Harry's been asking me questions."

"For example?" Draco asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"He wants to know what I'm not telling him..." Hermione looked down again.

"Don't worry," Draco said, putting a hand out on her shoulder. "He won't find out."

"But Pansy found out!" Hermione protested and Draco flinched at the name. "Although you've done a wonderful job at convincing her she's wrong, I don't think I'll be able to hide this from Harry for much longer!"

"You can't tell him!" Draco said angrily.

"Tell me what?"

Hermione barely stopped herself from screaming, spinning around and staring at Harry who was slowly walking towards them.

"N-nothing." Hermione mumbled, fighting the urge to step back into Draco's warm, safe arms. If she did that it would be the equivalent of yelling the truth in Harry's face.

"I knew you were helping him, Hermione." Harry said quietly, pain in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me? You must have a reason. Let's talk about this."

"There's nothing to say." Hermione said firmly. She felt a hand on her back and was thankful for Draco's comfort, which he was giving to her in such a way that Harry wouldn't know.

"Why don't you start with what you're helping him do?" Harry asked.

"I'm not helping him!" Hermione snapped, beginning to lose her cool.

"Then what is it? What else could you possibly be talking about that you can't tell me?" Harry asked.

"In case you hadn't gotten message yet, Potter," Draco spoke up. "She can't tell you."

"Stay out of this!" Harry said.

"I'm more a part of this than you are!" Draco growled, stepping past Hermione but stopping when she grabbed his arm.

"How? And why?" Harry asked. "I want answers!"

"Granger, I'll see you later." Draco said, glancing back at her and then over at Harry again before turning and beginning to walk away.

Hermione was still holding his arm and tightened her grip as he tried to pull away.

"Don't go." she whispered.

"I'll come back once you've sorted this out." he said stiffly.

"I'll tell him if you leave." she threatened quietly, and at that Draco turned to look at her over his shoulder again.

"Are you really going to listen to her, Malfoy?" Harry asked, folding his arms. It was clear he wanted him to leave so that Hermione would tell him what was going on.

"Shut up, Potter." Draco growled, stepping closer to Hermione again.

"Don't leave." Hermione whispered again.

"What is with you two?" Harry asked, frowning as he watched them stare at each other.

"Tell him then, Hermione." Draco said quietly.

"You're leaving." she swallowed and looked down at the ground.

"First names all of a sudden?" Harry spat out.

"I'm staying." Draco said, reaching out and touching the side of her face carefully. Harry flinched and took a step forward, apparently thinking Draco was about to snap her neck or something.

"Harry," Hermione said quietly. "You can't tell anyone, but... but I love him."

"Someone please take me to St Mungo's." Harry whimpered.

"Gladly, but would you like me to give you a reason to be there first?" Draco asked, turning his icy gaze on him.

"Draco, don't!" Hermione said quickly.

"Hermione, what's he done to you?" Harry asked. "What has he made you do?"

For a moment, Hermione was silenced by the knowledge that she had helped him with the cabinet which would bring Death Eaters into the castle, but then she clenched her teeth and lifted her chin slightly.

"He hasn't done anything to me. He's been nothing but kind." she said firmly. Harry would have almost believed her because of how sincere she sounded if it weren't for the scoff that came from Draco.

"It looks like you're the only one who thinks that." Harry commented.

"You wouldn't be surprised if I'd given her a love potion, would you?" Draco asked with a chuckle.

"No, I wouldn't." Harry replied.

"Stop this!" Hermione said, frustrated. "Let's all just go back to our common rooms and forget about this."

"I haven't heard him say he loves you. Until he does, I'm not moving." Harry said.

"Great, you can stay here and we'll leave then." Draco said, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder to guide her out.

"So you don't love her! I knew it! Hermione, don't you see? He's using you!" Harry called after them. She paused and turned back to look at him, sorrow in her eyes.

"Come on." Draco said, trying to make her start walking again.

"Why won't you say it?" she asked softly.

"Hermione we don't have time for this-"

"Say it!" Hermione snapped. "Or are you still in that phase where you don't even believe me?"

"Don't be stupid!" Draco growled.

"Harry's right." Hermione muttered.

"No he's not! Come on!" Draco grabbed her arm firmly and attempted to pull her away, but she jerked back, her eyes flashing angrily.

"Let me go!" she ordered, and Draco promptly dropped his arm to his side and stepped back. He knew it was a mistake to tell Potter about them.

"Hermione, let's go." Harry said softly, reaching out a hand for her. She stared at Draco for a few more moments, a small glimmer of hope in her eyes, before she blinked to extinguish it and turned to Harry, taking his hand.

"I love you Hermione." Draco said suddenly.

"He's lying and you know it." Harry said softly.

"I love you. I'll let you smash the cabinet." he whispered. Hermione spun around, letting go of Harry's hand.

"But you'll-"

"Die. I know." Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"What?" Harry asked angrily. "The cabinet in Borgin and Bourkes?"

"In a way, yes." Draco nodded.

"No, Draco! I never would!" Hermione said, moving over to him again. "Don't say such things!"

"At least now you know I'm serious." he said quietly. "Now are you coming?"

"Hermi-"

"Yes." Hermione took his hand and smiled, walking with him away from the Dark Arts section.

"People are going to see!" Harry called out, following after them.

"Let them see." Draco muttered, shocking Hermione.

"Draco..."

"I love you."