Hermione could feel the eyes on her as she walked slightly behind Draco through the library to the door. Their hands were still tightly holding onto the other and Draco kept glancing back at her every few steps as they got closer to the door.

It was when Pansy Parkinson looked up from talking casually with a friend that Draco squeezed Hermione's hand even tighter and she could immediately feel the tension in his body.

"Draco!?" Pansy screeched so loudly that everyone in the entire library shut up. If there was a single person who hadn't noticed Draco and Hermione holding hands before they definitely knew it now.

Draco slowed to a stop but kept his eyes fixed on the door which was about ten steps further ahead. Hermione wished they could just continue and escape out but for some reason she felt as though Draco had something which he had to sort out with Pansy. Whatever that was she didn't think she'd ever know, but she wasn't about to go pulling him through that door without him giving her his consent first.

"Parkinson." Draco said in a low voice as the Slytherin girl advanced slowly, her eyes wide in shock and pain.

"You said... you said you loved me." Pansy whispered. "You let your friends think you loved me. You kissed me."

Hermione fought to push her jealousy away, knowing that she shouldn't be worrying about something as trivial as a kiss between him and Pansy when he had just gone walking through a library in full view of everyone whilst holding her hand.

In fact, thinking about that again brought a smile to her face.

"And you!" Pansy snapped, her voice louder now and her gaze turned towards Hermione. "You filthy, mudblood, boyfriend stealer!" she accused.

"She didn't steal me from you, Pansy. I've been with her for-" Draco stopped looked away slightly, his eyebrows furrowed. Pansy was holding her breath waiting for the answer and Hermione thought she might begin to turn purple if she didn't take a breath soon. It didn't seem like Draco was going to speak again.

"Quite some time now." Hermione said softly.

"But Draco-" Pansy blurted, ignoring Hermione although taking her words in. "What about your mission?"

"Shut up!" Draco spat, spinning and stepping towards her, letting go of Hermione's hand in an instant. "Have you forgotten we're in a library with everyone staring at us and listening? You think you can go around shouting things like that without suffering the consequences?"

"I'm sorry!" Pansy whimpered, her eyes slowly becoming moist.

"That doesn't cut it." Draco growled. "Now get lost before I hex you."

Pansy stared up at him with wide eyes for a few moments longer and only finally moved away when Draco raised his wand and pointed it at her throat. The tears began leaking from her eyes now and she rushed out the door without looking back.

Draco put his wand back in his pocket and turned to Hermione, his expression hard and cold. He stared at her silently for a moment and Hermione thought she saw a flicker of worry in his gaze before it was gone. Was he worried she would be angry with him?

"Draco-"

"Are you going to give up your mission for her, Malfoy?" Harry suddenly asked, standing to the side with his arms folded. The glare on his face plainly informed everyone of his dislike of their relationship.

"That's none of your business." Draco snapped angrily.

"You know she'll leave you if you go ahead with it." Harry said, his words cutting into Draco likes knives. But he had already come to terms with this information and although Hermione looked worried as soon as Harry had said it, Draco simply shrugged.

"Some things can't be avoided." he stated.

Suddenly the door to the library burst open and Professor Snape stood there, his eyes wide in horror as he took in the scene. Draco's fierce appearance crumbled in an instant and he backed away, his mouth falling open. Pansy was barely visible standing behind Snape, still crying.

"Mr Malfoy, come with me now." Snape growled in an almost inaudible voice. Hermione wanted to take Draco's hand and squeeze it reassuringly but she didn't dare, for fear that he would only be more upset because Snape would see it.

Why was he so upset that Snape was watching, anyway? Sure, he was the head of the Slytherin house, but what did that mean to Draco that had him almost cowering in the corner in fear?

Taking a few shaky steps, Draco made his way towards Snape, who kept staring at him as if he had done the worst possible thing in the world.

"Wait-" Hermione suddenly burst out, taking a few hurried steps forward before freezing again. She had no idea what to say, but now Draco had turned to her and Snape was looking at her as well. "I... I want to come." she stuttered.

"You can't." Draco whispered.

"Why not?" she asked sadly, looking into his eyes and wishing they could stay frozen like that forever. His grey eyes for mesmerising and made her forget about everything else for a moment.

"Mr Malfoy is right. What I need to say to him is private." Snape said, his voice still low. "Now if you'll excuse us."

Draco turned away from Hermione's gaze once again and looked down at the ground sadly, his shoulders sagging as he walked from the library after Snape, leaving Hermione behind to stare. It was only when she turned around again that she noticed everyone was still staring at her.

Including Harry.