Chapter 4

Hermione ate her dinner quietly. Looking over a the Slytherin table she noticed Malfoy wasn't around. She let out a sigh. She's been avoiding him for a couple weeks now, making sure she's nowhere a round him unless there was a group of people around her.

"Mione, what's wrong?" Harry asked tucking her hair behind her ear.

She looked at him curiously. Lately he's been extra touchy-feely. The way he acts seems...beyond friendship. "Harry, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. The constant hand-holding, always playing with my hair, the intense looks, the random kisses on the cheek. People are starting to talk. They think we're dating. You weren't like this last year."

"You weren't here last year, remember?" Harry sighed, and stood up. "I think it's time we talk...privately."

As Harry and Hermione walked out of the Great Hall, Seamus turned to Ron. "What's been going on with those two?"

Ron took a huge bite off the chicken leg, and shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know. Think Harry's going barmy."

Harry pulled Hermione into an empty classroom. She sat on top of one of the desks and looked at him. She saw that he was nervous but determined. "What's going on Harry?"

He took hold of her hands. "Mione, you leaving wasn't just hard on you. It was pretty hard on us too. We didn't know what was going on, all we knew was that you were gone. We were extremely worried. We even looked for you, but we could never find you. We...I thought I would never see you again."

'He's scared I'm going to disappear again' She smiled and hugged him. "Don't worry, I'm not going to disappear again."

"That's not all." He said pulling away from her. "When I thought I would never see you again, I realized something very important. I realized I couldn't handle not seeing you again. I needed to be with you. I'm in love with you Mione"

"What?" Hermione looked at him in shock. She felt at a loss for words.

"I know you're in shock, I can see it. You've probably never thought if us that way. Trust me, I didn't either till at that time. I just know we could make this work. We have been best friends for a long time, so it's just like that only a little bit more, but it's a good more. I don't want to lose, please be with me." Harry said placing a hand on her cheek.

He was right, she's never thought of them that way. She didn't even know if she was ready to be in a relationship with him, or a relationship at all. She's never seen him anymore as a friend. Then again...Harry would would make a great boyfriend. He was sweet, gentle, protective, romantic. She looked at him. He's awfully cute too, especially since he's magically gotten his eyes fixed. Quidditch did him well too … really well. The best part, he's great with Aria. She smiled at that thought. "You know what? I think it's a good idea. Giving a relationship a try. I want to be with you Harry."

Harry grinned. "Really?"

Next thing she knew his lips were on hers. 'Woah' she thought. This was her first kiss, her first real kiss. She's always dreamed about how sweet and romantic and amazing it would be. Soft lips, fireworks in her head, intensity, melt into the moment type of way. This kiss was what she never expected. It was so soft. It felt...okay. It was good but not great. 'It's alright. Aren't first kisses supposed to be awkward. It'll get better … I hope.' She sighed which Harry took as an invitation to take the kiss deeper. 'He would make a great boyfriend though and Aria enjoys being with him.' Hermione's eyes flew open and she immediately pulled away "Bloody Hell, I forget about Aria. I'm late for picking her up from Madame Pomfrey."

"You want me to come with you?" Harry asked

"No, it's fine. Ron's probably missing you by now." She said jumping off the table. She blushed as their whole body connected. He grinned down at her and gave her a final kiss on the lips before letting her go.

Hermione entered the Hospital Wing. "Madame Pomfrey?" She called out.

Madame Pomfrey came out of her office. "Miss Granger, what are you doing here?"

"I've come to pick up Aria as always."

"Aria? Mr. Malfoy's already come by to pick her up."

"Malfoy...?" Hermione felt her heart start to race as panic ran through her.

"Yes. He says you're caught up in the library, and hat allowed him to have some father-daughter bonding time."

'Shit!' Hermione thought. "Oh yeah...must've left my mind. Well I better check on how those two are getting along." She said before rushing out the door.

"Okay, well good-" Madame Pomfrey was about to say but Hermione was already gone.

Running up the stairs, she sped for the Head tower. 'He has her. He has my baby' She thought frantically 'What if he hurts her?' At that thought she ran faster, shoving past a couple of first years, not bothering to catch them for being out so late. 'What if he takes her away from her?' She said the password to the portrait and raced inside.

She froze when she saw the scene in front of her. Malfoy was fast asleep on the couch with a sleeping Aria in his arms. Letting out a a sigh of relief, she studied the two. Next to each other, their similarities could easily be seen, making it quite obvious Malfoy's the father. They looked so peaceful and so cute. 'No! I have to get her away from him' Hermione quietly walked towards them, lifting Aria out of his arms, careful not to wake the both of them. She then headed for their room, relieved that Aria was safe with her again.

"Where've you been?" Malfoy said sitting up.

Hermione jumped slightly at the sound of his voice. She turned and glared at him. "That's none of your concern."

"You were late from picking up our daughter."

"Well next time, don't bother picking her up. I would feel better if she stayed with Madame Pomfrey."

"I didn't hurt her."

"Not yet, you mean." She said icily.

He shot up angrily "I would never hurt her. I could never hurt her.

"Nothing you say can make me believe you. Don't come near her ever again" Hermione spat before slamming the door to her room.