A/N: Thanks again to everyone who's been reading. Not much to say about this, so on with the story. Happy reading. (^_^)

Forget Me Not

Chapter 5: Time to Tell

The sun shined through the windows of my dorm room and lingered on my face. I groaned and shifted in my bed to hide from the bright rays. My arm stretched out, but found nothing. I forced my eyes opened and exhaled sorrowfully. The blonde was no longer beside me. I slowly sat up and looked around my room and noticed my roommates were still asleep in their beds. I took a deep breath before climbing out of bed and heading for the bathroom to get ready for the day. Once I was ready for the day with all my books and other supplies packed away, I went to the common room to wait for Harry and Ron so that we could all go to breakfast together.

They were behind schedule as usual and we were a little late for breakfast, but my annoyance with them quickly disappeared when I glanced to the far side of the Great Hall at one particular male sitting at the Slytherin table. Harry and Ron didn't notice the reason I had stopped nagging them about their bad habits, but I heard them both sigh when I cut myself off. We sat down in our usual spot; Harry and Ron sat with their backs to the Slytherin table while I sat across from them. I glanced over at the table again and saw Draco smiling at me; I returned the gesture before beginning my meal.

I wanted the day to pass quickly so that I could tell my friends my secret and get the weight off of my chest, but the closer it got to the appointed time, the more anxious I became. I reconsidered telling Harry and Ron. Doubts filled my mind and distracted my attention from class; a few of my teachers gave my worried looks when I didn't answer a question, but I paid them no mind since it was too preoccupied with other issues. Draco noticed something off about me. After Arithmancy, he pulled me aside, "What's the matter?"

I shook my head, "Nothing. I'm fine." I managed to show him a weak smile.

"Something's bothering you."

I sighed, "I don't think we should tell them…"

"We already agreed that we would." I sighed and lowered my head.

"Do we really need to?"

"Are you afraid to, Hermione?" I turned my head and locked my gaze with a spot on the floor. He tilted my head to look back up at him, "It'll be all right. We're going to do it together." He gave me a hug before we went our separate ways. I needed that talk. He gave me the assurance I needed to clear my mind of the doubts. When it was time, I was ready to confront my friends.

"I have something to tell you two," I said to them after we met back up. They looked at each other and then back to me. "Follow me," I lead them to the clock tower. Draco was already there. Each of my friends stood in front of me and tried to shield me from the Slytherin. I sighed and pushed past them; they verbally protested as I made my way over to the blonde. I stood next to him; he wrapped his arm around my waist.

Ron looked like he was about to faint while Harry simply looked confused.

"Please, 'Mione, don't tell me you brought us here to tell us you've been dating the Ferret behind our backs," Ron pleaded.

"Ferret?" Draco leaned down and whispered into my ear.

"Later," I answered. "No, Ron, I didn't come to tell you that. And it's Draco."

"Since when?" Harry asked, seeming to have overcome his initial shock and confusion; now he just wanted answers.

"It started at the beginning of the winter break…" I relayed the entire ordeal to them, leaving out our more intimate moments and the bit about Snape. They looked at me with blank expressions after I was finished retelling the story.

Harry was the first to speak, "Why didn't you tell us before?" I knew he was angry with me.

"I didn't want to jeopardize his safety," he held me tighter.

"What do you plan to do with me?" Draco asked.

The other two shrugged. Ron looked down at Draco's arm, "Why is he touching you?" he sounded a bit jealous to me.

I couldn't resist; I wrapped my arms around Draco's waist and held him before turning to Ron, "Why does it matter?"

Harry laughed lightly and turned to his male friend, "It could be worse, Ron. They could be snogging." Ron's face flushed and he looked a little sick; Harry and I couldn't help laughing at his expense.

Draco was the only serious one and truly was concerned about his fate; he asked another question related to his future. "Well, Malfoy," Harry began, "If you truly plan on staying without your memory then I think we can consider you an ally instead of an enemy. But we'll have to discuss what to do with you with Dumbledore and the Order." Draco nodded, and seemed to accept the answer. I sensed his relief.

During the remainder of the break, we all sat in the tower talking about how to maintain the secrecy of his condition while classes were in session. Our conversation stopped when Ron started freaking out because of my position on Draco's lap. Currently, we were all sitting on a ledge, but I was on his lap and our legs were parallel with my butt against his pelvic region and his arms wrapped around my waist. "Must you sit like that?" he complained, no longer able to keep it to himself.

Maybe I was still trying to make him jealous. I didn't know for sure, but I thought that too immature so I turned and faced him and Harry. That is, until Draco turned me back around and laid his head on my shoulder. Ron groaned and stood up, "I can't stand it." He started toward the exit. "Even if he can't remember anything-"

"Hush, Ron," I called after him; Harry got up to follow him.

"That just isn't right, Harry," that was the last I heard him say.

I looked over at Draco. He didn't appear to seem bothered by Ron's behavior, I caressed his face. "We have to get to class," I informed him. He nodded and we both stood and left the tower to head for the dungeons.

On the second floor, he went ahead of me. While I waiting to put distance between us, Harry and Ron were coming from behind me. I thought they'd already be there. Harry told me that Ron was heading back to the Gryffindor tower and he had to drag him back for class. Now Ron seemed to have given up and just followed as we headed for class.

Draco had gotten there and was with Blaise, Pansy, and Goyle on the Slytherin side of the room at one of the tables. Pansy still seemed peeved with him, but remained by his side none the less.

Every chance Ron had, he would look up and glare at Draco, who would return the gesture in kind. I also noticed the other three tossing him dirty looks, but I knew Ron didn't care about them. It was Draco who had him seething with rage. I touched my best friend's hand and he turned around again. I watched his gaze soften before he returned to his assignment. I looked over at the group and saw the other three glaring at me; I ignored them and noticed Draco's small smile. I wanted to smile back, but I knew I shouldn't. I sighed and turned back to my work.

As soon as class was over, Ron stormed out of the classroom. "I'll see you back in the common room," Harry said to me before following after Ron. I half-glanced to the other side of the room and realized that this would be one evening better spent with my best friends.

The three of us usually spent the time before dinner in the library. I introduced this during our second year and the practice has continued since. Tonight, however, it was difficult to get Ron out of his dorm room. Finally, he gave in and grudgingly came with us to do his homework, but he refused to speak to me, even when he needed help with something. I looked at my ginger friend and shook my head; he was so childish sometimes. But I guess some things are never easy to accept. At least that's one less obstacle to overcome.

A/N: Thanks for reading. Leave a review and let me know what you think, if you feel the need.