A/N: Hi everyone! I know it's been a while and I'm so sorry for not updating sooner but I didn't want to put something out there that I wasn't happy with. Thank you all for being so patient! Also I wanted to give a shout out to hauntedpumpkin56 for reminding me of a crucial element! Happy reading ^~^

Having a secret relationship wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Originally Hermione was rather excited for it, the rush she felt when they were together. It was the ultimate adrenaline, and what girl didn't want to feel like they were living out Romeo and Juliet? Minus the dying part of course. Hermione cringed at the thought. Things were going well. At least, as well as they could be. Not being able to go up to him and hug him whenever she wanted was starting to get rather annoying. It definitely hindered the natural progression of a relationship. But she and Draco were doing just fine otherwise. The Room of Requirement was a great deal of help as well, providing them with the occasional dinner date or two.

Draco was always a gentleman, and they saw each other whenever they could. Since they both still had their cell phones, they could even message each other. Hermione had changed his name though, so that no one would know who she was messaging, just in case someone happened to glance over her shoulder. She tried to be nonchalant about it, but her heart couldn't help skipping a beat when her phone buzzed in her pocket. As discreet as she tried to be, she was almost positive her face broke out in a stupid smile when she read his messages. She caught herself daydreaming a lot, which was new to her. It could get rather distracting, especially while in class. More than anything she wanted to hold his hand as they walked through the halls together, not a single care in their minds.

Although, Hermione had to admit, Draco seemed to be handling it all much better than she was. He was always calm, cool, and collected, and meanwhile she was a staggered mess. Every day before Charms, Hermione had to mentally prepare herself before stepping into class. She was getting better at it, better at focusing on the actual board rather than trying to catch glimpses of Draco's right sleeve. Luckily though, the only two classes they shared were potions and charms, and she figured she could hold out at least that long. Minus the occasional glance or two. She had to limit herself to only so many glances a day because, honestly, continuously looking to her left would get really suspicious. Ginny had been the one to point it out. As promised, Ginny had kept her word, and not told anyone about their secret. Not even Harry, which Hermione silently appreciated. Harry was one of her best friends, but she was almost sure he wouldn't approve. She knew eventually she would have to tell him, but she wasn't exactly looking forward to it. It was one of the many thoughts flying through her head in Potions that one afternoon.

"Hermione?" She looked up, Slughorns words tugging her from her thoughts.

"Oh, sorry Professor."

Slughorn nodded, "Switch with Harry. I think these pairings will be better." Her heart began to pound. Could this really be happening? She made her way to the other side of the room and took the seat next to Draco. He nodded at her.

"Very well then, now that we're all settled, you may begin."

Hermione could hear the blood rushing in her ears. She looked over at him. "I hope you know what we're doing. I sort of zoned out earlier." He gave a deep chuckle, scribbling something in his notebook. "Do that often, Granger?" Her cheeks flushed slightly. "No. My grades wouldn't be what they are if I did." He looked at her, flashing a playful smile. "Fair enough. Let's get this done."

Hermione had always been used to doing all the work when working in groups or pairs. So when Draco took the lead on their potion she was somewhat surprised. She knew he was skilled with potions, but she didn't quite know to what degree. And goodness, was he incredible to watch. He had the same amount of comfort around potions as he did with flying. That kind of tenacity was something she truly admired in him. Crap, she thought, how long have I just been staring at him? She tried to look busy, moving her hands and trying to pick out the ingredients they would need.

"How have you been?" he asked her, pouring a pink liquid into a measuring cup.

"Pretty good," she said, "Though I miss my boyfriend a bit."

He looked at her. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend Granger. Is he handsome?"

She nodded, smiling shyly. "Yes, quite. Though he can come off as a bit arrogant at times."

He raised an eyebrow. "Arrogance is an awful trait. You could do better." And he nudged her slightly, so that the ingredient she had been measuring toppled off. She scoffed at him. "Look what you made me do!" He chuckled. She sighed, shaking her head.

"Well then," she told him, "If you think I could do better then who do you suggest?"

"Why, Oliver Wood of course."

She punched his arm lightly, laughing. "You're the worst. I would gladly take Oliver."

"And that's what makes you completely mental, Mione."

Her cheeks flushed. "Oh hush. Will I see you later?"

He nodded. "Of course."

She smiled wide. "Perfect. I really have been missing you."

"I have too."

"What were you and Draco talking about?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione looked over at Harry, her heart stopping somewhat.

"In class. You two just really seemed to be getting along."

Hermione smiled. "Yes, well, he's pretty good at potions. And he's different now, you know?"

Harry shook his head. "Not really."

She nudged him. "Come on, Harry. We're all different now. A lot has changed since then, I'm sure you can at least agree to that."

"I'm not saying it hasn't. Malfoy has just never been my most favorite person."

Hermione nodded, and they continued into the common room. "I think I'm going to take a nap." She told him. Her stomach was churning. She didn't think she'd ever be able to tell him. Especially with his particular dislike of Draco. It made her sadder than she cared to say.

Harry wished her a nice nap and headed upstairs to his own room. Ron was sitting by the window, eating. "Ron," Harry said, "Have you noticed anything strange about Hermione?" Ron continued to chew as he thought about his answer. "Her and Ginny are always giggling these days. But they're girls, you know." Harry shook his head. "I know. Ginny seems off too. But I can't figure it out."

"They're just being girls, mate."

"No, Ron, it's more than that. I've been following Hermione on the map, she just-"

"You still have that thing? Honestly Harry, you should get rid of it. It's going to get you in trouble one of these days."

"Ron listen. She's been going to the Room of Requirement regularly for days now. I don't know what to make of it."

Ron shrugged. "Maybe she just wants some alone time. Clear her head or something."

"I just don't understand it."

Ron sighed. "If it bothers you that much then we'll go and we'll wait for her. She'll get mad at us for even asking, because this is all probably not a big deal anyway."

"I've just got a bad feeling, that's all." Harry said. Ron brushed it off and went back to eating.

A few days after their conversation, Harry was lying in bed, unable to sleep. That was when he noticed Hermione disappearing on the Marauder's Map. He began to panic. She had never gone this late into the night. Something had to be wrong. He got up instantly and shook Ron awake.

"Blimey Harry-"

"We have to go. Now."

After a bit of a struggle, Ron reluctantly got up to follow Harry and carry out their stake-out mission. They scrambled down the stairs, trying to remain as quiet as possible but not fully succeeding. "Ron, keep it down or someone will hear us!" Harry hissed. "You're the one with the prance of a baboon!" He shot back.

"Quiet!" Harry pulled Ron back behind the wall, "I hear something."

In the silence of the empty halls, any noise became painfully obvious, including Hermione's hushed giggling. Harry peeked out from behind the wall.

"Bloody hell," he murmured under his breath.

Hermione stood, smiling away, her hands held by none other than Draco Malfoy. And then the unthinkable happened. Malfoy pulled her in for a kiss. She giggled some more. "Stop that. I have to go, really." She extended her arms but he pulled her back in.

"Not really, though." he whined.

"Stop it," her smile was wide. "Come on, I'll see you tomorrow." Draco rolled his eyes. "In class."

"That's good enough." She insisted. He wrapped his hands around her waist. "Spend the night in the dungeons with me."

Harry couldn't help but gasp. He prayed they hadn't heard. They didn't seem to.

She pressed her arms up against his chest. "Absolutely not. That is most indecent."

Draco nibbled the top of her ear. "Breaking my heart Granger."

Hermione laughed some more.

Harry was going to be sick. Ron tugged at his shirt but he nudged him away. Harry couldn't breathe. How could Hermione Granger be with Draco Malfoy? It made no sense. Was it because they had been paired up in potions? All this because of one stupid decision on Slughorn's part? Things would never be the same after this. Hermione. His best friend. Why didn't she tell him?

"Harry, we have to go now or they'll see us."

Harry scrambled to get up and followed Ron back to their room.

"Well," Ron said, after a designated period of awkward silence, "I definitely didn't see that coming."

"We have to talk to her."

"Well we can't very well stroll right up to the girls room can we?"

Harry sat on his bed, leaning his chin on his knuckles. "Why wouldn't she tell us?"

Ron shrugged. "I guess she told Ginny. Must've been what they were being all secretive about. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy she seems to have found somebody. But bloody hell did it have to be Malfoy?"

"I don't trust him." Harry said severely.

"I'm with you on that one mate."

"No matter what we can't tell anyone about what we saw. We have to talk to her first."

"Right," Ron said, "Not a soul."