The Secret Romance

"Oh, Draco, I love it. You're sooo sweet," squealed Hermione Granger as she opened the diamond necklace her boyfriend, Draco Malfoy, had gotten her.

It was beautiful necklace. It had a solid gold chain that had a gold, heart-shaped pendant with ten little diamonds molded in on it. It was for their three month anniversary.

"Shh. We don't want anyone to hear," replied Draco.

"Oh, Draco I'm tired of hiding, I don't want to keep it a secret anymore," whispered a frustrated Hermione.

"I know, I know, but it's just not time. Just wait awhile," replied Draco urgently.

He continued, "If Potter or Weasley found out we'd both be dead."

"I know you're right, it's just frustrating. Could you at least call them by their first names, though?" Hermione asked, referring to her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.

"Yeah, sure," replied Draco off-handedly.

"I've gotta go," Hermione said, quickly kissing Draco and leaving.

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Harry and Ron were waiting in the library for Hermione. They were going to study for N.E.W.Ts, but didn't know where she was. When she finally came into the room there was a smile on her face. "What are you so happy?" Harry asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Hermione replied coolly.

"Whatever," Harry said.

After they had studied awhile, Ron noticed Hermione's necklace. "That necklace looks expensive. Where'd you get it Hermione?" Ron asked curiously.

"It was a birthday present," Hermione lied easily.

"I've never seen it before," Ron said. A hint of accusation in his voice.

"Well, I've never worn it before," Hermione yelled, getting mad, and running to her dormitory.

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A few days later Harry and Ron were talking about the recent Quidditch match against Slytherin.

"Did you see the look on Malfoy's face when I caught the snitch from right under his nose?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, Malfoy didn't know what hit him," replied Ron, laughing.

"His name's not Malfoy you know, his name's Draco," Hermione spat vehemently and rushed out of the portrait hole before they could respond.

"What has gotten into her these days?" asked Ron.

"I have no idea," replied a very confused Harry.

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Harry and Ron walked to their dormitory discussing Hermione's strange behavior.

"She's always running off saying she has things to do. She's really secretive, tired, and snaps at the littlest things," Harry said, his voice full of concern.

"I know what you mean. I want to know where that necklace came from. I mean her birthday was more than six months ago and she's first wearing it yesterday? Come on. She was fingering it like it was the best thing ever," said Ron.

"I know what you mean. The necklace looked really expensive," said Harry. He was puzzled, but as he thought about it Hermione had been acting strange for awhile now.

"Next time she runs off let's follow her with your invisibility cloak," Ron suggested eagerly.

"I don't know, Ron, it would be invading her privacy," Harry said uncertainly.

"Oh come on, Harry, I can't do it without you," begged Ron.

"Okay, fine," replied Harry.

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Hermione was getting ready in her dormitory. She was going to meet Draco, and she was a little nervous, as she was before all of her dates with Draco. This time they were sneaking into Hogsmeade. Hermione told Draco about the secret passageway that Harry took in their 3^rd year.

She knew if Harry or Ron found out that she had told him that they would kill her, but she didn't care. She wanted their date to be perfect.

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In the common room Harry and Ron were under the invisibility cloak and had the Marauder's Map. Hermione was coming down the stairs. She then proceeded out the portrait hole with Harry and Ron following closely behind. After walking for awhile, they came to the passageway to Hogsmeade.

When they got there Draco Malfory was waiting there. Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled looks. Then what happened next made Harry and Ron almost blow their cover. Hermione leaned forward and kissed Malfoy! On the lips! Malfoy! As in the stupid git who had made fun of them for the past seven years, not to mention their archenemy! Then they continued hand in hand through the passageway.

Harry and Ron decided to go back to the common room to talk.

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When they got there they were both too stunned to say anything. Then Ron started yelling, "How could she? He is our arch-nemesis! He's been calling her Mudblood for years! I was right in our first year! She is mental!"

"Calm down, Ron," Harry said calmly. There was a long silence, and then Harry broke. "She kissed him, how could she have kissed him? It's Malfoy! No wonder she's been so secretive. She's been dating Malfoy! Malfoy! How could she? How long have they been dating? Uhh," Harry screamed with frustration.

"Okay, let's talk calmly this time," Ron suggested.

"Why does Hermione want to go out with that prat anyway?" asked Harryl

"And why didn't she tell us?" added Ron.

"Well that's obvious," said a third voice.

Both Harry and Ron spun around to see Ron's little sister, Ginny, glaring at them. "What's obvious?" asked Ron.

"Why she didn't tell you two," Ginny stated, still glaring at them.

"Well, why didn't she?" insisted Ron.

"Because you would have done what you just did only to her face. You know yelling like that," added Ginny when she saw their quizzical expressions.

"You were spying on us," yelled Ron indignantly.

"What were you doing to Hermione?" Ginny yelled back.

Ron's face fell when he realized Ginny was right. Harry took the silence as a chance to re-enter the conversation.

"Ginny, you knew all along about Hermione and didn't tell us?" Harry asked.

"Yes, and I'm glad I didn't tell you. I wanted to, but I didn't. Hermione's seventeen and can make her own choices," Ginny replied calmly.

"I wasn't mad I was just curious. I was going to say if you did than you're a better friend to Hermione than we are," Harry said with a sigh.

"Oh Harry, it's fine, I was quite surprised myself actually, I didn't yell, but I was surprised," replied Ginny, comforting Harry.

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Draco and Hermione stepped from the passageway into Honeydukes' cellar. They walked up the stairs, and peeked out the door. No one was paying attention to them.

They climbed out of the cellar and into Honeydukes. They made their way through the crowd and out into the cool night.

They walked around, going into various shops, just walking around together. After awhile they were both a bit cold, and went into the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer. When they were done with their butterbeer, they decided to go back to Hogwarts.

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In the common room Harry was debating on whether to tell Hermione that he and Ron had seen her with Malfoy. He wasn't sure what to do.

After awhile he decided not to tell her because she might get suspicious, and find out they were spying.

Ron had already gone to bed, but he wanted to wait until Hermione got back.

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Awhile later Draco and Hermione went back through the passageway and into Hogwarts.

Hermione gave Draco a quick kiss, and went back to the common room.

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When she entered the common room she was surprised to find Harry, asleep on one of the chairs.

She walked over to him, and shook him slightly.

"Harry," she whispered, "Harry wake up." She shook him again.

His eyes fluttered open. "Hermione," he whispered.

"How was your night?" Hermione asked softly.

"Fine," replied Harry.

"Do anything interesting?" Hermione inquired.

"No," there was a pause, and Hermione got up to leave.

"Hermione wait, I can't lie to you," Harry said abruptly.

"What do you mean, Harry?" asked Hermione with a quizzical look on her face.

"Hermione, Ron and I followed you tonight with the invisibility cloak, and saw you going to Hogsmeade with Malfoy. We also saw you kiss him," Harry said quickly.

Hermione looking stunned sunk down into the nearest chair. She stared at Harry. After a few moments she found her voice.

"How could you?" Hermione whispered.

"We were worried about you, Hermione. You were so secretive, and you were always tired. You were also very snippy. We didn't know what was up," Harry replied.

"So you spied on me? I thought you were better than that, Harry. I would expect that, maybe, from Ron, but not you," with that said Hermione walked up the stairs to go to bed.

Harry ran his hands through his hair anxiously, and then headed to bed also.

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The next morning when Harry and Ron went to the Great Hall for breakfast, Hermione was already there. She was sitting eating breakfast and reading a book.

"Good morning, Hermione," Ron said cheerfully as he and Harry sat down. Hermione just glared at them. Then she got up and left.

"What was that all about?" asked Ron.

"Maybe she had to get to class," suggested Harry sheepishly.

"Harry it's Saturday, we don't have classes. What's really going on?" question Ron, although he thought he knew what was coming.

"I talked to Hermione last night. She was a bit upset that we spied on her," Harry answered.

"Harry why? Why'd you have to tell her?" Ron yelled.

"I'm sorry, I just felt guilty, okay?" Harry yelled back.

"It's alright. I'm sorry I yelled at you. You didn't even want to do it in the first place. It's all my fault," Ron said.

"No it's not. It's both of our faults because I went along with it," Harry said quietly.

"Okay, it's both of out faults, but what are we going to do about Hermione?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," came Harry's reply.

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When Hermione got back to the common room there was an owl waiting for her. She took the note from it, and it flew away. The note said:

Dear Hermione,

I have to tell you something. Meet me in the Great Hall after lunch.

-Draco

I wonder what he has to tell me, thought Hermione.

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After about an hour studying in the library, Hermione went to the Great Hall to talk to Draco.

When she got there she was surprised to find Ginny there also. Not only was Ginny there, but she had her arms around Draco's waist, and they were snogging like they were the only one's in the world. As she approached, she cleared her throat, and they both looked up. Hermione looked at Draco, with a hurt look on her face.

"Hermione-" Draco started, but Hermione cut him off.

"No. How could you? How could you cheat on me? And why? I thought we were getting along really well," she was now close to tears.

"We were getting along great. It's just, I like Ginny a lot. I didn't mean to cheat on you. Honest. I had had a crush on her for awhile, and then we were talking one day. We just sort of clicked. I'm really, really sorry. Seriously, I am," Draco told her solemnly. Ginny looked really upset.

Hermione just stood there, frozen, trying not to cry. "Here, you can have this back," Hermione spat, throwing him the necklace. Then she raced back to the common room, tears blurring her vision. She sat in a chair in a corner, and started to cry.

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Harry walked to the library, looking for Hermione. She wasn't there. He walked back to the common room, and found her in the corner crying. The sight of it broke his heart.

He went over, and sat down in the chair next to hers. She looked up, surprised.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Harry asked gently.

"Draco was cheating on me, and dumped me for Ginny," Hermione replied.

"Oh, Mione," Harry said. He didn't know what else to say so he stood up, and went over to her chair. He gave her a hug. She stopped crying, and looked up at him. Harry had the sudden urge to kiss her. So he did. It was just a quick peck on the lips. Hermione looked up at him and smiled. Then Harry sat down in her chair, and she snuggled up against his chest. She fell asleep thinking of Harry.

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Ron walked into the common room, looking for Harry or Hermione. He found both of them in the corner, asleep. Hermione was on Harry's lap, with her hands on his chest. Harry had one arm around her waist and the other around her shoulders. He walked over to them and yelled boo! They both snapped awake.

Ron smiled and said, "It's about time you two figured it out."

Harry and Hermione just looked at each other. They both tried to stand up at once, which resulted in Hermione on the floor, and Harry tripping over her. Harry ended up on top of Hermione. Harry blushed and stood up. Ron was laughing at them. They both were blushing furiously.

After a long silence, only broken by Ron's giggles, both Harry and Hermione tried to walk away, but ended up running into each other.

This made Ron laugh even harder. Harry and Hermione blushed again, and Hermione ran out of the common room, to the library.

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A few minutes later Ron stopped laughing. He looked up at Harry. He was just staring off into space.

"Harry?" Ron asked carefully.

"Huh?" Harry replied.

"What happened?" Ron questioned.

"When?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"With Hermione just now," Ron said, irritated.

"Oh, well I don't know if Hermione wants me to tell you," Harry replied, uncertain.

"Come on, Harry, I'm your best friend. You can tell me," Ron pleaded.

"Fine. Draco dumped Hermione and when I came into the common room she was crying. I comforted her, and gave her a hug. She looked up at me and smiled, so I kissed her. After that she snuggled in closer and fell asleep," Harry told him.

"Oh," said Ron disappointed.

"Oh, what?" questioned Harry.

"Well I thought, from the way you two were acting, that you snogged each other senseless or something," Ron replied.

"Ron, she's my best friend, I can't do that. It would totally ruin our friendship," Harry said.

"No, it wouldn't, it would just take it to the next level. Come on, Harry, you know you like her," Ron said happily.

"I do not," Harry shot back quickly.

"Oh, you do to. I think it's great," Ron replied.

"Really?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I think you should go for it and ask her out. She likes you too," Ron told Harry.

"You really think so?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Yes," Ron replied confidently.

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The next morning, Harry woke up with a sense of dreading. He hadn't seen Hermione since yesterday when she hurried off to the library. Harry got dressed and went to the Great Hall. Ron was there, but Hermione was nowhere to be seen. He went and sat next to Ron.

"Good morning," Ron said after Harry sat down.

"Good morning. Where's Hermione?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, I haven't seen her since yesterday," replied Ron.

"Hi Harry, hi Ron," Ginny said as she sat down. "What did you two do to Hermione?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"She's been in her dormitory since yesterday. She locked herself in, and she sounds like she's been crying," Ginny replied, her voice full of concern.

"What makes you think we did anything?" Ron asked indignantly.

"Well, because when I asked her if she wanted to talk to you two, she screamed no," replied Ginny matter-of-factly.

"Hey, it wasn't me," Ron shot back, "it was all Harry's fault."

"What did you do, Harry?" asked Ginny sternly.

"I didn't do anything. Why are you trying to blame this on me? It's all your fault, Ginny, and you know it. You're the one who stole her boyfriend, not me!" Harry yelled indignantly.

"You know about that?" asked Ginny, surprised. "Well anyway, that's not why she's upset. I apologized to her for that, but she said it was okay and that wasn't why she was upset. She mumbled something about Harry, but I couldn't hear what. I thought she said something about love, but I'm not sure."

Just then Harry gulped. Not at what Ginny said, although that surprised him too, but at who had just appeared at the entrance of the Great Hall. It was Hermione, and she looked perfectly fine to him. Actually, she looked quite pretty.

"Harry what-" Ginny started, but stopped upon seeing Hermione. "Hermione," she yelled.

Hermione looked at her and smiled, and then walked over to the Gryffindor table. She smiled at Harry as she sat down. Harry looked at her, and realized that she had pulled her bushy hair back into a ponytail. She looks better like that, Harry thought, because you can see her pretty face better.

"Your hair looks good like that, Hermione," Harry said.

"Thanks," Hermione said smiling.

Harry smiled back and whispered in Hermione's ear, "I love you, Hermione." It sent shivers down her spine.

"I love you, too, Harry," Hermione whispered back.

"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me sometime?" Harry asked.

"I would love to," Hermione replied, smiling.

Harry leaned forward and kissed her softly, and Hermione slipped her arms around Harry's neck to deepen the kiss. Harry moved his arms around Hermione's waist without breaking the kiss. Harry decided to deepen the kiss even more, and ran his tongue over her bottom lip. She moaned against his mouth, and opened her mouth. His tongue slid in tentatively exploring at first, but became bolder after awhile.

They sat like that for awhile, snogging, until Ron gave them a mock disgusted look, and said, "Oh, get a room, will you?" He said this with a smile on his face. Harry and Hermione broke apart, smiling also. Hermione would have to remember to thank Ginny later for stealing Draco from her because that kiss had been perfect.