The Given Choices

**** Chapter Six *****

"Very good, Draco. I think that's it for the day. You're almost up to the lessons from the beginning of this week," Hermione stated as she picked up her notes and filed them in her bag. They had just finished their second session and the Slytherin was picking things up nicely. Of course, Blaise Zabini's presence helped keep him focused and occasionally pointing out something she missed helped a lot.

Draco flipped his book open to the chapter the class covered on Monday. It was Wednesday, which meant he wasn't far behind, thanks to their tutoring sessions. He watched Hermione pack her things and felt a slight pain in his heart; that is, if he was willing to admit it to himself, which he wasn't.

"I'm glad you're helping him out, Hermione," Blaise remarked as he noticed the forlorn look on his best friend's face. "He was too stubborn to listen to my tips."

She reached the door with her book bag on her shoulder. With a small smile, Hermione replied, "I'm glad to do it. I look at it as refreshing the lessons for myself. Hey, I was wondering, maybe Ginny and I could run into you guys down in Hogsmeade on Saturday. Harry has something he has to do and can't join us until lunch."

Draco face lit up, but quickly covered it up with a neutral look. "Sure, maybe we'll run into you two."

"Good. I need to drop my bag off before dinner. I'll be seeing you," she mentioned as she walked out of the Charms room and closed the door behind her.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say that you've got it bad, mate," Blaise chuckled and patted his friend on the shoulder. "But look on the bright side; she set up a tentative date with you for Saturday."

Draco sat on top of the wooden desk behind him and started tapping his wand against his legs. "I wouldn't exactly call it a date. She used the words 'run into', meaning nothing definite. Besides, she's bringing Weaselette with her. I don't need a bloody chaperone."

With a heavy sigh, the raven haired Slytherin sat on the table across from him. "Yet again, this proves that I am the smarter of the two of us. She could not come out and ask you on a date because she is still dating the Boy Wonder. She also made sure Ginny comes along so if someone sees something, it won't seem like you two are on a date."

"And the fact you have a crush on the little redhead means nothing to you," Draco smirked as he tossed his Charms book at his smug friend.

Blaise caught the book and flipped through it as he commented, "That, my friend, just happens to be a perk to being your best friend. One of the few, I may add. I think things are coming along great between you two. I can see the way she looks at you that her heart is slowly accepting you. Now, don't go and fuck it up."

Draco hopped off the table and buttoned the few clasps on his black robe. He took his book from Blaise's hands as they walked out of the room. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Anytime, Draco. Anytime."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione sat on the couch in the common room with her feet stretched out and her shoes on the floor next to her. She was reading the fourteenth chapter of the Charms book she received for her birthday as she nibbled on a sugar quill. Harry came down the steps from the boys' dormitory after a quick shower to get all the sweat off from the Quidditch practice after dinner. Lifting her legs, he sat down next to her and placed her legs on his lap. "So, darling. Where were you before dinner? I looked for you in the library but I didn't see you there."

She tentatively lowered her book and took the candy out of her mouth. "Oh, I was just helping another student with their Charms work. Did you need me for something?"

"No, I just love to be near my pretty girlfriend whenever possible. Is that a crime?" he teased as he ran his hand up and down her knee, where smooth skin was exposed.

Hermione leaned over to place the items in her hands by her shoes and bent over to kiss Harry on the cheek. "Not in my books, it's not. Now, what is happening Saturday morning that I can't be escorted to Hogsmeade by my knight in shining armor?"

He chuckled as he maneuvered their bodies so they were lying next to each other on the large piece of furniture. "Remus wrote this morning saying he was coming here to review my Occlumency lessons and staying for day. I was thinking once we were done, I'd invite him to have lunch with us at The Three Broomsticks. That's if you don't mind, Mione."

"Of course I don't mind. That's a wonderful, thoughtful idea. I haven't seen him since we came back to school, and I'd love to catch up with him. Too bad he can't be around here more. I really miss having him as a Professor," Hermione stated as she snuggled up against her boyfriend's warm chest. The sound of his heart beating was soothing to her.

As they lay there in silence, she noticed he began to snore lightly; he was fast asleep. Hermione closed her eyes as her thoughts turned away from the guy's arms she was in to another young man who was becoming a part of her heart. She wasn't sure if the new feelings for Draco Malfoy were a good thing or not, but it was not going to ruin the relationship with her sweet boyfriend and best friend.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was a little after eleven when she woke Harry up to go to their separate rooms. Hermione, however, did not sleep well and ended up arriving to breakfast late just as the owl post was coming in. The normal seat between Harry and Ginny was open as she yawned and sat down. Her boyfriend began to put a few things on her plate as she unrolled the Daily Prophet. Her eyes froze when she read the headline:

Malfoy Pardoned and Released

Several gasped and whispers filled the hall as others read their papers. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table and saw Draco and Blaise leave the hall in a hurry. Ron muttered, "What's everyone going on about?"

Hermione decided to start reading out loud.

"Lucius Malfoy was pardoned by the Minister of Magic and released an hour later. The Minister stated that there was a mix up in the investigation and that the trial was conducted with too much haste. He apologized to Mr. Malfoy and his family for the Ministry's mistakes. When released, Mr. Malfoy only stated he was glad the matter was cleared and couldn't wait to get back to his normal life again."

"What in the hell is Fudge thinking? Man, Malfoy is going to be even more insufferable now that daddy dearest is free again," Ron stated as he took another bite of his biscuit.

Harry took the paper from Hermione and continued to read as he could tell Ron just made a mistake. She leaned across the table and spoke in a dangerously low tone. "I don't like the fact that Lucius is out as much as you do, but Draco is his son and that doesn't mean he'll turn out like his father. Give Draco a break for once."

With that she stormed out of the hall, none but the few around them knowing what their argument was about. Ron sat there in shock and muttered, "Since when is he Draco?"

"I don't know, but I am going after her. Ginny, stay and keep him here for me," Harry ordered as he followed the pissed off Hermione Granger out of the Great Hall.

After twenty minutes, he finally found her on top of the Astronomy tower as she looked out over the courtyard. He propped himself against the wall as he caught his breath. Within seconds, he managed to find the breath to speak, "Okay, what was that all about?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her hair. "Nothing. I was just shocked by it and I know Malfoy will be glad his father is out. That doesn't make him right about his father but... Ugh, I don't know."

"Tell me what's bothering you, hon," Harry pleaded as he grabbed her hand and ran his thumb over the top of it.

"The student I have been tutoring has been Malfoy. Don't get mad at me. Nothing happened. There have only been two study sessions and Zabini was there the whole time."

The top of the tower was silent for a second after her statement and she felt the need to continue. "I didn't tell you who the student was because he didn't want it going around that he needed help from the 'Gryffindor know-it-all', as he put it. I'm sorry I kept it from you, but there is nothing to be mad about."

"I am not thrilled that you are helping the git with Charms, but since Zabini is there, I guess it is okay. But you could've told me and I would've understood to begin with, and I wouldn't have said anything, even to Ron. I trust you, Hermione," he stated as he cupped her face with his hands.

Hermione kissed him and pulled him into a tight hug as she fought the urge to cry. Harry was being very understanding, and yet she still felt as if she was betraying him with the weird feelings she felt towards the Slytherin Prince. But at least she felt better that she wouldn't have to lie about the study sessions anymore. A silent wish rang through her heart that those feeling for Draco would go away too.