Chasing a Dream

Chapter 24

Malfoy´s Secret

Hermione pulled back, her lips close to his ear.

"I love you."

Harry was shocked. He realized that his mouth was still hanging open, but he didn't really care. Hermione blushed and looked down at her lap. Harry urged himself to say something, anything!

"Oh."

Was all Harry managed to say. Hermione's face fell. She turned bright red and she began gathering up her bag. She stood up and swung it over her shoulder.

"Wait, 'Mione."

Harry stood up and ran over to her. She was still standing there, her head hanging. Harry took her hand and she looked up at him.

"I take it that wasn't the response you were hoping for." Harry asked. Hermione sniffed and shook her head. Harry beamed.

"How about this."

Harry cupped her face and kissed her. He could feel Hermione smiling. Harry pulled back and looked at her. Her eyes were dazed and a small smile was pasted to her face. He whispered into her ear,

"I love you, too."

Hermione's smile widened and she threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. Harry laughed and squeezed her as tight as he could.

_-_

Harry and Hermione had gone to their tree by the lake to talk after they'd decided that it wasn't too cold to go outdoors. The December weather had just started kicking in. Harry had climbed up to one of the higher branches, while Hermione thought it would be safer on the ground. After assuring her that he wouldn't let her fall, Harry coaxed her into coming up. Hermione sat on the branch next to him, his arm around her waist.

"Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"Where did that come from exactly?"

Hermione blushed a deep red.

"Well, I figured that I'd already told you everything else. It was my last secret. Now you know and it isn't a secret anymore. It was really just a temporary moment of insanity, I guess. I was so relieved that you knew about... the other thing, that I wanted to tell you everything so I wouldn't have any more secrets to worry about."

Harry kissed her on the cheek once she'd finished.

"How long have you felt that way?"

He asked. She was thoughtful for a moment.

"Since third year."

Harry thought back to third year. She'd kept it a secret for a long time.

"How about you? How long have you felt this way?"

Now it was Harry's turn to go red.

"Since the time I saw you dancing in Ginny's bedroom."

Hermione grinned. She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. Harry looked out at the lake. The giant squid was thrashing about angrily.

They were absolutely quiet for a very long time. Harry was thinking. Hermione was the Supreme Chancellor of a very secret society. Harry was the one person the most evil wizard of all time hated the most. If he went out with Hermione, the news would be all over it. What if Voldermort reads the news? If he got his hands on her, she could be a powerful tool. She was the ruler of a powerful race and love of his worst enemy. If Hermione became his girlfriend, she might as well walk around with "Kill me next, Voldermort!" painted on her forehead. He couldn't let her become a walking target. If he told her that he doesn't love her, he'd be lying and destroying their friendship. Hermione chose at that time, to ask him the worst question she could just then.

"You do love me, don't you?

~~~

You ask me if I love you

And I choke on my reply

I'd rather hut you honestly

And mislead you with a lie

And who am I to judge you

On what you say or do

I'm only just beginning

To see the real you

~~~

Harry took a deep breath. He couldn't hurt her. He just couldn't bring her to do it! It hurt him just to think about hurting her.

"Yes, Hermione, I do."

Hermione smiled and leaned into him. Harry closed his eyes. He didn't know what to do. He loved her. He loved her a whole lot. He didn't want to hurt her. He either hurt her by lying by telling her he didn't love her, or he put her in danger by putting her in the spotlight. The right thing to do would be to tell her that he didn't love her. But then she'd stop being his friend. They'd grow apart and he wouldn't be able to help or protect her. It would also be very awkward, considering they live in the same house, now.

~~~

And sometimes when we touch

The honesty's too much

And I have to close my eyes and hide

I want to hold you 'till I die

'Till we both break down and cry

I want to hold you

'Till the fear in me subsides

(Sometimes When We Touch, Dan Hill)

~~~

"Hermione?"

"Yeah?"

"We need to keep this a secret."

She looked up at him in surprise and sadness.

"Why?"

Hermione drew away from his arms her eyes were wide.

"Is it because of me?"

Her eyes started tearing up. Harry hadn't expected this. His mouth was flopping open and closed like a fish, too stunned to respond. Hermione choked out a sob and leapt down from the tree. Harry, coming to his senses, did the same.

Hermione bent over her reflection in the lake water. She tugged on her frizzy hair and looked down at herself. Let's just say that she wasn't a very 'developed' woman yet. Harry sat down on the grass next to her.

"I don't really look the part of a hero's girlfriend, now do I?"

"Don't say that!"

Harry grabbed her wrists to stop her from tearing at her hair.

"It isn't you! I only said that because it's me! I just don't want you to become a walking target! It isn't how you look. I love the way you look! Besides, I don't exactly look the part of a hero!"

Hermione looked over at him through teary eyes. Then she smiled.

"Not quite."

She ran a hand through his hair.

"But I wouldn't have you any other way."

"Gee, thanks."

Harry rolled his eyes. Hermione laughed.

"I understand what you're talking about, Harry. We can keep it a secret."

Harry pulled her over to him.

"Of course you understand. You wouldn't be Hermione if you didn't know everything!"

Hermione tackled Harry to the ground.

"And exactly what is that supposed to mean, Mr. Potter?"

Harry laughed and threw her off him. He struggled to his feet and tore off toward the castle.

Hermione got to her feet and tried to chase him down. Harry allowed her to catch up. She grabbed his robes and attempted to drag him down. She succeeded somewhat, but he dragged her down with him.

Harry kissed her once again. Now would be the part that the author would normally make the main character wake up from his dream, and all the readers would groan because they'd been so sure that their favorite couple had finally gotten together. I'm not that way. And since Harry is not dreaming, and this is actually taking place, I'll have you know that this ship has sailed. Harry and Hermione just kissed for the third time in the last two chapters.

Harry pulled back. Hermione was grinning. They were so wrapped up in each other that they hadn't even noticed that it had started snowing until Hermione started shivering. Harry looked down at her again. She was turning very pale and her lips were slightly blue. She was shivering uncontrollably. Harry rubbed his hands up and down her arms to attempt to warm her.

"Hermione, are you ok?"

Hermione didn't answer. Her eyes were distant and the shivering got worse. Harry tugged off his cloak and wrapped it around her in an attempt to halt her convulsions. It wasn't helping. Her lips parted slightly.

"S-s-so c-cold, Harry!"

She closed her eyes and her breath hung in front of her face like a ghost.

"Hang in there, Hermione!"

Harry was very cold himself, but he had to get her out of this weather. He looped one arm around her shoulders, and the other around her knees. He lifted her easily. She had been loosing a lot of weight lately and was very light. He struggled to get her back to the castle as quickly as possible.

"Harry!"

It was Professor Dumbledore! He busted through the doors, followed by Madame Pomfrey and Malfoy. Madame Pomfrey conjured a stretcher and snatched Hermione from Harry. She was muttering darkly and led Hermione away. Dumbledore and Malfoy ran over to Harry. Malfoy was livid, but Dumbledore was a lot calmer.

"I need to talk to you, Harry." Dumbledore said, but Malfoy held up a hand to him.

"No, sir. I'd like to handle this."

Dumbledore looked down at him in surprise. He nodded at him.

"Of course, young mister Malfoy."

Harry's stomach fell as he watched Dumbledore walk away. Once Dumbledore was gone, Malfoy emitted a very low growl. He charged on him like a tiger stalking its prey.

"What have you done!?"

Harry stumbled backward, disoriented by Malfoy's behavior.

"Huh? What happened?!"

He shouted and gave Harry a hard shove in the chest causing Harry to fall. He towered over him. Harry was very confused.

"What the heck is going on?"

Harry asked. Malfoy stooped down and seized Harry by the front of his robes.

"You kissed her didn't you? Didn't you?! Don't even try to lie!"

Harry's eyes widened. Malfoy growled and shoved him again. He stood up and grabbed at his hair.

"You did!!!"

Harry struggled to his feet and rubbed the back of his head.

"So what if I did?"

Malfoy snapped his head in his direction. His were shooting fire.

"You love to cause trouble, don't you? Why her?! Why now?!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Can't you tell that she's sick?! What's the matter with you!?"

Malfoy whirled around and marched back into the castle. What Malfoy had been talking about was a complete mystery to Harry. Harry had been suspicious before, but now he was certain. Malfoy was in love with Hermione.