Taboo

Hermione sped into the library and grabbed a heavy book from the first shelf she saw. Madam Pince gave her a strange look as she exited. She ran to Gryffindor Tower, just as Harry and Ron rounded the corner.

"Oh, hi, Hermione," said Harry, giving the password. The three of them clambered into the common room together.

"Hey, guess what?" said Ron, a huge smile spreading across his face. "I made the team! I play Keeper now."

"Oh, that's great!" said Hermione, still a little out of breath.

"Ha, I beat that McLaggen bloke," said Ron proudly, too elated to notice anything. "He didn't like that much, did he, Harry? Harry?" Harry was looking at Hermione with concern.

"Are you alright, Hermione?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," she said sitting down and opening her book to a random page. "I've got to finish this before dinner."

"Oh no, my essay," groaned Ron. "I haven't even started."

"Neither have I," said Harry, still looking curiously at Hermione. "Come on, let's get some of it done before dinner..." As soon as he and Ron were absorbed in their work, Hermione shut her book and began writing furiously on a sheet of parchment.

---

After dinner, they returned to the common room. Hermione finished early and said she was tired and wanted to go to bed.

"Argh, what was that thing Snape said about--"

"Ron," said Harry, as soon as Hermione was out of earshot. "Don't you think Hermione's been acting a bit...weird lately?"

"No, why?" For some reason, Ron's ears turned red.

"Well, don't you think it's weird that she wasn't able to make the Draught of living Death...I mean, she's perfect at Potions."

"Fair point. But so what?"

"Well, she couldn't have had an appointment with her professor, because I saw her talking to McGonagall on the way to Dumbledore's office. And I don't think she was studying in the library today."

"So you mean she lied to us?" Ron frowned. "Why would she do that?"

"I dunno. But look at this," said Harry, picking up the book Hermione had been holding. "She said she was reading this for Arithmancy."

Roon leaned closer to peer at the title. "One Hundred and One Greatest Witches and Their Accomplishments," read Ron. "So then where has she been going?"

"No idea," said Harry. "But I'm going to start checking the Marauder's Map..."

---

Hermione reeled in the Extendable Ear she'd purchase in Fred and George's shop in Diagon Alley. So they were going to spy on her. She needed to warn Malfoy. Resolving to go to the Owlery the next morning, she crept upstairs and slid into bed.

She couldn't stop thinking about Malfoy, the way his pale, blond hair ruffled in the gentle breeze, how handsome he was, and his striking gray eyes... No, stop it, she told herself. This is Malfoy you're fantasizing about. He might not even be trustworthy. You never know what he might be up to. But he had seemed genuinely happy to see her. She was sure that Malfoy wasn't that good of an actor. And when they were about to leave, she was almost certain that he'd been about to kiss her. What horrified her most was that a small part of her had wanted him to. She rolled over onto her side and willed herself to stop thinking about him.

---

She woke up early the next morning and went into the common room to write a note to Malfoy.

Malfoy,

It isn't safe for us to meet at the same place. Harry and Ron are suspicious.

--Hermione--

Still in her dressing gown, she climbed up to the Owlery and sent the message. Yawning, she stepped into the Great Hall for breakfast. She passed Malfoy on her way to the table, but he gave no indication that he noticed her. She ate quickly and returned to the common room.

Harry and Ron came downstairs half and hour later, rubbing their eyes sleepily.

"Coming to breakfast, Hermione?"

"No, I've already eaten. I think I'll just here by the fire for a bit." Harry and Ron exchanged meaningful looks, but remained silent.

Other Gryffindors began trailing out of the dormitories on the way to breakfast, greeting Hermione drowsily. Now alone, she heard a tapping sound at the window. She opened it to let in a school owl with a letter attached to its leg. She sat down by the fire to read it.

Dear Hermione,

First of all, call me Draco. Potter and Weasley call me by my surname. Second, do they know we've been seeing each other? Even if they don't, we still need to be careful. Crabbe and Goyle said they spotted me walking with a girl by the lake during detention. I suggest that we meet in the Room of Requirement (Saturday, the arranged time).

Until we meet again,

Draco

She read the letter again and then tossed it into the fire, watching as the flames slowly consumed it.