It All Started With Duties

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Chapter Seven

Behind Backs

Hermione rushed out of the Potions dungeon at the end of lesson before Professor Snape could punish her for helping poor Neville with his Polyjuice Potion, which had been bright pink instead of dark orange at this stage in brewing it.

It had been a typical potions lesson. Snape had taken twenty-five points from Gryffindor for no real reason at all. Draco kept sneering snide comments across the dungeon to Harry and Ron and once to Hermione -which she knew he didn't mean- and that somehow earned Slytherin ten points, then Snape dropped two rolls of Dean Thomas's History of Magic essay into a cauldron, because he was doing another classes homework while his and Seamus Finnigan's potion was brewing.

She continued down the cold dungeon passage but stopped when she heard her bag tear, making all her books and parchment fall on the stone floor with a dull clatter. Kneeling down to pick it all up, she heard someone running up behind her. It was Draco.

"Sorry," he muttered, taking out his wand, "Reparo."

"Sorry for what?" Hermione asked.

"Calling you a Mudblood in class. I really didn't mean it," he replied, "and for this."

"It's okay, at least you fixed my bag. And I knew you didn't mean the Mudblood thing." She finished repacking her bag and stood up, looked around to find the passage deserted and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Do you know where Harry and Ron are?"

"Still in the dungeon," Draco replied, "Snape's giving organising their detentions for swearing at them."

"Oh, I better go," Hermione said, throwing her bag over her shoulder, "I'll see you tonight. Where will you be?"

"Charms classroom." He looked around again before kissing her on the lips sweetly. "See you." And with that he left in the direction of the Great Hall.

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Hermione walked into the crowded Common Room after spending the fourth evening in a row with Draco.

She hadn't told anyone about the newly found relationship between them, but there were several people who had seen them talking in the corridors between classes, but they just thought they were talking about their Head duties and such. They kept their relationship away from the watching eyes of their classmates, friends, teachers and other students, and whenever they were with their friends in classes together and such, they'd act just as hateful towards each other as before to keep a low profile and apologize later, away from everyone.

Hermione dropped her book bag on the table in a corner and ran upstairs towards the boys' dormitories. She had to ask Ron a question, but the moment she entered the seventh year boys' dormitory, the question flew from her mind. Ron wasn't in there, but Harry was, and she found herself letting out a scream at what she saw. Harry was in bed, naked, but he was alone. He was lying on top of a moaning and just as naked Ginny, both obviously very absorbed in the moment as neither of them had heard Hermione enter, or scream.

Hermione turned on her heel quickly and ran out of the room, slamming the door loudly, not stopping until she reached the Common Room, where she bumped into a slightly confused Ron.

"Ron. Sorry. I-I just saw Harry. In bed with Ginny," she said, slightly out of breath.

"You saw Harry having sex with Ginny?" Ron asked, anger filling him. Hermione nodded abruptly.

"Yes, Ron," she said. "Did you know about them...you know?"

"No Hermione, I didn't, but he's really going to pay." He punched his hand with his fist before massaging his knuckles in a very Crabbe and Goyle-like way and started towards the stairs. Usually Hermione would've stopped him, but for some reason this time she didn't feel like it.

Harry had been sleeping with Ginny behind their backs, and Ron was very upset about it. Does that mean they'll be this -if not more- upset if they find out Hermione's been seeing Draco -someone they hate- behind their backs?

God she hoped not.

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Chapter Eight

Birthday Wishes

The nineteen of September came in no time. Harry had suffered a severe broken nose in which even Madam Pomfrey had a hard time in fixing, and he wasn't on speaking terms with Ron, who had gone totally mad yelling himself hoarse at Harry for 'harming' his so-called 'innocent' little sister. Ron was also not letting Harry even be in the same corridor as Ginny. But as Hermione was still friends with both of them, as well as Ginny, they would some how have to get along as today was Hermione's birthday and Hagrid was holding a big birthday party for her down at his hut.

Unfortunately, Draco wasn't invited, but she had made plans in seeing him afterwards by the lake.

"Happy Birthday to you, Harry Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Hermione, Harry Birthday to you!" everyone sang as Hermione sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by people with a large pile of presents in front of her.

She started unwrapping them one by one, getting books, sweets and other thoughtful things. Finally, she reached the bottom of the pile, where a small red velvet box with a gold bow lay. She picked it up and opened it. Inside lay a gorgeous gold necklace with a gold heart pendent with a ruby incrusted in it. There was a note, but no name, but she knew it was from Draco.

Dear Hermione,

I send all my wishes to you for today, and even though I've never said this to anyone in my life, I have to get it off my chest. I love you.

Hermione smiled widely. He loved her! She would defiantly have to tell him in return as she knew very well that she loved him too.

"Who's that from, Hermione?" Ron asked. Hermione looked at him.

"No idea," she lied quickly, putting on the necklace and hiding the note. "It's very nice of them though. Very nice indeed."

Ron and Harry were both looking at the necklace as if it was going to curse her.

"Hermione," Harry said, "are you sure you can trust something to be safe if you don't now who gave it to you? I mean, you were the one in third year who was saying my Firebolt could've been hexed or something, 'cause I didn't know who gave it to me. I mean Vol- sorry -You-Know-Who could've -"

"Alright, alright, if you really need to know, it's from my cousin Samantha. She works at a jewellers in London," Hermione lied. Ron and Harry both nodded and started helping Hagrid with the food.

The rest of the party passed in a flash of fun and excitement. Ron and Harry became friends again and Ron let Harry go out with Ginny.

As they headed towards the castle, as the sun began to set, Hermione decided to head towards the lake.

"Hermione, the castle's this way," Ron said mockingly.

"I am quite aware of that, Ron," Hermione said back, just as mockingly, "I just want to stay out here alone for a while. I'll see you guys later."

Ron nodded and left, leaving Hermione alone as she walked over to the lake, where she found Draco sitting on a rock and writing in the sand with a stick.

"I love you too," she said as she sat down next to him. He looked at her and silently gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

"I've never loved anyone until now," he said, standing up and pulling her delicately to her feet before wrapping his arms around her waist. "You've changed me a lot you know, and I thank you."

Hermione smiled widely at that, wrapping her own arms around his neck. "Have you ever imagined what it would be like to see the future now?" she asked, "I mean go into the future and see who you marry; who you lose your virginity with; if you have any kids."

"Yeah, and I've always wanted to. I mean, I could lose my virginity tonight for all I know. I mean, it would be nice to see when and what happens," Draco said.

"You can lose your virginity tonight if you want," Hermione said, looking up at him.

"Are you sure?" Draco asked, his voice sounding slightly anxious, "'cause it would most definitely be rushed. Less then three weeks ago we were hating each other -"

"Draco, I'm sure."

"Alright, but where?"

Hermione looked around then suddenly remembered something, "there's that room near the Astronomy Tower, Ginny told me she and Harry have been in there a couple of times," she said. Draco nodded and stated leading her up to the castle.

They reached the room Hermione had indicated and opened the door to a magnificent looking room, fortunately empty. Everything was gold in colour, but Draco wanted to make it as romantic as possible for Hermione. He conjured up lit scarlet candles, which he enchanted so they floated in midair and covered the bed in red rose petals using his magic.