It All Started With Duties

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Chapter Nine

Unknowingly Seen

They lay there in tired silence, Hermione wrapped up in Draco's arms. She was shaking slightly from what they'd just done, they'd not only had sex, but they had made love, very passionate love at that and it had been the most romantic, let alone the best experience of their lives.

"I love you, Draco," Hermione said quietly, looking up into his warm grey eyes.

"I love you too, Herm," Draco replied, before yawning. "Goodnight." He closed his eyes.

"'Night,' Hermione said, closing her eyes as well after giving him a quick, soft kiss on his bare chest, falling to sleep almost instantly.

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"Hermione, wake up," Draco said, giving her a light shake, "We have a Head meeting, remember."

Hermione snapped her eyes open at that, instantly awake. She looked at Draco who was getting dressed quickly. She quickly got out of bed and started scrambling around the room, gathering her clothes.

"Where the hell is my shirt?!" Draco cursed irritably. Hermione picked it up from under the bed and threw it to him. Draco caught it with one hand and put it on.

"What time is it?" Hermione asked, looking for her bra, which Draco threw to her before looking at his watch.

"Ten past eight," he said, "the meeting's at eight thirty."

"Damn it! Where the hell are my robes?"

"Over there." He pointed to beside the bedside table.

When they were both dressed, they left and started heading down many staircases to the library. When they reached it, they went to the room the meeting was being held in.

"You're both five minutes late," Professor McGonagall said sternly as they entered. Draco and Hermione nodded and sat down.

"We're very sorry about that, Professor," Hermione said, "We, er, got held up." McGonagall nodded

"I know you're both probably wondering why you haven't had many duties lately, but that's not why I brought you here," McGonagall said, "I brought you here to ask you about your relationship."

"Relationship?" Draco repeated. She didn't know about them did she?

"Yes, your relationship," McGonagall said, "you have been seen several times times together for the last few days in empty classrooms, in deserted corridors and by the lake by a couple of the other teachers.

"You both know we didn't expect this type of relationship between you as you have seemed to hate each other for the last six or so years, but we have decided to allow it," she continued.

Draco and Hermione sat, stunned. Teachers had seen them, and they were allowing it, they had thought they wouldn't as it might set a bad example to their fellow students going around kissing and hugging, still, they were stunned they had been seen, did this mean that it was possible to be seen by one of their friends and other members of their houses?

"You may leave," McGonagall said and they did, thoughts circling their minds uncontrollably.

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Chapter Ten

Caught

Hermione walked across the lake, where she was to meet Draco. It had been two days since the meeting with Professor McGonagall, and even though they were more cautious about being caught now, they still choose to see each other every night.

She reached the lake and saw Draco skipping stones across the calm surface of the lake. "Draco?" she said to get his attention.

Draco turned around and smiled at her. She smiled back and walked over to him.

"We have another duty together tomorrow night," Hermione informed him, "We have to help Hagrid. Apparently, there's a loose Griffon near the edge of the forest, they see it as a great danger to the students, but I have a feeling Hagrid might want to keep it for a Care of Magical Creatures lesson."

Draco smiled again, nodded and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and bending down to kiss her.

"Malfoy! Get your filthy hands off her!" It was Ron. He was standing on a pile of rocks about ten metres away, a girl Hermione recognised as one of Ginny's friends, Katherin standing beside him.

"Ron -" Hermione started, but Ron pulling her out of Draco's grip and pushing her to the side so he had better access to attack Draco cut her off.

Ron punched Draco hard in the nose, making him stagger backwards, blood streaming out of what looked like a broken nose, but Draco didn't seem to care as he launched himself at Ron punching him in the eye followed by the stomach.

"Draco!" Hermione cried, as Ron stood up straighter and went to punch him again. "Ron, stop it! Let me explain!"

"You don't have to explain, Hermione, I saw enough to know this bastard was taking advantage of you and harassing you," Ron said, pulling his fist back further, but he was stopped by Hermione grabbing his wrist and standing in front of him, trying to protect Draco.

"Obviously I do have to explain, or maybe we, Draco and I," Hermione said, "Draco and I are, um, seeing each other, as in going out, we're in love. Ron, we-we've had sex; we've made love."

Ron stood there, stunned and speechless, before turning on his heel abruptly and storming off angrily, back towards the castle.

"Ron!" Hermione called desperately. He ignored her and once he was out of sight, she turned back to Draco, who was nursing his heavy blood nose. "I'll be back soon, Draco. Go to Madam Pomfrey. I've got to go after Ron. I just have to. I love you." And with that, she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek and left in a run, following Katherin, who was now following Ron's path.