The Debate

Draco couldn't stand it anymore. He had to ask her today, he just had to! He decided to ask her after potions class. He hoped that she would say yes. He sat quietly until potions class was over, then he went up to her. "Hermione, wait!"

Hermione looked shocked. She didn't think Draco would ever call he by her first name. "What is it, Malfoy?"

Draco felt hurt. He knew Hermione didn't feel the same way, he just knew it. He still decided to give it a shot though, just in case. "I was wondering..." he stopped.

"Yes?" said Hermione impatiently.

"I was wondering if maybe, um, we could make a study date sometime? I'm not doing so well in potions and I was wondering if you could help me."

"Me help you? Why me?"

"Because you are the smartest kid in the whole school."

"Well, I don't know. Maybe. I'll have to think about it." Hermione was thrilled inside, but why was she feeling this way? She shouldn't feel this way for both Harry and Draco, could she? The only thing is, Harry feels the same way about her, and he has for the longest time. They have been going out ever since the beginning of their sixth year and now it was their seventh. But, what if Draco also has felt the same way for the longest time. She didn't know what to do. "I'll tell you tomorrow, all right?"

"Yeah." Draco went out the door and headed for his next class.

***

Hermione sat in the common room trying to do her potions homework, but she just couldn't. For some reason, she couldn't stop thinking about Draco. She knew that Harry wouldn't stand for her making a study date with Draco, so what should she do? "It's just to study, I don't think that will hurt anything," thought Hermione. She decided that Harry should know what was happening. She felt she had to be honest with him. Harry was sitting next to her working on his own potion homework. "Harry," she said suddenly, making him jump.

He looked at her and smiled. "Yes?" he said in a sweet, soothing voice.

"Something strange happened to me today that I think you should know about."

"What would that strange happening be?" he replied.

"Well, don't get mad but-"

"But what?" he interrupted her.

"Well, um, Draco asked me something after potions class."

"What did he ask you?" Harry sat up straight when he heard this. You could tell that he just got upset hearing that he talked to Hermione. The only time he ever talked to her was to make fun of her.

"Well, he asked me..." she stopped. She didn't want to continue because she knew he would get angry.

"Asked you what exactly?" said Harry, a little annoyed.

"He asked me if we could make a study date sometime so I can help him with his potion," said Hermione slowly.

"You said no, right?"

"Well, no exactly," replied Hermione.

"What exactly did you say?"

"I said I would think about it."

"And have you thought about it?"

"Yes, I have."

"And?" said Harry impatiently.

"And I have decided that it wouldn't do no harm. It can only do good."

"You did, huh?"

"Yes, I did."

Harry looked hurt. He looked like he was trying to hold in his frustrations. "Ok," he said lightly, " I trust you enough to do this."

"Thanks Harry. I love you."

"I love you too."

***

"Draco!" called Hermione at the end of potions class. "What time would you like to meet?"

"Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at four in the library. Is that OK?"

"Yes, that's fine. Since today is Thursday, do you want to start today?"

"Sure."

"All right, see you at four then!" called Hermione on her way out the door."

"Yeah, see you," he mumbled.

***

Hermione was waiting for Draco in the library. She hoped she looked all right. "I know I shouldn't be feeling his way, but I can't help it," she thought. "Here he comes, act casual, act casual!" she told herself quietly. "Hey Draco, ready to study!" Oh that was a dumb question Hermione! Of course he's ready to study. Really stupid question, she kept telling herself.

"Uh, yeah, I think so."

"Great. Where is it you are exactly having trouble?"

"Um, Hermione? I was wondering if we could go into the Slytherin common room and study. That way, we won't have to be so quiet and I can hear you better."

"Um, yeah, sure," she said nervously. "That's fine with me."

Hermione and Draco left the library and headed toward the entrance. Finally, they were there. Draco said the password. He didn't care if Hermione heard it. They went through the entrance and went to go sit down on a couch. They sat there for nearly two hours hardly studying. They laughed and talked most of the time. It was nearly suppertime. They left to go down to the Great Hall.

"I'll see you tomorrow at four," said Hermione once they reached the Great Hall.

"Yeah, meet me in the library again."

"All right, bye," replied Hermione. They both went to go sit at their own tables.

***

Harry saw them talking before Hermione came over to the Gryffindor table. He saw them laughing and it looked like they were having fun. Harry was jealous. "Ron," he said.

"Yeah Harry?"

"Does it look like that there might be a problem with Hermione and Draco doing study dates?"

"Definitely. You know Draco. I bet he is moving in on your territory."

"Your really think so?" replied Harry.

"Yeah. Yeah, I do," said Ron, enthusiastically. "What are you going to do about it thought?"

"I'll just tell her that they can't see each other any more."

"What do you think Hermione will do?"

"What do might I do what?" Hermione had just gotten to the table.

"Oh nothing," was all Harry said.

"Come on, tell me! I should have a right to know what you are saying about me behind my back!"

"It's nothing, all right?" yelled Harry. Some people turned their heads.

"Ok. You didn't have to yell," said Hermione with tears in her eyes. She got up and left the table. Draco was watching the whole thing; he got up and ran after her.