You Wouldn't Know

Hermione arrived back at the Gryffindor common, still grinning broadly. She entered through the portrait, but when she saw what was waiting for her, her smile faltered a bit. Ron was pacing the room by the fireside, clearly looking distressed. But Harry was no better. Sitting by the fire in one of the many chairs, Harry's head was in his hands. Hermione could see the worry just by looking at him. Upon hearing someone enter the portrait hole, they both looked up at her. Immediately, relief spread across their faces.

"Hermione!" they cried in unison. Both rushed over immediately, bombarding her with questions.

"We were so worried!"

"What happened?"

"What did he do to you?"

"If he laid one finger on you..."

"Boys, please!" Hermione said, holding her hands up, stopping the flow before it got too out of hand. At this both boys stopped staring at Hermione, waiting for their questions to be answered. "Now, I thought we agreed to meet here, so why were you worried about me?"

More calmly, Ron explained, "Right after practice, we came here and you weren't here so we decided we would go to the library and help you with your paper."

"But when we got there, you weren't there. And worse yet, neither was Malfoy," Harry continued, his eyes meeting Hermione's.

Ron nodded in agreement and resumed the story. "We came back here to se if you had come back but you still weren't here. What were we supposed to assume when you had been alone with Malfoy for hours?"

Harry continued his gaze into Hermione's, as if searching for the answers he needed. Hermione knew exactly what he wanted to know and she also knew she couldn't say a word with Ron around. So, quickly, she proceeded to answer Ron's questions.

"Sorry Ron for worrying you. But the truth is Malfoy was giving me those funny glares again, so it took me a really long time to finish. And the reason why it took me so long to come back here was because I went down to the Quidditch pitch to see if we could walk back together," Hermione lied quickly, not able to look Ron in the eye. "But, um, I forgot one of my books in the library."

She eyed Harry and getting the hint, he chimed in, "I'll go with you. Be right back Ron."

Ron nodded and replied, "I actually forgot something down at the Quidditch pitch myself so..."

Harry and Hermione nodded and the three set out through the portrait hole, Ron taking a right and Hermione and Harry taking a left. Once completely out of ear and eye shot, Harry began to speak. "Hermione, what really happened?"

"Um," Hermione mumbled uneasily. She knew she couldn't tell Harry about the kiss. For one, it would only lead to more taunting from Malfoy and more smothering from Harry. And most importantly, she couldn't tell because she had actually, well, she had actually enjoyed it. But she couldn't ever tell that to Harry. And as guilty as she felt, she did what she knew she had to do. She lied. Again.

"I did exactly what I told Ron," Hermione said, fighting to keep eye contact with Harry. Every part her mind screamed out, How dare you look him in the eye! But Hermione only hoped that she was saving him pain by not telling him.

Harry eyed Hermione skeptically, but eventually accepted her excuse. But not before he added, "If you ever need me Hermione, please let me help you."

Hermione's heart was falling into pieces looking at his loving expression but she convinced herself into believing it was for the best and they set off down the hall.

* * *

The next day, sitting in their torturous Potions class, the trio sat silently brewing their Headache Reliever potions. Draco was once again looking at Hermione, but in different way. Formerly, he looked at her as if taunting her, making fun of her, but the stare he gave her today was almost mesmerizing. He sat silently, brewing his potions absentmindedly, never letting his eyes leave Hermione. The look he gave her was soft and warm, almost longing. Draco looked at Hermione in a way no man had ever looked at her before. Hermione, contrary to yesterday, also didn't mind his looks. As she lifted her eyes from her books, she immediately fell into a pair of stormy grey eyes. She knew she shouldn't be looking at him, being in public and sitting right next to Harry, but she found herself unable to let go. But suddenly, their eye contact was broken by a cold soft spoken voice calling the class to order. Professor Snape stood before the class, as pompous as ever, searching every face for a hint of suspicion.

"I have read and graded all your essays, and astoundingly, you did well. I place my judgment based upon the fact that Weasley passed, so indeed there is hope in this world." The Slytherins chuckled as Ron's face burned. Seeing his success, Snape continued on.

"One essay that was very well done was Mr. Malfoy's. Well done, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said, giving Draco a nod of approvance.

"Actually, sir, Miss Granger deserves the credit for this one sir," Malfoy spoke up, putting the class in a state of surprise with his words.

Snape merely looked at him, with a somewhat confused expression on his face. He had of course known that Hermione had been his partner and had probably done most of the work, but nonetheless, he had all intentions of making Malfoy look good. He shook it off though and continued. "Well then, well done Miss Granger. Moving on. I was so pleased with your group work that I have decided to assign another paper on uses of a bezoar due Friday. With your partnered groups. Class is dismissed."

Hermione looked over at Draco, waiting to see his reaction. However, his reaction was surprising. As Hermione looked at him, and he looked at her, for the first time in her life, she saw him smile.