Chapter 3: Keeping a Secret
If Harry and Hermione thought that keeping their relationship a secret was going to be easy, they were completely mistaken. Harry wanted nothing more than to hold her hand in the corridors, or to kiss her in the common room. Hermione wanted all those things as well.
Ron wasn't being that much help either. He almost told the entire Gryffindor house, who wanted to know whether or not Harry and Hermione were dating.
The only time Harry and Hermione could kiss and what not was if the common room was empty. And let me tell you that was not very often because, well it's not called a common room for nothing. They had to stay up really, really late for an empty common room. About the only helpful thing that Ron had done for the couple was to try to send the Gryffindors to bed. He claimed to need to study for his N.E.W.T.S. that were only months away. That didn't bother most of them, until Ron told them that they were a bunch of stupid gits with nothing better to do than playing with their bleeding gobstones.
One time Harry and Hermione had tried to snog in the crowded common room under the invisibility cloak. But after that they decided not to try that again since it frightened the younger students that her moaning, groaning and giggling as they passed by the corner. One of the sixth years even walked right into them. So that was definitely off their options list.
The best idea that they came up with (well Hermione came up with anyways) was to sneak off to their spot by the lake every night. Not the place where they first made their confessions, but the spot across from there, behind a big oak tree. It was actually ingenious really. Since they were Head Boy and Head Girl, they could give an easy explanation saying that they were doing rounds. And, in case they returned too late, they could use the Invisibility Cloak.
One night however, things got ugly. Harry and Hermione were walking back to Gryffindor Tower from their evening `rounds'; they walked right into none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Who's there?" Malfoy demanded. He reached out a hand and started to feel for something, anything. After a great deal of groping, he managed to grasp the cloak and pull it off.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Potty and the Mudblood," sneered Malfoy.
"Shove off Malfoy," Harry threatened.
Malfoy looked down and saw Harry and Hermione's fingers laced together.
"Hmmm," said Malfoy looking smug. "Potter and Granger…a couple? Well, this is pleasant news. Not for you lot however."
Harry stepped in front of Hermione. "What are you talking about Malfoy?" he demanded.
"I told you Potter. I told you that it was a bad choice to go with those blood traitor Weasleys and the Mudblood Granger. And if I remember correctly, just two years ago I told you that you would pay to for landing my father in prison. I think, that I have a fair price. I expect it to be paid soon," Malfoy told them. And with that, he walked away.
~
When Harry was finally in bed, he knew that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep. Malfoy's words played over and over in his head. I won't let anything happen to Hermione. She's way too important to me. But a voice in his head that sounded somewhat like Voldemort's cold voice said: Ah but you know you won't be able to keep her safe forever, what about on summer holidays. You know you won't be able to then.
In the early hours of the morning, Harry finally fell asleep, only to be woken what seemed like ten minutes later. At breakfast, Ron and Hermione noticed his lack of eating.
"Whass wong ate?" Ron asked with his mouth full of eggs and sausage.
"I guess I'm just not hungry that's all," Harry lied. He looked up at the Slytherin table to find Malfoy staring at him with a sneering expression. Harry knew that Malfoy had informed his father about Harry and Hermione's relationship. He had to keep her safe. So, he marched up to the High Table. He went straight to Professor Dumbledore.
"Is there something troubling you Harry?" asked Dumbledore.
"Professor, might I have a word with you in your office after breakfast?" Harry whispered.
"Certainly Harry. You may go up my office now if you like. The password is Pepper Imp. I will be with you shortly."
Harry waited for Dumbledore in his office. Moments later, he came through the door and sat behind his desk.
"So, I believe that you would like to discuss the safety of one Hermione Granger, am I correct Harry?" Dumbledore asked him.
"Yes, last night- wait hold on a second! How do you know?" Harry asked looking very confused.
"I saw last nights events with you, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger in the corridor," Dumbledore told him.
"How come I didn't see you then?" Harry asked again, now even more bewildered than before.
"You might recall Harry, in your first year, when I found you looking in the Mirror of Erised, I told you that I do not need a cloak to become invisible. Now, back to the subject."
"Sir, I don't think that it's a good idea for Hermione to be here right now. I don't think it's safe," Harry explained.
"Harry, you must know that this is the safest place for her right now. What good would it do to send her home? If Voldemort or a Death Eater found her she would be alone. Her parents are Muggles, they cannot help her in this situation."
"There must be something you could do," Harry said, his temper starting to rise.
"I'm afraid there isn't Harry. Either Miss Granger remains at Hogwarts and has a chance to survive, or she could be sent home, where the chance of survival is slim to none. Also I doubt that she would be very pleased with you if she uncovered that you were the one who wanted her to be sent away in the first place," Dumbledore said seriously.
"Professor, I don't know what I would do without her. I mean, I'd be dead ten times over if it wasn't for her. She's always been there to help me an-"
"Then let her help you. You're fighting a loosing battle if you even attempt to take away Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley from your side. Harry, I know you more than you think, and believe me when I say that you really need them by your side.
I believe that you are late for your first class. I will right Professor Flitwick a note, not to worry." Dumbledore finished.
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