Harry was a bit surprised as Ron passed him quickly. He then began running behind him until they reached where Hermione normally went when she was sad; the stream. Harry walked over to her and sat beside her. She clenched her wand, and had it pointed at his forehead in a flash.

"Leave me alone," Hermione said, her voice sad and angry at the same time.

Harry stood, frozen. He knew Hermione knew some pretty nasty spells, and he didn't want to risk that.

"I don't want to talk about it. You will both hate me for it. You basically heard it from Draco's mouth." Hermione turned away from the two boys, walking away.

However, she didn't make it far, due to Harry grabbing her arm. Hermione struggled, but it was in vain. "We need to hear it from you," he said. "We don't trust what comes out of Draco's mouth."

Hermione sighed, and pulled her arm out of Harry's hands. She looked down, and closed her eyes. "It's true. What he said is true. I kissed Draco Malfoy. I made out with him, really. However, it didn't end well as you can see." She opened her eyes. "Will you two leave me alone now?"

Harry gaped. He didn't know what to say. "You kissed DRACO?"

"Yes. Yes I did," Hermione said, shaking her head in frustration and in disbelief.

Hermione bit her bottom lip, and said out loud, "Because I liked him. Because he understood. Because he made me feel happy. Because he made me smile, and feel like a normal girl for once. I just want to be able to go through life without worrying about you know who, and without worrying if I'm going to be killed. I'm scared, Harry. I'm scared of him. Of you know who."

She then ran past the two boys, her feet kicking up gravel. She didn't stop running until she was at the stairs that led to the double doors of Hogwarts. She just stood there then. By that time, DADA was over. There was no use in her going back there. She walked back into Hogwarts, and began roaming the halls. She wanted to avoid Draco. Now, just seing him would make her feel sick.

"Probably. She's most likely walking the halls of Hogwarts by now. Damn, she can run fast," Harry said, rubbing his head in confusion. "Well, let's go. There's no telling what she'll get herself into like this." He began walking around the halls of Hogwarts, trying to find Hermione with no avail.

Hermione watched as Harry passed her. She was well hidden, given that she was hiding behind one of the columns that supported the building's weight. She wanted to be left alone, but that was useless. Everyone now knew about her and Draco's dirty little secret, and they would probably be pestering her within minutes.

"Hermione, if you're here, please come out. I'm not mad, really." Ron pleaded as he passed, dragging his feet. She picked Draco over him.

"A Mudblood, Draco?" Blaise asked incredulously, thrown off of his feet by the curse Draco flung at him. "Shut up, you don't know her."

Harry spotted a lock of curly brown hair peeking out from behind a column. He walked up to the column, taking Hermione's hand in his. "We're not mad, 'Mione. We're just a bit surprised. We don't hate you, and I'm sure that everything will work out in the best way possible, okay?"

Hermione started shaking, and she threw her arms around Harry. "Thanks, Harry."

"Don't forget Ron," he whispered in her ear. "I think he's kinda upset."

Hermione sniffled and pulled away. She walked over to Ron, and gave him a hug also. "Thanks, Ron."

~~~

Blaise got back to his feet. "Watch it, Draco. If Lucius found out about this, I'm sure he wouldn't be too happy. Oh, and wasn't there something between you and Pansy Parkinson?" He raised an eyebrow.

Draco scoffed. "You mention this to my father and I'll kill you myself. And Pansy, really? I could do way better than that. And you said it yourself, Granger's pretty."

Ron hugged her back tightly. "I think Draco was just mad you ran away from him after you two kissed." 

"When did I ever say that?" Blaise asked, smirking. "I don't remember that."

~~~

"How did you know that?" Hermione asked, her eyes getting wide. She hadn't told him that, so someone had leaked the information. Either that, or he had been spying on her.

Blaise, who was a bit angry now, walked in the opposite direction that Draco had gone.

Hermione cut a corner, bumping into Draco. She fell down, and looked up, her face red. Her mouth was open, but no words were coming out. Why was it so hard to talk right then?