The Right Choice

Chapter Ten

Over the next few weeks, Draco and Hermione met secretly in the back of the library, in empty classrooms, or in the Room of Requirement. Draco would never let on what he really used that room for, and pretended to be amazed when Hermione revealed it. He felt terrible about lying to her, but he couldn't reveal his plans yet. She would understand one day. She had to.

They passed each other in hallways and had a very difficult time not glancing and smiling at each other. They were happy, and no one knew, so no one could bother them about it. They both wordlessly agreed they would deal with the consequences later, and it made Hermione feel sort of reckless and excited.

None of her friends had found out, which was a very good sign. That is until Hermione was cornered in a girls' lavatory by none other than Ginny.

"Are you mad, Hermione?" she demanded.

Hermione was stunned. "What are you going on about?"

"Draco Malfoy? Are you serious? I know you said he kissed you but how can you possibly be in a relationship with him?" Ginny ranted and raved.

Hermione nearly lost her mind. Her thoughts jumbled in her head for a few moments before she was able to properly speak.

"Ginny, please listen to me. No one can know. I've gotten to know him, he can be a wonderful person around people he cares about." Hermione explained

"Have you thought that he could just be toying with you? You do happen to be very close to Harry Potter, and his parents have been found to be working for You-Know-Who!" Ginny was now almost yelling. Her temper matched her fiery red hair.

"I have, and I'm not exactly diving right in with him. I'm aware of the possibilities. He hasn't asked a thing about Harry or his plans, if you must know. Please, trust my judgment Ginny. If anything looks out of place, I will end it. I swear" Hermione was a bit offended that Ginny thought she could be so daft.

Ginny considered this for a moment. She finally dropped her arms in defeat. Hermione was intelligent enough to handle herself, she supposed. She always had before, how could this be any different.

"Alright, but if steps out of line I'll curse him so hard his grandchildren will feel it." She simply said.

Hermione laughed and hugged her closest girl friend.

"How do you know anyway?" she asked Ginny.

"You two thought you were hidden behind that statue, but I could see you. Harry would have too if I hadn't distracted him." The girl explained.

As they left the bathroom chatting about Ginny's upcoming O.W.L. exams, Lavender Brown emerged from a stall with a very shocked look on her face. Hermione had been so shocked she hadn't even bothered to check if anyone else was in there with them.

That evening, Hermione entered the common room to a very angry pair of boys. Harry was sitting with Ginny, who looked quite distressed. Ron immediately confronted Hermione.

"How could you, Hermione? The ferret?" he demanded of her, his face nearly as red as his hair much like his sister's had been.

"Ginny! I thought we agreed no one should know!" Hermione yelled.

But Ginny shook her head. Hermione was confused for a second until Ron spoke up again.

"Lavender told me. Why him? What makes any of this okay?" he raged on. This infuriated Hermione, even though she was over Ron, his girlfriend still annoyed her and was now toeing the line.

"Because, Ronald, he can be a genuine person! I don't expect anyone to understand. I don't even understand it myself. But please, give him a chance. I don't think he was born a prat, he was made to be one. Children can be easily influenced, but he's grown and he has his own opinion." Hermione tried to argue. She looked to Ginny for help.