Dramione and the Half Blood Prince.

16. The Problem

Hermione missed Draco in Arithmancy, he should have been there? As soon as the bell went she grabbed her books and managed to make herself the first one out. To Hermione's surprise her thoughts were boggled by a wizard with wild black hair and circular spectacles.

"Oh, Harry?" she questioned, he was clearly waiting for her as he got up when she exited.

"Hermione, good – we need to talk" they walked down the corridor a bit before he pulled her behind one of the tapestry bays. "What's happening with you and Malfoy?" He blurted out quickly.

Hermione's stomach knotted when Harry mentioned his name, they had both thought that no one had noticed? "I- We're just friends Harry" she smiled, unconvincingly.

"Don't insult me Hermione, you're my best friend – I know when something is going on... and something is going on." Harry looked ultimately unimpressed by her previous 'confession'. "I won't tell anyone; I just want to know if I need to stop scowling at him?"

"...You'd do that?" she resonated an utterly surprised tone in her voice which Harry clearly picked up on.

"Course I would" he reached over to hug her as he continued "If you're sure he makes you happy then of course I will be civil to him." Hermione smiled at his new found acceptance "Although, if he does hurt you, I will hex him into oblivion." Harry raised his eyebrows as he pulled away.

He half smiled mischievously "I'll take that as a 'yes Harry, we are together – and he makes me happier than Amortentia'" he chuckled as Hermione giggled and flushed, tucking a loose curl behind her ear.

"Do you love him?" Harry continued, his joking tone had turned into one of gentle emotion.

"...Yes, I think I do" Hermione looked into Harrys eyes as he nodded and smiled, crumpling his chin.

"In that case, Hermione" he held out an arm for her to take, "Would you accompany me to lunch?"

Hermione chuckled "I'll go with you, but I'm not taking your arm".

"Just as well really" Harry laughed as they emerged from behind the hangings. "How long?" he turned to her and smiled as she almost tripped over an upturned corner of carpet that lined the halls.

"Since Slughorn's Christmas Party properly, but before that we were sort of a bit more than friends but stuff happened and I caught the wrong end of the stick... I thought I was right basically, story of my life really" she smiled rolling her eyes.

Harry nudged her arm "Well at least your happy now" he smiled at her. "Question."

"Go on"

"Why Malfoy? I mean, out of the whole year and the year above why the boy we have all hated since first year?" they both laughed at the realisation of who she had chosen.

"I don't know" she chuckled "he's kind... he treats me how every girl would love to be treated and – well, we just click... you know?"

"They do say opposites attract" Harry agreed.

"Opposites attract" Hermione repeated, realising how utterly perfect his sentence had been to describe their relationship. She felt her vial heat up in her pocked, she pulled it out and checked it;

'Room of Requirement'

Hermione smiled down at her hand as she heard Harry start laughing at something by the window – it was Ron and Lavender.

"Will you wear it always?" Lavender giggled as she draped a neckless round Ron's neck with 'L+R' hanging from the centre.

"Of course I will" he answered.