A Snake's Secrets ~Draco&Hermione FF~

Chapter 3 ~ Pushing Boundaries

Chapter 3

Draco's POV

               I spent the next few days just hoping and praying that no one would find out about my relationship with Hermione. The biggest issue would be if my father found out. But it wouldn't be good if anyone in the school find out either. I'd be the laughing stock of the school.

               But I was determined to make sure that never happened. Hermione and I mainly just met at night when we could both sneak away without being seen. When we passed each other in the hall, we just tried to act like we still hated each other. But it was hard. To stay away from her and to pretend to hate her again.

               One thing -er, person- that was really irritating the crap out of me was Pansy. She just would not leave me alone. It was really driving me insane! I mean, she could be useful in my posy at times. But there were days when she was just so much of a snob that I wanted to smack her!

               And even worse, she wouldn't stop flirting with me. She was always hanging on me and batting her eye lashes at me with wide eyes. Sure, she'd kind of been my girlfriend. But it had never been serious. Besides, she was mainly interested in the physical parts of the relationship anyway. Now she just made me sick.

               I knew Hermione was really getting annoyed with her as well. I saw the anger in her narrowed eyes when she saw Pansy clinging to me or flirting with me. This kind of made me feel guilty. So I would always try and give her an apologetic look when no one was looking.

               And I would always try to make it up to her when we met at night. I'd stay out as late as I could. Sometimes Hermione had to force me to go to bed because I was almost falling asleep. I just couldn't help it. I felt so connected to her that it was hard to stay away. And I still didn't really know why I was so attracted to her. It felt like more than just plain love.

               "I don't think Harry or Ron have got suspicious yet," Hermione said softly, looking up at the stars as we sat by the lake together.

               "Good," I said, pulling her even closer and wrapping my arms around her tightly.

               "What about your goons?" she asked, laying her head against my shoulder.

               I laughed quietly. "Those idiots barely know what's going on around them anyway. Crabbe and Goyle don't really care anyway. But Pansy is really starting to drive me up the wall."

               "I hate the way she looks at you," Hermione grumbled. "She looks at you like she owns you or something...."

               "We never even dated," I said with a sigh. "But she just won't leave me alone. I've been trying to avoid her, but we have almost all our classes together."

               She looked up at me and kissed me lightly on the lips. "Well, whatever she does, I trust you not to cheat on me."

               I kissed her again quickly, repulsed even by the thought of being with Pansy. "I'd never do that," I whispered firmly.

               "I know," she said gently, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Like I said before, I trust you."

               We sat there in silence for a little while, just enjoying each other's company. But when my eyes started to droop shut, Hermione said we had better go to bed. I went back toward the castle a little reluctantly. She kissed me again in the hall before heading off for the Gryffindor common room in the opposite direction.

               That night, I had even more nightmares. They haunted me every night now. Always the same thing. My father would find out about Hermione. First, they would torture her and make me watch. Then they would kill her. I woke up with a dry throat and tears in my eyes almost every morning.

               The next day, Pansy was ever more irritating than usual. She was unusually persistent with her flirting. And I was so moody and edgy from lack of sleep that I really shoved her away the first couple times. But she never gave up. She would always come back for another round only moments later.

               After dinner that evening, I planned to go straight outside to meet Hermione. But unfortunately, Pansy caught me on the front steps, grabbing my hand forcefully and holding on tightly. I had no choice but to wait and see what she had planned.

               "Well, what do you want this time?" I hissed, trying to make it obvious that I wasn't in the mood at the moment.

               "What's wrong with you, Draco?" she asked, looking at me curiously and pulling me closer to her. "You've been acting strange lately."

               I rolled my eyes. "Look, I'm busy right now. So why don't you just leave me alone?!"

               "Because I want to know what's wrong!" she said, tightening her grip on me even more. "I love you, Dray. You know that."

               I clenched my teeth. "Well, I don't love you! So just leave me alone!" I snapped, trying to jerk away.

               Pansy's eyes narrowed. And with surprising strength, she pulled me against her. Then she was kissing me. At first, I was just shocked. This was nothing like when I kissed Hermione. I just felt.... wrong. I refused to actually kiss her back and squirmed around in her grip until I got away from her.

               "Get away from me, you freak!" I practically yelled, giving her my best and coldest harsh glare.

               Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Pansy stomped away. She looked snobby and haughty as usual. I glared at her until she was out of my sight. Then I wiped my mouth, wanting to wipe away the taste of her lips.

               I turned toward the Forbidden Forest and was surprised to see Hermione right behind me. And I knew instantly that she had seen the whole thing. I took a step back and looked down, almost afraid to know what she was going to say.

               "It's all right," she said gently, pulling me into her arms and holding me tightly. "I know that it wasn't your fault."

               I sighed quietly in relief and hugged her tightly, feeling much better in her embrace. It felt completely right. I held her as tight and close as I could. Then I kissed her softly.

               “I love you," I whispered in her ear.

               "I love you too," she said sweetly.

               That was the most beautiful phrase I'd heard coming from her lips.