Forbidden Secret

Harry was sitting on a plush armchair that had appeared in the Room of Requirement, waiting for Hermione. When he entered the room, armchairs and a huge couch appeared in front of a roaring fire, a low table with it all. It took him a few moments to realize the table held a pitcher and glasses which he discovered held pumpkin juice, and a slender cylinder glass that held an unknowing steaming liquid next to it. He wasn’t too keen on tasting it, and left it for Hermione to figure out what it contained. He sipped his juice and stared into the flames, wishing he could talk to Sirius about how to deal with this... of course it wasn't possible but he worried he would falter in support. The only thing keeping him sitting in the chair was remembering the calm, happy look Hermione had had on her face for a long time, which for the first 2 years of school he’d thought was never going to happen.

“Sorry I’m late… someone was lurking around the dormitory and spooked me a bit.” Hermione explained as she came in quickly and shut the door. She looked a little nervous, and Harry couldn’t help but smile at the fact that she had her hair tied back, which she only did when she was stressed. She slowly sat in the chair to the side of Harry, and took a breath. “So... um, what do we need to talk about?” she stammered, clearly afraid of what he was staring at the fire so intently about.

There were a few moments of utter silence, broken only by the subtle crackling of the flames. “I know who it is.” He said quietly, the weight of his admission struck the silence louder than either of them could stand.

Hermione let out a squeaky breath she’d been holding, and her head fell into her hands. “Harry… I… how did you… ” she faltered, words failing her as she felt completely hopeless, mistaking his silence for anger or disgust.

Hands came around her and she lifted her head, Harry’s face a few inches from hers; his arms holding her loosely. He lightly kissed her mouth and smiled in a quirky manner. “Do you love him as much as he loves you?” he asked, a brotherly look in his eyes.

She was taken aback at the statement, and smiled, nodding. “You… you don’t hate me? You don’t want to kill him?” she asked him. He shook his head, and sitting down next to her, told the story on how he found out about her and Malfoy. When he finished, Hermione was bemused at hearing Draco had confided in Firenze, whom they all thought he despised.

“I should tell you… I’m not jealous, nor am I mad about all this. But…” he grinned at her. “If you want me to keep this a secret as well, I only have one request.” She raised her eyebrows at him, waiting. He leaned in to say it into her ear.

“Can I join in sometime?” he whispered in her ear, and softly nibbled the earlobe as he pulled away.

Hermione was stunned, and turned on at the same time. She looked at Harry, her eyes wide in surprise. “I think I’d have to… discuss it with him first… Oh shit, Harry, how are we going to tell him you know?! I don’t know how he’ll react to this!” she reached over for the pumpkin juice and stopped, staring at the cylinder glass of whatever it was.

“Oh yeah, I was going to ask you if you knew what this was. It appeared with the juice and I didn’t want to try and found out whatever potion the room thought we needed.” He shrugged.

She held it near her nose and smelled it. Swirled it around lightly in the glass, observing how the color stayed the same. “It’s a Calming Potion. Perhaps the room thought it was needed just in case…” she smirked. “This room never ceases to surprise me.” She put the glass down, poured a bit of pumpkin juice for herself and sat back, sipping it. “You know, this is where most of our nights were spent… this Room is definitely anything you may need.”

Harry chuckled, and put his arm around her, satisfied the conversation went well.

*~*~*

Hermione waited until the whole castle fell silent before slipping out to find Draco. There were two places he’d wait for her if he wasn’t in bed: the garden fountain, or on the stairs leading to the Observatory. She went to the garden where he was most often and found him sitting facing the water, a bundle next to him. She walked up behind him, and ran her fingers through his hair as he leaned into her touch. “Hey… did you sleep ok last night?” he asked her. She giggled and sat down next to him.

“Yes… very fun dreams…” she replied, looking at him wickedly. He smirked, nodding in agreement.

They were both quiet, Hermione trying to decide if she should tell him now, and Draco looking at the bundle he brought with him.

“I have something to tell you.”
“I have something to give you.”

They said at the same time, and both laughed.

“You first,” he said.

“No, you first, this can wait… and I’m dying to know what that is.” She pointed the bundle, smiling, relieved as he relented to her.

He undid the bit of string that held the cloth together to reveal a silver and emerald encrusted jewel box. His cheeks flushed crimson as he looked at it sitting in his hands. "My mother's family passes this down to brides in the family..." he trailed off. He looked up at her, and placed it into her lap, her hands enfolding the sides. “She gave it to me at the start of the year to keep safe. The note she left with it in my trunk is right here.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the parchment.

“My son,

“This jewel box is a family heirloom passed to me by mother, and her mother before that as a gift for brides marrying into the family. Since you are my only child and coming to an age where a suitable woman is desired to find, I pass this to you to hold dear and maybe someday soon find the one your heart claims. Don’t be too hasty in finding her, Draco. Your father and I pursued each other for years before my mother gave it to me. With the events of late and the Dark Lord’s ressurection, I wish you to have this, in case anything at home should go afoul. Have a good term, my son, and don’t tell your father.

With Love,

Your Mother”

Hermione gulped, blushing and staring at the box. The silver wrapping around emeralds formed the Black Family Crest. She was puzzled, as she was of the impression that Narcissa loathed anything relating her to the family due to Tonks and Sirius. ‘Apparently there’s more than meets the eye about his mother…’ she thought, and smiled at Draco.

“Dee… Are you sure about this?” she asked softly, looking him in his eyes.

He nodded slowly, and held her face in his hands. “I had some time to mull things over… and I think following my heart is the best course of action although I’ve never ever done it before.”

She sighed, and he leaned forward to kiss her, both melting into each other. “Now,” he whispered, “What was it you had to tell me?”

She looked fairly panicked, and he saw it. “Dee… someone knows. Please believe me, I didn’t say a word. He… he followed you into the woods the other night. He told me the whole story and he doesn’t hate you or me for it. He’s happy we’re happy and wants to…” she blurted out. Before she continued though, Draco stopped her.

“Who is it, Hermione?” he asked quietly, not looking at her, his body tense. “I think I already know, but I want to hear you say his name.” She sniffled, suddenly petrified.

“Harry… he saw you leaving for the forest and followed you. He heard everything you said to Firenze. He wouldn’t tell me what you talked about; just that he knew and was ok with it.” She paused, looking at him.

“Well… as long as he doesn’t try to kill me…” he muttered.

Hermione was in shock. “Wha… you mean… it’s ok? You’re not pissed?” she asked, not believing what she’d just heard. He looked back at her, his body relaxing, embarrassment on his face.

“Like I said, as long as he doesn’t try to kill me. Hermione,” he said. “You have to understand something. A lot of things have changed to me, and whether I’m the same pompous ass in public has nothing to do with how I feel and who I am behind that mask. I love you, and I know Harry is probably the only man that will ever be by your side no matter if we’re together or not. My opinion of him is still in limbo, but I’m open to discussing things between the three of us, granted he can keep this secret.”

Her body relaxed then, and her heart slowed down from the frightened beating that had pounded her chest. She wiped away the stray tears, happier than any moment in her life. He reached and held her close, their foreheads touching, taking comfort in the moment.

Behind a wall, eyes watched them, narrowed in anger and fear before retreating back into the darkness.

*~*~*

::BOOM::

“Bloody hell, Hermione, what’s your problem?!” Ron yelled, scrambling under a table that hadn’t been blown up. “All I said was that you look like you haven’t slept lately! Don’t do that again! I rather like my body in one piece and alive!!”

Seething, she pointed her wand at him again. “That’s not what you said! You said I look like someone had thrown me into one of Snape’s potions gone wrong! And I wasn’t trying to kill you, I was practicing something and you distracted me!” she yelled back at him, waving her wand and repairing the destroyed tables in the common room.

“Jeez, I’m sorry… why do you get so defensive when I even open my mouth to you?”

“Because ever since the start of term you have been on my case about how I don't spend enough time with you and Harry; IT'S CALLED A SOCIAL LIFE! Maybe if you had one you wouldn't be trying to pull a curtain over mine you could help yourself get one!” she harrumphed and began packing her things.

“Well excuse me if I am worried about my best friend! You look like shit! You got bags under your eyes that look like they can fit the entire Hogwarts library in them, and you’ve been snapping at the PROFESSERS for god’s sake. I’m just worried is all,” he added sheepishly, hoping she wouldn't blow up again.

Hermione sat there, stunned. In the five years they have been friends, Ron had never yelled at her like this before, September and October 1st Year doesn’t count. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, wincing as it got caught in a knot. “Ron,” who flinched, “thanks. I know you’re worried about me, but apart from being a little sleep deprived, I am the happiest I have been since my first Halloween here.”

**

During dinner, the other Griffindors were relieved to see the famous trio more at ease then they’d been in months. Harry and Hermione cracked jokes so much that Ron had showered Lee and Seamus twice with pumpkin juice and a very amused Ginny with mash.

“I see you three are back in action. About time… if none of you had cracked another smile or played a prank by end of term I was going to hex all three of you.” Ginny giggled as she wiped mash from her robes. “Hermione… I wonder, can I steal you from these two for a minute when you’re done?”

Hermione nodded, having laughed so hard during dinner she lost all ability to speak. Harry was quite proud of himself, as he had bewitched the potato chips to dance with drumsticks on Colin’s head. “Sorry Colin, but you were the best candidate to pick on tonight. No hard feelings?” he asked, and Colin nodded, his face red from embarrassment and his own amusement at the situation.

In the Hall, Hermione saw Ginny sitting on the side walkway, tapping the end of her wand on her chin. She smiled and walked up to her. “Be careful with your tapping, Luna did that not too long ago and ended up half frozen from snow that exploded all over her.”

Ginny grinned and motioned for her to follow. They walked around the inner grounds, talking about dinner’s entertainment until Ginny fell quiet.

“Is something the matter, Ginny?” Hermione commented, watching Hagrid wallop after a centaur colt Firenze had asked him to teach about not coming past the treeline.

“Yes… did you know that Harry and I have been sleeping together?” she replied quietly. Hermione paused in her stride, face flaming red. “W...Well now…" she stammered, "That would explain Harry’s notions to accept more rather that fly into a fight. So what’s wrong then? You seem happy.”

Ginny sighed. “I uh… well… Harry’s been pre-occupied lately, and I wanted to try something new, but I really have no idea if he’ll like it or it’ll scare him.” She smiled cynically, shrugging.

Hermione sat them both down, and looked Ginny in the face. “I’m intrigued. What is it you were thinking of trying?”

Ginny’s face turned bright red. “Well, see… I overheard a few Slytherin girls talking something about a phantom hand spell someone came up with and wrote on their lavatory wall… and I was trying to hear more about it but they saw me and took off to the dungeons...” she smirked. “I’m trying to decide if it’s worth bribing someone to copy it down or some other way to get it.”

Hermione, trying not to laugh at the irony of the place it’d be, schooled her face to be as serious as she could. “Meet me in the Common Room after everyone goes to sleep.” She said to her friend, patting her shoulder and ran back to the castle, leaving Ginny sitting where she was with a very curious expression on her face.


Hermione spotted Draco alone, walking as slow as possible back to his Common Room, and ran faster, hoping to be able to get the message to him. She ran even faster, looking back from time to time to see if anyone was in sight. No one around, she muttered as she passed, “Girl’s bathroom, copy the nightlife message. Fountain at seven.”

Draco paused in his stride for a moment, staring at her as she took off and around a corner, disappearing. He thought about it for a few seconds before the statement made sense. Smirking, he picked up his pace.

**

Watching the last rays of the sunset sitting on his normal window perch, Harry was deep in thought about the many things that had happened, past and the recently developed. Ginny, and their relationship; that seemed like it was on hold, as much as it pained him, he couldn’t tell her what it was that distracted him and stole most of his thoughts. He honestly didn’t think she’d understand. The whole situation between Hermione and Draco had him tense. While he accepted what they wanted and what kept them happy, he felt the older-brother complex changing his demeanor. And something else… he had always been somewhat attracted to her. Not in a way where he’d want to be with her, but he liked spunky, headstrong girls. Often a few things that he randomly tried with Ginny he’d at least once wonder what it’d be like to try it with Hermione. His subtle question of a threeway with her and Draco was honestly something that turned him on like hell.

Even more than that… he’d liked Draco for a long time. A secret Harry kept deep was that he was bisexual. Something he would NEVER tell anyone of course, but now the thought of his secret desire maybe coming true thrilled him in a way more than anything in his life. He grinned to himself, and moving to lay on his bed, thought of the many dirty things he wanted to do to both of them.

**

Draco was just walking up to the fountain a little later that night, quite intrigued by the spell he’d found written on the wall of the girl’s levorotary. He’d copied it down twice, hiding one copy under his mattress, and had the second in his hand. Hermione rounded the corner, smiling.

“So why did you want this?” Draco grinned at her, kissing her softly. She blushed, “Helping out a friend…” she laughed as he crossed his eyes. “Dare I even ask?” She shook her head at him, and kissed his cheek, taking the piece of parchment from him. “I have to get this to her, and I expect you to be in the Room by midnight.” He shook his head, smirking at her as she started to walk back. “I’ll be there, baby…”

**

Ginny was just finishing her Potions homework when Hermione returned to the Common Room. Cocking her eyebrow at her, she put her quill down and shut her book. “So… what was all this about anyway?” she asked, slightly confused on Hermione’s excitement, who plopped herself on an armchair. She pulled out the piece of parchment, and enchanted it to float to Ginny. Raising both her eyebrows, she grabbed it and read. “Oh my… how did you… wha… why? How?” she stuttered, a huge grin on her face.

“Just keep in mind that I may ask a favor in return for that some day.” Hermione replied at her friend, and yawning, got up and headed upstairs.