Caught

Title: Caught
Author/Artist: Firefly_78
Rating: PG-13 (use of the word hell)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter universe, it all belongs to JKR and associated companies. No money is made from the writing of this fic. I also do not own the song Untouched, by The Veronicas.
Warnings: AU/AR, fluffy, some OOCness, and kissing (nothing graphic)
Summary: Hiding a relationship is never easy, especially when everyone knows about it.
Notes: I tried to keep this light and with a bit of humor. I hope that you enjoy this little story anyway. I had never heard the song Untouched by The Veronicas until writing this story. I liked it and so tried to keep to what the requester of this fic wanted and what my muse allowed me to write! I hope I've done well. =)

A/N: Written for the dmhgficexchange: Shine A Light on Draco and Hermione.....i wrote this under my LJ name firefly_78 Enjoy!!


Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Late September

Harry

Hermione Granger was humming. Not only was she humming, but she was smiling in such a way that Harry Potter's jaw dropped open in surprise. She was walking toward the library, having taken over Madam Pince's position as librarian when the elder witch retired at the end of last term. He watched her walk towards him, her simple black robes billowing around her in a manner that always reminded him of the late Severus Snape.

"Close your mouth, Harry, you'll catch cornish pixies." She smiled at him and patted his cheek as she strolled by. "You're going to be late for class. Run along before you set a bad example for your students." Hermione resumed humming and continued down the corridor.

Harry glanced down at the gold watch on his wrist and swore softly. She was right, and it irked him just a bit that years after they graduated she was still reminding him to get to class on time. He turned and headed toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, hoping to at least make it before the bell rang. He wasn't counting on catching sight of the Potions professor stepping out of a darkened alcove, humming. There was a twinkle in his eyes that Harry had never seen before, but before he could question the professor, he was already headed in the direction of the dungeons. A warning bell rang, a signal to students that they only had two more minutes or they would be considered late to class. Forgetting what he'd seen Harry jogged up the staircase towards his class, the day's lesson plans the focus of his thoughts now.


Ginny

Ginny Potter waddled into the library looking for Hermione, her rounded belly seemingly arriving before the rest of her. Since it was Monday, she had a standing lunch date with her best friend, and looked forward to asking her opinion regarding names for the newest Potter to be born. Walking towards the office she was about to knock when she heard Hermione's voice from somewhere in the Restricted Section. Ginny changed course and headed in that direction.

"Ginny is expecting me. I can't spend my lunch in here with you." Hermione spoke softly and all though she was getting closer Ginny had to strain to catch the words. She paused so as to let Hermione and the mystery person, and Ginny hoped it was a man because Merlin knew the girl needed one, have a bit of privacy. She was still close enough to make out some of the words that the mystery person spoke.

"But I......together.......can't.......thinking......just you.." The deep timbre of the voice confirmed Ginny's suspicion that it was a man and she smiled.

"I know," came Hermione's quiet reply, "but I have a standing lunch date with Gin every Monday, you know that. She's probably waiting in my office now. I'd best go." Ginny took this as her cue to return to the librarian's office before Hermione realized she had heard part of the private conversation she was having.

A full five minutes passed before Hermione entered her office. Her face was flushed and her hair, which Ginny knew she always wore up in a twist, was now loose and unbound around her shoulders.

"Sorry I'm late. Was reorganizing of the shelves in the Restricted Section. Some students hardly ever but things back in their appropriate place, know what I mean? Why just the other day I was telling Sanders Harping, that the point of being priviliged enough to go into the Restricted Section was that the student was also trusted to put the books back where they found them. And the day before that....." As she spoke Hermione fidgeted in her seat and rearranged the already neatly organized stacks of parchment on her desk. She could barely look Ginny in the eye and this caused Ginny to mentally smirk at her best friend. I'll figure out your mystery man, Hermione, and when I do, you owe me some details!


Professor McGonagall

Transfiguration Professor Minerva McGonagall wondered what was wrong with the brightest student that she had ever had the pleasure of teaching. It was unusual for Hermione to be so silent during their Monday afternoon teacher's meetings. She was forever coming up with new ways to help the students succeed or happily taking notes so that Albus could review them later. Today she just sat there, her eyes glazed over and a small smile upon her face. Why Professor Vector needed to call her name three times just to find out if the new Arithmancy textbooks had arrived yet! Never had Hermione ever been less than attentive as a student or an adult.

Eventually the meeting was called to an end. Minerva approached Hermione and asked for a word in private. Hermione's eyes glanced at the doorway and back at her former Head of House. She nodded and gestured towards the far corner of the room. Minerva glanced towards the doorway, curious at what Hermione was looking at. She caught a flash of blonde hair and smiled grimly. Wasn't all that childish nonsense finished between them?

"Hermione, dear, I just wanted to ask if you were alright? You seemed a bit out of it, and thats unusual for you. Perhaps you are coming down with something." The young witch shook her head.

"No, Minerva, just a few things on my mind is all." She replied, eyes still straying towards the now empty doorway.

"No other staff members causing you problems?" Again Hermione said 'no', and again she peeked at the doorway.

They chatted for a few more moments before Hermione excused herself, saying she had papers to grade. Minerva squared her shoulders. Perhaps a chat with Professor Potter was in order.


Ron

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley, for coming out to speak with the students today." Madame Hooch spoke. She had arranged a surprise for her first year students, hoping to get some of them over their fear of flying. As Ron was a decorated war hero, and the man who had led the Chudley Canons to their very first European Championship ever, she felt he was a good choice. Tomorrow's class would tell.

"Thanks, Madame Hooch." Ron sauntered off the Hogwart's Quidditch pitch and followed the path back up towards the school. He caught sight of Hermione standing near a window chatting with someone. From the distance between them and the sunlight glaring in the window he couldn't make out the person she was talking to and so decided to walk over and say hello.

The closer he got, the more he realized that Hermione and the persons he was talking to were awfully close. Too close. And when he finally realized who it was, he increased his walking pace. He was a few steps away when the Potions professor smiled down at her, clasping her hands in his. That stopped Ron in his tracks. The smile was...well, he thought hell would freeze over before he ever saw a smile like that pass between them. Ron was aware that neither Hermione nor the man she was with had noticed him yet. He turned and headed back in the direction he had come from. He wondered if Harry was aware of this most recent development.


A Meeting of The Minds

Minerva McGonagall looked at the trio of former Gryffindors in her office and smiled. It was a very nostalgic moment for her, reminding her that the more things change the more they stay the same. At least one of the boys was being irrational and the girl was trying her best to remain levelheaded.

"I just know something is up with Hermione. She was humming this morning. Humming! When does Hermione ever hum? And then she calmly reminded me to get to class on time, as if we were still students!"

"Harry," Ginny interrupted him, "Hermione always tells you to get to class on time, and you've never complained about it before."

"But she wasn't humming those other times!" Harry wasn't upset, not really. But he was concerned. Professor Mcnagall had just informed him of her actions, or lack thereof, during this afternoon's meeting. Unfortuantely he had not been on hand to witness it for himself, as he had to oversee a detention.

"Well, she was definitely doing something in the Restricted Section. When I walked in for our lunch she was talking to a mystery man and I overheard a few words. It sounded as though he was asking her to lunch, and I want to say that he was telling her that she had been on his mind. I wasn't close enough to catch exactly what he said though."

"I did catch the new Potions professor stepping out of an alcove this morning on my way to class. Wonder if he saw anything?" Harry added.

It was then that Ron finally realized what they all hadn't. Hermione Granger, Hogwarts Librarian, and Draco Malfoy, newly appointed Potions professor were defintely dating. His initial reaction was to frown, but upon further thought he realized that there was no one else better suited to Hermione. She would definitely keep Draco on his toes, and Draco would in turn keep her wits sharp. Ron began to laugh.

"Care to share your amusement with the rest of the class, Mr. Weasley?" Harry used his best 'Professor Potter' tone, which only resulted in Ginny snorting and laughing as hard as her brother. Minerva patiently awaited Ron's explanation. He calmed down enough to finally tell them.

"Hermione is snogging Draco Malfoy." The reactions varied around the room. Ginny grinned widely. Minerva blinked owlishly, as though she couldn't fathom that ever being a possibility, and Harry's jaw hung open for the second time that day.

Ron finished explaining what he had witnessed in the hallway when he had come in from his lecture for Madame Hooch. "And to be honest, I can see it. The both of them were always competeing in school. They were at each other's throats more than you and Draco ever were, Harry, and Hermione needs someone to keep up with her, both mentally and physically."

"But it's Malfoy!" Harry complained, although there was no real heat behind it.

"Mr. Potter," Minerva said, "Your schoolyard rivalries have no place in the adult world. If Hermione is happy then you should be happy for her."

Harry grimaced and was elbowed by his wife for his efforts. "Of course I am happy for her, but Malfoy?"

The others groaned in response. "Mate, you really have to let that go. Think about it. You'll see how perfect they are."

"Alright, alright," he said.


Hermione and Draco

Hermione slipped off her shoes at the edge of the Black Lake and sighed in relief. She had finally escaped the questioning eyes of Minerva and Ginny. As for Harry, she simply had not given him time to question her upbeat mood. This new relationship she was entering into was fragile. Draco was different then what he had been like as a student at Hogwarts. She only hoped when the time came her friends would be as understanding and as happy for her as she had always been for them.

She couldn't believe they had gotten away with seeing each other for so long. The relationship had begun at the end of last term. It had been easy in the summertime to keep to themselves. Harry and Ginny had taken little James and went to Romania to visit Charlie. Ron had been practicing with the Canons and the other professors had been involved with their own things. No one had really noticed what Hermione had done with her time.

"Waiting for me?" A voice spoke off to her left and she turned to see the object of her affections strolling towards her.

"Always, Draco. I live for these moments at the end of the day when it's just you and I." Draco stood next to her gazing out at the lake. He was about to take a very important step with Hermione and he wanted it to be just right.

He reached a hand into the pocket of his robes, wrapping it around the small box and pulling it out. Turning to face her, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Oi! Hermione, there you are!" Shouted the voice of Ron. "I've been all over this bloody castle looking for you."

"Language, Mr. Weasley," corrected Professor McGonagall who walked next to him, closely followed by Harry and Ginny.

Hermione groaned. Why now? This was not how she wanted them to find out.

"Malfoy," Harry called out as they approached. "If you ever hurt one hair on Hermione's head...."

"Harry! I am perfectly capable of handling myself! I...." interrupted Hermione.

"You promised you wouldn't make threats!" said Ginny.

"It's not as though I have my wand trained on him," complained Harry.

"Mate, let it go. Even I know that Draco isn't going to hurt her." Ron stated calmly.

"And what has made you come to that conclusion, Weasley?" asked Draco. He was glad for Ron's defense of him but a little curious as to why it was the youngest Weasley male doing it.

"That box in your hand." Ron replied smugly. Everyone's eyes turned to the small black box in Draco's hand. Suddenly they all began stammering excuses and apologies for interrupting. Hermione was not talking, her face had split into a giant grin and she wanted Draco to get on with the asking.

"Come on everyone let's give them some privacy." Ginny grabbed onto Harry's arm, and tried to pull him away. She motioned for her brother and Professor McGonagall to leave as well.

"No stay, you may as well be here for this as you've already figured us out anyway." This statement from Draco surprised Hermione. She didn't think he'd want to admit how he felt in front of Harry and Ron and she looked at him questioningly.

Taking a deep breath, Draco dropped down to one knee. Taking her hand in his, he spoke, "Hermione, these last few months with you have been unlike anything I have ever known. I love you with all my heart and I would love it if you would consent to spend the rest of your life with me. Hermione Jean Granger, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Hermione nodded and whispered, "Yes!" Standing up, Draco gathered her in his arms and kissed the breath out of her. They were smiling when the kiss ended and it was Harry who congratulated them last.

Holding out his hand, he congratulated the happy couple. He warmly embraced Hermione, and laughingly spoke in her ear, "It's hard to hide a relationship when everyone finds out about it."