Draco's POV
"They're really not making this easy on us are they?" Blaise said as we headed down to the pitch after school.
"No. Hermione and I have just started talking now we have to share a room… that means a bed. This is all way too fast and completely fucked up in regards to the ministry." I fumed as I kicked a rock.
"Well I mean you have to admit… okay well maybe not you but for Gin and I this room thing has its advantages." He said suggestively and I sent him an eye roll.
"Well yeah sure it's okay for some but what about others? I can't imagine Potter and Astoria being happy."
"Actually Astoria is happy with the arrangement and Potter isn't too fussed on the idea either." Blaise said as we waited for all the players who were trying out.
"Why's that?" I asked confused.
"Astoria has had a thing for Potter for years. It's only a matter of time before those two get together and I mean look at Luney and Longbottom? They've been together since the war. It's only a few that aren't happy with the arrangement. Everyone's shocked but not unhappy about it as such."
"I guess." I agreed. I looked back towards the castle and stood up straight in surprise as I saw Hermione approaching.
"Hey what are you doing down here?" I asked her as Blaise left us alone.
"Um I was kinda bored and I've done my homework so I was wondering would you mind if I watched?"
"No not at all… unless of course you're going to give away all our secrets?" I teased and she smiled shaking her head.
"No I know barely anything about Quidditch so I'm useless to anyone." She laughed slightly and my interest peaked.
"Hermione Granger not knowing about a subject?' I asked teasingly and she frowned playfully.
"Malfoy…actually but yes I know shocking isn't it? I have no interest in it." She shrugged and I smiled nodding at her correction
"Right Malfoy. That's going to take some time to get used to." I said and she nodded.
"Believe me I know. My parents are a little… confused and upset about the law. I sent them a letter last night."
"If you want and if they want we can always have a proper wedding… I'm sure my mother would be thrilled." I said lightly and she smiled.
"Um… it's still early days with us Draco. I don't want to complicate things even more. My parents will get over it, though I have been told I need to visit at Christmas… and they want you to come." She confessed and I nodded.
"I'd love to. We can do my mother after if you don't mind?"
"No no that's fine."
"DRACO!" I turned my head towards Blaise as he waved me over now that everyone was here.
"Right well you better go. I'll just be sitting up in the stands." She said and I nodded as she gave me a small smile and walked off.
"So here's how it's going to work." I started looking at the small crowd in front of me.
I flew down into the stands a couple of meters away from Hermione before I started walking over to her.
"So have you ever flown?" I asked as she sent me a small smile.
"A couple of times and I hate it…. I'm afraid of heights." She confessed and I nodded sitting down next to her.
"Fair enough… well I would love to take you up one day if you ever feel like doing something daring. I promise I won't let you fall." I said honestly and she nodded uneasily.
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Right well do you have plans?" I asked feeling slightly embarrassed.
"No not really. You?"
"No… did you want to go for a walk around the lake with me before we go inside?" I asked and she nodded.
"Sure… it's been a while since I did that."
"Yeah me too." I confessed as we stood and made our way down to the pitch and across the grounds to the lake.
Pansy's POV
I watched angrily as my Draco and the mudblood walked away from the pitch. I scowled as I watched them laugh lightly together. That was meant to be me and that smart bitch and the ministry ruined it all.
I followed them from a distance making sure to stay in the shadows. I nearly growled as I saw her hand and the ring that was on it as the light caught it. That was MY ring.
'How dare he give that to a filthy mudblood to wear.' I thought furiously. I was going to do something about this arrangement before another disaster happened. I sent them one last glare before storming back into the castle with only one place in mind. I needed to send a letter to an old ally.
Hermione's POV
We ended up sitting down on some rocks by the lake and just talked. I told him about my childhood growing up and he let me in on his horrific childhood. I felt saddened as he told me the stories but he sent me a grim smile when he noticed.
"I don't want pity Hermione. I moved on with my life and chose the right side in the end. Besides I stayed as long as I did for my mother. She's one of the only people that actually matter to me." I smiled hearing that.
"I'm glad you changed sides Draco." I said quietly as I stared at him and he nodded.
"Yeah me too. I wouldn't be here with you now if I hadn't." He said as lightly as he could and I nodded.
"The other day when you said if nothing else happens at least we could be friends… what did you mean?" I asked after a stretch of silence.
"Oh so you caught that huh?' he asked embarrassed and I nodded.
"I'm sorry I was getting a little ahead of myself. Blaise told me something Ginny told him." He hinted looking at me hopefully and I nodded.
"Um… Ginny kind of told me too." I said flushing.
"Well what big mouth friends we have." He said laughing.
"Very true… so what now?" I asked and he stared at me for a moment.
"I don't know… it's all happening too fast. I don't know what to think. I know I like you Hermione but I just don't want to stuff things up. We're in this for a long time."
"Yeah no I understand… well since you said it out loud I guess I should too. I like you too Draco and I have for a while but I agree it would be easier under different circumstances." I said softly and he smiled.
"Why don't we just see where this leads us and not put any labels on it just yet?" I offered and he nodded in acceptance.
"You really are the smartest witch of our age aren't you." He teased lightly as he stood holding out a hand to help me up.
"I know." I said grinning and he laughed half shocked.
"And the most modest witch of our age as well so it seems." He rolled his eyes playfully and I giggled.
"I try." I joked as we walked back towards the castle.
"So let's go survey our new room." Draco said as we walked back into the castle and I winced.
"Yeah… have the ministry not heard of slow?" I wondered out loud making him laugh.
"Probably not. We can always make the bed bigger… we can use magic." He reminded me and I smiled.
"Just don't hog the bed and we'll be okay."
"I won't hog the bed but the covers on the hand are a different story." He warned and I laughed.
"You'll have to fight me for them." I said as I jogged up the stairs with him hot on my tail.
"Is that a challenge?" He asked jokingly as he caught up to me.
"No cos I know I'll win."
"We'll see, we'll see." He taunted.
"Yes we will see." I said hinting at the new information surrounding our relationship.
"Yes we will." He said softly as we continued on our way to the dorm.