Hidden Secrets

And

Stolen Kisses

By Your Monster

Chapter One A New Year

Hermione woke up to her alarm at seven a.m. She rolled over and turned it off. Her fat cat Crookshanks jumped off her bed and silently padded away. Hermione looked at her calendar and smiled. Today, she was going back to Hogwarts for her fourth year. Rather than staying all summer at the Weasley's home like she would have, her mom had forced her to return home after the incident at the Quidditch World Cup. She had spent the rest of the time owling Draco. After what had happened at the world cup, he'd owled her immediately. At first she had tried to ignore the letter, but his owl made that quite difficult. They ended up talking about their huge fight that had occurred at the end of their second year and both got over what had happened. All of this, had happened much against her mum's wishes.

She got up and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. About twenty minutes later, she got out and headed back into her room. After drying off, she slid on jean mid thigh high shorts and a grey shirt. Just as she was about to head down for breakfast, a quick tapping noise on her window caught her attention. She turned around and there sat Dragoness, Draco's owl. Hermione opened the window and let her in. Dragoness hooted happily and stuck out a leg where there was a note tied. Hermione untied it and read what it said.

Hermione, meet me on the train near the prefects corridor. -Draco

"Aw, poor thing," she crooned softly, "sent all the way here just so he could write me a few words."

She gave Dragoness a few owl treats and watched her fly off. Once she couldn't see her anymore, Hermione turned around and went downstairs to prepare breakfast. But she stopped dead when she saw that her mum was already in the kitchen, preparing herself eggs and hash browns.

"Mum," Hermione said briskly and grabbed toast and a cup of orange juice. Her mother didn't even bother glancing at her.

Hermione downed the orange juice and took a bite of the toast before running back upstairs. She quickly packed the last of her things and by 9.30, she was ready to leave.

"Mum, can we go now? Or I'm going to be late," Hermione called out to her. All her mom did to acknowledge that she had heard was to grab the car keys and start the car. Hermione sighed and grabbed her trunks.

At ten, they arrived at the train station and Hermione grabbed her things, hurriedly getting out of the car. Her mom drove off and Hermione scowled at the receding figure. She grabbed a cart and set her things on it. While the people were looking away, she went and pushed the cart through the barrier.

As she went through, she crashed into someone else's cart.

"Oi! Watch where you're going," a red headed boy called out angrily. Hermione grinned when she recognized Ron's voice.

"Hermione!" he then cried out and hugged her tightly, her feet slightly dangling.

"Ron, can't breathe," she gasped out. He let go of her and set her on the ground. Even though she had grown an inch over the summer, Ron had apparently spurted another two inches.

"Jeez Ron, don't kill her," a raven haired boy chuckled.

"Hi Harry," Hermione grinned, hugging him. Then, she spotted a flash of platinum blond hair and a pair of grey blue eyes wink at her. She smiled and then felt someone shake her slightly.

"Hermione, I asked you, how was the rest of your summer?" Ron called out again.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It was a bit dull. But fine anyways." she smirked and grabbed her trunk before heading into the train. Harry and Ron looked at each other in bewilderment as Draco's signature trademark smirk flashed across their friend's face. The three teens grabbed their bags and headed to the last compartment and sat down. Once they got all their things settled, Hermione got up, told the two wizards that she had to go find Ginny and then promptly left.

"Harry, do you think that Hermione's hiding something from us?" Ron asked, two minutes after Hermione left.

"Like what?" Harry snorted, rolling his eyes. The thought of Hermione hiding anything from him was absolutely ridiculous.

"Well, maybe she started dating someone over the summer and doesn't want us to find out about them," he suggested.

"So what? Maybe it's just a crush and she'll get over it once she finds out how infatuated you are with her," Harry replied. Ron's ears turned red and he mumbled something about the potions book and that he didn't know what he was talking about.

Harry grinned, knowing that he had hit a soft spot.

Hermione walked around the train, humming their favorite song, Bring Me To Life. A compartment quietly slid open and before she could even gasp, Hermione was pulled in. She looked up in surprise and found herself staring at a grinning boy. His usually cold eyes were now alive with laughter and full of warmth.

A dazzling smile found its way on Hermione's face and she quickly went to embrace him and held on tightly.

"Merlin, I've missed you so much Hermione," he whispered as he hugged her and pulled her up.

"Me too, Draco," she said, burying her face into the crook of his neck. They stood there for a few minutes, relishing in each others embrace. Draco finally set her down slowly and was surprised to see her hastily wipe away a few tears. "I can't believe I'm really standing here with you again," she murmured.

"Believe it," he laughed and Hermione couldn't help but slowly drop her guard down. "I know, you told me that you never wanted to see my face again, but Hermione, I meant what I told you in my letter. I just want another shot at getting back what I let go." He sat down and shook his head. "At the world cup, knowing that your life was in the hands of two of the biggest gits in the world just absolutely terrified me. I knew they wouldn't think that you would be in any danger because you're Hermione fucking Granger, but nonetheless, those Death Eaters wouldn't have hesitated at entertaining themselves by torturing you."

"It probably would've been even better for them because I am Hermione Granger," she said softly.

"Exactly," Draco looked up at her. Hermione sat down next to him and Draco grabbed her hand. "All I'm asking for is one shot Hermione. One shot and if I mess up, I'll never bother you again."

"You sure you want to risk that?" Hermione asked teasingly and Draco's eyes lit up.

"I swear you won't regret this," he said as he hugged her happily.

"I know I won't," Hermione whispered.

Draco pulled back and took something out of his pocket.

"Got you something," he said and gave her a black, velvet box. Hermione looked at it for a few seconds until Draco finally sighed.

"Well, are you going to open it?" he asked. Hermione rolled her eyes and opened it.

"It's beautiful," she gasped.

"Let me help you," Draco said. He grabbed the necklace and Hermione faced the other way, pulling her hair up so it wouldn't disturb him. When he finally got it on, she gingerly lifted it up and looked at the object. It was a beautiful, emerald dragon that head a small ruby for its eye. The sun hit it and it seemed to stir, as if alive, then remained still.

Hermione dropped her hair and leaned on Draco.

"My father wants to know if you want to come with us to Spain during the summer break. Everyone misses you an awful lot," Draco said.

"Of course I will," Hermione exclaimed happily. "Oh, I miss all of you guys."

"I should probably go now," she said. Draco looked at her and arched an eyebrow. "Wouldn't want to see you get beat up by two overbearingly possessive boys."

"Oh please," Draco snorted and stood up. He held out his hand and Hermione took it. He helped her up and they hugged again.

"I'll see you later then," she laughed and ran out.

Hermione walked back into the compartment with Ron and Harry and found the boys in the middle of an Exploding Snap game. She sat down and took out her Hogwarts, A History and commenced reading it.

"So, 'Mione, did you find Ginny?" Ron asked once he noticed that his friend was back in the compartment.

"Oh, um, no. I couldn't find her, but I'll just see her at the Great Hall or even in the dormitory. So, no worries," she said. Ron just grunted and resumed placing the cards carefully.

"Do you two know why we had to buy dress robes this year?" Hermione asked them without looking up from her book. The two wizards shook their head, but Hermione took in their silence as them ignoring her. She sighed and merely continued reading.

"Why hasn't Malfoy and his goons come to bother us like they usually do?" Harry asked when he realized that the compartment had gotten quiet and they hadn't at all been pestered by annoying Slytherins.

"Who cares?" Hermione snapped. "Let's just be glad that they haven't."

Harry and Ron looked at each other, surprised at her Hermione's reaction when the compartment door opened suddenly.

"Well, well, well. It seems like we've got the whole gang together," a familiar voice drawled. Harry and Ron got up quickly, wands ready to duel.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" Harry asked.

"And with none of your goons around," Ron pointed out.

"I don't need those dolts for what's about to happen right now," Draco scoffed at them. "I've simply come to offer a truce."

Harry felt as if a ton of bricks had suddenly hit him.

"Oh, I now we all enjoy our little banters but really," Draco leaned on the door and crossed his arms, his hair falling slightly in his face. The sight would've made any girl swoon. "It's not that stimulating. I've got better things to do. Especially for this year." he grinned wickedly and stretched out his hand. "So?"

"What's the catch?" Harry asked. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that Draco Malfoy, sworn enemy since my first year, has decided to end our constant bickering?"

"You wound me Potter," Malfoy said, mocking hurt and placing a hand over his chest. "Let's just say a really pretty friend of mine has given me a second chance. So I thought, why not give those thick-heads a second chance too? After all, we all deserve a fresh start. But don't expect us to be all best friends or anything like that." he laughed scornfully and held his hand out again. "So, truce or not?"

Harry slowly accepted his hand and shook it. He still wasn't sure if Malfoy was yanking his chain or not, but he would have to be an idiot to not jump at the offer of the Slytherin Prince not bugging them anymore.

Ron reluctantly shook Malfoy's hand also, wishing with all his might that he could hex him right there and then.

"Hermione?" Harry looked back at their clever friend and was slightly upset at the fact that she had completely ignored everything that had just happened.

"Oh," Malfoy shook his head and smirked at them, "Hermione and I have already made our truce."

The two boys stared shocked at him, not able to completely comprehend what had just been said to them.

"Oy, and Granger," Hermione looked up in surprise, "nice legs," he winked at her and walked away. Ron and Harry whipped around to look at Hermione and saw to their horror that their friend was blushing at Malfoy's comment.

"What the bloody hell just happened right now?" Ron nearly exploded.

"Calm down," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "You two might as well sit down. It might shock you two a bit."

The two wizards did as she said, Ron fuming while Harry just seemed dazed.

"If you must now," she began, "Draco and I have been friends for awhile."

"Oh, oh it's Draco now, isn't it?" Ron said nastily.

"Oh shut up Ronald," Hermione said angrily. "If you don't want to hear about it then you or I can just leave right now."

"Just ignore Ron," Harry said. "Continue."

"Thank you Harry," Hermione nodded. "As I was saying, Draco and I have been friends for quite a considerable amount of time. We met each other at a pre school when we were just four. I had no idea about stupid prejudice's and the Malfoy's seemed kind enough to me at the time. At least his mum was. I rarely ever saw Mr. Malfoy. Anyways, I met you two, then you three decided that you hated each other. It was all fine for me until Halloween. Because of the fact that I became friends with you two dolts also made it very difficult for me to stay friends with Draco. Not that anyone really knew about it. I mean, Neville and the Patil twins know because we were all in a 5th grade class, Luna Lovegood knows because she's friends with Draco's sister, and your twin brothers know since I told them last year."

"Wait, Fred and George knew about this?" Ron asked. "And they didn't even tell me?"

"Exactly," Hermione said.

"Who's Luna Lovegood?" Harry asked. "And if you and Malfoy have been friends this whole time, why'd you punch him last year?"

"She's a third year Ravenclaw. I wouldn't expect you two to know her," Hermione said matter of factly. "The punch brings me to the end of our second year. Draco and I got into a bit of a spat and I told him that I never wanted to speak to him again nor did I want to see his face. So, third year was kind of a strained year for us. There were really bad yelling matches. But, it's all in the past now hopefully. We talked it out over the summer after the Quidditch World Cup incident. Even though my mother had completely forbidden me from talking to him or his mother ever again. Like I would listen," she snorted. "So, that's my life in a bottle. You can either live with it, or we can call it quits."

"You and Malfoy call it quits?" Ron asked hopefully.

"No you dolt. I just got my old best friend back. I'm not calling it quits with him in just a matter of minutes. I meant us three call it quits." Hermione looked at Ron angrily.

"There's no need for drastic measures," Harry sighed. "I mean, eventually, hopefully, Ron and I won't think it's too weird that you and Malfoy are friends. Like Malfoy said, don't expect us to become friends."

"Of course not," Hermione laughed. "Just the fact that you guys are giving each other a chance is good enough for me." She smiled at them brightly and opened up her book.

The two wizards sat there silently, both processing what Hermione had just said to them and coming to their own conclusions.

Halfway through the passage that she was reading, a thought popped up in her head.

{Damn you Hermione! Nobody's supposed to know that your mum's a witch and you nearly let it slip.}

She shook her head and thanked her lucky stars that Harry and Ron weren't very good at deciphering what was right in front of them or seeing the obvious.

Draco paced around the empty compartment, wistfully wishing that Hermione were in there with him at that moment. He sat down and closed his eyes. Had anyone ever told him, when he was four, that a four year old girl would forever change his life, he would have laughed at them and walked away. Now here he was, ten years later and being civil towards Harry fucking Potter. And all because Hermione had said yes to his offer.

"You've got a lot of work ahead of you, don't you?" Blaise's head popped into the compartment and smirked at Malfoy.

"Oh shut up. All I have to do is avoid those two stupid prats so nothing happens," Draco sneered. "I just want to know how Hermione is dealing with their reactions." he started laughing and shook his head. "Oh man, you should've seen the look on their faces when I called Hermione by her first name. It was epic. And when I complimented her, wish I could've taken a picture of them."

Blaise snorted and shook his head.

"Well. You're pseudo fiancée is desperately searching for you, so I suggest that you scram or make a glamour charm. Whatever works for you," Blaise sent one last smirk at the terrified wizard and closed the door.

"Shit," Draco muttered. Two seconds later, he shot out of the compartment and ran off towards the Slytherin area.

Hermione had been dragged away from her compartment by a flustered Ginny and then Ginny proceeded to tell her some interesting news.

"What?" she laughed, not wanting to believe her ears.

"You heard me," Ginny said. "I heard Harry talking to Hedwig about some girl that he liked and he started to describe her and I swear that she sounded like the Ravenclaw chaser."

"Cho Chang?" Hermione asked. "It must be. You should've seen him at the world cup when we went to get water. We saw her and her family and Harry sloshed a lot of the water onto him." She giggled and sighed. "Well, if you really want him to notice you, you're just going to have to be patient. I mean, we're talking about Harry Potter here. First, he's thick headed when it comes to noticing girls sometimes, and second, what mainly fills his head is how to destroy you know who. It's not going to be easy."

"Well, I guess it's better than to have some idiot like my brother fancying me," Ginny said.

"Excuse me?" Hermione looked at her, shocked. Ginny giggled and shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't think that your brother knows when he himself likes someone. Honestly, that boy has an emotional range of a teaspoon," Hermione huffed and crossed her arms.

"Well," Ginny started and was interrupted by Draco crashing into their compartment.

"Oh, um," he looked around, flustered and his face had a slight pinkish tinge.

"It's fine Draco," Hermione said, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the seat. Ginny looked at them surprised and walked out the door.

Hermione pulled her legs up and rested her head on Draco's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked her, placing his arm around her shoulder. She sighed and Draco buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes. Her hair was no longer as frizzy as it had once been and it tickled his nose.

"Ron likes me, but he's too much of an idiot to realize that and I just know that this is going to be a very painful year," Hermione said. He smirked and sputtered as if surprised.

"What?"

Actually, when Ginny had told Hermione that her brother fancied her, Draco had been walking by and for some reason, the picture of Hermione and Ron together had sickened him.

"Yeah, it's going to be one interesting year," Hermione muttered.

Ginny left Draco and Hermione alone in the compartment and started walking back to where Harry and Ron were.

Why did Hermione Granger, Gryffindor Princess, casually take Draco's hand. Merlin, he's the Slytherin Prince for pete's sake. They just don't go hand in hand. Muggle born witch and the richest, most powerful pureblood wizard, who's ever heard of that friendship?

By the time she finished her thought, she had been standing in front of Harry and Ron for the past minute without even noticing.

"Ginny, I asked you where's Hermione?" Harry asked her, waving his hand in front of her face.

"Oh, she's with Malfoy," she flushed red. Both boys stared at each other, then back at Ginny.

"Where are they?" Ron snarled. Ginny motioned them to follow her and walked back to the compartment that she had dragged Hermione into. As they got closer, they could hear Hermione laughing as if she had been place in a tickling charm. They burst in to see Draco pinning Hermione to a corner and tickling her. They looked over in surprise and Draco smoothly stepped back and Hermione stood up, fixing her hair.

"I just came to say that you might want to change into your robes. We're almost at Hogwarts," Harry said emotionlessly.

Nobody noticed Ron had left.

"Thanks," Hermione mumbled and walked over to them. "Bye Draco." he waved back at her and watched her go. "Ginny, close your mouth," Hermione sighed. Ginny did and she left back to her group of friends.

As Harry and Hermione walked down the train, she kept glancing at him worriedly.

"Harry, are you okay?" she finally asked him, placing her hand on his arm.

"I'm fine, it's just kind of weird," he said.

"It's okay," Hermione said.

Hogwarts loomed over them and Hermione smiled.

"Welcome home Harry."