Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the Princess Diaries, if I did they'd quit messing up all the movies! (Though as a separate thing I quite liked the sixth movie… anyway moving on)

Saturday

December 13th

Kitchens

2:07 am

Well that was a disaster, but of the best sort (isn't it always with Draco?). I went to Draco all freaking out and you know what he did? Laughed at me. For a bloody long time too. Git. Anyway, after he quit laughing and said, "I told you so!" several times (which he did not, for the record) he asked when/how I figured it out. Well I couldn't very well tell him, "I was writing in the journal McGonagall gave me because you, Draco Malfoy, were giving me absolute fits earlier in the year and I had just finished blathering about how cute you are and how if I didn't stay clear of you I wouldn't make it to tutoring tonight when I started list off the attributes Charles told me about his possible future girlfriend and, in a completely un-egomaniacal way, realized that to a twelve year old I could be all of them," because, not only would it have been incredibly embarrassing, it's an awful run-on sentence. So I told him I was getting around for tutoring and starting thinking about Charles' crush and realized it seemed probable that it could be me, due to the fact he seemed quite upset when I cancelled last session. I think he believed me.

"So what do I do?"

"About what?"

"Are you that thick? About Charles liking me!"

"Why would you do anything?" boys are so dull, honestly.

"I can't just let him go on pining away after me when I'm clearly…" I tapered off realizing I hadn't really wanted to go there.

"When you're clearly what?" eye brow raise, honestly I hate when he uses that against me. It's actually quite unfair, I lose track of any clear, concise argument I may've had planned a few minutes earlier.

"It would clearly be inappropriate," I made up shakily, it's true too but I can tell he isn't buying it.

"Yes, it would Tutor Granger, but that isn't what you started to say. Is it?" Insufferable git. He smirked at me and stood from where he'd been lounging watching me pace in front of the fire.

"I was in a frenzy, hadn't really planned what I was about to say actually. No idea where I was originally headed," liar my brain screamed as Draco sat down, elbows on knees, on the coffee table a foot from me.

"Liar," thrice darned ferret.

"Prove it," now I am supreme smirker hear me cackle! Bwahaha ha ha ... ha …right anyway.

"Can't. But someday you'll admit it. But whatever, moving on, even if he was of an appropriate age and you weren't tutoring him you couldn't requite his little infatuation," he looked calm and cool, I hate when he makes my heart do that weird flutter, flop, five-year-old-chasing-seagulls-with-arms-flapping-like-an-idiot thing without even trying.

"Oh?" I tried for a haughty expression, "And why's that, Draco?"

"Because you're taken, my dear Miss Granger, and I do not share," I could've kissed him. Fine I did kiss him. Just once, and it was fast and innocent, but I still felt like my world might never recover. For his part he looked quite shocked, "If I'd've known that all I had to do to get a kiss was say aloud that you're not allowed to date other people," I gave a him very annoyed look, "that neither of us is allowed to date other people, because we're an item," I smiled glowingly at him, "I would've admitted it long ago when I decided it."

"You 'decided' it? I don't even get an option?" it occurred to me then that he never officially asked, we were just headed that direction and it was sort of implied.

"Oh, yes, I hadn't gotten to that bit yet," he gave that rare, sort of tilted smirkle I so adore, "Granger, would like to 'go ready' with me or whatever the cool muggles say these days?"

"It's 'go steady' and no cool muggles say that."

"Does that mean yes?"

"Well, no that didn't really mean yes, but my answer is yes if that's what you mean," and he laughed and I laughed and he hugged me. He hugs me like I'm incredibly fragile, even though he knows I'm not.

"Draco?"

"Yes, Granger?"

"I'm glad we've gotten that decided, don't get me wrong, but that doesn't really help with the whole Charles-liking-me thing."

"Oh, right, I'll beat the snot out of him and then he won't bother you again," his tone wasn't entirely joking, but I'm like 90 (more like 70) percent sure he was kidding.

"Raise your hand if you're not helping," I rolled my eyes at him as he raised a hand and hung his head so his shaggy blonde hair got in his eyes all adorably.

"I am shame-faced."

"As well you ought to be."

"How about tonight you just tell him you appreciate that he's wildly in love with you, can't blame him for his good taste, but you're taken so step off," he smiled like he's just figured out time travel and I couldn't help but smile back. It was a pretty good, if totally obvious, plan.

"Right, good call, that's what I'll do then," I looked down at my watch and jumped into action grabbing all my things, "As soon as I explain why I'm late."

"Bye love!" Draco called out the portrait hole after me, and I swear as it was swinging closed I heard him singing Bye Bye Love by the Cars, but I had no time to dwell on that as I rushed down the hall.

Luckily the library is only a floor and a hall away from ours or I may not've been able to run the entire way, which I did, disregarding school policy. I burst onto the scene as quietly as I possibly could given that I was breathing like I'd just run a floor and a hall and the stairs in between (which I had) and the fact that my books were tipping out of my arms and I tripped over my bag on my way through the doors and I ended up dropping everything (nothing broke). All in all, a fairly spectacular entrance.

"Oh, Hermione, are you okay?" Charles rushed to help me, "Here let me help," and he gathered my books as I dusted myself off and straightened myself out, "You've something in your hair," and with that he reached up (he had to get on his tip-toes such was the height difference) and ran his fingers through the hair near my temple, "it looks like a miniature raspberry?"

"It's a snorggleberry, they ward off Wackspurts, Luna Lovegood gave it to me," I explained absently showing everything back into my back and stumbling to our little alcove where I collapsed into my chair.

"You're sure you're alright?" he asked looking at me as if I may somehow manage to trip again even though I was seated, I nodded, "Right, well then, let's start with potions can we?"

"Actually, Charles, I have something more personal I was hoping to speak with you about," I started awkwardly, he looked rather shocked but nodded anyway, "Well see, sweetie," I was trying to soften the blow, "I … well you see, Draco and I are … I mean it would be totally inappropriate of us, by us I mean you and I, to-"

"Hermione?" he interrupted looking disturbed.

"Yes?" I was getting quite bewildered with the whole mess.

"You don't have a crush on me do you? Because. I mean no offense or anything, but you're seriously not my type. You're way to old and aren't you sort of involved with-"

"Charlie! Of course I don't have a crush on you! Don't you have a crush on me?" now I was just confused.

"What?! No! Why would you think that?" here's where I started to blush profusely.

"Well I was thinking about it and, you know, the age difference thing, and you said she was smart, and in a different house and …" I trailed off sort of uselessly shrugging.
"I was talking about Lynn Calibri, she's a fourth year Hufflepuff. She's great, but she's friends with my sister so you know … awkward, awkward, awkward! That's why I didn't mention her name before."

Awkward, awkward, awkward. Well if that doesn't just sum that conversation right up.

It's all Draco's fault! I mean he told me Charles had a thing for me! I never would've gotten there on my own!

Anyway so we finished up (though because we missed the last two it took ages, he barely made curfew) and he spilt.

My stomach then reminded me, quite violently, that I'd skipped dinner so I came down here for some peace, quiet and food. Only one of which did I get.

As I sat down with a huge plate of the world's best spaghetti (pasketti as Draco insists upon calling it occasionally) and who should enter but Mr. Blaise Zabini.

"Granger! Fancy seeing you here," he smiled and sat down. He condescended to the elves, which still bugs me but you know we're not that close of friends yet, and got a plate of "whatever she's having, looks bloody delicious".

"How're you tonight Blaise? And what're you doing out of bed? You could get in a fair amount of trouble if you're caught."

"Well, I'm starving actually and thus the trip down here for some pasketti," so that's where Draco got it! "And as far as getting in trouble goes do me a favor and don't tell the Head Girl yeah? She's a bit strict," he winked lightly and dug in as his plate arrived, "What've you been up to this fine evening, speaking of reasons for being out and about?"

"Making an ass out of myself with the second year I'm tutoring actually," and, because he continued to ask questions, I ended up telling him most the details of the proceeding day, including that Draco and I are now "official". It was fun! I felt bad telling Draco's best mate but none of mine were present and when I got to that bit of the story I just had to tell (plus I made him promise to act surprised if/when Draco tells him)!

"Well, go Malfoy. Crabbe owes me money," he smiled like I was personally responsible for it, "Not that I need the money you know, I just really like to win things," I can see why he and Draco get along so well.

And so we went, talking and eating and joking, for the next three or four hours before Blaise actually conceded that his "awful, mean Quidditch team captain aka my new beau" did have them scheduled to be on the field by 11 o'clock this morning for a rigorous practice so he should probably go grab a few winks.

But I was still wired after Blaise left so I sat and chatted with Dobby for a while before he had to return to work/get a little sleep (did you know house elves only need two hours a night to function at maximum ability?), so I decided to chronicle all this in my journal. Long day right?

You know what's just re-occurred to me? I'm Draco Malfoy's girlfriend.

Draco Malfoy is my boyfriend.

"Hey! … Oh who is this? This is Draco Malfoy, my boyfriend."

Now this I could definitely get used to.

Now I just have to tell the guys. Looks like tomorrow/later today will be long too.

Joy.

I'm Draco Malfoy's girlfriend, Hermione Granger.

Joy!

Merlin's pants! That'll never ever get old.

A/n: and now they're a couple! Yay! I'm sorry this took forever to post. But it's a good one right? Wrong? Please review and let me know! From now on I'll need lots of input, ideas, etc… because I move into the murky unknown, relationships. Anyway next chapter ASAP, editing done once I can make myself (I loathe editing, hope you can't tell too badly). Lots and lots of good vibes – Q