Slip of the Tongue

A/N: I don't own Harry Potter because I wish I did, but alas somebody stole my Genie lamp. Also to anyone who follows me as an Author or follows any of my other WIPs new installments are coming out this week. Anyway, read, enjoy and review.

Full Summary: After finally acting on feelings that had been there since Second Year, Draco and Hermione begin to date. However, he being from Slytherin and her from Gryffindor at Hogwarts, their relationship was doomed to fail. So what happens when Draco catches Ron holding Hermione's hand and says something that has the whole of Hogwarts abuzz?

CH. 1 - Oops

"I'll kill him," Draco Malfoy seethed, pacing around the Room of Requirement. His girlfriend Hermione Granger just sat on the large ottoman after the Room had been turned into a common area looking amused.

"Who does he think he is, the weasel? I should turn him into one permanently."

This made Hermione's lips turn up even more; for all the times he teased her, called her the M-word, and tried to "accidentally" hurt Harry or Ron - all on the grounds of "boys will be boys", this Draco - her Draco was simply too precious when he's jealous.

"I'm going have him expelled."

At the mention of expulsion, Hermione finally spoke, "Draco, calm down. It was purely innocent. Ron didn't mean anything by it."

"His arm lingered for longer than it should, touching you at all is too long," Draco stated.

The amused look was back, "Why Draco Malfoy, I do believe you're jealous."

Stammering, "I-I am not. Slytherins don't get jealous, we get even or better."

"You can't fool me Draco," she rolled her eyes slightly.

"No one is allowed to touch you, not when you're mine," he sneered at the thought of Weasley's arm grasping hers not 15 minutes ago.

Her brow furrowed slightly, "I am not your property, Draco."

He looked at her incredulously, "No, that's not what I meant," he quickly backtracked.

She flashed him a sly grin. He looked slightly shocked, then gave a half-smile of his own.

"Why weren't you sorted into Slytherin," he came by and sat down next to her wrapping his arms around her shoulders, she leaning into his chest, "You're positively a little she-devil."

"I don't know, probably to make it harder for you to find me." She began drawing circles on his hand.

After 15 minutes of sitting in comfortable silence, Draco had calmed down significantly, but his mind was still on Weasley.

"I wonder if I can get him re-sorted? Into Hufflepuff or into Slytherin where I can hex him anytime I choose."

Hermione looked up at her boyfriend, "That's a little extreme, don't you think?"

"No," Draco said coldly.

"Look, Ron pulled me in a little because I was a little cold, he was just trying to warm me up a little, I don't feel anything for him the way I do you."

Her words did not comfort him, instead made him even more angry. "He should learn to keep his hands to himself, I should be only one warming you up, not Weasel or Potty."

"But they're my friends, and Gryffindors are a lot more touchy-friendly than you Slytherins. And besides they've been my friends longer and we've always been a group, as I recall you called us the Golden Trio or Gryffindorks prior to us getting together, so old habits, friendly habits die hard."

Her words stung a little, it's true Gryffindors and Slytherins are as polar opposite as they come and they, Draco and Hermione were as different as a couple can get, but he longed for her touch and hers only, and he wished she would feel the same.

"Why can't you just reject him?" Draco said finally looking at her sadly.

"He's my friend, I guess we just do things together so often that it doesn't seem strange whether he is shielding me from the cold or pulling out of You-Know-Who's way."

"I don't like it. It should be me doing all those things, I should be warming you from the cold or protecting you from...," his voice trailed.

"Draco..."

"I am your boyfriend after all, I can't be having the Weasel touch you just because I'm not there."

"But I'm always with him and Harry, there's nothing you can do, besides we are from different Houses."

He sighed dejected, knowing she was right, it wouldn't look good for either to be seen together, in fact, the only reason they haven't raised suspicion is because they avoid as much contact as possible and when they do and he, pressured by his House mates to say something nasty he would and she would reply in turn, only to quickly wink when no one is looking to tell the other they didn't mean it. Or to Owl the other an apology as soon as possible, if they couldn't get away. Alternatively if anyone else, teases or puts down Hermione in the presence of Draco or if Draco gets wind of it, they, typically other Slytherins, in particular Pansy Parkinson are dealt with severely. Although Hermione doesn't know how.

"Fine," he said after awhile, "I will restrain from making Weasel cry or put in the Infirmary, as long as I don't personally see him getting too chummy with you."

She beamed and quickly wrapped her arms around him which he equally as quick returned and they sealed the deal with a kiss.

"You know, you very lucky to have such an understanding boyfriend such as me, Granger," he smirked, the Slytherin ego returning.

She smiled, and slapped him playfully in the chest.

(***)

True to his word, Draco had gone two weeks acting what would be considered civil for him toward the three Gryffindors without raising eyebrows. He saw Hermione with Weasley and Potter flanking her as they walked to Potions, he saw them opposite her in the Great Hall during meals, he saw them watching Potter during Quidditch practice and so so far neither has laid a hand on his Hermione, particularly Weasley.

However, it wasn't to last. It was mid-afternoon the Trio had a free study period and were on their way to the library. Draco followed by Blaise Zabini and Crabbe and Goyle, happened to be walking toward them on their way to the Great Hall when it happened. A group of First Years obviously late for their next class rushed by the Trio, one bumping into Hermione causing her to stumble. Ron grabbed her hand and righten her up just before she fell.

"You all right, Hermione?" Ron asked.

A little shaken, Hermione was straightening her robes slightly not noticing that Ron had yet to release her hand or that Draco a mere 10 feet away now was staring daggers and his blood boiling at the sight of the two Gryffindors.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Ruddy First Years," Ron commented looking back.

Suddenly a booming voice interrupted the calm afternoon, the hall and the courtyard alongside it, "Weasel! Get your paws off my girlfriend!"

Everybody froze, the magpies seemed to float in midair, every head within earshot of what was just announced turned. The First Years that were still there stood unknowing what was going on but stood regardless. The remaining students who knew of the Malfoy/Gryffindor rivalry stood in disbelief at what they just heard. Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle, Harry and Ron all stood dumbstruck. Ron looked at Draco who was still staring daggers and saw a snarl forming on the Slytherin's features quickly dropped Hermione's hand and slowly turned to stare at her, partially terrified. Hermione, for her part was shocked but not for the same reason as everybody else. Draco had, unintentionally of course, outed them and he didn't look embarrassed nor was he attempting damage control when Blaise finally broke the silence.

"Your what?"

Draco didn't hesitate, "You heard me," he said still staring at Weasley. Inside Hermione was jumping for joy, she was afraid of ever going public with their relationship because of what Draco and the school might say or feel. But here he, they were, with a slip of the tongue, outed, and he didn't clam up about it.

At that moment Professor McGonagall passed by.

"What's going here? Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy explain," picking out the two likeliest involved, she knew they didn't like each other.

"Nothing's going on Professor," Harry said quietly, the air about still heavy.

"If indeed nothing is wrong why aren't there students in class," she looked toward the First Years.

"Well you see Professor, were all just a little surprise at what happened a few minutes ago.

"And what would that be, Mr. Potter?"

"Umm..." Harry rubbed the back of his neck.

"Malfoy saw me hold Hermione's hand, I only did because she was going fall after being bumped, and yelled for me to take my hands off his girlfriend." Ron explained in a single breath, so he was now trying to catch it.

"I see," Looking between Draco and Hermione.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, come with me, the rest resume your normal activities, classes have started."

As Professor McGonagall left followed closely by the "couple" everyone except the First Years, who left for class started to whisper.

(***)

Professor McGonagall led the two her office. "Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger have a seat." They did as told. "Now what is the meaning of this?"

Hermione spoke up first, "I don't quite know what you mean Professor?"

"What I mean is, why are you and Mr. Malfoy involved as to cause a scene, such as the one I just witnessed?"

"Oh that. I can explain."

"Please do."

"You see," Hermione hesitated not sure what to call Draco by his first or last name, "Draco," she finally decided, "confessed to me his feelings just before the end of last year, I responded likewise," she blushed remembering how Malfoy caught her just after Harry and Ron had boarded the train, and explained everything including apologizing (something Malfoys never do) for calling her the M-word. "And we've been secretly seeing each other and everything's fine except he gets jealous sometimes when he sees someone, mostly Ron touching me."

"I do not!" Malfoy stood and interjected, although his ears had turned a light shade of pink.

"Yes, you do," Hermione said calmly, focusing on Professor McGonagall instead of him, Draco slowly sat back down. "So, a few weeks ago, he saw Ron hugging me because I was a little cold, he threaten to hex Ron or get him expelled, I calmed him down though and together he promised that as long as he doesn't see any contact between anyone, especially Ron and myself, he won't do anyone harm. And as Ron explained to you about today, Draco yelled and because of our past history, I believe the people around were just shocked at what he said."

Professor McGonagall sat there listening to her Gryffindor student explain and she too inside was jumping for joy, while Lucius Malfoy was as dreadful as they come, she held out hope that his son was less like him and more like his mother. Still dark, but at least capable of feelings and now that it happened to be with one of his sworn enemies she couldn't be happier, externally however, her face show no evidence of it.

"Mr. Malfoy, what do you have to say about this?"

"Not much, Gr-Hermione's said that needs to be said really."

Professor McGonagall sat looking the couple in front of her, pondering the outcome of their relationship. On the one hand it could bring the end to violent inter-House rivalries and an end to pureblood supremacy, but at what possible cost for the two willing to cross that barrier. She sighed.

"Something wrong, Professor?" Hermione asked, after not hear Professor McGonagall speak for awhile.

"No Miss Granger, you and Mr. Malfoy may leave, I will not levy any punishment this time however, should such another event like this happen again, anyone involved will receive a detention and have 50 points deducted from their House, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," they both replied and exited.

(***)

On the way from Professor McGonagall's office as Draco and Hermione walked separate from each other they saw everyone turn to look at them.

"Bloody gossipers, it's probably all over the school by now," Draco sneered.

"Well it's your own fault."

He looked at her, surprised.

"But I'm happy you didn't backtrack, even in front of the Slytherins." Hermione added and gave him a small smile.

He offered a boyish grin as they inched further, forgetting those around them.

They were now in front of the Great Hall holding hands, everything and everyone stopped as they walked in hand-in-hand. Soon, the Hall was filled with quiet mutterings and whispers.

"I better get some studying in," Hermione said, glancing at the Gryffindor table and then back at him.

"Yeah, I should get something to eat," Draco said mimicking her actions except in the opposite direction.

"Bye."

"Bye." They reluctantly dropped each other's hand, before Draco grabbed hers again, "Meet me tonight by the edge of the Forbidden Forest?"

She nodded and they finally went their separate ways.