Draco's Secret

                                    

                                          
Dedicated to charoula252 for being the most successful Seer of the Muggle World.


                          
Draco Malfoy was taking a walk in the Grounds when he saw Hermione walk towards the castle. Her expression was really hard to determine, and it seemed as if she was holding back her tears.
"Granger!" He shouted for her.
This is the moment when I finally tell her what she needs to know.
"Yes?" She asked in a shaking voice. Draco noticed faint tears in her eyes.
"Is everything okay?" He asked.
"I think so." 
And then, something really weird happened: out of no where, Harry and Ron sprang out, Ron walked past Hermione without a word or even a glance at her. Harry nodded and shook hands with Hermione awkwardly saying, "Hi Malfoy." 
Then they flew off on their broomsticks.
"Granger, is everything okay?" He repeated.
"Why are you asking anyway?" Hermione asked. Draco was dreading the moment the tears would finally come out, and there she was, crying silently.
"You can tell me. Maybe I can help you out of it?"
"No! Nobody can help me out of it!" She said.
"Granger - I won't force you, but I can't leave it like this either."
"Why? Why don't you go and do something - anything!"
Draco sensed strength in her voice. 
"Okay. I wanted to show something to you." Draco told.
"I don't want to see anything."
There was a moment of awkward silence.
"Okay. I thought I should tell you about that lion, but you really don't want to know_"
The effect of these words was tremendous.
"You knew?" 
"Yeah."
Hermione stared at him, as if she was staring at something really disgusting.
"You are a liar! Nobody can be trusted nowadays!" 
"No Hermione. I'm not a liar. You won't be saying that when you know the reality." 
"Then tell me!"
"Not here." 
He took Hermione's hand gently  and guided her towards the forbidden forest ....... and Hagrid's hut!
Hermione was shocked, as she felt Draco's soft, smooth palm against hers, and his long fingers gently gripping hold of her.
To Hermione's horror, he led her directly in the forbidden forest.
They stopped when they were deep enough to not get noticed by any one. 
There was a faint glow of sunlight illuminating the grass.
"What are you doing!? Why are we in the Forbidden Forest?" Hermione asked, snatching her hand away, "Why couldn't you just say who it was?"
"I'm not going to tell you, Hermione. I'm going to show you." 
"What!" 
"Just watch." 
And then, Draco Malfoy was gone. Instead, a huge, panther like lion stood in front of her.
"Malfoy ... it was you?" 
The lion darted near her and looked at her through grey eyes. 
Then, he changed back into his human form.
"Yes, that's right. I'm an animagus." Draco laughed.
"You're unregistered then, aren't you?" Hermione asked.
"No. I am registered."
"How could they let a former deatheater do that!" She said.
"This was way before I became a deatheater. In sixth year. And the minister approved of it." 
Hermione was shocked. She looked like she needed a moment. 
"Don't worry, I'm not breaking rules."
Silence again.
"I'm sorry, Draco." She said.
"Don't apologize. It's alright. Now let's go back." Draco was about to walk on when Hermione shouted.
"Wait!" 
"What?"
"I was upset because Ron and I broke up." Hermione told. 
"What? Why!" 
"Maybe he thinks I'm boring." 
"He is so wrong about you then." Hermione didn't expect Draco to say that.
"You think I'm not boring?" She asked.
"No ... I don't think you're boring at all. You're fun and cool, and most of all you're smart, talented, empathetic, understanding, caring and so lovable."
Hermione's jaw dropped open.
"Who are you and what the hell have you done to Draco Malfoy?" She said.
"To be honest, I was so so jealous of you, and blinded by the hate my father instilled in me. I guess I couldn't really get my feelings straight."
"You learn from your mistakes." Hermione grinned.