Hey guys! So this is my new Dramione fanfic! My other one "Criminizer" is on hiatus because I am having a major writer's block. I will return to it once my thoughts start flowing again. Enjoy this one though. And don't forget to REVIEW!

Suki

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling!

Chapter One

In the dimly lit and dingy Leaky Cauldron sat a rather odd guest. His platinum hair and stormy grey eyes can only belong to a certain person. Draco Malfoy sat with a firewhiskey in one hand and the other tapping impatiently, staring out the window. He lifted his arm and watched the seconds tick by on his expensive watch. One minute, he thought, sipping his drink. At exactly 11:00 the door to the place swung open and Draco looked up only to return to examining the window. The girl he was looking for was not the one who entered. He was expecting bushy brown hair, glasses, and disgusting old muggle clothes.

Suddenly a shadow fell down on young Malfoy, who looked up and saw the new costumer sit before him.

"Sorry miss that seat-"

"It's me, Granger," she interrupted. Draco stared at her, mouth gaping and eyes bugging. Well mentally at least, his exterior only raised an eyebrow. He took in her appearance. Her brown mane fell in silky ringlets down her back. Her brownish gold eyes sparkled with wisdom, strength, and boldness. She donned a silver cocktail dress that seemed quite out of place in a place like this.

"So what do you want?" She asked leaning back on her chair and sipping the fire whiskey that was actually Malfoy's. She referred to the letter she got. It read: Granger, Meet me at Leaky Cauldron at eleven tomorrow. Malfoy

"Oh that. I...needed a favor." The brunette raised her eyebrow before smirking.

"Are you blushing?" she asked with a chuckle. "This must be serious then."

He scowled. Then said in a hushed, desperate tone,"Granger I need you to go out with me."

Seconds turned to minutes and Draco began to sweat. He looked up to see Granger laughing. "Wow, Malfoy. That's how you asked a girl out? Now I question your title."

"Granger, this is not a funny matter. I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend so I can get out of a marriage with Astoria."

"Astoria? Greengrass? Why don't you want to marry her? From what I heard she is quite the beauty and smart too." Her smothering gaze was filled with curiosity as she stared at Malfoy.

"I just don't want to get married. And not to a prissy snob," he sneered. Hermione snorted, rolling her eyes at the irony. "I am not a prissy snob, Granger."

"Whatever you say. But still, couldn't you tell her you didn't want to get married"

"You don't understand-"

"You're right. I don't understand." She was getting agitated now. She had to leave the set early just for this?

"Just hear me out, will you? My mom and her mom arranged our marriage. The only way I could get out of it is to already be in a relationship. So I told my mom I was dating someone. She obviously got mad and didn't quite believe me so told me to bring the girl to dinner tomorrow night!"

"And I'm that girl?" she inquired, chugging a little of the firewhiskey.

"Precisely."

"Now Malfoy, not that I'm questioning your sanity, but ARE YOU INSANE?" Many heads turned to look at the duo but with a wave, they resumed their business.

"Granger, could you be any quieter?"

She ignored his remark, but did lower her voice to a whisper, "Why couldn't you just ask another girl."

"It's not like I want to deal with a muggleborn."

"Then pick a pureblood who will gladly help you!"

"That's the problem Granger. And I thought you were smart." She narrowed her eyes at the comment. "I can't have some clingy girl who actually likes me and might assume it's a real marriage! And if I try to divorce, she might rat us out!"

Hermione was silent, thinking. "Why couldn't you chose a pureblood who doesn't like you? Or maybe another muggleborn?"

"As if there is a pureblood who would not like me, except Weaslette, but if I even lay a finger on her, Pothead would be all over me." Hermione narrowed her eyes at his nickname for the famous savior. "And muggleborns? You are probably the only one I know who is even close to my level."

"Ugh, Malfoy, I don't want to do this," she said with an exasperated sigh.

"You don't even have to even be committed unless at public events, and living with me."

"Right, because having to live with you is totally not a major problem," she sneered sarcasm dripping from her words.

"Granger, this is probably only for a year. By then Astoria will probably have been married off to some other poor bloke."

"A year completely wasted!"

"You'll still be doing you own thing, Granger. Just a little couple time to make it believable and we're golden!" By now the two's voices has gotten to a normal volume and people were staring. Hermione noticed and cast a wandless disillusioning charm and forgetfulness spell to ensure privacy.

She didn't want to help the ferret at all. So with a sigh, she mouthed her decision. "No, Malfoy, I'm sorry." And with that she left the dimly lit and dingy Leaky Cauldron.