A/N: Hello readers. I realize I have other stories unfinished. And I apologize. But this one can't get out of my head, and I had to do something with it. The others will be looked into again, so don't worry.
Summary: When Hermione is assigned a trip to Durmstrang for a few months, McGonagall adds an extra person and a few rules. The other person, of course, being the Head Boy she loves to hate, and the rules including faking a romance. How long will it take the two to get over their differences? Or will they?
"Of course I'll go. But I don't need an 'escort'." Hermione scoffed, annoyed.
"Are you mental, Granger? You can't just go off to Durmstrang - a school full of potentially violent boys - for three months without a bloody escort."
"As much as I hate to say it," Professor McGonagall put in, "and although I don't condone the cursing, Mr. Malfoy is quite right."
Hermione shot him a vehement scowl before speaking again. "Look, Malfoy, if I really needed anyone to look after me, I'd get Ronald to - "
"Everyone here knows that stupid weasel couldn't save anyone - even himself - if his life depended on it. Pun intended." Draco shot back. Hermione most certainly didn't laugh. "You may as well get someone competent. And no, you can't go by yourself. You're far too important to just let run off to Durmstrang and maybe get attacked by some huge seventh year." He added. Suddenly, seeing her reaction, his eyes widened. What had he just said? Brilliant. Now Granger thought he cared. "As Head Girl, you're needed here, anyway." He attempted to save himself.
"Once again, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy seems to know what he's talking about." The Headmistress nodded. "Noting that point, Mr. Malfoy, you are obviously quite interested in her wellbeing, so it only makes sense to assign you to be her escort."
"WHAT?" Hermione shouted at the same time Draco blurted, "BUT-"
"No response necessary. I've decided. The prefects will be just fine in the time you are away. As Head Students, think of it as an honor. You both will return in three months, and while you are there, there is to be no fighting." She said sternly. Then, as though having an afterthought, she leaned forward and studied them for a moment.
Hermione and Draco were sitting on a couch the new Headmistress had brought into her office recently. Draco had entered first, and sat in the exact middle of the couch, as though his position and lot in life demanded his allowance of the best seat - even if it meant sitting on the separation between the two pillows that made up the seat. Hermione, then, had sat on one end, leaning against the arm rest as though she were trying to get as far away from him as possible. It didn't seem to be working, as Draco was now splayed out over part of 'her side' of the couch, with an arm resting behind her on the back of the couch. That is, until they had both shot forward in their seat during their outbursts.
"Now that I think about it, it does seem rather obvious. I've changed my mind. Unfortunately, Mr. Malfoy, you're right once more. Those boys at Durmstrang may or may not allow Miss Granger the boundaries she desires. Thus, as you're not half bad looking, nor half bad at magic and are likely well trained physically from Quidditch, you're to be her protector as well as escort. You two already bicker like a married couple. That being the case, Draco, you are to act the part of Hermione's caring yet occasionally overprotective boyfriend." McGongall said. Before the two Heads could get any words out, however, she held up a hand. "I don't care whether you want to or not. Now mind this, if you intend to keep your positions, you'll do as I say. There will be no injuries mentally or otherwise to each other, even if you two do have prejudices - " She looked at Draco accusingly, "- or grudges." She glanced at Hermione sternly.
"Yes, Headmistress." Hermione replied quietly, staring at her hands in her lap.
Draco raised an eyebrow at her reaction, knowing she had to be equally angry about the arrangement. She was probably too much of a goody-two-shoes to actually fight for her wants. He, however, had no intention of going along with this whole mess.
"Actually, Professor," He began, "Couldn't we just-"
"Malfoy. Just stop." Hermione shot him a glare. "Life isn't fair. We can't always get what we want."
"Very true." McGonagall put in, making the two students jump. "I suggest you two go pack."
Muttering to himself, Draco stood and followed Hermione out the door. As they made their way to their shared dorm, he noticed Hermione was looking particularly thoughtful. When they got to the tapestry leading to their dormitory, she just stood there until he pushed it aside and nudged her with his foot. Jerking back to the present, Hermione ducked under the tapestry and told the portrait the password, letting them in.
"Look, Malfoy. There will be rules between us, aside from what McGonagall told us." Hermione began. Groaning, Draco rolled his eyes and lowered himself to the couch. He had a feeling this would be a long list. "Firstly, no matter what happens, we will have no...intimate," she blushed, "relations."
"In public, it will be expected of a couple, you know. Oh wait, you wouldn't." Malfoy sneered. "You and the weasel aren't actually together are you? If you were, I'd have to make a rule that you never touched me, as his germs would be all over you."
"We're not." She snapped. "Haven't. Won't. Point is, nothing has ever happened between us."
"Or at all, right?" He asked cheerfully.
"Nothing. None. I've never dated. Not officially anyway. Happy?" She scowled at him. If it were possible, she'd have shot daggers at him with her eyes, as characters were often described in Muggle books.
"Sure. Continue." He motioned with his hand for her to begin again.
"Secondly," She said shortly, "If we're just given one room, I will not being sleeping in a bed with you. You'll get the floor, or outside the room. I really don't care. But so long as you're not an arse and don't make me sleep on the floor, I don't care where else you are."
"Oh, so the girl gets to be the arse then?" He asked, feigning curiosity.
"Absolutely. Men are supposed to be accommodating." She said sarcastically. Well, mostly sarcastically, anyway. She'd always wanted a guy who would at least be giving and attuned to her feelings and needs. Not necessarily a push over, but someone who she could put up with while being allowed to have intellectual conversations. And she loved arguing so long as she could win. Otherwise, she would quickly become impatient and angry. Then, you know, having astoundingly good looks wouldn't be too bad. She didn't really care about appearances, but if she wasn't attracted mentally and otherwise, it would be pointless. Of course, her list of traits didn't get her many guys.
"Whatever, Granger." He shrugged. "Just realize the only rule of yours that will work is the second one. I was raised to treat ladies well. You're not what they meant when they said 'lady', but I'll go with it. The first might be a bit harder to work with." She allowed a slightly confused expression to show on her face, so he continued. "Seeing as they're going to expect us to at least seem attracted, things like hand holding will be a given."
"Of course." She nodded, rather absently, finally taking in how she had to act for the next three months. Her assignment to watch the administrators and Professors of Durmstrang was becoming more and more complicated.
"Then, we'll figure out how to act in front of people as we go. When we're not in public, however, it'll be up to you whether your rule is followed or not. I know I can be devastatingly attractive, so I won't laugh at you if you fall for me." He gave his signature smirk before heading to his room to pack.
Staring after him in a mixture of amazement and annoyance, Hermione stood in the common room for a moment or two more before going up to her own room.