Author's Note: I have to warn you that in the later chapters of this story the characters may go out-of-character, meaning they may not act like themselves. There's a good reason for this, though. You'll see.
Chapter Two:
Fake
Hermione sat under a beautiful oak tree in a flowery paddock. She was sitting on a red and white picnic blanket and ate beside Ron. The sandwhich didn't have much on it, but because she was with the one she loved it tasted great.
Ron had a large smile on his face. He took a big chunck out of an apple. With a full mouth, he said, "You look beautiful in the sunlight."
Hermione laughed. "But we're in the shade."
"You're still beautiful." He swallowed.
Hermione hoped it wasn't noticeable she was blushing.
Birds hopped in the tree above, tweeting.
She grinned. They were beautiful.
There were two of them. One was using a mating call. Love birds. Just like Ron and Hermione.
One of the birds jumped so much it made a stick on the tree fall and hit Ron's head. "OW!"
Hermione couldn't help but giggle. "They didn't mean to." She slapped his arm playfully.
The next thing she knew, they were kissing.
Hermione felt so safe with Ron. She knew he would never intentionally hurt her, and would give his life for her.
When they pulled away, they were both blushing.
Hermione turned away in embarassment. She noticed there were no cloud in the sky.
"Hermione..." Ron started. "Have you thought about...fate?"
"What do you mean?"
"I--I mean, what if something happens and we don't ever see each other again?"
Hermione looked at Ron. "Ron, we'll never be separated. I promise you that."
Ron's face turned from uncertain, to pure anger. "LIAR!" He sprang to his feet. "YOU SAID THAT BEFORE YOU WERE CAPTURED! AND GUESS WHAT? WE DIDN'T SEE EACH OTHER FOR YEARS! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I SUFFERED?!"
Hermione stood to her feet and he smacked her in the face.
She gasped. "Ron!"
"SHUT UP!" He took ahold of her neck. He was strangling her.
Hermione gasped for air. "R-R-R-RON! Please don't!"
Ron growled, "DIE!"
"Ms. Granger!"
Hermione wondered who was calling her name.
"Ms. Granger!"
Hermione gasped for air. She was lying down, covered in sweat. It was dark.
"Ms. Granger!"
Hermione realised Squeaky was shaking her awake. She sat up in her cot. She was in her cell, in the Malfoy Manor. It all never happened. Her picnicing with Ron, her kissing with Ron, her fighting with Ron. It was all just a dream.
"Ms. Granger was having a nightmare," Squeaky said. "We must start our duties soon. Master Malfoy likes a big breakfast. It takes a long time to fix it."
Hermione groaned. "What time is it?"
"Five in the morning, Ms. Granger," Squeaky said.
"FIVE IN THE MORNING?!" Hermione cried. "Do you do this every day?"
"Well, yes, Ms. Granger. For Master Malfoy."
"Malfoy can't do this to you. You're a house elf, not dirt."
Hermione remembered being back at Hogwarts, a school of magic. She started a house elf freedom program called S.P.E.W. It didn't work out, though.
"Oh, but he can," Squeaky said. "He's Squeaky's master."
Hermione scowled. Why did house elves not get it?
She stood up and stretched. She felt very tired and did not want to get up.
She sighed. "Let's go."
They went to the kitchen and heated up the oven .
Hermione wished she were cooking for herself at her own leisure. Not being forced to cook for someone else.
"So." She yawned. "What does he usually eat?"
"Cressants and fried eggs," Squeaky replied, getting out a pan and eggs. "Ms. Granger can make the cressants."
Hermione thought, At least I've someone to talk to.
It was seven in the morning and Draco was at his table, waiting for his food. Hermione held a tray of eggs, cressants, tea, and pumpkin juice with a bit of vodka mixed in. She sat the tray on the table in front of him.
He looked at her garmets and looked discusted. "Ugh. Get rid of those filthy rags."
"I have nothing else to wear," Hermione growled.
"Squeaky'll find something." He sipped his pumpkin juice. "Now, go clean something."
Hermione scowled and turned away.
As she washed dishes that morning (she wished she had her wand), she thought about her dream. She thought about it for the rest of the day.
