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Chapter 7 – And So It Begins
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Hermione was soon facing her demons, or rather her demon, sooner than she could have imagined. In no time at all they were boarding the Hogwarts Express and entering their last year at school.
"I'll see you guys later, I have to do official business." Hermione said with a regretful sigh. She waved at the others as they crammed their way through the crowd trying to find a car.
Giving up all hope on saving her dignity, Hermione trudged into the car reserved for her and the Head Boy, Malfoy.
Draco looked up the minute she walked in. He had a smirk on his face that looked like the cat had eaten more than one canary. She was determined not to look at him, he could tell.
"So Granger," He said silkily. "What have you been up to all summer?"
She glared at him furiously.
"Getting into trouble. Not something I'd see the perfect little muggle girl doing."
"Back off." She got through her gritted teeth.
"Oh a bit feisty are we?"
Hermione put her head in her hands.
"Ok look, if I agree to this whole…date you, thing…then you have to communicate with me at least."
"This was a very, very bad idea." Hermione muttered.
Draco was captivated by how humorous this situation was. It was thrilling to see how badly she needed his help. It was a bit disturbing at the same time.
"Draco…." Hermione said softly.
Something went through Draco's head, not a thought, but a feeling. It was an odd sort of feeling too, the sound of her saying his name…Draco shivered a bit. That's odd, He thought to himself.
"Hello? Are you listening?"
Draco snapped out of it. "What?"
"I was saying I made a mistake, but now the only way I know how to make things right is get deeper into it."
Draco looked confused.
"I'm supposedly dating you, correct? Well, that was a mistake."
"Well you'd only be dating the most handsome, well adjusted, most talented and godly man in this entire school. It's a shame you're degrading yourself to someone so terrible." Draco said sarcastically.
"Draco I'm serious. No one would believe we were dating. I mean, we're worst enemies; you've been calling me names and hating me in general since the first time we met. Not to mention you want to kill my best friends."
"Not kill. Just brutally traumatize."
"Draco, please. Spare me. I don't think people here are that stupid."
"Personally I do, but there would only be one way to find out. Don't you think it'd be even the tiniest bit funny to see everyone's reaction? It's so good to be true, that even if no one believed it, it would cause so much chaos it could make Hogwarts History."
"You of all people Draco, why would you want to help me?"
"As much as I hate you, I don't hate you so much I could pass this chance in causing commotion. Plus you should have seen the look on my mother's face when she read your last letter. Priceless."
"Your mother knows?" Hermione just about fainted. He was laughing! This was just a big joke to him!
"Well now she does. Honestly, the best face I've ever seen." Draco said laughing hysterically.
"It's not supposed to be funny."
"Oh but it was." Draco's laughter died a bit. "Seriously though, I think it could be fun."
"Fun? I'm about to commit social suicide, and you think it'll be FUN?"
"You think you're committing social suicide. I think I'm crazy for even thinking about helping you!"
"Then why are you?" Hermione crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze. "What gain do you have here?"
"It's our last year at Hogwarts, nothing fun ever happens here. Why not shake it up a little with some good 'ol drama?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You seriously think it would work."
"I've come this far haven't I?"
"I'm not kissing you."
"Oh please, don't flatter yourself." Draco laughed as he sat down next to the window and peered out. The train had long left the station and the scenery was rolling by. He heard Hermione sigh behind him.
"We need to set boundaries. I'm not your play thing, I don't do what you tell me, and I will not, I repeat, will not be talked about crudely when I am not in your presence."
"Ah no gossip. You're no fun." Draco faked a pout.
"I'm serious Draco. I will not become one of your kiss n' tells."
"But I'm not even allowed to kiss you." Draco smirked.
"You're infuriating."
"And you are going in circles."
Hermione sighed. "Anything I'm not allowed to do? While we're still on the subject."
"Just don't call me pookie."
Hermione grimaced. "Ugh, that's hard to even think about."
"Good, then we won't have problems." Draco cocked his head and looked into Hermione's eyes seriously. "And what if your little plan doesn't even work?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the whole point of this is to get Potter's attention right? What if it doesn't work?"
"But it has to!" Hermione panicked.
"Ok, but what if it doesn't?"
"Then, I don't know." Hermione sat down and looked at her feet.
She hadn't even thought of what would happen if it didn't work. Was she that obsessed with getting Harry's attention to think it would work exactly according to her plan?
"I'd still get a good laugh, so I guess it doesn't really matter." Draco said leaning back into his seat.
"I'm so glad I can be the source of you ultimate laughter." Hermione muttered sarcastically.
"You've done marvelously for the past six years, why stop now?"
Hermione glared. This was humiliating, and now she had to date the one thing she swore she'd never touch with a ten foot pole. Great, Hermione thought bitterly, I'm officially insane.
For the next couple of hours Draco and Hermione were forced to brief the new prefects on their duties, and also review their own responsibilities. Being forced to sit next to each other so closely was already brutal enough, how were they ever going to convince the entire student body that they were an item? Hermione gagged at the thought. And all Draco could do was laugh at the situation. Typical. Never caring about anything but his own needs.
Draco was truly loving this. The thought of everyone's shock was too pleasing to him. He smiled to himself just thinking of the moment they would walk into the Great Hall.
The look on Potter's face would be worth more than the one his mother had. It was too perfect.
Finally there was a down time when the two could get their robes on and situate themselves before arriving at Hogwarts.
"So I'm thinking we walk hand in hand the whole way, what do you think?" Draco suggested happily.
"Ew." Hermione said simply with a look on her face that clearly said, 'over my dead body.'
Draco smiled. "Now dear, what would people think if I didn't hold my loved one close to me always?"
"Draco, I think I'm going to be sick…."
"Hermione, you're the one who brought all this up, you could at least play your part."
Hermione grimaced. "But that means physical contact."
"Hermione!" Draco said in mock shock. "I didn't think you were that kind of girl! But if you really wanted too…."
Hermione smacked Draco in the arm. "Don't be a bastard Draco. If you're just going to think of sex all the time you can just forget this."
"Granger please, do you really think that's all I think about?"
"You are a teenage male aren't you?" Hermione said as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Hermione I'm hurt." Draco said playfully. "You don't give any credit to a brilliant mind."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "If it's that heartbreaking forget I said it then. It shouldn't be that bad for you, you could have anybody you wanted."
"Not anybody." Draco whispered.
Hermione looked at him. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to hear his last comment, but it came as clear as day.
"What do you mean?" She asked cautiously.
Draco snapped his head up. "What? Oh, nothing. Not important."
Hermione shrugged. "The train is slowing; I guess we're getting close."
Draco nodded and noticed it had been getting darker outside. He hadn't realized they had talked almost the entire train ride. The longest conversation he ever held with Granger, or anybody, civilly.
"I guess we'd better put on a happy face and hope this works, huh?" Draco said, standing and walking towards the compartment door.
"I suppose so. Uh, did you really want to hold my hand?"
"It's all for show baby, all for show." Draco smiled and grabbed her hand. "You're going to see a different side of me, so be forewarned."
"Look out Hogwarts." Hermione said with a sigh.
Draco grinned and opened the compartment door, tightly gripping Hermione's hand, they walked into the crowd.