"You want me to do what?" Hermione's eyebrows shot up her head as she finally shoved the hair out of her face. "I already told you. Kingsley wants you to get engaged, right? " She nodded assent. "But, knowing him, he'll probably choose some idiot to set you up with. To avoid that, all you have to do is say there was some misunderstanding, and you're already engaged. To me. Then, after hes lost his fervor, I'll pretend to break your heart and run off with someone else. You'll be so distraught, Shacklebolt won't dare ask you to get engaged again." Hermione pondered over the plan for a minute. "Are there any conditions that I need to be aware of?" Draco thought for a minute. "Three. You can't tell any of your friends about the plan. We have to keep up appearances in public, but once we're back here, don't touch me. And under no circumstances will you kiss me." She wrinkled her face in disgust. "Ew. That won't be a problem." He rolled his eyes. What happened to the 'prettiest boy in school' routine? "Any more questions?" She straightened in her chairm "Actually, yes. Why are you being so nice to me?" Draco gritted his teeth. He'd known this was coming."Like I said, Shacklebolt would you set you up with. I don't want to wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of you shagging some rando. I'd get nightmares." She rolled her eyes. This was going to be interesting.
"So, uh you can see why I have to decline your generous offer Mr-" Hermione looked at the slip of paper Kingsley had given her that morning. "Mr. Ramereth. Me and my fiancee-" She smiled tightly and gestured to her and Draco's intertwined fingers. "Are so very much in love. But thank you again." She gave the old bloke a friendly wave and dragged Draco down the hall. As soon as they were out of the ministry and in London Hermione dropped his hand. "Bloody hell, I never thought I'd be so popular. Especially among male wizards over 60." Draco smirked. "Well you did offer yourself up to Kingsley as breeding material." She groaned, then shivered and sped up her pace. She hope they'd get to Diagon alley fast, it was freezing. She felt warm wool drape over her shoulders and looked up. Draco's coat. On her. "Oh no. You need your coat. Its not that cold." He sighed in annoyment. "Granger, I'm not being noble I swear. Your shivering is annoying me. Take the damn coat." She smiled, an action that made his stomach tight, though he didn't know why, and clutched the coat around her. "Thanks Draco. For everything."
They made sure to stop in the Three Broomsticks before heading back to Hogwarts. A reporter there gasped and tried to furtively take a few pictures. They didn't stop her. Pictures were just what they needed, so everyone would know of their 'engagement'. Hermione made sure to flash her ring about, a task she didn't mind so much, as it was exceptionally pretty.
The only bad part to this plan was explainig her 'engagement' to Harry and Ron. It was funny how she didn't think of spending time with Draco as a bad thing. Mind you, she'd much rather be reading with a hot cup of cider and a cat on her feet. But time with Draco wasn't bad. Not at all.
Hermione sighed and took a whiff of her cup. She wrinkled her nose. "Butterbeer." Draco nodded. "I'm not risking Firewhisky after what happened last time you got some." She shrugged and his coat slid off her shoulder. Quietly Draco reached his hand out and fixed it. She kept her eyes on his face, but she could tell the reporter was still there "What are we supposed to talk about?" She hissed out of the side of her mouth. He shrugged. "I dunno. I've never really been engaged before, you see." Hermione giggled. "This is so awkward. Can't we go home?" He smirked. "Finish your drink."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. Suddenly she grabbed her mug and upended its contents into her mouth. She kept her eyes on his widened gray ones as she chugged it down, ignoring the dribbles flowing down her chin. She slammed the empty beaker down on the yable and hopped up briskly. "Right, lets go."
A/N: A fitting tune for this chapter is Accidentally In Love by Counting Crows. Silly, but pretty rad. And so perfect for this absurd situation Hermione and Draco find themselves in.
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