Too Real To Be Pretend

A/N: Ok, uhh…not quite sure what's gonna happen next…just gonna take it as it comes. I know what I want to happen, but I'm not quite sure how to get there. But, hope you enjoy. Fluff coming soon.

Chapter Three

          Hermione nervously glanced around the common room before fully exiting the stair well from the girl's dormitories. She really didn't want to see Harry today; she was trying to avoid coming to terms with her decision of the night before. She really regretted making it now, because she really didn't want to spill her guts out to a guy that probably didn't even return her feelings. She sighed and made her way towards the Great Hall for some breakfast. She came around the corner to see a whole crowd of people outside the doors of the hall. Confused, she elbowed her way to the front to read the sign posted on the door. "Autumn Dance to replace Yule Ball." (a/n: ok, tell me you didn't see that one coming, puhleze, overused I know, but its like the only way for my story to work XD) Hermione quirked her eyebrow in appall. People were actually crowding around to read this simple sign? Was it really that important? She sighed and shrugged, entering through the open door and heading towards the Gryffindor table. She plopped into the seat next to Harry who looked a little sleep deprived, but handsome as ever.

          "Morning Hermione," he grumbled, attempting to stifle a yawn.

          "Morning Sleepyhead," she replied cheerfully, trying not to think about what she was going to have to do later that day. She sighed and began to ladle some porridge into her bowl. Harry heard her sigh, but decided to say nothing. Probably just thinking about the best way to try to get all her books into her bag, he thought wryly, That's my HermioneMy Hermione?? He flushed inwardly at this slipup and wondered where it came from. Before he had much time to concentrate on this, Hermione was standing, and tugging on his sleeve to try to get him to stand as well. "Come on Harry! We're gonna be late for Potions!" she cried, exasperated. Harry shook his head, clearing it of his previous thoughts, and stood with her.

          "Sorry," he said, "still a little dazed from yesterday." Hermione simply rolled her eyes and dragged him along behind her.

          Their classes were abuzz with the news of the new dance. Hermione simply rolled her eyes at all of them for their superficial stupidity. She wasn't expecting an invite to the dance, nor did she really care…at least that's what she told herself. She longed for Harry to just turn to her and say, "Go with me to the dance, Hermione." She sighed and smiled dreamily at this thought.

          "Hey, you okay?" a voice asked, rousing her from her reverie. She shook her head and smiled at the voice's owner: Harry.

          "Yeah, just daydreaming," she replied, pulling out a quill for class. "It's nothing, really."

          If the buzz during their classes wasn't loud enough, the buzz around the Gryffindor common room was beside itself. People were pairing up like bunnies in spring. It seemed people were wasting no time in claiming their dates. Ron had already asked Lavender, who of course said yes. Harry and Hermione were sitting on a couch together, feeling like the only two people without dates. Harry turned to gaze at Hermione, then quickly returned his gaze to the fire. He repeated this a few more times before turning to face her.

          "Hey Hermione…" he began. She turned to face him with a questioning expression. "I was wondering if…-" He was cut off as a very large 7th year girl stood before him, a looming shadow cast over him. She grinned baring her yellowed teeth. Harry gulped and stood facing the girl. "Hello…" he said, "Can I help you?" The girl grinned again, she seemed somewhat dim, reminding him of Crabbe and Goyle, not only in her build, but in her brains.

          "I'm Nell," she said in a booming voice. Nell paused to crack her knuckles menacingly. "I was wondering…" Harry grimaced expectantly. "Would you go to the Autumn Dance with me?" Again she cracked her knuckles. Harry gulped. He really didn't want to go with this girl, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings…and get pummeled as a result. He looked at Hermione in the corner of his eye and was suddenly struck with an idea.

          "Uhh…I would…" he said, reaching behind him, "but I'm already going with my –uh- girlfriend." He found Hermione's hand and pulled on it until she was standing beside him with a shocked expression on her face. He turned to her and raised his eyebrows to tell her to play along. She sighed and rolled her eyes. This could be fun, she thought, It could be the only chance I'll ever get to actually touch him. So, with that thought, she coyly placed her arms around him and nuzzled his neck with her nose. Harry eased his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. Hermione grinned inwardly, her dream was coming true, even if it was just for show.

          "Oh," she said, sounding rather dumb. "I didn't know you two were going out. I've never seen you snogging in any of the broom closets around here," she said suspiciously.

          "Uh…that's cause…uh…we don't need closets…we show our love openly, and we just got together…uh…very recently," Harry lied, biting his lip. Nell still looked unconvinced. Harry grimaced inwardly. Before she knew what was happening, Hermione felt a pair of strong, soft lips pressed against her own. Her eyes were wide with shock, but they soon fluttered closed at the enchanting feel of Harry's lips meshed together with hers. She unconsciously wrapped her arms around Harry's neck as their kiss continued on. As they broke apart, their eyes met, staring at the other in shock. It was unusually silent in the common room, and Hermione turned to see that most eyes were on them, and most jaws were dropping to the floor. Eventually the conversation started up again while quick glances were thrown in their direction. Harry turned his attention back to Nell. "Sorry Nell, I would've loved to go with you, but as you can see, I'm already taken," Harry said. Nell seemed rather down, but turned away and slowly walked up to the girl's dormitories. "Oh good lord that was close," Harry breathed. "Thanks for helping me out…I, uh, didn't want to get you in this mess, but, as you can see, I was desperate."

          "Don't worry about it, Harry. But you know…" she began with a mischievous grin, "she might ask you again tomorrow if she sees you alone or having too much fun with some other girl." Harry paled as the realization sunk in.

          "Oh my gawd, Hermione, you're right. I guess I'm gonna really have to take you, and you can't leave my side for a second!" he said, smiling at her. Hermione's breath caught in her throat, but she managed not to turn a bright shade of crimson. She was bursting on the inside from her bout of good fortune. "And I guess you're gonna have to pretend to be my girlfriend until after the dance," Harry said, turning slightly pink. Hermione pretended to be pained with the thought of it, and pretended to prepare for refusal. Harry paled even more. "Oh, please Hermione! You can't let me get taken by that…troll! She looks like Crabbe and Goyle!" he whined. Hermione smiled at him.

          "Fine," she replied. "I'll do this for you, but only because I am the coolest person in the world," she said with a laugh. Harry relaxed and plopped back down on the couch.

          "I guess we're gonna have to do that…couple stuff now…" he said. "Unless you're not comfortable with it," he added hastily.

          "I'm a professional Harry," she said jokingly, barely suppressing the laughter in her voice, "If we're gonna do this, we're gonna have to do it right." With that, she sat down, nearly on top of him and rested her head on his shoulder. He tentatively wrapped his arms loosely around her. "Well that's great Harry, if you're cuddling your sister," Hermione said in a mocking tone. "Do it like you mean it or we won't be convincing." She tried to be her normal, bossy self, but she could feel her control slowly ebbing away. She had to keep herself in constant check to save herself from getting in too deep. Well, so much for telling him how I feel…I guess this is as good as its going to get, I should enjoy this while I can. Harry grumbled to himself and held her tighter. After a few tense moments, he lightly rested his head on hers and tried to start some light conversation.

          Harry was weirdly comfortable in the position they were in. It felt good to wrap his arms around somebody, and he didn't mind that this somebody was Hermione for some reason….in fact, in the weirdest way, he was enjoying it.

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A/N: A little fluff…not too much. But watch out! Next chapter will be flufforicious! Sorry its so bad. But I just got this idea and I really wanted to just pump out the basics. I might change it later. But enjoy it for now. Hermione's dreams are coming true, in a rather twisted way because its not actually real. And Harry is finally realizing some hidden feelings…dundundun! Tune in for the next chapter!