Impossible Reality
Author's Notes: As promised, here is the next chapter. Although it's almost the end of the week, it still is the week after Holy Week. *lol* Anyway, thanks for all those who have been reading this. I'm not going to say anything else so… on with the chapter.
Special thanks to a very close friend of mine, holyghost, who gave me the idea on what alternate name Hermione would use. *grins*
Disclaimers: All you recognize are JK Rowling's and the others… mine. :)
Slowly but Surely
A month later…
A man and a woman shared a table in one of London's finest restaurant. They were apparently a couple as other patrons have noticed the close proximity of their seats. The man has shiny black hair with bangs almost reaching his eyebrows. He sports an eyeglass, giving him the look of an intelligent man. The woman, on the other hand, has short blond hair, bluntly cut just below her ears. She looks like someone who just stepped out of a photoshoot.
They have been there for almost an hour. Enjoying each other's company and shamelessly flirting with one another that the other diners felt envious of their obvious affection for one another. At one point when they were leaning towards one another, talking in hushed voices, the man glanced upon the woman's mouth. Then he slowly dipped his head, pausing when his mouth is almost touching hers. Suddenly, he turned and just let his lips skim her cheeks.
"Thought I was going to kiss you, didn't you?" he whispered, a hint of amusement heard in his voice.
"So?" she asked. "And if you did, the moment you slip your tongue is the moment you'll become mute."
She felt him smile against her ear.
"Don't worry, Granger. Even if this is all pretend, I wouldn't even dream of going that far."
"Just admit it, Malfoy," Hermione countered. "You're entranced by my charms… Let's go."
With that, they moved away from each other. Draco paid for their bills, stood up, and held Hermione's chair out for her. As the other customers didn't hear of their exchange, they thought the couple was just whispering sweet-nothings to each other before ending their date. And they held onto that notion when the two walked out of the diner, smiling at each other and holding hands. They continued the act until the valet has returned their car.
The moment they were out on the street, Hermione yanked the wig she was wearing and quickly removed her make-up. Then, she got her wand, pointed it at Draco's head, and muttered a spell, returning the color of his hair back to blond. Draco, on the other hand, removed the eyeglasses he was wearing, handed it to Hermione who stuffed it in her bag, and loosened the tie on his neck.
"Where is he going?" Hermione asked, peering on the road as she cleaned her mess on the car.
"The way he's going, it's either to the Stonehenge or to Southampton," he replied, as he simultaneously tried to shrug off his coat.
She hastily helped him to take it off, occasionally glancing at the road.
"Are you sure it's him?" she asked.
"Yes."
"How can you be sure? We're a few minutes behind him from the restaurant."
"I saw him take that car as we were going out."
"Right… Can't you go any faster?"
"Hermione… I've only learned to maneuver this, this vehicle three weeks ago, remember?" Draco said as he shifted gears.
"I know that," Hermione snapped. "You couldn't stop gloating about it," she continued, crossing her arms and stared at the road ahead.
"And how could I not?" he asked, glancing at the woman beside him. "You told me that normally, Muggles learn how to… drive for about a week or more. Whereas I learned in only two days!" he finished with a hint of laughter and pride in his voice.
"Ugh. Sod it, Malfoy, and just follow him!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
~*~
"Sean, honey, what were you saying about our bedroom? I bet Mr. and Mrs. Haynesworth would be pleased to hear it," a woman with short blond hair said as she and her husband walked towards the dining area.
"You like it?" Mrs. Haynesworth asked the couple as she set down a bowl of Irish stew on the center of the table.
"It is wonderful," Sean answered through gritted teeth as he tried to suppress the anger building inside him, and helped his wife to her chair before he sat down.
"If I may ask, Lady MacAlister," Mrs. Haynesworth said as she placed the mashed potato on the table and sat down.
"Please call me Olivia," the Lady MacAlister told the woman.
"Alright. Olivia, how long have you been married? Me and my Donald here have been married for twenty years," she said as she patted her husband's hand.
The MacAlisters glanced at each other quickly.
"We're newlyweds," Sean replied, putting his arms around his wife.
"Less than a month," Olivia added, smiling at the older couple.
"But where's your ring?" the older woman said, nodding at the young couple's clasped hand.
Olivia glanced at her husband and answered, "We didn't want rings. We opted for a necklace instead," lifting the chain form her neck.
"If it is alright," Sean interrupted. "May we eat now? I'm afraid I'm a little hungry from our travel."
"Oh! Of course," Mrs. Haynesworth said. "I almost forgot you've been on the road all day." And she began serving them with the food she had prepared.
Olivia smiled gratefully at Sean and she began a light, impersonal conversation over meal.
~*~
"Are you sure we can talk freely now?"
"Yes. I've put a spell on all the walls of this room so no one from outside can hear what goes on in here."
"Finally!" Hermione said as she flung herself to the bed. "I can't wait to get rid of your… smell on my skin. Merlin! All that sweetness and sappiness and… Urgh! I don't know how long I'd be able to pretend!"
Draco chuckled as he sat down on the bed, removed his glasses, and leaned towards her.
"Admit that you liked it Granger," he commanded her softly through her ears.
"Get off me, Malfoy! I mean it," she told him.
He rolled away from her and she sat up on the bed as he laughed.
She just rolled her eyes at him and went to the window. She peered into the stillness of the night. The crescent moon shone brightly and the stars twinkled in the sky. The formation at the top of the hill is seen clearly from her window.
"We can see everything that goes on from here," Hermione commented, not taking her eyes from the window, and held out her hand.
Draco handed her the binocular she brought. "Why do you insist on using that? We can always charm our eyes to…"
"We can't risk getting caught with our wands lying around."
"Fine then," he relented and walked over to the window to look himself. "You've chosen well, Granger."
"Thank you."
~*~
They have almost been to every district around London in just a few weeks in pursuit of the man they are after. They've been to Stonehenge, Cardiff, Birmingham, Leicester, Cambridge, and many other places. They've changed from one disguise to another. From being siblings, to a couple, even mother and son. They've changed appearances a hundred times. From black hair, to brown, to blond, to red, even to purple. From long hair, to short hair, to bald. From curly, to wavy, to stick straight. They've donned numerous costumes. From peasants, to bourgeoisie, to nobles. They've changed vehicles countless of times. And they've had to endure each other's company.
If they are not pretending to be what they decided to become at that time, they would be arguing half the time, which is normal for them to do. The other half were spent on stalking their prey, or instinctively giving the other what he or she needs.
But of course, time has a way of changing things. If in one month they have become somewhat attuned to each other's needs, what more could additional weeks do? And most of all, what could being together, alone, do?
Hermione sat on a cushioned chair one evening. Her brown curls hang freely about her shoulders. They didn't feel the need to stay in their disguise as they were staying in a hotel that night. It was Draco's turn to watch and as she tucked her feet under her, she couldn't help but observe the wizard and reflect.
A lot of things have changed. They were arguing less and if they were, they ended up laughing. They are more believable and consistent with their alibis. There were a lot of times when they seem to know what the other is thinking.
She hadn't thought they could get along very well. Maybe it's because they were thrown in together or because they had to rely to each other. But she knows it's not only those. They had a lot in common, she discovered. And surprisingly, she thought, she misses the way he looks under normal circumstances. Like now.
His blond hair is slightly wet and curled at the ends from the shower. His toned body is barely concealed by the bathrobe he is wearing. And he looks like any normal man wearing his pajamas and slippers beneath his robe, stargazing on the window.
"Done staring, Hermione?" he suddenly spoke, making her look up to him and see his famous smirk.
Trying to hide the blush that is creeping to her cheeks and trying to sound normal, she answered, "Nooo… My turn?"
He nodded and handed her the binocular. She pulled up a chair to the window and sat down, leaning her forearm to the sill and held the binocular with one hand.
He had felt her staring at him for quite some time before he turned around and teased her. She must have been staring intensely for he felt an itch on his nape that he can't ignore. He does not know what she was thinking about while she stared but he hoped it was good. Because he felt rather touched, and flattered that she could look at him like that now. Without scorn and hatred. Almost with fascination.
As a chill is beginning to be felt in the room, Draco walked over to the fireplace and stoked the embers. Then he lied down on the chaise lounge and faced the ceiling, occasionally turning his head to look at where Hermione is standing. And he, too, began reflecting on things.
It was easier to work on their mission now. Things go on smoothly than before. The fight over control ceased. Both know when he or she is right or when to take over. The bite from her remarks was gone. She takes care of both of them very well.
He hates to admit it but he has come to rely on her sense of logic every time they have to make a decision. She makes him see the flaws on his plans. But then, she also always asks for his opinions on things. He just does not know what she makes of them.
A lot has changed from the time they started with their mission. They went from frozen to lukewarm. From surnames to first names. And how he likes the way she rolls his name on her tongue. There's something different from the way she pronounces it.
"Draco… Draco!"
A hand was waving in front of him and he snapped back to reality. A tinge of red was evident on Hermione's face that loomed above him which made him realize that he must have been staring at her.
"What?" he asked her with the raise of an eyebrow.
"I think we're right about our pattern," she answered, walked to the bed and lied down.
"Hmmm…" he thought it over and lied down next to her on the bed. "Just to be sure, we'll follow him in the morning and then we go back to London if we're right."
"Okay," she said, prolonging the last syllable with her yawn.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" he told her.
She yawned again. "Okay," and she turned on her right side, hugging the bolster pillow between them, then closed her eyes.
He smiled inwardly at her childishness. She had forgotten to put the blanket over her and she's already in the fetal position because of the cold. So he did it for her, covering her to her chin. He stared at her sleeping face, admiring the gentle curve of her cheeks and the way her eyelashes formed fans on her cheeks. The, he, too, slept.
Last notes: Whew! I did a long chapter here. Come on, clap your hands… *bows to audience* hehe… Anyway, I can't say anything else but thank you for reading my story. Until next chapter!
