Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter© or any of the concepts derived from the book series. The book series is the soul property of J.K. Rowling.
To Keep it Simple
Previous Chapter
"We set the first example," he said, his piercing silver eyes glowing faintly with a spark of mischief.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione inquired as her attention was snagged from her.
"We set the first example—by not attacking each other every single moment there is a chance. The Slytherins leave the Gryffindors alone and the Gryffindors leave the Slytherins alone—and seeing as that were are the two prefects—we leave each other alone as well," Draco said. Hermione's brows raised and a look of utter disturbance rose across her features.
"Absolutely smashing idea, Malfoy. By completely ignoring each other, the first years will learn how to work together with their invisible allies! Brilliant, just bloody brilliant," she sarcastically ended. As she rolled her eyes, Draco ran an innocent finger down her cheek. She froze as chills ran down her spine for several seconds.
"We don't ignore each other. We set an example by becoming more then just friendly."
Chapter 2- Breaking Tradition
Hermione immediately pulled back, the chair silently squeaking in protest as it's legs dragged along the floor. She ran a hand down her cheek where his touch had left it's impression.
"You're crazy, Malfoy, crazy," she quickly said as she watched him pull away.
That's exactly what Draco was telling himself as the words had slipped from his lips. It was because of her body, the physical attraction he'd felt when he'd touched her in the swimming pool—that he'd said what he'd said. It had never occurred to him that a mousy girl like Hermione could bloom into a beautiful woman. Simply thinking of her as she stood, almost wrapped in her white plush robe, covered in several speckles of water and a two piece swimming suit could drive a man delirious. Not this man, though. Draco had a heart of steel and a hard covering that protected him from becoming tenaciously attached to any possession, much less, another being. His first glimpse of her again after the summer had stunned him, but not as much as the bathroom incident had. Without knowing it, Hermione had dented the shield that Draco had worked so earnestly to build around his heart. It's just raging hormones.. he reminded himself.
"How else do you think I'll ever earn Dumbledore and McGongall's trust, Granger?" Draco languidly said. For a minute or two, he thought that he'd seen the glow of excitement on Hermione's face. She barely did anything but study, read and write. An awkward pulling sensation ripped through Draco's chest as he saw the feeling shatter and Hermione's expression go blank.
"Of course, you would only think up such an idea to deceive more victims," she hissed.
I am the epitome of idiot.. Draco told himself.
"Why else would I risk the chance to be seen with a mudblood?" he said, rolling back into his usual Slytherin style. Hermione barely regarded the derrogatory comment. She seemed to be more focused on dwelling on her decision.
"You are just going to have to think up another idea, Malfoy," she said, then turned on her heel and sped out of the library, her robes wavering around her ankles.
Draco stood alone, dumbfounded and speechless.
When Hermione turned the corner to begin her walk down the hallway which bore the painting of the obese pink lady, she caught sight of Draco meandering about, looking very out of place.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed between clenched teeth as she stepped up to him.
"Pursuing an idea," he replied.
"I am not, I repeat—not—going to help you trick Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall into believing this—this.. façade that you're trying to pull over their heads. This is a disgrace—I cannot be—"
Hermione was brutally cut off as Draco covered her mouth with his hand. She furrowed her brow and pulled his palm off her lips.
"For such a bookworm, you've got an excruciating amount to say—Granger, this idea could help us both. Not only would McGonagall see how responsible of a prefect you are and consider you eligible for Head Girl next year—but they would also see how considerate of a prefect I am."
Hermione's expression went blank as she went over this idea in her head. Being the Head Girl in her seventh year would definitely force the Ministry of Magic to notice her. Her eyes lit up as the possibilities began to run through her head. Draco obviously noticed.
"How about it then? Is it a deal?"
"I—it's.." she said, looking for any way the plan might not be able to benefit her. Suddenly, chatter broke the silence and Hermione's head quickly jerked to the side. Professor McGonagall was leading a troupe of Gryffindor first years towards the Gryffindor common room. It looked as though a majority of them had gotten into some sort of scuffle. Hermione mentally bet five galleons that they had just been pulled from a battle between two familiar houses.
"Well Granger?" Draco said impatiently as his eyes moved from McGonagall to the first years to Hermione.
"Deal," she said, knowing that she would regret ever letting the word slip past her lips.
"Good," Draco smirked. His hands snaked around her waist and he quickly pulled her in for an awkward embrace. Hermione saw the first years gasp in surprise at the mixture of Slytherin and Gryffindor colors. Slowly, her arms managed to robotically make their way around Draco's neck. Though the first years were easily fooled into believing the two complete opposites were more then just friends, Professor McGonagall was yet to be tricked. She sat, with her arms across her chest, a wiry smile plastered onto her expression. From beneath the hood of her witch's hat, she could see the very uncomfortable and forced grin on Hermione's face.
"Ahem—" she said, clearing her throat while at the same time, adjusting her spectacles. Draco pulled away from Hermione as if on cue and held her at arms length. She tried to play the role that she'd assigned herself by releasing her grip on Draco's neck and relinquishing it on his arms.
"So I'll see you tonight, then?" he asked, a smirk on his face and his silver eyes trying to express mixed messages.
"Y-yes," Hermione replied, stumbling over words.
Draco turned his head down and quickly descended towards Hermione's cheek. He left a feather-light peck on her smooth skin then turned and walked away down the corridor. As he passed by the first years, he caught a wink from Professor McGonagall.
"Treat her with respect, first years, or I'll be on all of you like a pack of graphorns," Draco called out as he turned the corner.
Hermione would have been fuming, if not for the imprint that the kiss had left on her cheek. She rubbed it skeptically, not believing that Draco Malfoy had been on the other end of show of affection.
"I shall leave the first years with you, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said in her rough Scottish accent. Then, soon, she too was gone, her boot heels fading away. Hermione coughed and turned to look down at the wide eyes and unbelieving faces. She opened her mouth to speak, but thought better and turned towards the fat lady.
"Gillyweed," she said, and the portrait swung upon, nearly knocking over several students. "All right, well, hurry inside."
Her only reply was silence. She suddenly realized.. why should I be the one feeling hot under the collar? After all, this plan will benefit me even more then it will benefit Malfoy. She cleared her throat and stop wringing the corner of her robe.
"That was Draco Malfoy… a Slytherin," she started, trying to find the right words. "And we are going.. steady? No—that's not right, we are going out—that sounds too cliché.. we are good friends."
She was still greeted by blank stares.
"Merlin's-- All right, I'll explain if you all hurry inside."
With that said, the first years quickly climbed into the portrait hole and headed towards the common room. Hermione followed, her legs feeling as heavy as bricks and her head pounding. It had definitely been a rush when Draco had first pulled her in for the rough hug, but now the rush was gone and Hermione had nothing to work off of. It wasn't often that she lied to the youth in order to manipulate them for her own benefit. When she stepped into the common room, she was greeted by a smoldering Ron and a surprised Harry.
"What's this all about Hermione?" Ron nearly yelled. The first years quickly gathered in a circle around the bickering three, but were rudely chased off by an aggravated Weasley.
"It's a long story, Ron," she said as he eyes darted back and forth. She couldn't risk ruining everything before it even started because of a fiery temper. "Can we talk about it.. later?"
Her eyes were pleading but Ron ignored them. Harry placed a hand on his companion's shoulder, worrying about Hermione's insistence. Ron shrugged it off and continued quarreling.
"You and Draco are good friends? I'm sorry, but I don't ever recollect you two having even been just—" he stopped as Hermione clamped a hand over his mouth. With the assistance of Harry, she managed to drag the fuming sixth year into the Boys' dormitory, where they quickly shut the door after making sure that all students had left.
"Ron—stop over-reacting," she whispered sharply.
"What else do you expect me to do? Go running around, flashing the professors and screaming about how I think I've gone crazy?" Ron bellowed.
"Control your temper for five seconds, Ron—Hermione probably has a very logical reason for why she is.. doing what ever she is doing," Harry quickly said, trying to calm down the raging red head.
"Thank you Harry—let me explain. Professor McGonagall asked us prefects to come up with a way to bring the first years closer together. No thanks to our guidance—they are all just a bunch of fighting children that can only bicker instead of focusing on school work. We had to pair off and come up with solutions and this seemed like a reasonable one."
"Reasonable?" Ron yelled, his temper rising once again. "Reasonable? What are you trying to do? Horrify the first years into a cease-fire?"
"Of course not. We're trying to show them that a Slytherin and a Gryffindor can get along just as easily as any other two people," Hermione said softly, controlling herself.
"Why not have Draco try and snog some Hufflepuff prefect—or—or the Rav—"
"Ron—you know just as well as I do why it has to be these two houses and not another two houses. You are not helping us move this farther along, you are just hampering this entire experiment with your uncontrollable temper! Try and look at this from a different point of view, not just yours."
With that said, Hermione, tired of fighting, rushed out of the 6th year boys dormitories and back to the common room. Harry watched as she left, the room now completely silent and still. Ron, breathing hard to control his temper, regained his common sense and slapped himself dramatically in the forehead.
"Bloody 'ell, I did it again."
"Obviously, if we can be friends, you all can be friends too, maybe more, who knows," Hermione answered, shrugging her shoulders. The first years fidgeted impatiently with their robes and books, unsure of what direction to head in now.
"If you are all still worried about what to do—don't. We meet with Slytherin in a few days where we will try and see how long you two houses can stand to be together. Yes, I know, they're a ruddy bunch—but Dumbledore wants it so we should at least try."
She sighed and flicked a strand of hair from her face. She could have started her parchment for Charms by now.. even though it technically wasn't due for several days. The first years continued to ask questions, raising hands and staring obtrusively at her as if she was a zoo animal. As she reluctantly answered several more, she caught sight of Harry and Ron walking out of the boys' dormitories from the corner of her eye. They headed towards her and as they pulled to a stop before her, the first years whined in protest.
"Yes, the Slytherins are a bunch of dolts and gits and knaves and—" Ron stopped as Hermione coughed loudly from behind him. "But there is a possibility for friendship between our two houses."
Hermione smiled, having expected Ron to agree with her sooner or later and help her with the cause. She put on her best act, though—and tried to act surprised while at the same time—not surprised. Harry gave Hermione the thumbs-up sign and she slowly stood up to leave.
"We'll handle it from here," Harry said as he took a seat in one of the plush red armchairs.
"Are you Harry Potter?" a frantic first year screeched, her pigtails bouncing back and forth as she examined him. Harry nodded, then smirked.
"Yes, and I personally think that we can all be friends with Slytherin. Take it from me, Harry Potter!"
Ron nearly gagged.
Hermione waved to Lavender Brown as they exited the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The present teacher had been teaching successfully at Hogwarts for the past year and half. He was a very curious figure with large glasses and a pudgy appearance. However, he was consistently jovial and since he reminded so many of the older students of Lupus, a former DADA teacher, they were quick to accept him.
The week had gone well so far. As planned, Slytherins and Gryffindors had kept well away from each other. Surprisingly enough, they even seemed to approve of the relationship Draco and Hermione temporarily had—which lead Harry and Ron to grow more and more suspicious. The two sidled up alongside their brunette friend, but were soon interrupted by a blonde haired familiar.
"Showtime, Granger," he whispered into her ear as a group of Slytherin and Gryffindor first years proceeded to head towards the Dungeons for their Potions lesson. Harry took several steps away and tried to melt into the crowd while Ron stood, fuming.
Draco languished the feeling—the fit of her body. Over the past few days, every single encounter had been one which was meant to impress first years. The previous evening, Slytherin had seemed to get along with Ravenclaw while Hufflepuff and Gryffindor ended up with the same outcome. Tomorrow night would be the true test. All students that were passing by stopped to watch in both curiosity and confusion.
Hermione draped one hand around Draco's neck while he wrapped both of his about her waist. He pulled her towards him, her chest pressing into his. She could feel his heart beating in the distance, a faint thump thump that signified his existence—that proved she hadn't imagined the entire dilemma. His head turned to the side as it came upon Hermione's waiting lips, secretly needy emotions releasing as soon as they touched her corresponding ones. As they both closed their eyes, first years gasped and others watched, already used to the image. Ron, however, still stood where he had five minutes ago, his face turning red with held in rage.
Hermione's lids fluttered open, long lashes casting shadows down her cheek. Draco brushed a strand of hair from her face, purposely letting his hand linger on her skin. The moment ended as quickly as it started and soon, all students returned to what they had been doing before the ecstatic event. Hermione rubbed her thumb along Draco's rough cheek, the touch of invisible stubble soothing. He watched her with his silver eyes while Goyle and Crabbe nervously stood in the background. Realizing that the first years had headed down to Potions to discuss what they had just seen, Hermione quickly pulled away.
"Till later then, Granger," Draco said as he nodded his good-bye. Releasing his grip around her waist and giving her one last glance that nearly tore her sanity—he turned and walked off down the corridor, his massive companions following him.
Hermione, knowing that Harry and Ron were still near, pretended that the moment just shared had meant nothing. She motioned for them to hurry since their break was nearing it's end.
"We'll be late for Charms," she called as she began walking down the hall, her heels clicking on the floor.
"I swear, as soon as this is over, I am going to rip him to shreds," Ron threatened, his voice hollow. Harry roughly patted his friend on the shoulder, looking towards the ground.
"We all will—we all will.."
"That was very believable acting, Draco," Pansy said.
As Draco turned to unwillingly greet her, he nearly gagged at her appearance. Apparently, she had tried to beautify her pug appearance by using muggle cosmetics. The combination nearly blinded him. Her eyelids were coated in a glittering purple layer of eye shadow and she had chosen a flaming pink shade of blush. She reminded him of the French street whores he saw on his vacation there several summers ago. He coughed to hide his surprise.
Returning back to the subject of the scene he and Hermione had caused in front of the entrance to the Dungeons—he had truthfully enjoyed it. The reason was—or so he told himself—physical attraction and the benefit of knowing that he was hurting both Potter and Weasley by taking away one of their most prized possessions. Even though he told himself such things over and over again, with each passing day, he began to believe his own words less and less. If not for the blank stare that Hermione always gave him after each of their risque runs, he would have not believed it all. He tried to focus on the problem before him, but it was hard, considering that every time he looked it in the eye, he felt an utter feeling of disgust. Finally, he found his wits and replied to Pansy's previous comment.
"Yes—acting.."