Story: Hermione and Draco that aren't really what who we thought they were - they've both been putting on acts for years. Somewhere in-between these acts they manage to find a relationship. Based very loosely on Gainax's Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyo.
Rating: PG.
Readers: I would really appreciate reviews. To flamers, I would like it if you could leave a constructive critique telling me what you didn't like, and suggestions as to how I could improve it.
Disclaimer: This is a non-profit story. The characters and terms relating to Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and other associates (Bloomsbury, Raincoast, WB etc.) Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijyo is owned by Gainax.
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And for what seemed to be forever, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger stared at each other for the first time in over a month. Neither of talked, acted, and from the looks of it, breathed.
Perfect! This is the chance for me to be friends her! Draco thought.
"Hello Granger! Having a good time?" asked Draco, smiling with the utmost sincerity.
However, the other side of the spectrum wasn't exactly as thrilled as him.
"Oh, hi Malfoy. ('Ugh. Malfoy!') Just catching some rays," Hermione replied, the same smile plastered onto her face - but it was a fake smile. Inside the deepest feeling of loathing was burning in her heart.
She's being friendly! Got to keep the conversation going.
"I understand you're the Head Girl this year. Congratulations! I'm the Head Boy."
Well d-uh I'm Head Girl!. And will you just shut up, you stupid wanker?
"Yes, thank you and congratulations to you too Malfoy. Listen, I'd love to stay for a chat (NOT!), but I uh… have to prepare dinner. I guess I'll see you in September then," she said, desperately trying to get away from the boy.
Unfortunately for poor Hermione, the boy kept pursuing. "Well you won't have to. How about you give me your telephone number, and I'll call you? I know how to use one perfectly well, I won't be screaming murder in your ear," he winked at Hermione, sensing the look in her eyes which he thought to be horror.
Well at least he was half right. The look was actually the horror of having to talk to him more than she was at the moment. The image, can't ruin your image Hermione!
"Sure! That would be great!" Taking out her day planner and a pen from her mini-backpack, Hermione scribbled her phone number hastily, hoping he wouldn't be able to read it. "Sorry it's messy, but I'm going to be late if I don't go," she made the excuse quickly as she wrote. Bad writing equals bad image. She gave the number to Draco, bid goodbye, and ran off to the direction of her house before Draco got to say goodbye.
Well I thought that went pretty well.
Eurgh. I can't believe I had to see him! There goes my day again.
Her House
No, I didn't help with dinner. I needed to study for the seventh year! As always, I finished my summer homework a month early, and memorised my textbooks. But this year I had the N.E.W.T.'s to study for, and top score is a must. Mum and Dad aren't home and Celine and Rena went to the movies. It's silent in the house, and I like it that way. The silence has just
BAM
… been cruelly shattered.
"HERMIONE! HERMIONE!" the screaming belonged to my two sisters, who no doubt wanted me to do something with them. The interruption from my concentrating irritated me a bit, and all I could manage was a "WHAT?!"
Celine and Rena shrank back a little from my sudden outburst, but I knew they didn't really mean it. They were used to these outbursts of mine. As well as the whining, tantrums, and mood-swings. I replied to their reaction by raising an eyebrow at them.
Then they laughed. Rena, the knowledgeable one despite her being the youngest explained, "It's just weird. Seeing you like that, after seeing what you're like outside." She was referring to my outburst, something I usually never do(unless I'm provoked) outside, that and my appearance. My hair, though still not bushy, was pushed back into a bumpy ponytail. I was in my 'pyjamas' - if you can call an red, old, tattered jogging suit with the bottom to my ankles, and the top a few inches close to my elbows as proper pyjamas.
"So? The hell do I care about that? Shut up." Sisters. Honestly, they love to cling onto me. They claim I never spend any time with them and that I owe it to them. Every night, every day, they want to play with me, go to the movies and them and what not. Don't get me wrong, I love them, I love my family. I just need my space you know?
At that moment, my mum and dad just came through the door. Yes! The sisters go off to greet them, and I lazily replied a "Hi." from my study desk.
…
Dinner. And what better topic than my image and praise obsession.
"She's smart, but definitely off her rocker."
"Nah, weird is the proper explanation. The only reason why mum and dad allow her to continue is because she gets good grades.
"That's not true. Well.. partly true, but we'd like it too if she was herself outside."
"And besides, this has become part of her daily routine, it's hard to break."
Yep. They're speaking as if I wasn't there. I didn't care all that much anyway. I have food to eat, and even I agree I'm getting ridiculous, and yes it has been a part of my routine. It's just something I can't break, and something I don't want to break. Most of the time, I don't even realise this act I'm putting on. I'm satisfied with my life like this. I've got my best friends, Ron and Harry, my family, I love the Weasley family, I have my casual friends at Hogwarts, I have good grades, and I'm skilled at a lot of things.
Well, mum just asked about my day, said that Mrs. Next-Door saw me at a park with a boy. Asked me if I had a boyfriend they didn't knew about. Dad threw a fit.
"BOYFRIEND? Hermione, I love you more than anything in the world! I love your sister and mum too. So why would need another man to love you when you have me?! I'm a man!"
Just to clarify, my family didn't know about Victor Krum, I knew my dad would've done the same thing. Anywho, have to explain to father-dear that I would never go out with wanker-boy.
"He is not my boyfriend! If you must know, I hate him! He's a student from Hogwarts, who happen to be the Head Boy who was being friendly with me! And that's it."
Dad slowly sat down on his chair, a murderous look still glinting in his eyes. Very slowly, he picked up his fork, then began to ate, as if nothing happened. My mother and sisters who had a case of the giggles over Dad's reaction settled down and ate as if nothing happened as well. Then the normal talk burst out. Yup. Love my family.
His House
Came home, parents aren't here as usual. Slowly I walked up to my room, Momo the house-elf indicating that she'll bring me a snack. I thanked her and continued on upstairs.
My room is my sanctuary. I never allow my 'friends' inside, lest they see the muggle appliances and items. I lazily plopped onto my bed. This double life was just tiring. Of course, the rest of the house also had the muggle comforts, except everything was concealed within the walls. Especially at times like these when Voldemort was back in power.
There hasn't been any activities, and I'm most thankful for that. On the fifth and sixth year, there were only several disappearances, and at the most, eight counts of muggle on the Daily Prophet. Unbelievably small compared to the last rising of Voldemort as my parents said. It does worry me though, my father said Voldemort must be planning something big.
"Master Draco, here is the snack that Momo has prepared for you"
I smiled at the house-elf. "Thank you Momo," and graciously took the cake from her.
…
Dinner. Mother is away at Austria at the moment and only Father is home. He asks me what I did in muggle London.
"Oh, I actually met Hermione Granger. You saw her at the Quidditch World Cup. Anyway, she's going to be the Head Girl this year."
"Interesting. What exactly did you two talk about?"
"Nothing really. She had to go home and prepare dinner. I asked her for her phone number."
The rest of the dinner was spent in eating, father's tale of his day, and a conversation of what mother was up to. Outside the house, this conversation would not be possible. In a way, I hate the outside world. Maybe except for muggle London, but muggle world or wizarding world, I have to act in a way I hated. This is the only place I belong to.