The Contract
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter in anyway, shape, or form(though I wish I did because J. K. Rowling has to be one of the richest people in the world by now).
Summery: Tired of being asked out by guys she wouldn't want her worst enemy to date, Hermione decides to take Oliver Wood's offer. Oliver Wood, tired of being mobbed by almost every girl within twenty feet of him, hears about Hermione's problem and offers a solution; they pretend to go out until one of them finds another person they want to date.
Hermione: 5th year(15 yrs. old) Ron: 5th year(15 yrs. old)
Harry:5th year(15 yrs. Old) Lavender: 5th year(15 yrs. old)
Oliver: 6th year(16 yrs. Old) Alicia: 6th year(16 yrs. old)
Fred & George: 6th year(16 yrs. Old)Katie: 6th year(16 yrs. old)
Ginny: 4th year(14 yrs. Old)Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle: 5th year(15 yrs. Old)
Chapter 3
That night Hermione relived the silent match she and Oliver had had outside of the locker room. She knew by barely acknowledging the supposed 'Sexist Man on Campus' that she would annoy the hell out of him. Sitting in the back of the Common room she grabbed the book that she'd snuck out of the library, 'Deadliest Magic Spells', from her pack, opened it, and continued taking notes.
She was happy to finally have time to herself. Sitting in the back usually told people that you wanted to be left alone and if she was lucky she would be. Turned out, she wasn't that lucky.
"Hey," Oliver said sitting down across from Hermione. He had a nervous grin on his face that made Hermione want to grin stupidly at him and giggle. Hermione inwardly made a face. Giggle at a boy? That was just something that Lavender and Parvati would do. No offense to Lavender.
"Hey," Hermione returned. She looked back down at the book and continued her work.
"What're you doing?"
"Working."
"On what?"
"Something that'll help me when I get out of school. What do you want?" Hermione dropped her quill and looked up at Oliver expectantly.
"Have you thought about what I asked you this morning?"
"Yeah."
"And?" he asked in anticipation.
"And I'm still thinking about it. Are you even sure this is a good idea."
"Yep. Don't you?"
"Honestly? No. There's so much that can go wrong with your plan. What if you find someone else."
"Then we break up."
"What if I meet someone else."
"Then we break up."
"What if we just get on each others' nerves?"
"We don't have to spend every moment together. All we do is put in the occasional appearance here and there." Hermione took a deep breath and looked skeptically at Oliver.
"Why me?"
"Huh?" Oliver seemed to be caught off guard. This was one question he hadn't thought she'd ask.
"Why me?" she repeated slowly. "You must have a slew of girls that would kill for this."
"B-because."
"Because what?"
"Because you're the only one I can trust. You won't get all clingy on me or anything."
"Excuse me?"
"I mean, you understand how I feel. You won't get possessive. We'll be able to save each other the constant stress of flocks and fleets of the opposite sex hitting on us. And we might even get to be real good friends."
"Imagine," Hermione said smiling. "Logic from the mouth of Oliver Wood; the Quidditch fanatic. I thought the only thing you really thought about was Quidditch."
"It is...most of the time," he smiled slowly back at her. "So...will you think about it?"
"I have. I've made out a contract." Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out a stack of stapled papers. She handed them to Oliver.
Oliver's eyes widened. "A contract?"
"Yeah. You sign here. I've already signed."
"Can I read it first?"
"Sure. But it states everything you've told me."
"'I, Oliver Wood, do hereby agree to pretend to be Hermione Granger's spouse until the time that either of us should tire of the others company or find someone else.'," he read in astonishment. "This is a bit over the top, don't you think?"
"No. This is just to make sure that there's no mistake about what we're getting ourselves into."
"'No sex, no kissing, no fondling'," he read becoming more and more confused with each word. "'PDA allowed only if necessary.' What is this?"
"Just laying down ground rules."
"Ground rules for what? Celibacy?"
"No. Just since this is pretend we should know what we can and can't do."
"This is ridiculous. Why can't I fondle?" Hermione rolled her eyes. Oliver laughed. "Just joking. You drive a hard bargain, but okay." He signed the contract ignoring the nagging doubt in the back of his mind.
The next morning Oliver was waiting in the common room for Hermione to appear. The day before, they'd agreed to meet there to prepare for their first appearance in the Great Hall as boyfriend and girlfriend.
Hermione showed a few moments later, descending the staircase slowly. Oliver looked up with baited breath and for the first time realized his attraction towards the Granger girl.
'It's nothing serious,' he thought to himself. 'So she's attractive. So what? I've seen plenty of attractive girls before and this one is no different.' He mentally shook himself of his thoughts and offered his arm to Hermione who was now standing in front of him looking just as nervous as he felt.
"Ms. Granger," he said clearing his throat. Hermione took a deep breath and smiled before accepting Oliver's arm and allowing him to lead her out of the common room towards the Great Hall.
"Are you ready for this?" Oliver said quietly to Hermione as they stopped right before the doors leading into the Great Hall. "You know it's going to cause a buzz, right?" Hermione nodded mutely.
"We'll handle it," she swallowed. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath. When she opened her eyes again she was cool and collected. She was herself again. "Let's go."
"Harry," Ginny said. "Pass me the...oh my God!" Ginny gasped and stared openly at the doors leading out of the Great Hall. When the others turned to see what had her so shocked, they choked on their food. Hermione Granger and Oliver Wood were walking hand-in-hand towards the Gryffindor table. He whispered something in Hermione's ear and she giggled and blushed.
"Is that what I think it is?" Ron gulped. Harry said nothing as he was still in shock. The couple in question seemed to ignore the buzz around them and sat with their friends, taking care to sit side-by-side.
"What in the bloody hell has happened in the last twenty-four hours that you didn't tell us?" Harry said once he'd found his voice. He glared menacingly at Wood who frowned in response.
"Well," Hermione said quietly stealing a glance at Wood. "For the past few weeks, Oliver and I have been seeing each other secretly."
"No!" Lavender and Ginny gasped in surprise.
"Yes," Hermione said smiling. "We decided yesterday to make it official and let people know about us." Lavender and Ginny squealed and moved to give both Hermione and Oliver hugs.
"I'm so happy for you two," Lavender smiled and Ginny nodded in agreement. Lavender turned to Harry and Ron with a menacing look. "We all are," she threatened.
"Uh, yeah," Ron swallowed. He elbowed Harry in the ribs.
"Yeah," Harry said. "Really happy." He gave a genuine smile and hugged Hermione. He turned to Wood and shook his hand. He pulled the other guy close and whispered in his ear. "You hurt her and you'll never live long enough to pass on the family name." Wood's eyes widened in surprise at Harry's uncharacteristic threat. He cleared his throat.
"I won't," he promised honestly. "There's no way I could hurt Hermione."
"I can't believe that worked!" Hermione said after breakfast. "I mean, I thought for sure they'd see right through us." Wood grinned.
"I knew it would work," he boasted. "I'm glad they bought it. Now word of mouth will help us out and by tonight everyone will know that you're my girl." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Possessive much?" Wood grinned.
"Well, it's true. You know, according to the contract and all." Hermione laughed.
"Alright, Wood, what's next?"
"There's a trip to Hogsmeade this tomorrow. That's our next appearance. Prepare yourself because we'll be doing lots of PDA." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Goody," she deadpanned. This time it was Wood who raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he asked. "You think an afternoon of making out with me will be work?"
"Possibly." Wood grinned and Hermione's eyes widened. "No," she said backing away from the handsome Quidditch captain. "No."
"What?" he asked again moving closer to her for every step she took backwards.
"Don't," Hermione said again. "This was not in the agreement." Wood stopped.
"You're right, but you said if it's necessary." Hermione nodded and stopped moving. Big mistake, as next thing she knew she was in Oliver's arms being kissed soundly. She gave in soon after her shock subsided and then realized what she was doing. By that time the kiss was winding down and she had no trouble pushing Oliver away.
"Don't," she gasped. She glared at Oliver. "What the hell was that?"
"A kiss," Wood said. His chest moved quickly showing he was a bit winded from their exertion.
"Yeah, I know," Hermione said. "You signed a contract, remember? That was not apart of the agreement, so I don't plan on repeating the performance, unless it's needed." Oliver grinned.
"If you ask me, it was needed a lot."
"Oh, shut up!" Hermione said angrily before stalking off towards the library as Oliver watched in amusement. He touched his lips as he could still feel Hermione's lips there.
"My God, Granger," he whispered to himself. "This is going to be harder than I thought."
