The Plan

Hermione's eyes fluttered open the next morning, greeted by the wonderful rays of sun that were streaming into the room through the open window. It took her a fraction of a second before she remembered who's arms were wrapped around her so safely, and the thought caused her to smile until she remembered Harry being knocked unconscious out in the common room. She sighed, wishing she could stay in Draco's arms if even for a moment longer. But the lessons awaiting them in less than an hour stood out clearly in Hermione's mind, and she could not afford to miss a class. So, she gently shifted Draco's arms and slid out of bed, not awaking him just yet. She then pulled on a robe and exited the bedroom. When she entered the common room, the unfortunate sight of Harry greeted her. He was sitting upright against the couch on the floor, clutching his head and squeezing his eyes shut as though trying to remember what happened.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. "Hermione!" he cried, catching sight of her immediately. He scrambled up off the floor and ran over to her. "Hermione, I'm so sorry about last night. I was angry and caught up in the moment, I didn't realize what I was doing. I didn't mean to push you, honest-"

This is my chance, Hermione thought to herself. "Harry, I don't think we should see each other anymore."

"No, don't say that." Harry said, sternly. "You're just angry. Don't base our entire relationship on one occurrence. It was just an accident!"

"One accident could lead to two which could lead to three and so on, Harry. I just don't think… I don't think that this should go further. You pushed me, Harry! I just want us to split up, okay?"

"No, I won't accept it!" Harry cried. He grabbed Hermione harshly by her shoulders and swiftly moved in, kissing her ruthlessly and attempting to lead her over to the couch.

Immediately, Hermione shoved him away from her. "Harry! What the hell is wrong with you? What did I just say? I don't want to be with you anymore, okay! I don't even know if I want to be friends with you anymore. You're making me sick!"

Suddenly, Malfoy appeared in the common room. He was yawning and stretching, obviously just waking up. After his prolonged yawn, he noticed Harry and Hermione brawling in the middle of the common room. Harry noticed him as well.

"So." Harry said, crossing his arms. He must have had the wrong impression. Malfoy emerging from Hermione's bedroom after a night like the previous one would probably have given anybody the wrong impression. "I see now why you're doing this. It couldn't be clearer."

"No Harry-" Hermione began, trying to correct his impression.

"You know what? Just fuck off, Hermione. Who would want to be with a little tramp like you anyway?" Harry said, angrily.

Hermione's jaw dropped out of shock. What the hell did he just say to me?

Malfoy yawned once more. Once he was finished, he said, "Potter, you'd better get out of here before I kick your ass again. You already look like shit, there's no need for me to make you look worse."

Harry angrily stormed out of the dormitory, most likely going back to the Gryffindor Tower where all of his things still resided and telling all of the juicy gossip to Ron.

"Well that was uncalled for." Hermione noted, shaking it off.

"What happened?" Malfoy asked, looking adorable as he wiped the sleep out of his eye with the back of his hand.

"I just kind of broke up with him." Hermione said, still confused. "Since we weren't even technically dating, I don't see how 'break up' is the correct terminology, but you know what I mean. Harry obviously did, too."

Malfoy strutted over to Hermione and placed both of his hands on her waist. He then leaned in and gave her a soft, gentle kiss. "Morning, Granger."

Hermione smiled. "Good morning, Draco. I thought we weren't going to 'do this'?"

Draco put on a hard look of consideration. "I changed my mind." He finally came up with. "You're just too irresistible to stay away from."

"Say the words, Draco." Hermione said, hopefully. This was how things got ruined with Ace. He had never properly asked her out.

Draco scrunched his noise up in disgust. "Come on, Granger!" He cried. "You know I don't like all of this-"

Hermione leaned in and kissed him lightly, shutting him up.

Draco sighed. "Okay, fine. Granger, will you be my girlfriend?"

Hermione's face broke into the biggest smile she'd had since they arrived at Hogwarts for their seventh year. "Yes!" She cried, throwing her arms around him and squeezing him tightly, never wanting to let go.

"You know we can't keep this quiet." Hermione finally noted. "This can't be a hush-hush relationship. For all we know, Harry's already told the entire school about what he thinks happened between us last night. How do we deal with that?"

"Who cares?" Draco answered, coolly. "If someone asks, tell them what you want. Once everyone finds out that it didn't really happen, I'll be the biggest loser in this damn school. But again, who cares?"

Hermione's smile broadened, but then another thought caused her to frown. "I don't want to live here with Harry!" She whined, suddenly remembering the new living arrangements. "And I don't want you to go!"

"Don't be stupid." Draco answered. "I don't have to go. I'll stay here with you for as long as you want. I'd rather you not be alone with that little shithead anyway."

"But Draco-"

"I know." Draco interrupted. "No sex."

Hermione grinned again. "You are so the best!"

Draco smirked. "No need to tell me. I already know. Look, I have to go get my stuff from Slytherin, okay?"

"Yeah, sure." Hermione agreed. "I have to get ready for classes anyway. See you when I see you?"

Draco smiled. "See you when I see you."

About half an hour later, Hermione emerged into the Great Hall, where she was instantly smothered by Lavender and Parvati.

"Hermione! Hermione!" They cried, racing up to her. "We overheard Harry telling Ron that you slept with Malfoy! Is it true? Is it?"

"Uh-" Hermione began.

"Hello, Granger." Draco said, materializing beside Hermione.

Lavender and Parvati gaped at Draco, then practically drooled as they awaited Hermione's answer.

"Did I sleep with Malfoy?" She repeated, looking up into Draco's dark, mysterious eyes. If she said no, she'd be telling the truth and saving herself from a possible bad image that was sure to arise. But if she said yes, she'd definitely be saving Draco from being tortured by all of the guys in Hogwarts.

She sighed, then nodded to indicate to the girls that she did in fact do the deed with Draco.

Lavender shrieked, while Parvati grabbed Hermione and squeezed her tightly, jumping up and down excitedly. "It's about time, too! Even if it was with him." Parvati cried, glaring at Draco.

Draco stood there, stunned by Hermione's answer. He knew that she only lied for him, to save his name, and he was more grateful than she would ever know. "I'm going to go over to the Slytherin table." He whispered in her ear. Hermione nodded, smiling and accepting the look of thanks swimming around in his eyes.

Draco swaggered over to the Slytherin table where he was greeted by Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Blaise Zabini and a swarm of other Slytherin guys itching to know what exactly happened last night.

"Way to go, dude!" Blaise cried, hitting Draco hard on the back. "You broke the virgin! Excellent!"

Draco tried to smile, but couldn't quite bring himself to doing it.

"So now that we all know she's weak, I think I'm gonna try and get her tonight-" Blaise said.

"Hell no!" Draco cried.

Blaise's face grew dark and slightly angry. "And why not, Draco?"

Draco sighed and took a deep breath. Hermione did this huge favor for him, so it was only fair that he do this for her. "Granger and I are dating."

Blaise spit out the drink that he had just sipped on. Crabbe, Goyle and all of the other guys looked stunned in disbelief. "The little mudblood is your girlfriend?" Blaise demanded.

"Yes." Draco answered, bravely. "As of this morning."

Blaise grabbed Draco by the arm and pulled him into the corner of the Great Hall, away from prying ears. "Please tell me you're joking, Draco."

"No joke." Draco replied, firmly.

"You don't date!" Blaise exclaimed. "You're the King of Slytherin! You can get any girl you want, and you finally got Granger. Congratulations to you! You can't have a relationship with a mudblood, Draco. If you must have one then have it with Pansy or someone, at least someone in Slytherin. Just not the little bitch."

"Watch it, Blaise." Draco warned, sharply. He then shut his eyes and apologized to the heavens and to Hermione for what he was about to do. "It's all a plan, my man. She's a vulnerable little girl, we all know that. Imagine how much fun it's going to be when I fuck her senseless and then just dump her for no reason."

Blaise grinned, evilly. "Brilliant, Draco. Just brilliant. And here I thought you'd gone soft. Ha! As if!"

Draco managed to fake a laugh. "I just have to act as her boyfriend for awhile, that's all."

"How long is awhile?" Blaise asked.

"Uh… I'm not sure. A few weeks maybe." Draco answered.

"Do what you want, dude." Blaise said. "Just make sure the girl falls for you hard. Fuck her twice a day if you have to. I want her to be in tears. No wait! I want her to leave Hogwarts, that's how upset she's going to be once you dump her. She's going to leave, and that rids this damn school of at least one muggle. You're genius, Draco!"

"Yeah, genius." Draco repeated, not really following. He was kicking himself inside, wondering why he would come up with such a stupid story. Why wouldn't he just tell Blaise that he has feelings for her? Why wouldn't he just say that Hermione was his choice and if Blaise doesn't like it, tough.

"I don't want anyone knowing, Blaise." Draco suddenly warned, worrying that this may travel to Hermione. He did not want her to know. Not that there is anything to know; this fake little plan isn't even going to happen, Draco told himself.

"Oh, top secret." Blaise said, grinning. "Alright then. My lips are sealed."

"Cool. Now I'm going to sit over with my 'girlfriend'." Draco said, emphasizing the girlfriend as though it were a joke. "I'll catch you later."

"Oh yeah, that you will." Blaise replied evilly, watching Draco strut over to the Gryffindor table. However, Draco stopped in mid-walk. He stood there in the middle of the Great Hall, watching Hermione. She was beautiful. She laughed along with Lavender and Parvati (while Harry sat with Ron further down the table, gazing at her with great dislike). She must not know what I just told Blaise, he thought to himself. She must never know.