A/N-Hey everyone! How are you guys? Good? Fantastic. Sorry it took me a little over a week to get this chapter up- school started up again…so that meant crazy homework…plus dance and all the extra stuff that the school year brings that takes up one's time. It sucks, but I'm surviving. So, just to let everyone know, I'll probably be updating on the weekends because it's hard to write during the weekdays now. I hope that's okay with everyone. )

Amazing reviews, loved them as usual. Ya'll are great. And thanks to everyone who's reading the story too. Two things: one- someone brought to my attention that Slughorn is the potions teacher now…wow- completely forgot about that so thank you so much. But I think I'll just keep Snape there because he just seems more fitting for that job. And don't worry guys! A 'real' kiss between the two (not for show) is coming your way soon! Glad everyone's enjoying the fic.

So, onto the next chapter )

Ch4- "I have no sympathy for you. I'm only stopping because you gave me a headache. You'd better hope, Draco Malfoy, that no one saw you." Hermione took the pillow and whacked him in the back of the head with it, ignored his cry of "Bitch!", took a shower and headed to sleep.

Draco sat on the couch, head pounding, thinking of everything that just happened now and at that party….

…oops

Chapter Five- Picture Perfect…or not

Hermione was seated under a tree with Ginny, exactly to the left of the Quidditch pitch. Students were either eating, walking from class to class, or they were on their free like the two young ladies were.

Hermione had avoided Draco all morning; it was now 11:30. Lunch was going to begin soon, but Hermione just had to get some more information from Ginny.

"Okay Ginny, tell me one more time, what happened after Lavender left?" Hermione pushed.

"Hermione, No! I told you twice already…I'm hungry." Ginny whined, annoyed at this protracted conversation.

"Please? It's really important Gin."

"Fine. It was a half hour into the party and I was a little…dizzy. Lavender had left with some guy, and I was sitting on one of the sofas, playing with some red, shiny thing that kept--"

"Anyway…"

"Right. Sorry. So…

The lights were dim in the Slytherin Common room; the cold atmosphere and the gray stone wall accented the darkness. Students were scattered around in different groups, whispering low, probably plotting for some future mayhem next week. There were some other people from different houses, not many, but some.

The party wasn't much of a party at all. There were many drinks: Spiked butterbeer or firewhiskey, but there wasn't any music or any laughter.

Aside from the few standing groups, and the snogging couples in the corners, there was nothing interesting.

Nothing compared to a Gryffindor House Party…

…But maybe the 'depressed' theme was how the Slytherins liked it.

It was quite dull for Ginny. Why was she even there? Something about Lavender…and some boy…and she could've sworn there was an 'emotional support' thrown in there too…

But, lavender was…well, Merlin knew where she was, and Ginny was about to fall asleep. And she'd rather shave her beautiful red hair then fall asleep in the Slytherin common room. She got up to leave, fell back down into the chair from dizziness, slowly tired again…and trekked her way to the portrait whole.

Black blotches started clouding her vision when she heard an obnoxiously loud voice.

"All right Zabini, I'm going home to the Mrs." Draco Malfoy laughed, with a huge wink after 'Mrs.'

"You do that Malfoy, you get on that." Blaise encouraged as he raised his glass in the air to salute him.

Draco laughed and turned towards the portrait, taking another swig from his brandy, and then bumped into some girl.

"Oops." She said, bumping into the wall to let him pass.

"Not a problem." Draco commented, opening the door.

Ginny looked funnily at him, snorted, and then started cracking up into a fit of giggles. Draco smirked lazily when he saw this girl's state. She was clutching her rib cage so hard and was bent over double.

Draco tapped her on the shoulder and she snapped upright too fast, causing her to fall over to the ground. Draco started at her for a second and began laughing at her.

After a moment of hushed 'shhh!'s, Draco picked her up by her elbow and dragged her outside into the hall. They both tripped out of the hole, holding each other up.

Ginny looked at him girlishly and smiled "thanks."

"Thank you." He smirked.

Ginny rubbed her eyes for a second, and squinted at him. He was slightly out of focus, but his profile sure looked gorgeous. She only thought one person could fit that description.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"There's a party!" Draco ran his fingers through his hair tiredly, and closed his eyes while slumping against the opposing wall.

"How did…get…?."

"Dunno"

"Wh--... Huh?"

"What?"

"What?"

"Okay."

20 second silence…

"I'm… sleep."

"Yeah."

The two opened a class room door and stepped in, lying on the floor. They looked at each other through half opened eyes for a moment, and then Draco asked,

"Girl?"

Ginny didn't answer with words. She rolled on top of him and started kissing him aggressively. They snogged for about two good minutes before Ginny said in-between ragged breaths,"sigh You taste …beer…oh… Harry I'm sick."

As Ginny rolled off of him and ran to the corner, Draco sat up and scratched his head. "Potter? ……………Fuck."

He squinted his eyes at the heaving girl once more, and then ran out the door to the Head Dorms.

"…next thing I know, I'm in some abandoned potions classroom, some guys robe is on the floor, and I'm in the corner sick. Then you ran in and I fell asleep."

"Then I cleaned you up, brought you to your dorm and yelled at Draco."

"I'm surprised you helped me after what I did."

"Gin, I'll always help. But actually, I didn't know you did anything until he told me after I got back. I mean, he ran in smelling like beer, said where you were, and then when I was done with you he was sleeping. I woke him up and started yelling, not really putting two and two together."

"Why were you so mad?"

"You would be to if that prat put everything in jeopardy cause he wanted some 'excitement'."

"He didn't mean it, neither did I."

"Yes I know, but we made rules and he should abide by them."

"Of course Hermione." Ginny smiled and rolled her eyes. Her and her rules.

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"Took you long enough. We have rounds." Draco stated later that night, startling Hermione. He was standing behind her in the mini kitchen as she walked straight through their door towards her room. She stopped upon hearing his voice and decided to humor him.

"OOOH! I didn't know if you felt like actually doing them tonight, so I thought I'd just get a few things done first, just incase I'd have to wait up for you again." Hermione smiled falsely.

"Okay, Granger. When you gonna let this one go." He said in more of a command to do so than a question.

"As soon as I know you won't do it again."

"Well, you're just going to have to trust me." He said, pouring some water.

Was that all Malfoy's could do? Pour a measly glass of water? God forbid they learn how to make a sandwich.

"Just like you trust me, right?" she scoffed.

He raised an uneasy eyebrow.

"That's what I thought."

"Let's just go." He sighed, putting his robe over his uniform.

"Be patient." She said. Hermione turned and walked up the 7 stairs and stood up on the landing. Draco's room was on the left, and about ten feet down the landing was her room on the right. Between their doors were rows of books and Hermione stopped to look at one. She picked it up, and walked towards her door. Opening it, she put her bag down and started fixing things up in her room.

Anything to waste time and make him wait.

"Let's go Granger!"

"I'll be just a minute!" she called, sitting on her bed reading some Arithmacy notes. She was going to do rounds, she just wanted to get Draco back first.

A minute passed…

"What the fuck are you doing up there?"

"Malfoy, we don't use that language!"

"Right…so after I wait for another 5 minutes, do rounds by myself, become your bitch and restrict my language, then shall I just start calling you 'mother' too?" He called to her being extremely frustrated. Though his anger wasn't just starting in here; it was clear to her that he had a bad day. She could tell because he wasn't taunting her or smirking. He was concise and pretty straightforward.

What was his problem?

'Probably didn't get his daily dosage of attention today' she thought.

"If you want." She smiled and walked down the stairs to him.

"Fuck no! What's your issue? I'd rather you yell at me then act like a wife."

"Now is that irony or what?"

"Granger, you're trying my patience."

"And Malfoy, you've used mine up. I've had it with you-"

"Ah, here comes the woman we all know and love to hate."

"-You come to me…for MY help. I've accepted, and I'm trying to put on this façade-"

"Right. By ignoring me all day? Or by going OUT OF YOUR WAY to walk around me? Wow- real spouse like."

"And kissing Ginny IS? What is that Malfoy?"

"For Merlin's sake-" he rolled his eyes and started pacing, "I was DRUNK! D-R-U fucking N-K! I don't get how you can't see that."

"I do see that and I know you weren't in control of what you were doing really. But what I don't see is if you're so wrapped around this lie of ours, how you would even risk exposure." She spat, turning around to face him every time he circled her.

"I wasn't risking anything! You act as if I went to a strip club and hired Skeeter to come write a bloody article about it and then post it for the whole wizarding world to see! This was a SMALL party, with people who were smashed and no one noticed anything!"

"How do you know that if you were drunk? You didn't know the status of everyone in there." She folded her arms.

Draco looked at her, about to burst, but then used his thumb and forefinger to pinch the bridge of his nose, standing there with his eyes closed. He kept mumbling but she only made out some words, "mudblood…1…infuriating………big hair……..4…most annoying wife…………need scotch…"

"Malfoy." She said, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"This is ridiculous. You're making a big deal out of nothing."

"It's your fault. Maybe if I was with you I could've prevented this."

"Oh Merlin Granger, I TOLD YOU TO COME WITH ME! Drop the 'holier-than-thou' act and stop denying that detail-" he shouted, throwing his hands out in front of him.

"BUT WE HAD PRIORITIES!…just like in this relationship! And if you choose to neglect those priorities, than I'll start neglecting this one." She walked away from him.

Draco threw his hands up in the air, and fell back into the couch. He threw his head back and banged it against the furniture a few times. Hermione went to the other side of the room, over by another bookcase in the corner.

"You're just jealous." He stated simply, sitting up with his elbows on his knees and his chin resting atop his folded hands.

"Excuse me?" she spun around slowly, with her hands on her hips.

"Why else would you care so much if you didn't secretly wish that you were in Ginny's place?"

Hermione let out a bitter, mocking laugh.

"Think it's funny?"

"Hysterical."

"Laugher is a sign of nervousness."

"It's also a sign of ridicule"

"Just admit it."

"Do I look nervous to you Malfoy?" Hermione stood up and walked over to him. "Do you think you scare me?"

"Yes." He stood up, standing a head and a half taller than her.

"Really? How? How do you know? What signs did your father teach you to look out for when you're cornering your victims?"

"You know Granger, since you don't know what you're talking about, I'll let that one slide." His eyes gleamed murderously.

"Don't do me any favors. I'm not asking for them this time."

"If you had the slightest idea of what I am capable of doing, you would be," he hissed, then he leant down into her face, and for a second Hermione was actually afraid he might kiss her. But instead, his lowered his gaze to hers and whispered,

"Don't forget what I am."

He turned on his heel and swept out the door.

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"I wonder if he stayed out in the sun if he could die." Ron pondered the next morning, stuffing a sausage into his mouth.

"What d'you mean?" Harry asked.

"Well, aren't albino's more sensitive to the sun?"

"Ronald!" Hermione looked up from her notes, "That's horrible!" she scolded. She couldn't care less about Malfoy, but the comment in general was crude.

"Sorry, sorry." He apologized. When Hermione looked down, Harry nodded his head in agreement. Ron laughed, and Hermione caught the exchange. She rolled her eyes and turned away from them to face Ginny.

"Hey Hermione? How many inches do you hold the wand from--"

"68." She smiled.

"Okay... that was plain weird. Are you a seer too?" she whispered, looking up from her homework that was due next period.

"No…I saw you pass over the question so I figured you'd get back to it."

"Thanks. So, how are things with Draco?"

"Well, there was another fight last night, no new news there…but things got pretty serious. I haven't seen him since. He does rounds in Slytherin and Ravenclaw, and he must've got in bed quickly."

"Oh. Well, sorry."

"No, no! It had nothing to do with you."

Well that was a lie.

And Ginny knew it.

"Okay, just a little. But more with the situation then with you. Don't worry, the conversation would've happened sooner or later."

"And you aren't speaking to each other." She confirmed.

"Er—no. Is it obvious?"

"Well, to me it is. But to people who still look up at you two like gods, I don't know."

"Merlin, it still hasn't worn off?"

"Hermione, it's only the first week of school."

"Don't remind me." She groaned.

Ginny gave her a small smile and returned to her work. Just then, Draco got up from his table, and was strutting over towards her. Somehow, she didn't notice, but the students did.

Hermione turned to her left when she heard Ginny make a small squeal in anticipation. She followed Ginny's gaze slowly, turning her head to the right. As soon as she looked over her shoulder, not even getting a glimpse of the man, Draco had quickly leant in and kissed her.

It was a rushed opening, as if Malfoy had made a mental decision to just get it over with as quickly as possible. Wait…

Malfoy was the guy right?

Well, duh, who else would be kissing her?

She kept her eyes open in shock for a moment, but then they slid closed easily…almost…instinctively.

…Which was incredibly bizarre seeing how she had never 'kissed' any boy until now.

Hermione had relaxed into the kiss and was now kissing back timidly, gently. His lips felt so familiar, like they had been doing this forever…or could be doing this forever…

But how was that possible? How would she have 'instinct' already with his kisses? Why didn't it seem so foreign, but instead…it felt so right? Yes, they had kissed already; quick pecks on the cheek, chaste kisses to the temple, she even kissed his ear (which was weird, and she got caught)… but never the lips. Not like this.

After what felt like ages, but was probably only 10 seconds, he pulled back. Hermione was almost sad to feel the air connect with her lips again.

And then she remembered just whose lips had left her…

…She then made a mental note to wash her mouth out with soap.

Though she would never admit under gunpoint, it didn't…it didn't make her sad…no, but…it displeased her, just a little, to know that the heavenly light kiss was all for show.

Sounds started to crash into her ears like rushing water, and she wondered if she had blocked everyone out or if they all had held their breaths.

Hermione suddenly became very self conscious that people had just witnessed their display. Something so personal to her…even if she didn't want it…that moment was supposed to be hers, but instead she shared it with the whole school.

How. Embarrassing.

Stupid Malfoy.

That's all he thought of it as; a bloody display. He knew she hadn't ever done that before…one would think he'd have some courtesy to wait until she said it was okay. But then again, Malfoy, plus compassion for others, equaled no solution. It just wasn't possible.

And where were the teachers? She looked over at the table. Granted, only half of them were there, but they were staring too.

Hello? Aren't they supposed to frown upon these things? Aren't they like, kissing Nazis?

Idiots.

She looked up at Draco, a little surprised at how she had just undergone all those emotions at once. She was left staring at him expectantly.

He looked down at her as she was coming to grasp everything that had happened. He was almost about to yank her out of the Great Hall for looking like a deer in the head lights after her 'husband' had kissed her.

Unless he had some disease from another woman, that's not how things worked.

But somehow, Hermione emitted a smile (it was fake, but it was there) and he whispered to her,

"Let's go."

Draco stood up and held out his hand; she grabbed it and they left a Hall full of gossipy students.

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"That went well, but next time, try not to look like I just announced I was pregnant."

Hermione stared at him for a second. "That would be…weird."

"And also impossible. Don't think to much about it. The point is--"

"I get it Draco."

"Good."

"Only, can you let me know what you're planning to do next time before you do it?"

"I'll try but I'm not making any promises. I do things when they need to be done. I don't really sit up in bed every morning, writing 'Kiss Granger in Great Hall' on a 'To-Do List'."

"Oh." Hermione said lowly as she self- consciously stuffed a sheet of paper further into her robe pocket.

Draco looked at her and smirked, shaking his head. "Don't tell me you do that Granger."

"Do what?" she asked innocently…or, she tried.

"Merlin, you do." He laughed as he let go of her hand and continued walking.

"I do not!" she stomped her foot down and then jogged to catch up with him.

"Oh so now you know what I'm talking about."

Hermione said nothing, but huffed in annoyance.

"So since you need everything planned out Granger, expect that at least twice every three days."

"No! That's absurd."

"It's not absurdjust because you're uncomfortable with getting attention in other ways then from your teachers. But 'married couples', even non-married couples show more attraction then we do. We have to work on that." He demanded. It was like this was a strategic game with him. Everything had to be done perfect to win.

"Fine." She gave in.

They walked in silence for a few moments.

"Give me your hand."

"Not this again, look Malfoy there's no one out here."

Draco didn't argue, he just grabbed her hand instead. Hermione tried to subtly pull it away….just incase someone was watching…but Draco had a strong grip.

"Sure Draco, I'd love to hold your hand. Thanks for asking" Hermione's sarcasm irritating Draco to no end.

"Well Hermione, I wouldn't have to force it if you weren't so stubborn." He said with a smile, just incase.

She returned the gesture, "Ohh, well I wouldn't be so stubborn if you displayed at least one decent quality of a husband…or I'll even settle for a human being."

"Are you saying I'm not nice enough? I think that money was immensely generous."

"Do you see the money in my hand Draco? I won't be getting that till next summer so you could probably be a lovely substitute if you tried."

"You want me to be nice?"

"At least civil."

"I am civil."

"This is you being civil?"

"No this is you pissing me off with all your bloody problems with how I run things."

"Well maybe if you consulted with me first I wouldn't have so many questions."

"You know, that's not a bad idea."

"You agree?"

"It's horrible. Then you would be running this bloody show and I can't have you do that. There are a lot of things you don't know about."

"Like…"

"You know, I have no idea how Potter and Weasley put up with you with their intelligence. I mean, if you bitch and nag at people who are smart, then I cannot imagine what you do to those two."

"Well Malfoy, at least they are good people that have feelings outside of hate and anger."

"Yes but they're none worth mentioning. What are they like love? Jealously? And Happiness? Please."

Hermione gasped mockingly. "Congratulations Draco. Step one to recovery- realize that there are other ways to feel. Unforgivable curses aren't everything- oww. Stop, Draco." Hermione hissed as Draco's grip tightened over her hand.

He kept his smile on the whole time…well it was more like a smirk, but he still looked happy to outsiders.

"You shouldn't talk about things you don't understand" he sing-songed.

"And you should stop hurting me or you'll be sorry." She stated, trying her hardest to wrench her hands free.

Draco let out a teasing laugh, "Oh really? What are you going to do? I'm really curious. Are you going to slap me again, or try to duel your husband? No, that might raise some questions. Maybe you'll call Potter, and have him send first year curses at me so he can blink me to death with all the flashy lights. Or how about Weasley? That'll really give me a laugh. He might be the most successful one out of you three cause while he throws curses, I'll be distracted by the thought of how pathetic his life truly is. So Hermione-" He stopped walking, let go of her hand, and faced her. "--What'll it be?"

Okay, he was officially the suckiest husband alive. Or maybe that could be arranged…

Hermione rubbed her throbbing right hand, feeling a tingly sensation come into her fingertips.

The bastard cut off her circulation.

She glared at his smirking face, and formed a sneer of her own, "Two words Draco: Anger Management."

"How about another two: Fuck No."

Hermione smiled, just out of spite, "Alright how about two more just because this game is so fun-" Draco raised his eyebrows for her to continue. "- Domestic Abuse."

Draco looked at her seriously. "What the hell are you saying?"

"Malfoy you need me more than you think you do. Start appreciating what you have here or I'm out."

"You can't leave."

"Can't I?"

"No. The spell remember? You can't get out of this."

"That's not true. There is a counter curse to every spell…and even if there wasn't, I know you've made one just incase things don't go the way you expect them to. Tell me I'm wrong."

Draco said nothing except glared right through her.

"So if you keep this up, I can very easily makethis turn bad. And since you were so fixated on having everything in the papers, the 'abusive husband' part can be too and your reputation will be ruined."

Draco took a menacing step closer "Are you threatening me, Granger?"

"No Malfoy, that's a Death Eaters job." She said, and then stormed off back towards the Great Hall leaving Draco staring after her.

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"Granger we have to talk."

Draco and Hermione had just come out of their rooms (the common room was always deserted when it was just the two…they never spent more time together then needed) and were getting ready to go to dinner. Draco stopped her once they had reached the couches. He had a serious…but almost a pleading look on his face, and Hermione was curious. Of course he wasn't going to ask for forgiveness…but it could be somewhere along the lines of an apology right?

"I've gotten two owls, one from Dumbledore and one from the Minister. I'm not completely certain on what Dumbledore has to say, I'm pretty sure it's a Heads meeting, but I know the Minister is meeting with us to talk about my involvement in the war."

Wrong.

"Us?"

"You're my wife. Us."

"Well what do I have to do?"

"Nothing right now. That meeting is not until mid-October. But we will have to practice a lot to get our stories completely straight. I'm sure the Minister won't be the only one listening to us."

"Great." She said, unenthusiastically.

"And the meeting with Dumbledore is tomorrow."

"Wonderful." She drawled.

Here was another load of STRESS added onto her schedule.

Go to advanced classes, have head girl duties, eating/sleeping, have some unwanted kisses from draco…though they weren't the worst things in the world… can't forget about the 3-4 different fights throughout the day with him, and NOW they had important 'meetings' with the Minister and Head Master. And the meeting at the Ministry not only decided Draco's fate…but she felt as if it also partly did hers as well.

It was weird how she (unwillingly, mind you) felt connected to him.

She hated it…but she was.

Nothing in this marriage could be easy for her, could it?

"I'm not overjoyed either. But it'll go smoothly."

Hermione looked taken aback. Was he being… comforting?

"It has to, my life depends on it." He said more to himself than to her.

Nope. Wrong again.