Disclaimer: Scientists have proven the age-long mystery: JK Rowling writes the Harry Potter books, not Pippins Halfing! However, Pippins Halfling would like to say the plot is hers.

Chapter Seven: Deceiving Kisses

Draco sat in his room, tracing Hermione's face. He sighed, placing his photograph back underneath his pillow. His hands ached knowing Hermione's face would feel better than the picture he held dearly.

Tomorrow was Halloween. And he had a date with Hermione, sort of. They're just hanging out for a short time, but Draco pretended it was a date. In his dreams, it was a date.

And, finally, at long last, it was tomorrow. Halloween. Draco smiled as woke up, and walked to his trunk to carefully pick out a stunning pair of clothes. He needed to impress Hermione today. Hell, needed to impress her everyday.

He held up a yellow shirt. A yellow shirt? How'd that get in here? He shook his head and tossed it to the side.

A brown shirt? Ick. No. Mom must've sent that.

Green. Yes. Green always works. Green's his color right?

"Draco," Blaise said.

"What?"

"Why are you taking so long to pick out your clothes?"

"Oh, um… I just want to look nice for Pansy," Draco lied.

"You never cared before."

Blaise is too smart. Stupid Blaise.

"Well, today is Halloween." Draco's mind cheered for such a comeback.

"You never liked Halloween before."

"Well, I have a girlfriend now, Blaise. Perhaps you should find one, and then you'll understand."

His face paled even further, if that was possible. Why did he have to say that to him? Why!

"You know why I don't have a girlfriend," Blaise said, his voice sounding broken. "But you know I could have one if I wanted to."

"I know. I'm sorry," Draco said. "It wasn't supposed to come out like that."

"But it did."

"I know… It's just…"

"Just what?"

"I'm still getting used to the idea that you were… that you are—"

"That I'm a poof?" Blaise asked, not meeting Draco's eyes.

"Yeah, but… You know it doesn't matter to me, right? As long as you remain the same Blaise we all know and love, you'll still be my best mate. That, and I'll seriously injure anyone that gives you a hard time about it. Promise."

Blaise looked up and smiled. "Now, tell me, why are you taking so much time to pick your clothes?"

Blaise hadn't forgotten. Shit.

"Forget about it, Blaise," he said exasperated.

"Aw, c'mon. You didn't like Pansy before. Why so much attention now?" Blaise asked as he began to poke Draco's arm.

"Stop it!"

Blaise poked him again.

"Stop!"

Poke.

"I DON'T LIKE PANSY, OK!" Draco yelled. If there's one thing he can't stand, it's being continually poked by Blaise. And of course, Blaise starts to laugh at this idiocy.

"And…?"

"I'm in love with Hermione."

"Oh?"

"And, we're calling a truce today. I'm buying her a butterbeer."

"Ah… But, why Hermione?"

"I've… been having dreams about her. Really good dreams," Draco reflected.

"Kinky dreams?"

"No! No… nothing like that. We just talk and… It feels so real, Blaise," he said, twisting his bundle of clothes, still nervous of Blaise's reaction.

Blaise nodded in understanding. "You're using Pansy to make her jealous, right?"

"Right."

Blaise shook his head in disapproval, but didn't say anything. He knew Draco would say it wasn't any of his business, even though that's not true. Never has.

"Well, if you're going to meet Hermione, you're not wearing that."

"What's wrong with this?" exclaimed Draco. He liked these clothes.

"They don't match her."

"They don't match her?" What does that mean?

"A dark green shirt, Draco? She's in Gryffindor. Wear something neutral to both houses. You don't want to seem Slytherin today."

"How about my dark red shirt?"

"It looks like blood."

"So, that's a no?"

"A definite no."

"Then what do I wear?"

"Blue. It brings out your eyes."

Draco smiled. It's so useful to have such a feminine guy friend.

"Hi, Hermione," Draco said, handing her a butterbeer as he arrived at her table.

"Thanks," Hermione said before she took a sip. "I like your shirt."

Draco looked down. Ah yes, his blue shirt. "Thanks," he said as a smile came on his face. "Would you like to walk around a bit?"

"Sure," she said, standing up, and they left the Three Broomsticks. The place was too crowded sometimes.

The air outside felt cold and crisp, as autumn should feel. Hermione and Draco talked of books, and much to the surprise of Hermione, Draco has read some muggle books, but only a select few. Hermione couldn't discuss books with Ron and Harry. They like something more physically active than mental.

"I didn't like Romeo and Juliet," Draco said.

"Why not?"

"They're two stupid teenagers. If they continued to live, would they have loved each other ten years later or have moved on?"

"But it's a great love story."

"How is it great? Their families hate each other, so they can't be together. Then, they kill themselves to be together in death. It's idiotic."

"The death is unfortunate," Hermione admitted. "But they went through great lengths to love each other and stay with one another."

"Yes, that part is quite romantic," Draco said. "Do you—"

"Draco!" yelled a voice from behind. Draco and Hermione turned around to see Pansy running towards Draco.

And inside, Draco was also running. Away from Pansy, that is.

A smiled forced itself on to Draco's face. When Pansy reached them, Draco kissed his girlfriend sweetly on the lips before saying his farewell to Hermione.

Hermione smiled, but her eyes stared at Pansy coldly. But when Draco looked at her, her eyes changed into something slightly happier. "You guys make a cute couple," she said. "Well, see you later." She then walked away. Once Draco and Pansy couldn't see her anymore, she changed her pace to a run, so she could reach the castle sooner.

When she finally reached her room, she found tears running down her face. She wiped them away, not allowing herself to cry. "There's still time," she said to herself. "He won't be with her forever." She told this to herself over and over as she searched for a quill and parchment.

Dear Draco,

I can't believe you're with a girl that doesn't have any brains. She's empty inside. I can offer you more.

Truly yours,

Silent Watcher

Hermione put her quill down, content with what she wrote.

She rolled her words up and went to the owlery.

Draco smiled as he read the note. If this was from Hermione, his plan was going just as he wanted. But, if it wasn't Hermione… Well, Draco wasn't going to think about that.

However, the clock said it was 9:00pm, and Draco knew the party should start around now. He needed to make a grand entrance, though. That meant he also needed to arrive late.

A/N: And this is where I cut you off. Perhaps you'd like to tell me what his "big entrance" should be? I might alter my ideas if I like yours better. Just a thought. Also, I'm trying to stop doing "so and so's POV" because I find it annoying. However, if it's confusing to you guys to not have it up, could you please tell me, so I can add them back into future chapters? Thanks, and…

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