A play about Hermione Granger

Scene 4 Getting It All Straight

Hogsmeade, Three Broomsticks pub. Draco enters, looking around. Hermione is sitting alone in the far back corner with hair pulled back under hat as to be unnoticed. Draco sees her and goes to sit across the table from her

DM: Good afternoon Hermione.

HG: Hello Draco (weak smile)

DM: So, have you been considering my proposition?

HG: I wasn't aware it was a proposition. I thought it was just straightening out what happened last week.

DM: Well, in a way it is. I do want it straightened out. Therefore, I propose that you and I should date. What do you say to that?

HG: But Draco, we're 17. We're only sixth years. We're not old enough to date exclusively.

DM: Yes, but my parents were married at the end of their seventh year. Harry's parents married in their seventh year. If you think that's early, I know for a fact that Cornelius and the first Mrs. Fudge started dating in their fourth year, and were married secretly at the end of their sixth. They lived in separate houses for an entire year while they were married so that they could finish schooling. No one knew until He-who-must-not-be- named killed her three years after. Fudge married again two weeks later. Everyone found out because it turned out he'd been having an affair since the spring semester of his seventh year, but didn't want to break up his marriage. He had to get a new marriage decree and it went public that he'd been married before.

HG: See Draco, that's the problem. Even if I was sure I wanted to date you, I know your reputation. You'd date other girls and tell me it was just a cover-up because you didn't want anyone to know that a Gryffindor and a Slytherin were dating. Eventually you'd run off with another girl, probably a Hufflepuff or a Ravenclaw, and leave me back at Hogwarts all alone. I know what you're doing, and I don't want to follow that plan!

DM: All right, I see your concern, and I have a solution. Here it is: we date in secret for two months, in which we both appear to be single. We are, however, allowed to flirt, but I promise you that I will not kiss any girls but you, no matter how cute they tell me I am, provided that you promise not to fool around with Ron or Harry.

HG: Not to what?

DM: Oh right, like I don't know that you hang around with two guys all the time. I don't trust either of them. Anyway, if we give those promises and manage to stay together for two months, we will begin telling people that we are dating someone seriously, but not tell them who. If we withstand that for a month, we'll tell the world, and I promise never to date any other girl as long as we are a couple. Sound fair?

HG: Well...I guess that's fair, but I have a few rules as well.

DM: Yes? Go ahead.

HG: First of all, after the first week we are allowed to tell our two closest friends we are dating but not tell them who until we tell everyone else. Second, when we are together, Crabbe and Goyle are not in the area. If you want, I can banish Harry and Ron as well. Third and last, you may not call me a Mudblood under any circumstances. Alright?

DM: Is it an agreement? Are we dating?

HG: Not until we sign a contract.

DM: A contract? To date? Are you nuts!

HG: No. It contains all of our rules. I've been writing it as we've been speaking. If the contract is broken, the relationship is over. At the end of four months, we'll decide if we need a new contract.

DM: If we must.

HG: Yes we must. (pulls contract from under table) Sign here and here

DM: (signs with large loops and flourishes) (sighs) There. Now you sign.

HG: Alright, (takes out quill and signs both places) Now we're officially a couple.

DM: Hermione?

HG: Yes Draco?

DM: Sometimes I think you must be crazy. But I love you all the more for it!

HG: (smiles weakly) really?

DM: Absolutely. Want to visit the shrieking shack?

HG: Sure, but how do we avoid being seen?

DM: Easy. You go up the hill alone around the first bend, and I'll follow a few minutes later.

HG: Alright, meet you there!

DM: Wait! One second.

HG: What? (impatiently)

DM: Could you take that dreadful hat off and let your hair out? I love seeing it flow free in the wind. (smiles gently)

HG: (bright smile) Of course ...dear.

DM: See you in a few minutes!

Hermione leaves, Draco sits back down

End Scene