Chapter Seven
Needing time away from each other Hermione had gone to Grimmauld Place to spend some time with Ginny and Harry for the day while Draco went to Theo's house with Blaise. In each of their opinions it was a good way to spend the Saturday after a week of having to endure each other's presence.
"Sound's like you had an interesting week, but on Wednesday it sounded like you were going to kiss her mate," Blaise grinned as Draco finished telling him and Theo about the week.
"I would never touch the filthy mudblood," Draco snapped as Theo sniggered.
"Sure," Blaise grinned.
Draco rolled his eyes.
"You know she's gotten pretty over the years, and we all know you could use some company," Theo said slyly.
"What are you getting at?" Draco inquired.
"I'm saying maybe you should date Granger for real. I mean she may be a little know-it-all but she never really was all that bad in school and if anything she's gotten better over the years, and not just in looks," Theo clarified.
"I don't go lusting after mudbloods Theo," Draco sneered.
"Really? Then why was it that you kept peering at Granger during the Yule Ball during our forth year? So much so that Pansy teased you about it for months on end," Theo asked smirking.
Oh he was clever that one, Draco had fallen right in to his trap and Theo knew he knew it.
"Very clever Theo," Draco mumbled sipping his Firewhisky.
The three old friends sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"Did you know Marcus is holding another ball next Saturday?" Blaise asked into the silence.
"No," Theo and Draco said together.
"Not surprised, I heard from Goyle. Invitations will be send out Monday, Luna and I are going what about you guys?" Blaise asked.
"Sure, Daphne's always looking for some way to show off so I doubt she'll object," Theo sighed.
"If you dislike her so much then why do you stay with her?" Draco asked, tired of the gloomy moods that came from one of his closest friends whenever the oldest Greengrass was mentioned.
"I have my reasons."
"Reasons being?" Draco prodded.
"Make of it what you wish."
Draco rolled his eyes deciding not to push it.
"You and Hermione should go; it'll help with the publicity thing," Blaise said, "Only reserved guests will attend and Marcus can keep them quiet. Let a reporter in and get a short glimpse, no harm no foul. The public is bound to notice her soon enough, and the sooner the better right?"
"I guess," Draco sighed.
"Pansy coming?" Theo asked.
"Dunno, if she's not I'll make her," Blaise shrugged.
"What about Adrian?" Theo inquired.
"I hate Pucey, so I sure hope not," Blaise answered.
"He did have a way of being a real pain," Theo shrugged.
"She has some really brown hair you know?" Ginny was saying as her and Hermione sat in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.
"Hmm?" Hermione asked.
"Malfoy's new girlfriend," Ginny clarified.
"Oh," Hermione said baffled by the sudden change in subject.
"Yep," Ginny said cheerfully, carefully watching Hermione. "I saw some more pictures in Witch Weekly," Ginny said after a short silence.
"That's nice," Hermione muttered making a mental note to get a subscription.
"She seemed to know Luna pretty well," Ginny stated.
"Oh," Hermione sipped her tea felling uncomfortable.
"Do you think I'm that stupid or do you want to keep it that big a secret?" Ginny asked conversationally no change in her tone.
"I don't think you're stupid," Hermione muttered carefully watching her tea.
"Then why don't you just tell me you're dating Draco Malfoy?" Ginny asked bluntly.
"I'm not."
"That's not what the tabloids say."
"They can be misleading and mistaken."
"Not always."
"But most of the time."
"Are they now?"
"Half and half."
"That doesn't make sense!" Ginny snapped.
"They are purposely mislead but not mistaken within the purpose of why they are being mislead. In reality if you're in on the fact of why they are misleading then you would be mistaken because it's not all real but it seems to be to the public. So it all depends on what side of the veil you're on. The knowing side or the showing side." Hermione spoke quickly choosing her words carefully.
There was a short silence while Ginny tired to figure this out, "So… you're not cheating on my brother?"
"With all due respect it's quite the opposite." Hermione said with venom in her voice.
"And you're not sleeping with Malfoy?"
"What?" Harry all but yelped as he came through the kitchen door.
Hermione sighed.
"Oh my god, you are! Well I mean not that I blame you, look at him. And it would put my idiot brother in his place, and you'd be enjoying it while doing it. Well that sentence right there has double meaning then doesn't!" Ginny was practically jumping with in her seat rambling on while Harry looked truly baffled.
"NO! I am not sleeping with Draco Malfoy!" Hermione spoke loudly over Ginny's unexpected excitement.
"I would hope not," Harry said.
They just ignored him.
"It's a scheme. A trick. Revenge," Hermione said.
"At Ron," Ginny concluded.
Hermione sighed and nodded, "Ginny, I am sorry-,"
"It took you long enough! It's great you're loyal and believe in my brother and all but it's about time you got over him! And your idea is genius! Sneaking around with Draco Malfoy," Harry splutters in the corner but Ginny ignores him and goes on, "will really get him all riled up and then you can confront him and," she let out a girly squeal, "Oh Hermione you're amazing, and you get some fun in it too! You have to admit Draco Malfoy is oh my Merlin super-,"
"Super what Gin?" Harry asked playfully raising an eye brow.
Ginny giggled, "Super ugly compared to the all mighty Harry Potter," Ginny kissed him.
"That's more like it," Harry grinned, looking over the word 'compared'.
Hermione just smiled at them, she wished she could have a relationship like Ginny and Harry but she'd taught herself over the past few months not to dwell on it, it only got her depressed.
"So," Harry said, "Let me get this straight. You're going out with Draco Malfoy to get revenge on Ron for cheating on you with his fans?"
"No, I'm making it appear as if I'm going out with Malfoy to get revenge on Ron," Hermione clarified.
"Ah, of course."
Hermione shot him a death glare; his words seemed somewhat close to disbelieving but Harry either didn't notice her glare or he ignored it rather well sipping his tea.
Something weird was going on here; Blaise had had a similar reaction. In the end she just settled on the idea that it was just because they were boys.
Author's Note: Sorry, no Hr/D contact in this chapter but their will be plenty in next chapter! I had to let Ginny and Harry in on the plan thought and I think they just needed some time away from each other!
Hmm, how about a preview?
"Look at me," Draco whispered.
Hermione did as he asked and felt him push her up against him and lower his head until his lips were slanted just over hers.
Yes, I am very evil!
Oh my goodness, she is! I need to read the next chapter! So, who's seen Eclipse? I HAVE! I just got back. Trust me, it won't disappoint. Say for the wait guys, we're making a horror film in our French class and I had to write the script, co-direct and I am one of the lead roles as well – co-editor too! Much love and TWILIGHT, zzzooe. x
YA, Zoe! Sounds so fun! Hmm, well I haven't seen Eclipse but I imagin I will evetually when it comes out on DVD. I'll probally go to a friends house and watch. (Ya!) So, any of you guys seen it?