The very next day Hermione and Pansy set out to start the revenge that would hopefully cheer Hermione up and let her be herself again. She was still upset, but thought that she should trust Pansy and let loose for a little while. Pansy had a suspicion that Draco actually did like Hermione, but was to afraid to say anything, after all he wasn't a Gryffindor, he didn't possess the courage to just come out and say things like that like Hermione did. No he was a Slytherin, and they only knew how to get what they want through blackmail. At first Hermione was unsure of Pansy plan, thinking that there was no way she could possibly make Draco jealous, but Pansy was adamant that her plan would work. The first thing they did was find a guy who would play the part of Hermione's love interest. Hermione wanted to make sure they knew that it wasn't real, she wouldn't forgive herself if someone got hurt because of her. Pansy said that they should have a Slytherin pretend to be Hermione boyfriend, because that would make Draco the most jealous. He wouldn't care if a Ravenclaw, a Hufflepuff, or a Gryffindor because he would feel as if they were beneath him, even though he thought most Slytherin's were beneath him, they would make him the most jealous, especially if they used one of his friends. At first, Pansy had thought they should use Blaise, but quickly decided against it knowing that Draco wouldn't be stupid enough to fall for that, so they decided to go with Theodore Nott. Though they weren't the best of friends, they still were around the same people more often then not and Pansy made sure that Nott would talk about Hermione for a few days before officially asking her out on a date.
The next Hogsmeade trip was in two weeks and Mcgonagall planned it this time so that Hermione and Draco could have some time off because of how extensive their studies were becoming. Pansy wanted Nott to ask her out in one week, and then go on a date to Hogsmeade where she would be sure Draco would be. After telling all of this to Nott, he couldn't wait to get to work, having a friendship with Draco was one thing, but to have one up on him with the girl he liked was even better, especially for a Slytherin. That very day during the only class that they had together, potions, Hermione and Pansy sat together near the front, while Draco sat off to the side with Nott. As they were making a potion, Pansy quickly looked over to where Nott was sitting and gave him a look that meant it was time to start the plan. Nott understood, and started talking non stop about Hermione, he said how much he was starting to like her, and how pretty he thought she was. Normally Draco would not care about what Nott had to say, but once he heard him say Hermione, he was instantly interested in him. He tried to pry without Nott really noticing that he was actually interested in his personal life for once.
"How long have been interested in Granger?" Draco practically growled at him.
Nott smirked at him, one that could possibly rival the Malfoy smirk, and said "Since 3rd year actually, but told myself that could never happen, now I have hope that it actually could."
Draco hid his look of disgust but decided he needed to know more, "why would you think that you have a chance with her now?" Draco asked.
"There's been some gossip around the great hall that she has the hots for me, and today I'm asking her out." Nott said proudly.
Draco really couldn't believe his ears, and thankfully he didn't have to stick around much longer, because the bell rang only seconds after that and he shot out of there before anyone could keep him back. Nott stayed back with Pansy and Granger and told them everything that happened, including that he has to ask Hermione out today, and Pansy agreed that it was a good idea, and they should eat dinner together, so that everyone would think they would soon become a couple. Hermione was nervous about moving this fake relationship so fast, but decided to leave it to Pansy, and said goodbye before darting off to Charms.
That night at 6 o'clock Hermione met Pansy and Nott out by the great hall. Pansy wouldn't be sitting with her, because she thought that it would look better if they were alone, like they were on an actual date. Pansy hugged Hermione good luck and ran off to meet Blaise at the Slytherin table. Before going into the hall, Hermione asked Theo where he would like to sit, and what would cause the most spark in Draco. Theo decided to sit at the Gryffindor table, and took Hermione's hand before embarking on this adventure together. Hermione blushed and had a grin on her face, not expecting him to do such a thing like that. To those who looked at her, would think she was blushing from being with a man whom she was supposed to be head over heels with, so it really worked out to their advantage that Hermione embarrassed so easily. Pansy had one job, which was to announce to Blaise that Hermione had come in, claiming that she had been looking for her almost have the night, making Draco think that she was with Nott all night. Though Hermione couldn't see his face, Pansy smiled so big at her that made her think that he was mad and jealous. Hermione and Theo made their way to the Gryffindor table to sit next to Dean Thomas.
They started eating and since it was supposed to look like a real date, Theo started asking her questions about her muggle life. She told him of her time when she was a child before she found out about magic, and what it was like to grow up a muggle. She told him about cinema centers, and had to explain to him what exactly they were, she told him about eating popcorn while watching the moving pictures and how much fun she has when she goes home for the holidays and sees her muggle friends again. She asked him about his childhood, how it was to be brought up always knowing about magic, and he told her all about it. He confessed to her how he always wanted to know what it was like to be a muggle, and she promised when this was all over, she would take him if they could stay friends after all, and he said he would like that. Soon dinner was over, and Theo walked her back to her common rooms holding her hand until they were out of the hall and out of eyesight of anyone who might go back and tell Draco that they were faking it. Hermione quickly kissed him on the cheek for good measure, and said the password for the head common rooms. Once she was inside, she checked to make sure she was alone, and changed into her pyjamas quickly, before settling in on the couch and started to read Hogwarts:A History again.
Before she knew it, it was already past midnight and she realized that Draco did not return from where ever he was at. She was worried, but decided to not go looking for him, not liking the idea of roaming the castle at night, with the possibly of getting lost before finding him. She was dead tired, and decided to just go to bed and hope that he would be there in the morning, even if he wasn't talking to her at the moment, she still grew accustomed to seeing him every morning when he woke up. The next morning, she awoke earlier then usual and went downstairs to start a bath for her to relax in when she heard noises coming from behind Draco's closed door, she as quietly as she could, walked over and put her ear to the door. She heard a faint moan and then a grunt, she backed away as she stifled a cry and ran out of the common room slamming the portrait behind her.
Not knowing where to go, she ran to the Slytherin common room and thankfully Pansy was just coming out because she had no idea what the password was. Pansy wasn't sure what was wrong, but once she saw Hermione's tears she didn't really care anymore. She quickly pulled her into her arms, and sat on the ground next to her and she cried for a few more minutes. When she finally calmed down, Pansy asked her what was wrong, and was appalled at what she told her. She couldn't believe that Draco would bring another guy into their dorm, even if he thought Hermione was over him, she thought that he would have more class then that, and vowed to Hermione that she would get to the bottom of it, and extract revenge for making her cry even more.
Hermione made her way back to the third floor of the castle, and to her surprise found Draco in the living quarter of the common rooms, eating cereal and drinking what looked to be hot tea. She didn't even acknowledge his presence as she went to change into her robes and get her books for school. After she came out of her room, she grabbed some tea and decided to skip breakfast because she was still sick to her stomach of what happened this morning, and to make matter worse Draco decided to try and talk to her.
"Where were you coming from this morning, with Nott all night I assume?" He spat at her.
"No, actually," she spat back, "I was here all morning, listening to you and your whore!"
She ran out of the room before the tears that were threatening to fall over actually did. He stood there dumfounded not knowing what to think, he didn't have much time to gather himself, when Pansy walked in and he knew that this would not be good. Hermione was in a horrible mood to start off with, so when she walked to Potions class that day, she knew that it would not be good. She sat in the front, but instead of Pansy, she was greeted by Theo. Though she was happy to see him, she was wondering where Pansy was. As if sensing her question, he told her that she requested to sit with Draco that day, and told him not to ask questions, just to relay to back to Hermione. Instead of doing a class activity, Professor Slughorn decided to have them write an essay, which was very unusual for him. Hermione didn't care though, and was actually happy that she could focus on her work and not have to deal with any of her problems at the moment. Theo told her that she didn't have to worry about him asking her questions, and he would just do the part of a comforting boyfriend when she needed him too, and she could really not express how grateful she was to have him in her life.
The school day ended quicker then she would like, but she made her way to dinner thankfully with Theo by her side again. They decided to sit by Gryffindor again, not wanting to be anywhere by Draco when she didn't have to be. She ate quick, and asked Theo to walk her to the Library instead of back to the common rooms. Even though it was almost after curfew, she knew that she could convince Madame Pince to let her stay out a few more minutes. She finally agreed, and Hermione promised to lock up and be out in less then ten minutes. Hermione picked out some books for light reading, including an extensive book on non verbal spells just to brush up on, and headed back to the common room as slowly as she possibly could, scared that Draco would have a girl with him again. The next few weeks are going to be hell, she thought to herself before saying the password and entering into the personal hell she somehow created for herself.