Hi guys.

This is a story that was in my head and i just sat down one day and wrote it. Its not as good as my other work but i just thought that i would post it up anyway. :)

It started off as a oneshot but as it grew i turned it into a ficlet. In the future there may be a sequel to it, but i'm not making any promises, i have alot on my plate not the least of which is 'Its all about Blood' and a couple of others.

Hope you enjoy it somewhat.

Disclaimer: i own nothing but the plot...everything else belongs to J..

When Pretense Becomes Truth.

Chapter 1:

Draco Malfoy was in a good mood. He was Head Boy of Hogwarts, had his own dorm rooms (shared with the Head Girl Hermione Granger, but all pros come with cons, even if they were civil and somewhat friendly now) and he was the most wanted male student, every girl wanted him on their arm, life was good. Smirking smugly he stated the password to the head dorms and strutted in arrogantly, only to be pulled up short at the sight that met his eyes.

"What the fuck is going on?" He shouted. Hermione Granger, the current Head Girl was rampaging around the room throwing and breaking anything that she could find, and from the sight of the room Draco could assume that she had been doing so for quite a while. Hermione seemed not to hear him and he had to duck as a vase came hurtling towards his head.

"Those pompous, stuck up, air headed, vain sluts!" Hermione screamed as she aimed her wand at the bookshelf with a scream of 'Reducto' and the bookshelf and all the books flew apart.

"Fuck Granger! What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Draco swore as he watched the confetti that was once books litter the room. Draco had never seen Hermione in a rage like this, from what he could make out, someone, obviously female, had pissed her off to the point that her temper had snapped.

"Those fucking whores! Who the fuck do they think they are! I'll kill the bitches!" Hermione screamed again, shocking Draco with her language. Seeing that the crystal chandelier was swaying dangerously, Draco did the only thing he could think of to stop the Gryffindor, taking a running dive he tackled her to the floor, knocking her wand out of her hand, he straddled the struggling witch's hips and used his hands to pin her arms on either side of her head.

"MALFOY! Get the bloody hell off me now!" Hermione shrieked as soon as she recognized her attacker.

"Calm the bloody fuck down Granger!" Draco growled, easily subduing her attempts to break free of his hold.

"Get off me!" Hermione hissed menacingly.

"Not until you get control of yourself! Look what you've done to our dorm Granger!" Draco retorted harshly. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him before turning her head to look at the disaster that was once their pristine common room.

"Fuck!" Hermione groaned as she saw the havoc her temper had wreaked.

"My thoughts exactly! Wanna tell me what the fuck this is all about?" Draco responded.

"I don't have to explain myself to you Malfoy!" Hermione snarled.

"Considering that you just destroyed OUR common room with your tantrum, I can assure you that I am the only person who has the right to know what this is all about!" Draco snapped. Hermione realized that he did indeed have the right to know why she had destroyed their rooms.

"Fine! Let me up and I'll tell you!" she conceded angrily. Draco narrowed his eyes at her.

"You try to run, hurt or hex me, or destroy anything else and I'll have you hanging by your ankles before you can blink!" He threatened as he eased himself to his feet and pulled her up with him. Hermione wrenched her wrist from his grasp and went to retrieve her wand. Draco eyed her suspiciously until he saw her wave her wand and fix the room. After that was done Hermione stood silently, though her body language still spoke of her anger. Crossing his arms over his chest Draco narrowed his eyes at her.

"Spill Granger!" He snapped when she remained silent. Hermione threw him a glare but then reached into her pocket and retrieved two pieces of paper. Wordlessly she handed one to him and indicated for him to read it. Draco took the paper and raised an eyebrow at her before dropping his eyes to the paper to read.

Dear Hermione,

Hello sweetheart, your father and I hope you are doing well in school and keeping out of trouble. After the past few years we really don't want to receive any more letters from your headmaster about some dangerous activity that you and those friends of yours have gotten into. Now, I know that you asked us not to lecture you on your grades and such, but your father and I wish to remind you that you have a reputation to maintain now that you are the Head Girl, keep your mind on your grades young lady! That being said I do wish that you would take more pride in your appearance Hermione dear, you only have so much to work with darling so you really should take advantage of what little you have, you do not wish to end up an old maid now do you sweetheart? Your father and I do eventually want grandchildren Hermione and as it stands now, we are beginning to think that that will never come to pass! Now the reason I am writing is because I want you to come home for Christmas this year! I know you want to stay at school with your friends but we have just received word that your cousins Tiffany and Celeste will be coming to spend Christmas with us and I want you to be here to spend some time with them, maybe they will be able to give you some pointers on how to emphasize your looks. A few tips here and there could not hurt darling, hanging around with those boys has obviously rubbed off on you the wrong way, you should try to do more with the few assets that you have, Celeste and Tiffany can help you there. They have written you a letter which I have included with this one, as much as I was dying to read it, I refrained. We will see you at Christmas dear, that is not a request.

Your loving mother.

Draco was stunned, Hermione's mother seemed to be blind to the fact that her daughter was stunningly beautiful. 'Few assets? What the hell is this woman thinking? Granger has a hell of a lot more than just a 'few' assets' Draco thought to himself. He had admitted years ago that Hermione Granger was beautiful, and had admitted to himself not long after that, that he had always fancied her somewhat, it was one of the main reasons that he picked on her all the time, she was gorgeous when she was riled up. Raising his eyes to the silent girl he looked confused.

"I can see why this would make you slightly upset Granger, but I don't understand how this could cause the havoc I walked into earlier" He stated. Hermione scowled at him then handed him the other letter. Draco took it and as he began to read his eyebrows shot up in surprise

Hey Hermy the Germy!

Mum told us that she wants us to stay with your family over Christmas! We tried to coax her out of it! After all neither of us want to stay with you, if we get caught anywhere with you then our reputations would be ruined! Aunty Jane spoke to us and asked us to help you learn how to use makeup and to try to make you somewhat pretty! Ha! What a laugh, of course we told her that we would. I mean but seriously! No amount of makeup could make you pretty Hermy! Being seen with you is going to make the both of us look bad! Like honestly, with our beautiful looks and perfect bodies, we really will have to do a lot to you just to make you look halfway decent so that we won't be embarrassed if we have to be seen with you at all! I don't know why Aunty Jane expects that you will be able to catch the eye of some boy! You'll never get a boyfriend, and if you do it certainly won't be some hot guy like Tiffany and I have! It will be some nerdy little pipsqueak that wears glasses and follows you around inviting you to join the chess club! We certainly don't want to come, but if we must we must! See you soon Germy!

Tiff and Celle.

Draco was fuming, those two bitches had no idea how guys saw Hermione, even a self obsessed prat like himself saw the beauty that Hermione had become over the years. Her sense of style needed updating slightly and her hair taming a little but that was all. Determined to help her, but not to explore his reasons for doing so, Draco remained silent as he thought about what options Hermione had. Eventually unable to bare his silence any longer Hermione broke it.

"See why I was pissed?" she asked quietly. Draco nodded.

"Yes I can" He replied thoughtfully. Hermione took his thoughtful look the wrong way and sighed.

"I shouldn't have shown you Malfoy! I know very well that you agree with their assessment of my looks, go ahead and taunt me about how even my family think that I'm nothing but an ugly bookworm" She stated dejectedly. Draco shot his eyes up to meet hers and scowled at her.

"I would appreciate it if you wouldn't put thoughts in my head or words in my mouth Granger!" he snapped. Hermione was shocked at his retort and remained silent as Draco's thoughtful look came back to his features. Eventually his eyes lit up and a smirk fell upon his lips.

"What?" Hermione asked hesitantly, fidgeting under his intense gaze.

"How good an actress are you Granger?" Draco asked.

"I don't understand" Hermione replied.

"Simple really, I've come up with a way to get back at those cousins of yours and to get your mother off your back!" Draco replied.

"And what pray tell is this great plan?" Hermione asked sarcastically.

"A boyfriend of course!" Draco replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Hermione's eyes shot up to her hairline.

"A Boyfriend! How is that supposed to help me?" she cried out shocked.

"Picture this then Granger! You rock up home and are there for a few days, then your good looking, hot, rich, perfect boyfriend, who adores the ground you walk on and worships you, who can't keep his hands and lips off you, turns up on your doorstep because he couldn't stand to be away from you any longer! How do you think your cousins are going to react to that?" he replied smugly.

"Shocked! Just like I am!" Hermione replied.

"And?" Draco prompted.

"Jealous, bitter, angry" Hermione added.

"Precisely, it's the perfect way to get back at them for their petty remarks" Draco smirked.

"Your forgetting one thing Malfoy!" Hermione retorted.

"What's that?" he asked.

"I don't have a boyfriend! Let alone one who is all the things that you described!" Hermione replied waspishly.

"I'm aware of that Granger, Hence my question! How good an actress are you?" Draco asked again.

"I..I don't know, why?" She asked warily.

"We'll find you a pretend boyfriend!" Draco stated smugly.

"WHAT!" Hermione shrieked! "You can't be serious Malfoy! How the hell am I supposed to find a guy to pretend to be my boyfriend at all, let alone a good looking, rich one who worships me and can't keep his hands to himself! Christmas break is in a week!" Hermione finished.

"You forgot perfect, adoring and hot" Draco pointed out.

"It doesn't matter Malfoy! There is not a guy I know who would do this, or who fits all the criteria you described" Hermione retorted.

"Sure there is Granger! He's been right in front of you for years!" Draco replied haughtily.

"Who?" Hermione asked in confusion.

"Me of course! Damn Granger, and they call you the smartest witch of the age?" Draco retorted. Hermione was too flabbergasted to speak for a few minutes, before her senses returned.

"Are you fucking crazy Malfoy?" She shrieked. Draco looked affronted for a few moments before a smirk appeared.

"Nope Granger, I'm perfectly serious! I'll pretend to be your boyfriend and help you put your cousins in their place!" He replied calmly.

"You do realize that if you do this then you have to pretend to absolutely adore me! That you will have to touch and kiss me if we go with what you suggested!" Hermione pointed out.

"Of course I realize it Granger! It was my idea after all!" Draco replied.

"And you're actually willing to do that?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Of course I am! I wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't!" Draco retorted.

"Why?" Hermione asked softly.

"Why what?" Draco responded

"Why would you do this? You hate me!" Hermione answered.

"Who said that I hate you? If you recall it was my idea to begin a truce and to be civil and friendly!" Draco replied.

"I don't understand Malfoy! Why would you do this for me?" Hermione queried. Draco sighed.

"There are some things that you don't need to understand Granger! But suffice to say that I don't hate you, I don't agree with what your mother and cousins wrote and I do hold respect for you, for those reasons I want to help you! Can we please just leave it at that!" Draco pleaded. Hermione narrowed her eyes but nodded reluctantly.

"For the moment" She responded. Draco groaned, knowing that she would badger it out of him eventually, but was thankful of the reprieve for now.

"Alright then Granger, lets get the particulars sorted out" He stated as he moved to the now repaired couch and sat down.

"The particulars? To what?" Hermione asked as she took a seat opposite him in the chair.

"To this plan obviously!" Draco pointed out in exasperation.

"I never agreed to it Malfoy! Its crazy! It won't work!" Hermione replied, getting agitated again.

"And why do you believe that it won't work Granger? Its perfect!" Draco responded affronted that she would think that any plan of his wouldn't work.

"We know nothing about each other except which buttons to push in a fight for one!" Hermione retorted.

"Your name is Hermione Jean Granger, born September 19th, favorite colour is purple, your wand is made of vine 10¾ inches with a dragon heartstring core. Favorite food is strawberries, favorite scent vanilla, favorite wizarding book is Hogwarts: A History, favorite muggle book is Pride and Prejudice. Your favorite subject is Arithmancy and your favorite teacher is McGonagall. Any other facts you need me to say?" Draco responded in a bored tone. Hermione's eyes had widened in shock as Draco had reeled off the facts about her.

"How do you know so much about me Malfoy?" she asked suspiciously.

"Granger we have known each other since we were eleven and have been sharing a dorm for the past three and a half months, I'm observant, unlike those two dimwits you hang out with! I bet you know the exact same facts about me!" Draco responded.

"Draco Gabriel Lucian Malfoy, June 5th, silver, hawthorn 10 inch unicorn hair, chocolate cake, sandalwood, Slytherin's biography, Lord of the rings, Potions, Snape" Hermione replied automatically. Then flushed at Draco's raised eyebrow.

"Told you so" He stated smugly.

"Alright I see your point!" Hermione sniped.

"Good then you agree?" Draco asked.

"Malfoy as much as I appreciate the offer and I would love to see the looks on my cousin's faces I still don't think that we can pull this off! Nobody is going to believe that someone like you is my boyfriend!" Hermione argued.

"Someone like me?" Draco enquired with a calmly raised eyebrow though his tone sounded perturbed.

"Yes! Good looking, rich etc, etc, all the things you described! Even if you were preaching about yourself, most of what you said was true" Hermione admitted grudgingly.

"And you don't believe that anyone would believe that someone like that is your boyfriend why?" Draco queried.

"Well just look at me!" Hermione stated as she indicated herself.

"I'm looking, but not seeing what you mean Granger!" Draco replied.

"Don't be obtuse Malfoy! I'm nothing to look at!" Hermione shot back angrily.

"Granger! Haven't I already stated that I don't agree with what was written in those letters!" Draco snapped in frustration. "The only thing that I can see you need is for your hair to be tamed and your sense of style to be updated a little! Not over the top mind you, just subtle changes! But you really don't even need that!" he added.

"What will you get out of this?" Hermione suddenly asked suspiciously.

"Apart from relieving any boredom that might come my way over break, I get the satisfaction of knowing that you will owe me one favor, nothing extreme, just a small one!" Draco replied with a grin.

"I knew there had to be a catch to you helping me!" Hermione crowed triumphantly.

"Do you want my help or not Granger? This is a once only offer!" Draco growled, finally getting sick of the round robin they were doing in this conversation. Hermione was silent as she thought about it for a minute.

"You promise that the favor I will owe you will not involve anything against school rules, will not cost me the Head Girl position, be humiliating or degrading, or illegal for that matter?" Hermione asked. Draco nodded.

"Yes I promise"

"Then thankyou" Hermione finally nodded. Draco grinned and sat back comfortably.

"Alright then, now that we have that sorted out, here's what we need to do…" He began. As Hermione listened to Draco outline what they would be doing for the next week and how they would handle the Christmas break, Hermione suddenly wondered what she had let herself in for.

Well there it is, read and review plz...but again no flames, i'm hard enough on myself as it is :)