Hermione groaned as she collapsed into her bed that night. After an entire day of research (which mostly consisted of her rereading some of her favorite Muggle novels and Malfoy pointing out why he hated every character in them), she and Draco had come up with nothing that could help them get Ginny and Harry together, and Blaise - that stupid git - was definitely not helping.

Hey, Malfoy? she thought absently. She was beginning to get used to him being in her head, and it was actually fairly useful when they were plotting things together so they could come up with ideas even when they weren't sitting next to each other.

What, Granger?

Do you think it would be worth it if we pretended that we were dating each other? she wondered, gazing up at the ceiling.

Who are you and what have you done to Hermione Granger? Draco asked scathingly.

You just called me Hermione, she realized with a grin.

She could imagine him snorting at her. Well, that is your name, isn't it?

Of course. But you usually call me Granger, she reminded him.

It's not like I called you Hermione on purpose, he insisted. I was making a point. I thought you were against the idea of...well..."us".

A smile danced at the corner of her lips. No, I don't mind you calling me Hermione. Would it be alright if I call you...er, Draco? It's only fair that I get to call you by your first name if you're calling me by mine.

You wanted me to, he grumbled, but after a pause, he added reluctantly, Fine, fine, do whatever you want.

His father was so going to kill him for this. Oh well, he didn't really mind her calling him Draco. His name sounded a lot nicer coming from her lips, er, mind, than from a certain Pansy Parkinson's.

And to answer your question, D-Draco, it's because I'd like them to get back together no matter what the cost. They've been through so much together, supporting each other, and there's no doubt that the feelings they have for each other are genuine. They are both dear to me and I hate the thought that they're hurting so much now. That's why...that's why...I would rather sacrifice my own happiness for them, she took a deep breath as she finished.

Putting her feelings into words made her realize just how much they needed each other, and she felt guilty for being partially responsible for ruining their relationship. She didn't even have the heart to tell Ginny that Harry was perfectly straight when they had been alone the other day.

"I'm such a horrible friend," she whispered out loud.

Trying to lighten up the atmosphere (he did not want to see her cry), Draco teased, Is dating me really that bad, Hermione?

She jumped, almost forgetting that Draco was aware of her thoughts. N-No! T-That's not what I meant! Argh, I hate you!

Don't worry, the feeling's mutual, he agreed with a smirk. But they both sure are lucky to have a friend like you, Granger.

Was that supposed to be a compliment? Hermione asked suspiciously. Only Draco would be able to turn a compliment into an insult.

That's up to you to decide. I'm tired now - after all that research - so I'm going to sleep, and hopefully I won't have nightmares about the girl and what's-his-name, Dracy. He really didn't get the point of Muggle novels. Why would anyone be interested in reading about the love life of two completely made up characters? Were Muggles really that bored?

His name is Mr. Darcy! Hermione corrected, huffing indignantly. How dare you insult my favorite books!

Whatever, Granger, he rolled his eyes. Stop thinking so I can actually get some sleep. Your thoughts can be rather annoying, you know.

Grr.

Ginny entered the room then, so she stopped her conversation with Draco in case she made any more funny expressions and gave away their secret.

But that didn't stop her from falling asleep with a smile lingering on her lips.

"Morning," she said to Harry and Ron as she wandered into the Great Hall the next day.

"Morning, Hermione! Can you believe it's a school day again?" Ron complained, eyeing the textbooks in his bag with distaste.

I can, actually, she thought, and she swore she could hear Draco snicker from the Slytherin table. That was one reason why she did could not stay with Ron - sometimes their opinions were...too different, which led to a lot of bickering. They had kissed during the Great Battle, but that had been a spur of the moment thing, and Hermione admitted reluctantly that no matter how much she tried, she just couldn't feel The Spark when she was with him. Maybe it was because she had always considered him the brother she never had.

That's why romantics never get boyfriends, you know, Draco's voice remarked in her head.

She looked over at the Slytherin table and, after finally finding him squashed between Blaise Zabini and his fan club, gave him a glare. Draco shivered.

She realized then that Ron was still waiting for her to speak, so she cleared her throat and muttered, "It's good to have classes again..."

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Harry asked concernedly.

She flinched. "Y-Yes, of course I am. Why do you ask?"

"You've been spacing out a lot," he answered, sounding worried.

"And you make those funny faces sometimes," Ron added.

Her brain whirled as she tried to think of a good response that wouldn't be too suspicious. She almost wanted to ask Draco for help, then thought better of it. They were her friends, not his, so she would have to handle it by herself. "I've just been thinking about our classes, you know, with NEWTS coming up," she said quickly.

"Plus there was that incident with you watching the Slytherin game," Harry accused.

She knew they were going to bring that up sooner or later.

Tell them you lost a bet with me, Draco suggested in her mind. She briefly wondered why he was being so helpful, then remembered that this was her end of their deal. He would help her get out of this mess if she helped him with getting Harry and Ginny together.

"Well...that was because I lost a bet with Dra - Malfoy," she corrected hastily when she realized that her friends probably wouldn't be happy with the fact that she was suddenly calling him Draco.

Ron and Harry stared at her as though she had suddenly grown another head. "What was the bet, Hermione?" Ron demanded, tightening his hand into a fist. "That git! I'll give him a punch he'll remember for a long time!"

Hermione shifted uncomfortably. She glanced across the room at Draco, but he appeared to be busy talking to Blaise about something. Then her eyes landed on Snape, and an idea formed in her head. "We were arguing over who would finish our detention first," she explained, surprised by her lying skills. Draco must be getting to her. "I was slower, so I had to go watch the game and cheer on the Slytherins..."

Ron seemed satisfied with her answer, but that didn't stop him from glaring at Draco. "He'll pay for this," he growled. "Why don't we make him go to a Gryffindor game, Harry? Then he can cheer us on."

Hermione let out the breath that she had been holding as relief flooded through her. At least they had believed her story.

Harry narrowed his eyes. "That's probably not a good idea, you know. He could learn our strategies and use them against us."

Thanks for the idea, Potter, Draco mused. Hermione would have giggled if her friends weren't sitting next to her.

"Or you could both get another detention and finish before him this time!" Ron suggested, his eyes shining.

"I'd rather - " Hermione began to protest, but to her dismay, Harry was nodding thoughtfully. She must have done something horrible in her past life for her friends to act against her like this. "...not..." she trailed off, knowing that she would have to go with Ron's plan. Harry did deserve the payback, especially after what Draco had done to him over the weekend.

She had had a completely clean record until now, and already she was going to have to get herself into yet another detention.

What was the world coming to?

A/n: Thank you so much for all of your reviews! You guys definitely make my day just that much better~

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