Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Beautiful Lie ❯ Chapter I ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: Well, this is pretty much common sense, so I'll say it anyway. I do not own Harry Potter. To own a story this big would cost me many sleepless nights and a caffine overdose. However, all credit goes to J.K. Rowling and her wonderful team of publishers. They made this story happen and I'm glad to write fanfictions for it.

Author's Note: I'm going to make it short and sweet. This is my first...my FIRST fanfiction. I'm not that talented, I make mistakes too (so feel free to help out), but it doesn't stop me from writing. So if you like it, let me know. If you hate it, let me know. I see what I can do just to make it good. Feel free to question my method of writing, I'm not against conctructive criticism. So to end my long winded speech, please enjoy.

Review!! :)

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A Beautiful Lie



I







Gryffindor Common Room
9:45pm




Harry didn't know what to say as he watched yet another fight between his two best friends. For one, he knew he was sick of being in the middle of their childish banter. Keeping his distance, he occupied the empty arm chair and watched in silence at the screaming couple. From what he stumbled on, Ron must have told Hermione somethin, which set her off. He knew Ron didn't possessed one bone of sympathy or understanding of the female emotion. However, since he's having problems in the same category, it was wise for him to keep all advise to himself.

Ron growled lowly, as he lashed out once again about the same topic that never seemed to change between them. "Why is it that you and Malfoy always have Prefect duties? What's going on between the two of you?" He yelled, hoping to let everyone who was sleeping peacefully to hear.

Hermione crossed her arms, her temper flaring but kept it under control as she glared daggers at the idiot in front of her. Why must she keep explaining herself. She didn't like the idea of being stuck with Prefect duties with Malfoy. She couldn't understand why Ron would think she enjoyed his company. "Will you lower your voice Ronald and talk to me like a normal person." She retorted, watching as his face turned even redder at her sudden command.

"You want me to stop yelling?" His voice increased. "I will not stop yelling until you tell me what is going on between the two of you!" He snapped, as his voice bounced off the walls, stirring the sleeping pictures.

Dropping her arms, she moved forwards, her footsteps stomping on the floor. "What the hell do you mean, 'what's going on?' What do you think goes on during nightly patrols, Ronald!" She poked him in the chest, hard as she send him back with each storming step. "All we do is walk around at night, making sure no one is out passed curfew. We don't do anything at all, what kind of girl do you take me for!"

Harry just shook his head, feeling somewhat sorry for his mate. Sure, he had his doubts as to what went on during her patrols, but he never voiced them. He knew that Hermione wasn't a stupid girl and her judgment was better than most. He trusted her enough to come and talk about her problems when she felt it was meant to be voiced. However, due to Ron's insecurity and his insane jealousy over the other boy, he could see why he would act that way. For the last two years, Ron been in love with Hermione, but never found the courage to tell her. Hermione on the other hand doesn't express the same feelings as Ron does. He remember her coming to him one late night to ask about Ron's strange behavior. Of course, he sworn to secrecy and only told her that he was wavering between telling this girl that he liked her.

Hermione wasn't stupid and she came out and told him that she knew Ron liked her. Sadly she didn't feel the same, since her heart wasn't ready for that kind of experience yet. So, with another promise, he wouldn't tell Ron Hermione's true feelings and only stand in the background and watch everything come to play. Eventually, with this scene at hand, he didn't know how long it would last, but Hermione was late for her patrol due to Ron's assumptions. Sighing deeply, he felt a heavy blanket of dread cover him as he cleared his throat loudly. Seeing that it had no affect, decided to take drastic measures. He pulled his wand from his pocket and placed it against his throat. Mumbling a spell, he spoke once again, his voice maximized ten times over theirs. Partically scaring them half to death, he smirked. At least he got their attention, now it was time to voice his opinion upon this situation.

"WILL YOU TWO PLEASE SHUT–" He paused, realizing he was the one now screaming as he removed his wand from against his throat and spoke at regular pitch. "As I was saying, will you two please shut it. I'm sick and tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. Give it a rest, please for my sake and anyone else who has to suffer with it."

Hermione cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head. Harry was right, this was getting tiresome and old and she wish Ron would put it to rest. "I'm sorry, I know this is one annoyance you don't need right now." She said, casting Harry an apologetic look.

He smiled faintly as he turned his eyes on Ron, who stood there still fuming. He let out another sigh as he brought his fingers to his temple. In a soothing circular motion, he spoke to his best friend in a tone only he knew the boy would understand. "Just give it a rest Ron, clearly nothing is going on between the ferret and Hermione. So stop yelling at her every time she comes through the door. If you want to complain about the scheduling, go talk to the Head Girl or Boy about it, since they were the one who put them together. Now since the argument is put on hold for another two weeks...I hope, I think it's time for Hermione to go do her job and for us to go to our room and finish Snape's homework." Harry suggested as he pushed himself out of the comfortable chair and venture away before another argument begun.

Hermione's eyes widen when Harry said it was time for her to go. Looking down at her watch, she gasped loudly seeing that she was ten minutes late. She took off quickly towards the door before she stopped and cast Ron a look. "Don't worry, we're not finish cause I'm going to teach you a lesson in minding your own business." She whispered before pushing the door opened and took off into the dark corridors.

All Ron could do was let out a loud curse before he stormed up the stairs and to his room. He hated when she get like this and he knew he was the one to blame.

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Third Floor
10:15pm




Draco took the moment to stare once more at his wristwatch to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Clearly, his partner in this nightly patrol was late and he was going to give her an earful once she got here. Luckily for her, he was a patient person when it came to some people. That and he really shouldn't talk since he's been late to many of their patrols also. So he waited quietly, his back pressed against the cold brick wall as he stared into candle torch halls. Everything that surrounded him had a strange eerie look due to the dimmest. The ethereal glow created shadows that grew bigger and covered parts of the hall where light should have shine. Though, being afraid of the dark was something to laugh at. He lives underneath the school, in a cold, danky dungeon where darkness is always around. However, he hate feeling like somewhere within the darkness that surrounded him was an unknown creature waiting to come and attack him.

Just that feeling alone would make anyone afraid since times like this were meant to feel caution. An unearthy shiver went down his spine as he twitched at his wandering thoughts. Sometimes, he even scared himself at the things he thought about, if his mind isn't being probed every minute. Deciding to greet his wrist once more in another glance at the mistaken time, he heard the sweet sound of panting coming from within the darkness. Placing on his trademark smirk, he pushed himself off the wall just in time to see Hermionie coming in to view.

Hermione couldn't believe she was late and it was all Ron's fault. She knew the red headed boy meant well, but he would never understand. There were thing she wanted to remain a secret, others she could care less about. Just the fact that Ron mention Draco and how they were partnered up wasn't the Head Girl and Boy's fault. She asked for it personally, since he was the only person she could tolerate long enough to do her job. If she told Ron the truth, she would get yet another mouthful of hurt filled words and malice. That's one thing she couldn't take from him, so she fought back only her words more controlled and leveled.

She took her time once she arrived on the third floor and rounded the corner in a light sprint. She knew Draco probably was scheming some type of lecture to give her and right now she wasn't in the mood for his sarcastism. All she wanted to do was get this night over with and go to bed. She had only a week left before school ended and she wanted to go home sane before anything else. Entering the halls, she felt her chest tighten from all that running. Breathing heavily, she saw the torch light and the figure of the one person she was expected to see. From what she glanced upon, she notice him standing erect, his green sweater clad on over his muscles that flexed tightly since his arms were folded. He were blue jeans, something she hardly seen him in with a pair of white tennis. His hair wasn't slicked back like in school, however it was roughly unruly as some covered his arms. Just by looking at him, she wouldn't believe that he was the same pompous Draco Malfoy, the boy who couldn't wear muggle attire nor have a single hair out of place. He looked almost...normal.

That shocked her to no end.

Draco widen his smirk as he noticed how her eyes would go over his cloth body, with curiosity. He knew that the clothes choice he picked would surprise her to no end. Who said Draco Malfoy couldn't make even the lamest clothes look good. He couldn't help but look at her attire for the evening also. She wore a yellow tank top that had a trail of white lace around the bust and hem of the shirt. On her hips she decided to wear a nice white skirt that reached passed her knees. On her feet were white tennis with yellow laces to match. Tonight, she didn't wear any make-up, letting her natural beauty glow in the dim light and her hair rested on top of her head in a wavy ponytail. She looked beautiful, he thought as she took a stop in front of him, her body hunched over to catch her breath. His eyes lowered as he caught the top of her creamy flesh as he spoke his first words.

"You know something...you're late. I don't like to wait, especially for someone who knows what time to be here for." He taunted, his anger fake.

Hermione gave him a look as she rose straight up again and took a deep breath. Her eyes glared slightly at his imprudence as she stuck her tongue at him, like a little kid. "Whatever, I was held up due to another of Ronald's rants. Do you believe how insanily jealous he is of you?"

He quirked a brow at this discovery as he chuckled deeply. "Why shouldn't he, I mean I have everything, from the looks, to the smarts, to the girls. What does he have? Nothing, absolutely nothing. I don't blame him, I know he wish he could be just like me." He replied cockily, causing Hermione to punch him lightly in the arm. He yelled at the impact as he saw those honey eyes harden. Rubbing his sore arm, he wondered what he said wrong to get such a violent response. "What? I'm only stating the truth."

She grumbled lowly before taking a step passed him she felt a welcoming headache pass through. Her back to him, she took her anger on the darkness instead as she replied. "I know, but he's my friend and I don't like it when you talk about my friends like that." She paused to throw him a nasty look over her shoulder. "Besides, you don't have it all yourself, Malfoy."

That made him gasp as he stepped next to her. Placing his hand over his heart, he pretended to be hurt by her words. "But Granger, you know I have it all. Just admit that my beauty is divine."

"You wish," She chuckled softly only to see him do a dramatic sigh. Rolling her eyes, she took another violent lash out at him, by elbowing him in the side. By the harsh cough, she knew she knocked the wind out of him, which caused her to laugh. "I'm sorry, but I had to do it. You tend to fall from being civil back to your arrogant ways."

Throwing her a look, he held his side as he growled. "Must I ask why you always hit me?"

She shrugged her shoulders before taking another step. Her footsteps echoed loudly as she spoke her last words for the evening. "I don't know, I find it relaxing. Now stop complaining and hurry up lover boy. We don't have all night to do this, we havea curfew too."

Draco mumbled lowly, not believing she could act that way. It's like one minute, she's miss know-it-all and the next, she laughing and smiling, hitting him like crazy and act as if it never happened. To him, she had two different personalities and he knew which one was the real one. A smile formed on his lips as he recovered quickly from his death blow. At least he was the only one she acted nice around, always smiling and laughing. He knew that Hermione had to keep up the act between them, since no one knew about their strange friendship. While he thought about it, they did have a strange friendship and it started along time ago.

Both of them were young, innocent, and naive to the world around them. Even if they lived two different lives, they wanted the same thing. Someone who could hear their cry and held them until the tears stopped. Hermione was that person for him, as he was the same for her. They knew that one day they'll be able to have their friendship known, but till then secrecy was better. They had night patrols and Hogsmeade to catch up. He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard her call him from within the darkness. His smiled widen more, at least they had one more year to look forward for. Till then, they continue with their beautiful lie.

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Boys' Dorm: Gryffindor
10:35pm


"How could she do this to me, Harry?" Ron grumbled as he paced back and forth in front of his bed.

Harry who decided that sleep would have to wait until Ron is dead and gone, he watched the trouble boy. Playing along, he pretended to be dumb to the situation and hope that Ron would let him sleep. "What do you ever mean, Ron?"

The red head paused to give his friend a look. Was Harry serious, couldn't he see what's going on? He knew his friend was extremely observant, especially to those who were close to him. "Are you daff?"

"No, I'm not the one who's going crazy over someone, who clearly didn't do anything wrong in my point of view."

"You wouldn't understand, you have my sister. I have no one and the girl I want doesn't even know I love her."

"Who's fault is that? Instead of yelling at Hermione for every little thing, why don't you just tell her how you feel. What do you have to lose?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer.

Ron let out a frustrated sigh as he finally gave up pacing. Flopping down on his bed, he wondered what would Harry do. "Tell me you wouldn't be upset if Ginny was with Malfoy every other night?"

Harry gave him a look that told it all. Sure, he would be a little upset, but he wouldn't blow up because of it. He trusted Ginny and if she suddenly decided to choose that bloke over him, he'll respect her wishes. So thinking really hard, he shrugged his shoulders while getting acquaint with his pillow. "Well, I'll be upset, but not majorly. I trust Ginny, so if she stuck with the ferret, it's not her fault. So you need to do the same thing and have some trust for Hermione. If you want to have a relationship with her, you need to build it on trust." He said as he took off his glasses and placed them next to his wand.

Ron grunted as he looked up at the ceiling. He trusted Hermione, but it was Malfoy he didn't trust. Right now, he bet Malfoy was doing something mean to Hermione. Probably torturing her with hexes and doing other possible things he didn't want to visualize right now. "Still..." He mumbled miserably before getting comfortable. "I don't like it, not one bit."

Turning his back to his best friend, Harry closed his eyes as he let his body reclaim many lost nights of sleep. "Neither do I, but it's not up to us. Hermione is a big girl, she can take care of herself." With those last words, he fell to sleep, blocking out any possible intrusion to interrupt him.

Ron shook his head at his friend before following suit. "Whatever."

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< br> Third Floor
10:41pm


"So what's up with you and Weasel?" Draco asked as he broke the peaceful silence that they created to do their patrol.

Hermione thought for a few minutes before answering the question. She really wasn't sure what was going on between them. Besides the fight hours ago, she was really sick of it. All they do is fight and it always over Draco. Hermione couldn't see why the red headed boy had such hatred for the Slytherin. "I don't know, but I'm sick of him bitching at me." She replied, her tone rather snappy at the thought that popped in her head.

Draco shook his head as he scanned the empty hall. "Well, everyone knows that he likes you, could it be a sign of over possessiveness?"

"He cannot possess me. Besides, I don't even like him. My feelings towards him are on the line of siblings, not anything romantic." She explained, not aware of how close she moved towards him.

Taking a side glance, he noticed how close she was getting and decided to close the gap. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he pretended that he didn't feel her tense as they continued. "Look Mione, both you and I know that Weasley has this jealous streak. He wants you, no doubt about it. So why don't you just humor him a little. Go out with him and you never know, your feelings could change."

Her heart tightened at his suggestion as she absently rested her head on his shoulder. Sure, she could go out with Ron, but knowing how uncomfortable that would make her, she would end it. That was one thing she didn't want to do, hurt his feelings and make him hate her more. "I couldn't do that," She whisper softly, doubt forming in her mind. "I mean, how could you just date someone for kicks and then end it?"

Draco sighed deeply, forgetting Hermione was as innocent as they come. "Well, you know Pansy and I aren't really together. Of course with all the ranting and bull she spreads about us, you would think our relationship was something more."

"Is it something more?" She asked.

"Not really, I don't even like her. She was someone my father introduce when I was younger, before I met you. To me, Pansy will always be superficial. Always thinking about her needs before someone else. I couldn't be with someone who is selfish. Trust me, I hate being around myself when I get into those self-centered modes." He explained, earning a laugh from his companion.

He was right, she hated when he acted all snobbish and knowing. Though, when she's around her friends, he has to act like a total jackass to keep up the lie. "Yes, I do hate it when you think about yourself."

"I know you would, it would mean I'm not being myself. Which makes me sad, knowing that this would be the last week I would see you, until school starts again."

She really never thought about that part as her eyes sadden. Normally during the summer, they would meet at the usual place. However, this year was going to be different. While he's at home, with his unloving parents, she would probably be at the Weasley's house till school. "I guess you're right, but we always could write to each other. Remember we done it before, using alias names."

He chuckled lightly, remembering it clearly. He remembered his mother's curiosity and his father's fury as he sat there and read his letter at the dinner table. Apparently not to drawn any attention, Hermione decided to put 'Pansy' as her alias, which made him laugh so hard that his father snapped. Of course, he send her letter with the title of Viktor just to send her into a fit of giggles herself. "Yeah, that would be great. My father got kicks out of the many letters 'Pansy' send to me during dinner time."

Laughing also, she remember the angry look Ron gave her when she told him it was a letter from 'Viktor'. "Ron was furious too, he wouldn't talk to me for two weeks cause 'Viktor' kept sending me letter. Boy, I find it hard to believe that we been friends for this long."

Draco agreed as he held her a little tighter. "I know, it's been ten years since we first met."

"In the park on that late summer's night. I remember you were covered in bruises. Your father has beaten you and so you ran away."

His eyes darkened at that particular part as he nodded. "You were crying, tears were rolling down your chubby cheeks. Apparently, your parents were fighting once again and you got scared and escaped without them knowing."

"Do you remember that we feel asleep next to each other. We were underneath the tree, laying on the grass. We held hands, those were sweet times." She breathed the last words as she fell silent to let her memories return back to the past.

He knew she was reminiscing, he felt the need to pull out the old file. "At least you stopped crying," He reminded her.

Hermione inhaled deeply, her chest rose highly. Slowly exhaling, she felt this calm was over her that's been missing for along time. Like her body and soul knew being next to Draco would bring some tranquility to her agitated mind. Just how they are now, this how it was ten years ago. Two lost souls came together and found a safe haven within each other. When they started Hogwarts, they knew destiny made it possible. Right to the point that they had to lie in order to keep their friendship hidden, they made it work. Even know, while they walked the empty halls like they did for many nights, only the walls hold their memories, kept their tales, and hid them from the face of the others.

"Draco?" Hermione broke the silence.

He didn't have to look at her to know what she was going to say. "Yes, Hermione?" Came his soft reply.

She smiled gently before closing her eyes. "I just want to say thank you...for everything."

Grinning, he placed a chaste kiss on her head, a friendly gesture he was use to giving now. "No problem. That's what friends are for."

TBC
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Author's Note: That's it for the first chapter. Let me know what you think. Hate it, love it, smash it, keep it, whatever. To let you know, this is an AU.

Dumbledore is still alive
Snape is still nonchalant
And Draco is still a jackass

So read and review.
Thanks! :)