It's Only Pretend

IT'S ONLY PRETEND

The Arrival

Chapter Three

Hermione was wiggling around with one arm stretched behind her back and the other holding the bottom of her sundress as she tried to pull up the zipper. She felt completely refreshed from her long night of sleeping, but she still felt slightly anxious, not wanting to forget anything on her trip.

She'd applied a bit of makeup to her face and tried as best she could to fix her hair in a fashion she felt sure would measure up to the wealthier circles of witches and wizards. She didn't understand why she felt so nervous. She knew she could pretend to be wealthy. She could pretend the people she had to mingle with were the wittiest, most amazing people she'd ever known. She could pretend lots of things, but the pit of her stomach was in knots and full of lead.

Without warning, a burst of green flames filled the fireplace and Harry stepped out. She called to him from the bedroom.

"I'm almost ready!"

"Well, speed it up with you?" he said in a voice she knew was anything but serious. "I've got a vacation to start."

"I need a bit of help--" She stopped talking as she stepped into the living room.

Harry was leaning over the coffee table and looking at the huge folder her boss had given her the day before. She took a quick look at his attire. He was wearing Muggle khakis and a black button up shirt. She was immediately struck by how handsome he looked. When he glanced up and caught her eye, his facial expression looked unsure.

"What?" he asked as he placed a hand on top of his unruly black hair.

"It's nothing," she replied quickly.

"Wow, Hermione, you look great. I don't think I've ever seen you in a dress...that short."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop it. But speaking of my dress, could you please zip me up?" She turned her back to him, and Harry walked casually over.

"Is this practice for our marriage? Trying to prepare me for our big pretend?" He pushed her hair over her shoulder and zipped up her dress easily.

She could hear the smile in his voice, and she laughed. "Yes, exactly. Thanks." She turned around and patted his chest. "You look very nice, Mr. Potter."

"As do you, Mrs. Potter." The words came out of his mouth, and they both stared at each other awkwardly before laughing.

"We'll have to change our names of course," she said, lifting the folder from the coffee table and shoving it down into one of her bags. "Any ideas?"

"Hmmm...let me think on it. We'll need a regal name...something that commands respect and demands power--"

"--are you quite finished?" she asked playfully, zipping up a small black bag.

Harry grinned. "I could be Jonathan Parker."

"And you think that's a regal name?" she asked, raising her eyebrows and smiling.

"Not really. But it's simple and won't draw attention."

Hermione nodded. "You're right. Let's see...if you're Jonathan Parker then I shall be Julianna Parker."

"That's nice," he said, nodding. "I call you Juli sometimes." He winked, and Hermione laughed.

"As long as you don't call me Hermione, we'll be okay." She glanced around the room and began putting their luggage into a pile. "Do we have everything?"

"If we bring any more they'll probably charge us an extra person fee."

"Harry," she scolded.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Let's see. We'll need to put all of our luggage into the hearth. It'll Floo there ahead of us. Then we'll follow. Make sense?"

"Crystal clear, Mrs. Parker." When Hermione rolled her eyes, Harry laughed. "I'm trying to practice."

"Oh, did you get a ring?" she asked, noticing his wedding band finger was bare.

"Of course, but I almost forgot." He pulled two shiny silver rings out of his pocket. One was much smaller than the other. "This one, I do believe, is yours."

Hermione reached out and slipped it on her finger beside her diamond ring and watched Harry put his on. "Feels weird, huh?"

"Yeah," he said, spinning it around. "Not really used to having something on my finger. But we're newlyweds, so I suppose I'll get used to it."

"Oh, that reminds me," she said, reaching down and unzipping her bag. She pulled out a sheet of parchment and handed it to Harry.

"What's this?"

"Our history."

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Our history?" His eyes scanned the parchment, and he smiled slowly. "You've covered everything, haven't you?"

"It was necessary. I can't very well have you babbling over answers if someone were to question us. We need to have the same answers, don't you think?"

"Of course. I just highly doubt someone would ask me what type of flowers you had at your wedding."

"Our wedding, and you never know, Harry."

"That's Jonathan to you missy."

Hermione laughed. "Jonathan. Excuse the mistake."

"So you like lilies, huh?"

Hermione nodded as she walked into the kitchen to make sure nothing was left on or running.

"And your favorite color is lavender? What's mine?"

"Green," she called back to him.

"How is it you know things about me and I don't know any of the answers to these questions about you?"

"I pay better attention," she said, smirking at him as she began pulling their luggage into the hearth.

"That's true. I better study up before we start getting bombarded with intimate questions about our new lives."

"Yes, you'd better. I don't want people thinking I've married an imbecile."

"They're going to think you married the most charming man in the world," he said playfully.

"Oh, they are?"

"I shall be the best pretend husband you ever have," he said, puffing his chest up and acting silly.

Hermione laughed again. "I hope you're the only pretend husband I ever have. I don't want to make a habit out of pretend husbands. You understand."

"Yes, of course," he said solemnly before smiling and helping Hermione with the luggage. "I won't disappoint you," he laughed.

"You never have," she said, puffing as she dropped the last bit of luggage onto the stack. "I think that's it. Grab some Floo powder and we'll send it on."

"Okay," Harry said as he reached his hand into the container holding the shiny powder. He threw it onto the luggage and shouted, "The Royal Magician's Palace, Mexico!"

In a flash of swirling green flames, the luggage lit up brightly before disappearing.

"Excellent," Hermione said as she stepped into the hearth.

Harry filled his hand up again and stepped in beside her. "Are you ready, Mrs. Parker?"

"Absolutely, Mr. Parker."

Harry smiled down at her and put an arm around her waist. He threw the Floo powder and shouted their destination. In a split second, the warm flames engulfed them and they disappeared from Hermione's flat.

* * * *

When they reappeared, they were standing inside a massive hearth. Hermione gasped as she looked around. She stepped out and dropped her mouth open as she stood in the foyer of the Royal Magician's Palace. It was definitely the grandest place she'd ever seen.

"Buenas dias!" a young man, dressed in flowing deep blue robes, said as he stood before them.

"Good morning," Hermione said, still gaping around in amazement. She brushed off her sundress slowly.

"Need or have reservations?" he asked in a friendly manner, his voice heavily accented.

"Uh, yes. We're the Parkers," Harry said as soon as he realized that Hermione wasn't going to answer.

"Follow me," the young wizard replied, and Harry grabbed Hermione by the arm.

"Honey, we're rich, remember? We see places like this all the time," Harry whispered as he slipped his arm around her shoulders.

She closed her mouth and glanced up at him. "You're right. I'll wait until we get into our room and jump up and down on the bed and scream in delight," she whispered back, not hiding the excitement in her eyes.

"Sounds like a great idea."

They walked across the tiled foyer. The ceiling of the room was enchanted and full of shooting stars and rotating planets. The dominating colors were deep blues and sparking golds. Hermione was almost too overwhelmed to focus.

The young wizard led them to a counter and stopped. "Marguerite will check you into your room. Have a pleasant stay."

"Thank you," Hermione said, smiling as he walked away.

"Buenas dias. Bienvenidos to the Royal Magician's Palace. Your name, por favor."

"Buenas dias--" Hermione began but Harry interrupted her.

"Let me, honey. I've been practicing," he said with so much confidence that she took a step back.

"Oh."

Harry looked at the young witch behind the counter and flashed a brilliant smile. "Buenas dias, Marguerite. Mi numbre es Jonathan Parker. Yo estoy insatisfactorio y muy perdido--"

The witch behind the counter looked thoroughly confused, and Hermione burst out laughing. She cleared her throat and shoved Harry behind her.

"I'm sorry. He's only joking with you," she said apologetically. She turned to Harry and whispered, "What are you doing?"

"I was speaking Spanish," he said innocently. "Fred taught me a few phrases."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. "Fred?! And you trusted that they were okay to use in public? Are you crazy?" She huffed loudly before turning around and looking at the witch. "Again, I apologize. His Spanish is very poor."

The witch smiled and nodded. "That's okay."

"We're the Parkers. We would like to book a stay here please."

The young witch flipped her long black hair over her shoulder and moved her fingers across a strange blinking keyboard of sorts. The individual keys shifted and flashed constantly. Hermione looked back at Harry, and he mouthed, "I'm sorry." She laughed at the pitiful look on his face, and touched his arm to let him know she wasn't angry.

"For how long, Mrs. Parker?"

"Two weeks, please."

"Very good. You will enjoy your time here." She clicked the moving keys again. "We have a room with a view of the pool. It is a honeymoon suite...one king size bed--"

"--Oh, we need two beds if possible," Hermione said immediately without thinking.

The witch frowned. "Two beds?" she asked in confusion.

Harry stepped up and put his arm around Hermione, pulling her into him and forcing out a laugh. "She's joking with you. One bed is all we need, isn't that right, sweetheart?" he asked, kissing her forehead. Hermione froze up in his arms before relaxing, realizing Harry was doing a better job of "pretend" than she was.

"Oh, of course. I keep forgetting we're alone," she said in a strangled voice.

"Yes, we're so accustomed to traveling with our best friends. They're married, too, of course, and we go almost everywhere with them. But this trip is just for us," Harry said, elaborating on their fake history.

The young witch nodded before standing up and walking over to a board filled with keys. "This will be the key to your room. It's on the fifth floor. Antonio will take you up there and bring in your luggage. Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope you enjoy your stay."

"Thank you," Harry said, reaching for the key. He passed it to Hermione, who he knew would feel more comfortable if she was in charge of keeping it.

Hermione and Harry followed Antonio up a lift and to the fifth floor where he led them to their room. Hermione opened the door and walked inside, clasping her hands together near her chest and gasping.

"This is beautiful," she exclaimed.

"This is a very popular suite among our guests," Antonio replied with a smile as he levitated their luggage into the enormous room.

Harry pulled some coins out of his pocket and gave them to Antonio as he thanked him for his help. When they were completely alone, Hermione ran and jumped on the bed, giggling. Harry watched her in amazement.

"Hermione, I didn't realize you were so girly," he said, grinning.

She was sprawled out on her back with her arms spread wide open on the bed. She propped her head up and smiled happily. "Don't tell anyone."

Harry pretended to zip his lips with his fingers. "It's our little secret." He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "This place is amazing."

Hermione sat up and looked around at the honeymoon suite. There was an additional seating area; a Jacuzzi-type tub was nestled in a corner across the room from them, which she immediately pointed at. "Oh my gosh. Would you look at that?"

"It's a tub...and it's not in the bathroom," Harry said playfully. "Kinda kinky if you ask me."

Hermione blushed, "Harry."

"What?" he laughed. He leaned back on his elbows on the bed. "I wish Ron were here. I'd love to see his face."

Hermione looked over at Harry with a serious expression. "Harry?"

"Yeah?" he asked, leaning back and looking at her.

"I'm sorry about there only being one bed," she spoke quietly.

"Nah, don't worry about it. I can sleep on the couch."

"That's nonsense. This bed is gigantic. There's plenty of room for at least four people," she said matter-of-factly.

"Oh?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are we that type of married couple?"

"What do you mean?"

"We can bring home other people?"

"Absolutely not!" she huffed, and then proceeded to laugh.

"Could have made for some interesting nights," he teased.

"Harry Potter!" she said blushing as Harry laughed at her. He reached out and patted her leg.

"I'm only kidding. And call me Jonathan. You need to practice it. I can't have you calling me Harry Potter in public. Think of the shame," he said, winking.

"Think of the drooling witches I'd have to beat off," she said sarcastically. "This is a vacation, after all."

Harry flipped over on his stomach and looked at Hermione. "This is going to be easy, Mrs. Parker. We're going to have a great time and you're going to have to do all the work. While you're getting your story, and I know you will, I'll be lounging by the pool, drinking daiquiris, and pretending to be your husband. I have the easy part."

Hermione leaned back and closed her eyes. She sighed before saying, "I can't believe I'm on vacation in Mexico at the most expensive resort in the world."
"And let's not forget you're shacking up with a wickedly handsome wizard. Whatever would your mother say?" Harry asked, and Hermione giggled again, clearly knowing what look he had on his face without even opening her eyes.

"She'd say, 'It's about time, my dear. Your father and I were beginning to wonder if you'd ever be interested in boys.'"

Harry laughed. "Well you sure know how to jump into things. Never mind the dating part, you go straight for marriage. And may I say what a fine choice you've made."

"Yes, I must say I've always been attracted to the Quidditch-loving, homework-hating, quite-full-of-himself, slacker type of men--"

"--Hey now!" Harry interrupted her defensively.

Hermione laughed and opened her eyes. Harry was pretending to be hurt, but the twinkle in his green eyes revealed otherwise. "Oh, and I'm sure you've always been attracted to the bookworm, library-loving, Quidditch-ignoring, overachieving type of women."

"You never know. It's possible," he answered, grinning widely.

She laughed again. "Sure you have, Jonathan. But you forget, I know you better than that."

"Well, Juli, I suppose I should be studying up on who you really are a bit before we're seen in public together. It wouldn't do either of us any good if I can't remember that we were married in a small church on the top of a bluff overlooking the ocean in a tiny town in Ireland--"

"--are you making fun of my choices?" she asked, frowning.

"Not at all. I was merely saying, I'll need to know all of these things. It sounds like a splendid spot for a wedding--"

Hermione lifted a pillow from the top of the bed and smacked Harry over the head with it, stopping him from finishing. "Your sarcasm will get you nowhere, Mr. Parker," she said, sounding a bit like Professor McGonagall.

"I was being serious," he said, lifting the pillow from his face and looking at Hermione with sad eyes.

She narrowed her gaze at him and shook her head. "I don't believe you for a second."

"This isn't a healthy marriage, is it?" he asked laughing.

Hermione smiled at him and slid off the bed. She walked over to the windows leading to the balcony and turned around, a smirk on her face. "They do say the first year of marriage is the hardest."

"Oh boy," he said, pretending to be serious.

She opened the balcony doors and a warm breeze rushed in. It blew across her cheeks, and she breathed it in. "Oh, this is going to be wonderful." Her voice was quiet and relaxed.

Harry watched her and smiled, knowing this vacation for Hermione was long overdue. She'd needed to get away, and he had no doubt they were going to enjoy themselves relaxing and probing into the lives of wealthy businessmen.

"Do you want to go down to the pool?" she asked, turning around and smiling at Harry.

"Do you even have to ask?!" he answered, jumping off the bed.

"Great! Let the game of pretend start!" she said conspiratorially as she began looking through her suitcase.

She knew they would get dressed, head down to the pool, and she would be able to start her work. And she was incredibly thankful that she was here with Harry--there would be no added stress because everything was simple and easy with him. Pretending to be married to Harry, she knew, was going to be one of the easiest things she'd have to do this entire trip. He wouldn't be a distraction; he would be an ally, and it made her smile to think about it.