No, this could not be!
Hermione folded the parchment and placed it on the table with disbelief. She did not like the idea strongly and never in her life had she ever imagined it happening on her.
Harry came downstairs and looked at her with puzzlement, he sat beside her and asked,
"What's wrong…someone stole your parchment?"
Hermione looked at him intently, trying to find the most appropriate explanation. Harry was looking into his eyes. His irises were like swirling potions, reflecting her face. She felt apologetic to announce the news.
"We're going to get married soon, and we have promised not to hide anything from each other," reminded Harry.
Hermione embraced him tightly. Soon, she would be locked away, unable to feel the warmth that this man had been giving her.
"Harry, please don't be angry, there is something I need to tell you," whispered Hermione to his ear.
Harry's fingers ran through her bushy hair. Her heart was pounding heavily, like a startled fawn lost in the storm.
"What is it?" asked Harry, knowing that there was something suspicious.
"We…we may have to call off the wedding."
"What?" yelled Harry, letting go of her. "But Hermione, we have been preparing for two months!"
Hermione tried to hold her temper, attempted to make things clearer and discuss it with him properly. But this did not seem possible.
"I know...but…just look at this."
She thrashed the parchment into Harry's arms.
"Dear Miss Granger, we are pleased to inform you that your parents have made an Unbreakable Vow with our family. Your name has been down in the Wilkes' family ever since your birth and the engagement to our son Draco is based on both us and your deceased parents' consent. Please arrive at our manor on your earliest convenience. We suggest you coming as soon as possible as the agreement means more than breaching," said Harry with disbelief. "Your sincerely, Lucius Malfoy."
He first thought this as one of Draco Malfoy's pranks, but Lucius Malfoy's signature forced him to believe its authenticity.
Harry looked at Hermione
"This is crazy!" roared Harry. "They know we are going to hold our wedding ceremony next month. They cannot possibly tell us to cancel it!"
"I know!" said Hermione, agitated. "Do you think I volunteer to get into this muddy water? I am just a Muggle-born, Purebloods like Malfoy hate me and wish that I never exist. That Wilkes was hideous Death Eater that got killed along with Rosier."
"Look, Hermione," said Harry, trying to convince her. "You don't even like him, why would you have to pay attention to it, just ignore it—"
"Don't you see? If the Unbreakable Vow does exist, we cannot ignore it, or else we are done—"
"So you're going to marry him and live with him?"
"Do you have a better plan?"
There was a moment of silence and the two stared at each other. Hermione looked up and tried to hold back her tears.
"Sorry," muttered Harry and he gave a long slow sigh.
"It's not your fault," said Hermione. "I guess I will have to pay a visit."
Harry clutched her arm.
"You go, I go."
Hermione shoved him off.
"I don't want you to take any risk because of me," said Hermione. "The Malfoys could do anything to you. I am their target, they won't hurt me. And I will find the solution that deals the least damage."
Harry gave another deep sigh as Hermione took our her wand. Tears ran across her face as she watched Harry's image slowly dissolved into darkness.
Within a snap, she travelled to Wiltshire. She turned right into a wide gravel driveway that led off the lane, as she went past the large curving hedge and wrought-iron gates, a manor appeared out of darkness, with gardens and a fountain in front of it. Though it seemed to be magnificent, Hermione could not help drawing her wand out, reckoning that there was something lurking in the shadows. The moment when she arrived a the door, she hesitated, just when she stretched out her hand and knocked at the door, the door immediately swung inward without anyone visible opening it.
The hallway was dimly lit and there were faint echoes of her breath, the walls were filled with portraits of pale-faced and their snobbish appearance made her greatly uncomfortable.
"Ah, Miss Granger, what an honour to see your arrival," said a voice.
Hermione could recognize the voice, she turned to the stairs and stared at the proud figure with hatred.
"Mr. Malfoy," said Hermione coldly.
"Since you have arrived, I suppose you have agreed on our agreement."
"Do you think I'd believe in your ludicrous prank?"
"Unfortunately, this is no prank. It is the unbreakable confinement that brings us together," said Lucius. "If I have a choice, I would prefer the Greengrass sisters, considering that their social status and wealth suit our family more."
He was right on this point. The Greengrasses were awfully rich, Hermione had seen the family's name marked down in Sacred Twenty-Eight. The Daily Prophet often reported that Malfoy was dating Astoria Greengrass.
"Kreacher!"
The old elf appeared, greeting Lucius with a deep bow, much annoying Hermione.
"Yes, master?"
"Show her the vow."
Kreacher bowed again. He snapped his finger, a memory sphere appeared. The image of the Malfoys and Wilkes faded in, golden threads shrouded them as they held each other's hand, muttering.
"...our children will join their hands in matrimony."
The image faded out as the ceremony was done. Kreacher bowed once more and disappeared. Hermione had no more excuse but to accept the truth.
"Pity that we did not tell your history earlier," commented Lucius. "Or else you would have been…with our son Draco in Slytherin."
"I'd rather not going to Hogwarts even when it is the last house approved at school."
Lucius's face twitched, then he smiled.
"Perhaps I ought you to inform you most of your…history," said Lucius and he went on his explanation. "You are the only child of Wilkes. Brilliant, Syrus Wilkes, a bright man. His wife, Helia, a beautiful witty woman, like you. For once I considered her as the ideal partner."
Hermione frowned, she had no idea of what he was talking about, so she said,
"I don't care who was once your dream girl! I come here to tell you the idea of having relationship with your son is utterly absurd and I will never accept your pathetic son."
Lucius grinned, his soft chuckle brought a chill down to her spine.
"If I remember correctly, your adoptive parents are Muggles, aren't they?"
Hermione stared at him. No doubt hewas prepared, even considered using her parents to make her coerce.
"Don't you dare hurt my parents," snarled Hermione.
"Let's make a deal, shall we?" said Lucius, still wearing a grin . "When you are my son's wife, and I will leave your parents…unharmed."
Hermione bit her lips, she did not like the idea of dealing with Lucius, but knowing that he was the kind of man that would do anything that was within his power, no matter his intentions were good or evil, she did not have a choice.
"I…" began Hermione.
"Time is passing," reminded Lucius.
Hermione thoughts struck. The vow only mentioned that she had to marry Draco, while being Mrs. Malfoy, it did not require her to truly be Mrs. Malfoy...
"Tick-tock, tick-tock," reminded Lucius again.
"…Deal!"
"Draco, please come over here."
Draco apparated in front of his father and Hermione glared at him with disgust. He glanced at her for quite a while, then looked at his father.
"Draco, be nice to our…little friend.." said Lucius and he left.
Hermione faced Draco unwillingly, glaring at him. Draco took a step forward and said,
"What do you want?"
"Nothing," replied Hermione coldly.
"Do you want to…go for a walk?"
"For heaven's sake, Mr. Draco Malfoy, can't you just leave me in peace?"
Hermione turned around and was about to leave, but then Draco grabbed her wrist. She tried to fling away his grasp, but in vain. Hermione struggled and hissed,
"Let go."
"I have missed chances of being with you for years, I will never let you go."
"Just leave me alone! Let go!"
Draco would not let go, all in a sudden, her pulled Hermione to his chest. His lips fell closer to hers, and Hermione struggled, but only finding his grasp tightened and his face got nearer. His lips touched her boiling hot lips and his tongue was intruding. Though Hermione had not dating with Harry, she had not experienced such kiss. It was so demanding that she did not know how to reject. Her mind was confused and swirling, unable to react until his lips withdrew. She dazed with confusion and gazed at him without knowing what to do. Draco tucked her stray strand of hair back and his finger ran pass her cheek. Hermione shuddered and dully looked at him while the skin where he touched was boiling hot.
"Will you accept me?"
Hermione was still trying to calm down. Fury grew inside her, partially angry with him and partially herself. She pledged to only kiss Harry, now she betrayed him by being in another man's arms, a man that she and Harry had loathed since childhood.
"I may not be the best wizard, but certainly I am a good husband as any man in this world, and you are assured that I am better than that Potter."
His words were so piercing that Hermione could only give him a scornful smirk.
"You will never be better than Harry."
Draco was infuriated. How could he, a Pureblood wizard, got beaten by a Halfblood? He held her tighter, hoping that she would change her mind and fell for him.
"Why? I am always better than him, why won't you—"
"Let go of me," stated Hermione sternly.
"Hermione—"
"Do not make me say twice."
Draco let go of her and Hermione thought of punching him in the face like what she did years ago, but thinking of her parents and the man who could be watching her acts, she took a deep breath and apparated away, leaving Draco alone in the silent empty hall.
He threw himself into the armchair, speechless. Had he known she was a Pureblood earlier, he would definitely respect her, giving her the most decent impression and even asking her for a date. He was envious when he knew Viktor Krum invited her to be his partner. He could still remember the pain of dancing with Parkinson, along with two unattractive blocks following behind. She was a Mudblood, he was taught to hate her, but why would he get so jealous of Krum back then?
He recalled the relieve in him upon hearing that she was the child of Wilkes, a Pureblood like him. Things would not go as smoothly as he wanted, Hermione was not the type of girl that would easily give in. He needed a plan, he needed something that could make her stay by his side. But the path ahead was shrouded with mystery, waiting their arrival.