Hello Everyone,

This is the first fanfic I've ever written and so I dont have much experience. I would love some criticism, constrictive or otherwise.

I also would like to apologize in advance because I dont have a beta and I dont always catch my grammar mistakes.

This fic wont be to long, maybe 10-115 chapters.

Thank you and enjoy!

A year after the war, six months after all of the bloodshed and pain, the Wizarding World was left in pieces. It was his father who has the idea. "Join in a marriage to join both sides," his father had said one cold night, "it is a Malfoy's job to fix what we have done here."

Draco could understand, it was his mother and father who sacrificed everything for him, even if what they thought was right was not. Now it was his turn. He sat with his mother and father and went through lists of eligible witches who fought on the other side, pureblood witches.

It was early one morning when Narcissa has slipped a small file onto Lucius's desk. The file of one Hermione Granger. Draco was shocked. Lucius disgusted.

"She's smart," Narcissa said, "and she would be more then willing to help fix our world… She is a Gryffindor, it's in their nature."

Lucius pulled the file off his desk and flipped through the pages considering what he read while Draco sat in silence, his future being written for him.

"Write the girl," Lucius said, resigned, "see if she is willing to hear us out."

That night Draco had slipped into his room and reached into his bedside table. He pulled out a small photograph, a picture of him and his friends before the war huddling by the fire in the Slytherin's Common Room laughing. Most of them were alone now, alone and completely shattered by the war and he had the change to pull them all beck together. He was so enticed by the small moving photo that he didn't hear his farther slip in through the french doors.

"Son," Lucius said breaking Draco from his retrieve, "you need to make sure that this is what you are willing to do. There is no going back. If you heart lays elsewhere I'm sure Theodore Nott would be more than willing to take your place."

Draco slipped the photograph back into his nightstand, "No," he whispered, "I started this war, I was the one who let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts, I should be the one to do this."

"Just take the night to think on it." Lucius gave Draco a long and thoughtful look before walking out of his room, leaving Draco alone with his thoughts.

The next morning Draco wrote the letter inviting Hermione Granger to Malfoy Manor. He watched his owl fly from his room's window, glancing down to see his mum and dad watching the owl fly off too.

The owl came back later that evening with a scroll attached its leg:

Draco

I will hear your request. Tomorrow at 6 in the evening. Away from that room.

Regards,

Hermione

He didn't know why but he was relieved and when he told his parents, Narcissa was quick to arrange dinner. The House Elves instructed to be on their best behavior because their new Mistress was coming to visit. And just like that, the Manor had blossomed with excitement.

The dinner was a quiet affair on Hermione and Draco's part, Lucius had elected to do all the talking and Narcissa only occasionally adding what Lucius had for gotten too.

Draco had spent his time watching Granger who had kept her eyes glued to her plate for the most of the dinner, and occasionally, when her eyes would meet his, his heart would pound loudly in his chest at the soft blush on her cheeks.

She was thin, too thin, which wasn't surprising seeing that she had been on the run for most of the year. He worried for her, and he would see that his mother and father, who would deny it if asked, were too. She was to be a Malfoy, and she needed to get better.

They would get married as soon as they could. She would sever ties with her friends and assume her role as Lady Malfoy with the help of Narcissa to help her assimilate into her new role. In turn, she and any child she had because of the union would be looked after. They would have to present a united font, bring the dark and light together.

Draco silently wished for more.

Granger had sat there after Lucius was done talking looking down at her hands.

"I want a week to say goodbye," Granger said in a small, almost child-like voice, "I need a week."

"A week is more than enough to plan a wedding," Narcissa said with sympathy, "Welcome to the family."

Narcissa stood and glided out of the dining room door, Lucius following closely after with only a small bow as his farewell.

"I would like to take a walk in the garden if you don't mind," Granger whispered.

"I'll come with you" Draco said.

They walked out of the Manor together, no less than two feet apart, in compete silence. They eventually sat underneath a large tree with white flowers falling onto the grass.

"It's beautiful out here." Granger had whispered, startling Draco, "I think that maybe I can be happy here one day." After another beat she inhaled, "I know this isn't for love, and that this is nothing short of a business deal, but I will try if you do."

"But why are you doing this?" Draco finally asked, "We don't like each other."

"This isn't for you or me, Harry and the Weasley's and everyone else need everything to settle, they need to know the war is over. We all need to move on." She rushed out, "I cant promise to love you… but I'll try of you do."

Draco's hand slipped in this pocket where the picture was tucked away safely as he thought of his future and the future of his friends. He turned to her and yearned to touch her, to feel her under his skin.

Granger had left, and almost three days later she had Flooed to the foyer, her eyes red and swollen, her arms wrapped protectively around herself.

"As it turns out I didn't need a week." She said with tears in her eyes, "Im ready."

Narcissa had ushered Granger away, whispering words that Draco couldn't hear.

Draco spent that night in his father's study, sipping Fire Whiskey and staring into the amber in the fireplace.

Everything happened quickly after that night, and four days later, Draco and Hermione were married in a traditional bonding ceremony. Most of what was left of high society was there. Most of the Weasley's had also come, Weasel and Scarhead no where in sight.

Granger— Hermione— was a vision in white as she walked down the aisle, escorted by Arthur Weasley. Before he passed her to Draco, he whispered something in her ear, she chocked down a sob and straightened her shoulders before taking a hold of Draco's arm. That was the first time he touched her. He bent forward and gently kissed her cheek, the moisture from her tears sticking to his lips. When she turned away, he darted his lips out to taste her. She was salt, and freedom, and purity.

He wasn't worthy. She was to good, to clean.

Their first dance was more that Draco expected, his new wife had melted into his arms and followed his large sweeping steps as best she could. The wedding night was less than what one would expect. They didn't consulate the marriage, Hermione asked him not too, instead they elected to spend time in the library reading and writing letters of thanks to everyone who had decided to attend the bonding.

Overtime he had fallen in love with her, but he never acted on it, it wouldn't be right too, especially when she looked at him like she did. Like she would love nothing more than to down him in the pond in the garden. He would never tell a soul but when she would fall asleep at night he would lay next to her, and leave early the next morning before she woke.

Eventually, he took his feelings out on Pansy when she had come back into his life. He had seen her last before the final battle and they had offered each other empty comforts, he took from her what he couldn't from Hermione. Soon, the days were for Hermione and his duty to his family, but he spent his nights with his limbs tangled with Pansy's. As intimate as it might have looked, they never had sex, he was a married man after all, they only ever talked, drank, and sometimes cried if the occasion called for it.

It had been three years and none of it had ever changed.