Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm a newbie to this whole fanfiction thing. I have read lots of it, so I am giving it a go. This story has not been reviewed by a beta. If anyone wants the job send me pm!

I own nothing, Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Story: Set Fire To The Rain

Pairing: Draco Malfoy/Hermione Granger

Rating: M, for language, adult themes and sexual content.

Summary: After the war, Marriage law has been passed. Every pure-blood must marry a muggle-born or half-blood. If Draco has to marry outside of pure-blood lines, he wants the best, which naturally means Hermione. AU, Non-Cannon, Not completely DH compliant.

Hermione sat at her kitchen table, quill in hand as she stared at the pile of letters in front of her. Lately, she found herself in this very position, staring at the same letters for the past couple of weeks. A month had gone by since the passing of the new marriage law. Since then, she was receiving marriage proposals on a daily basis.

She picked up the official order and read it again:

"Every pure-blood witch and wizard must marry either, a muggle-born or half-blood, witch or wizard. The marriage must result in reproduction to re-populate our world after the devastating loss due to the war."

Hermione scoffed and flicked the paper across the table. She understood the concept, their population had taken a devastating hit. Mixing the bloodlines meant less chances of producing squibs. She understood their reasoning's, she truly did, but she hated this law more than anything.

It was the last part of the order she hated the most. If she wasn't engaged within a year, the ministry would appoint someone to marry her. She shuddered as she imagined all of the horrific possibilities. She was jealous Harry was allowed to marry his girlfriend, frankly they were heading down that road anyway. If she was still with Ron, it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but she wasn't. Their relationship didn't last very long, both realized they were better of as friends rather than lovers.

She shuffled through her proposals once more, she had one from every Weasley who was single, including Ron. She shook her head, there was no way she could ever marry any of the Weasley's. She cared for them greatly but they were like family to her. She thought of them as her brothers. She laughed at the ones from Crabbe and Goyle, no way in hell would she stoop that low. Ernie Macmillan was always a possibility, so was Oliver Wood. She didn't know them all too well, but they didn't seem to be bad blokes.

It was then a very regal looking owl pecked at her window. She furrowed her brow, and got up to let him in. He perched himself on the back of one of her chairs and stuck his leg out, drawing attention to the parchment tied to his leg with a silky black ribbon.

She didn't recognize this owl, he was very beautiful though. He had shiny black feathers that reminded her of a raven and deep amber eyes. She removed the letter and he stayed put watching her with curious glances. Eying the bird warily she broke the seal and unrolled the parchment. She read the letter and gasped when she saw who it was from. She had to read it a second time just to convince herself she wasn't dreaming.

Ms. Granger

I am writing to you in hopes you will agree to meet me for lunch tomorrow afternoon.

I was hoping we could discuss a possible arrangement. If you are willing, I shall meet you at The Three Broomsticks at noon.

I look forward to meeting with you.

Regards,

Lucius Malfoy

P.S. The owl will wait and then deliver your reply.

Hermione laid the parchment on the table and chew on her lip thoughtfully. Should she meet Malfoy senior tomorrow? She knew what he wanted, what else could it be about. He really had no other use for her. The owl hooted impatiently, snapping her our of her thoughts. She scowled at him, "Oh, shut up. You have nothing better to do." she snapped.

Without anymore thought she grabbed her quill, scribbling her reply on a piece of parchment and attaching it to the owl. He took off immediately and she watched him fly off out the window. She stood there for awhile, lost in a daze. Then it dawned on her.

"Merlin. What have I done?"

Hermione decided not to tell anyone about her meeting with Lucius. She hardly slept a wink that night, thoughts of how things would play out plaguing her mind. When she finally got out of bed, a bit on the late side for her, she headed straight to the shower. She took her time, letting the warm water relax her tense body. She stepped out and wrapper herself up in a fluffy towel, wrapping another around her hair to wring it out.

She stood in front of her closet chewing on her pinky for a good 15 minutes, trying to decide what to wear. It was March, so the weather was still on the brisk side. She finally decided on a pair of nice black slacks, pink satin blouse and black ballet flats. She left her hair down, applying a smoothing potion to her hair that tamed the frizz. It left her hair smooth and her curls tamed and bouncy. She decided to go without make up today.

She walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. Her stomach was doing flips, so she decided against food. She glanced at the clock nervously, it was 11:30. With a sigh she walked to the foyer grabbed her black velvet cloak with silk lining, threw it on and grabbed her wand. She walked out onto her balcony and with a pop she apparated to Hogsmeade. She walked the streets to a familiar building, a place she had spent many Hogsmeade weekends with her friends.

The bell chimed as she stepped inside of The Three Broomsticks, her cheeks rosy from the chill. She waved to Madame Rosmerta, and moved to a booth removing her cloak and sliding in. Rosmerta came over smiling, "What can I get you, doll?" She asked pleasantly.

"Just a butterbeer, please. I'm meeting someone." she replied with a small smile. Rosie nodded and went to grab her drink, returning quickly with and setting it down in front of her.

She thanked Rosie and took a sip. The drink slowly warmed up her insides and she sighed contently. It was then the bell jingled, signaling a new arrival. Hermione looked up and her warm brown eyes met a pair of cloudy gray ones.

A/N: So what do you guys think? Should I continue, or has this been done too many times before? If I get enough positive feedback I'll continue, if not, I'll just close up shop. :P Much love to you all!

-Mandey