My first HP story, so please go easy on me!
He bowed to her, a bold mockery of his usual formality.
"Miss Granger. A pleasure as always."
She wrinkled her nose, the only sign of her internal seething. How dare he...
"Likewise, sir." Slightly stiff, but then again she hadnt been born to it the way he had.
"Now, to return to the matter at hand..." the Malfoy heir turned back to the rows of witches and wizards assembled around him, the blue robes of Unspeakables mixing with the green of Aurors and purple of the Mugwumps of the Wizengamot, forming the biggest show of magical unity since the war.
Hermione turned back to her notes, jotting down responses and rebuttals to enrich her pre-prepared speech; allowing her instincts to gauge the mood of the room, the weaknesses in her opponents argument. It was all profoundly ridiculous - a marriage law would only worsen the situation, not solve it. Nevertheless, Kingsley appeared to be a fan of the idea, and Malfoy, desperate to get back into the Ministry's good graces, reluctantly followed. Harry and Ron were already happily married with wives and children of their own, and so with no personal incentive, they maintained their avoidance of the limelight, leaving Hermione to fight against the ridiculousness that Malfoy was currently spouting.
Hermione entertained the notion that Kingsley wasn't really a fan of the scheme. Perhaps he thought that unifying the different sects in society through protest would end the decade of post-war division the magical world had suffered from.
A sudden burst of clapping drew her attention back to the blonde commanding the podium. He held out an open arm, presumably welcoming her to the stage, before bowing to her again, even more obsequiously, and vacating the stage for her. Hermione rose and, perhaps smoothing her robes one too many times, walked gracefully towards the podium.
HGHGHG
Forced smiles and a drinks reception later, Hermione was most certainly ready for bed. A sudden hand on the small of her back, and she spun to see Draco looking down at her. Hastily stowing her wand again, she cursed her age-old reflex, and excused herself from the conversation around her.
"You know, I still cant believe you support this idea of a marriage law. Are you hoping you'll be matched with someone other than your fiancée?"
"Not at all, Miss Granger, for you know I am looking forward to the bonding ceremony next week. To be the best husband, and then father, I could be - nothing could be better than that."
The kisses they exchanged then, and in the privacy of his room that night, were a long way from the adolescent fumblings they had once shared, but as his fingers caressed the swell of her stomach, hers tangled in his fine blonde hair, the diamond adorning her finger glinting in the light.
Perhaps it came a decade too late, but finally, for Hermione, all was well.
A/N: hey guys, I hope you liked it. Its not normally what I write, so please excuse me if the characterisation is off. Also, my spell-checker isnt working, so if anyone spots any mistakes, please let me know!
Please please please please review, even just to tell me you read it, it would be so encouraging.
Many thanks you wonderful readers,
Ash