Hermione Granger found herself suddenly jerking into consciousness. Blinking her eyes, trying to focus in the darkness of her bedroom, her brain slowly unfogged itself from sleep and registered that it was the sound of someone Apparating that had awoken her. To her horror her eyes identified a blurry shape that was currently rummaging through her bedside table.

Before she could react in any way, a hand was quickly clasped over her mouth and she found herself forcibly apparated out from under her covers. Hermione felt her body make contact with a hard stone floor as they apparated to their destination. Before she could vent out her anger through an indignant muffled scream, she heard an oddly familiar voice cast the Silencing charm over her in a soft whisper. She struggled against the hard planes of her capturer's body, as she felt him throw himself onto her, knocking her cleanly horizontal onto the hard cold floor that had previously just been in contact with her bare legs. She could feel his body pressed up against her and his cautious breathing as he checked what looked like an expensive gold wristwatch that helpfully subtly glowed to show him that it was a minute after two in the morning.

A sleepy voice broke the suffocating silence around them by casting a lumos. The increased lighting in the room made Hermione's eyes widen in recognition. She was being restrained by none other than Draco Malfoy, whom she hadn't seen since the day of Voldemort's death almost three years ago. Hermione tried to push his muscular frame off her own petite one and tried to squirm out from under him.

Draco rolled his eyes. Trust the bookworm to not realise she's rubbing against parts of my anatomy that are about to salute her.

Hermione felt his hardness against her thigh. To her horror she blushed and broke eye contact. She looked at her surroundings to avoid looking at the boy on top of her -who was currently thinking of Buckbeak the Hippogriff in a bikini- and to her surprise, she recognised where they were. Draco had apparated them to none other than Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. They were hiding in what seemed to be the store room, behind a tall stack of wooden crates. Hermione's head spun with unanswered questions. Why would Malfoy risk kidnapping her and taking her so close to Hogwarts? Even without Dumbledore, the current headmistress –Professor McGonagall- had ensured that Hogwarts remained one of the safest places in Wizarding Britain.

"Are you finished with the patrols Archie?" asked a female voice, as Hermione heard heave footsteps coming towards the door.

"Yeah, seems to be alrigh', shall I lock up in 'ere and go ter bed then?" asked Archie, as he swept his wand across the room one last time. Unseen by Draco and Hermione, the female nodded and before they knew it they could hear the sounds of a heavy door being magically locked, and the room was once again filled with darkness.

Draco Malfoy exhaled slightly. The hardest part was over. Then his eyes fell on a livid Hermione Granger.

Maybe not.

"Look, Granger," he began in an urgent whisper, his mind spinning with how to quickly explain matters to her. He would need her co-operation for the rest of their plan, especially since Apparating was banned into or out of Hogwarts. "I know what this must look like to you, but I'm here on orders to rescue you. I can explain it all soon, but it's imperative that we get to Hogwarts immediately. We will all be safest there. I will release you from your Silencing charm, but you have to promise me not to draw attention to us by screaming for help or trying to run away. Just to show you that I come to help, here-"

Hermione fought to hide her shock as she saw him proffer a wand. Her wand.

"Grabbed it from your bedside table before we Apparated," he said by way of explanation.

Hermione nodded once and took the wand off him, suddenly realising the intimacy of their position now that the initial awkwardness had worn off. Almost as if the same thought crossed Draco's mind, he quickly eased himself off her, while all the time ensuring he was hidden behind the wooden crates of delicious chocolate. He waved his wand speedily, releasing Hermione from the Silencing charm.

"Thanks," Hermione muttered, uncomfortable with having to thank him for anything. She nervously ran her fingers through her dishevelled hair before crossing her arms firmly across her chest. It was quite cold in the store room and she wasn't wearing anything other than a flimsy cotton nightgown.

"Here," said Draco for the second time, as he swiftly unhooked his expensive looking cloak. Without waiting for a response he draped it across Hermione's small shoulders. She gratefully noticed that the beautiful black cloak was actually made of very silky and warm fur. She nodded her thanks, still unsure of what to say to him. She was still filled with mistrust of his intentions.

"Come on, we must hurry, the longer we wait, the more everyone is in danger," Draco said, as he lit his wand and hurriedly moved through the crates. Hermione lit hers and followed suit, trying to keep up. She knew they were heading towards the secret passageway to Hogwarts that had probably been unsealed after the war. She wasn't surprised Draco knew his way around; after all if there was anyone just as guilty of late night wanderings as her, Harry and Ron were, it was him.

As soon as they climbed into the passageway to Hogwarts, Draco checked his wristwatch, swore and instructed her to run. To Hermione's surprise, he grabbed her hand in his own and cast a Muffling charm to quieten their footsteps. She felt her heart pounding as she made her way behind him. He leapt out at the statue and quickly picked her up and hoisted her out. Never letting go of her hand, he ran her through the halls and staircases, and even through a wayward ghost that didn't glide out of their way in time.

"W-what's-g-going-on-n?" Hermione whispered through chattering teeth from the cold feeling of running through a ghost.

"No… time… talk… later…" panted Draco as they skidded towards a stop upon reaching the gargoyles that flanked Dumbledore's- no the head's office. To Hermione's surprise the gargoyles jumped apart password-free, and without a moment's hesitation Draco took off again climbing the spiral staircase two steps at a time, dragging along a bewildered Hermione in his wake.

He threw open the door to what Hermione assumed was now Minerva McGonagall's office. To her surprise she found her former Transfiguration teacher anxiously pacing, while staring at a tiny hour glass in her hand. To her even greater surprise, Hermione recognised Blaise Zabini, a former classmate whom she knew worked as an Auror, was standing in a corner looking just as anxious.

"There you are Mr. Malfoy!" McGonagall exclaimed, her face slightly relaxing, "What took you so lon- never mind. We don't have much time. Mr Zabini, the rings if you please?"

Blaise stepped forward, relief cascading over his handsome features, and he handed McGonagall two rings.

"What's going on Professor?" asked Hermione, flustered.

"No time to explain Miss Granger," said McGonagall tapping each ring with her wand, "You will have to trust my judgement."

Hermione nervously bit her lower lip, as McGonagall handed both Draco and herself a ring. She looked down at hers and found a thick gold band inscribed with some Latin words that she did not recognise.

"Mr. Malfoy, you may begin," McGonagall said, as Draco solemnly nodded and took Hermione's left hand in his. He stared into her honey brown eyes, which were wearing an expression of confusion he had never before seen in them. Biting back the urge to laugh he slipped a delicate rose gold filigree ring on Hermione's finger.

Hermione broke her gaze and looked down at her hand with an expression of horror.

"Miss Granger, quickly child, put the ring on Mr Malfoy's finger," McGonagall said urgently, once again consulting the hour glass.

Hermione felt as though she was having an out of body experience. She numbly slipped the thick gold band onto Draco's left hand, and felt oddly detached as Blaise put his hand over theirs and McGonagall tapped her wand over them. When Hermione withdrew her hand she saw her newly acquired ring glow softly.

"Four seconds to spare, congratulations mate," said Blaise grinning, as he clapped Draco on the back.

Draco looked as though he was going to be sick.

"I hardly think congratulations are appropriate, seeing as my future wife isn't even aware that we just promised ourselves to each other," he said sounding irritated, as he sat down on one of the plush armchairs in the room.

Hermione felt herself jolt back to reality.

"We did what?"

She looked around the room feeling a rush of dread settle in the pit of her stomach. Blaise was grinning, looking incredibly amused at this turn of events, while McGonagall looked flustered.

"Hermione, dear, why don't you take a seat?" she started softly, staring at the portrait of Albus Dumbledore behind her desk. His eyes twinkled as he surveyed the scene over his half moon glasses. He gave the room an encouraging smile. Feeling slightly comforted, Hermione nodded and slowly unclasped Draco's heavy cloak from her shoulders. Either the temperature of the room had risen, or there was an unknown heat in her body that had started up as soon as she heard the words "my future wife". She draped the cloak over the back of an overstuffed armchair and sat down, opposite Draco. Following her suit, McGonagall and Blaise took the remaining armchairs, forming a semi-circle in front of the fireplace. Hermione felt Blaise look at the low square neckline of her sky-blue nightgown and felt herself flush as she pulled the neckline up further.

"I'll thank you not to look at my future wife like that," Draco said, elbowing Blaise in the ribs.

"And I'll thank you to stop calling me that," snapped Hermione, feeling a tide of anger rise inside her. Just an hour ago she was sleeping, and now she was sitting with two Slytherins at Hogwarts in her old and too-short but very comfortable nightdress. Surely this was just a bad dream? Her ring glowed again as if to say otherwise.

"Oooh she's passionate," said Blaise, winking at Draco, "I always knew the nerdy types were the ones that were firecrackers in the be-"

Before Blaise could finish what was surely going to be a crude statement, he found himself unable to talk due to a steam of surprisingly large gold and silver sparks that shimmered out of his mouth every time he moved his tongue.

"Since you seem to like firecrackers so much…" Hermione shrugged, internally gloating. It had been almost six years since she had read that spell, and never had any chance to use it.

Draco smirked. So the bookworm had a little bit of evil. Maybe he had dismissed her as a goodie-two-shoes way too soon.

"As I was saying," said McGonagall gravely, trying to recall the attention of the young adults in front of her to the matter at hand, "You and Mr Malfoy here have been cursed."

"Cursed?" echoed Hermione in alarm, staring down at her ring once more.

"Yes, Granger, repeat everything she says. That's definitely productive," drawled Draco, another flash of irritation across his face.

"Nice to see you still like exaggerating. I didn't repeat everything, I repeated one word," retorted Hermione, glaring at the blond. He sullenly stared back at her, annoyed at being outwitted.

"Now as you know, after the war the Ministry as been careful to provide protection for people that had the courage to help with overthrowing the Dark Lord. The Malfoys and the Zabinis have been also granted this honour due to their daring actions. Mr Zabini here was a double agent for most of the troubled times, and Mr Malfoy and his mother, well, you know better than anyone else what happened there." finished McGonagall quickly before either of them interrupted her.

Hermione nodded. Narcissa's moment of bravery, which at the time had stemmed from wanting to see her son safe, had not only helped them win the war, but she was also one of the chief witnesses against many of the captured Death Eaters, her husband included. While knowing Narcissa had probably done it to ensure that she and her son were granted a pardon from the Ministry, Hermione had always felt a slight twinge of admiration for the lady.

"I'm following so far, Professor, but what does this have to do with me?" asked Hermione.

"Well Miss Granger, while the Ministry has been effective in placing wards to counter most of the common curses and charmed objects that any of the Death Eaters bearing vengeance might send, this particular curse is an old Wizarding tradition, more prevalent in the pure-blooded families, that ensures that their children do not defy their parents and marry their betrotheds at the appropriate time. This curse can only be placed by taking a drop of blood from each party and a strand of hair, so we're unsure of how it was placed on you both, however, had you both failed to comply with the requirements of the curse, you would've both lost the most important person in your life." McGonagall finished, surveying Hermione sympathetically.

"So what now? And what was the rush?" asked Hermione, her brain struggling to absorb everything.

"Well, there is a time limit of course, if you had failed to promise yourselves to each other -which is the ceremony you just did- then you would've lost the most important person in your life, and all your close friends and family would find themselves in increasing misfortune with every passing day that you failed to comply. You have until a month to be formally wed, and unfortunately you cannot separate once it is done."

"Well, what if we got married and then never saw each other again?" Hermione asked, trying to find a solution out.

"Well dear, you wouldn't be able to ever get married or have any sort of physical intimacy with anyone other than Mr. Malfoy here. And the longer you both stay apart the weaker the bond of your marriage becomes and the stronger the curse is. You will find your loved ones leading lives of misfortune that gradually increase. You cannot stay apart longer than half a year without risking the curse becoming stronger than the sanctity of your matrimonial union." said McGonagall, awkwardly patting the Gryffindor's unruly head in a useless attempt at consolation.

Draco watched, feeling slightly discomfited at the glitter of unshed tears in Hermione's eyes. He found himself unwillingly respecting her slightly for not breaking down over this.

It's just because I don't want a cry baby for a wife he tried to convince himself.

"So I'm stuck? Stuck with this ferret for the rest of my life?" asked Hermione in horror, forcing herself not to let the tears spill out, ignoring the sparks that she saw in her line of vision as Blaise tried to control his laughter at her comment. She watched Draco roll his eyes and look into the fire, pointedly ignoring his fellow Slytherin.

"Miss Granger, I know this seems like a lot to take in-" started McGonagall in a placating tone, "But if you give Mr. Malfoy a chance I'm sure you will find him to be quite changed."

Draco's head jerked up in surprise. The old bat was defending him? Now that was a first. Hermione looked like she wanted to fling herself into the fire before them. Right now Draco wasn't sure if he would try to stop her or push her into it.

"It's not like I have any other choice," Hermione said, squaring her shoulders and glaring at him as though it was all his fault.

"It's not exactly a picnic for me either Granger," he muttered darkly, brushing his silvery hair out of his eyes.

"Well unlike you I'm nice, so it's not like you'll be suffering too much," shot Hermione, glaring daggers at him.

If looks could kill, he would've been dead three times over.

"Yeah real nice," said Draco, quirking his eyebrow sardonically

"Enough!" said McGonagall as Hermione opened her mouth to retaliate. The room had become an unbearable brightness due to Blaise's silent laughter while the former schoolmates had been arguing. She sighed and waved her wand, relieving Blaise of his hex and causing the bouncing sparks to disappear.

"Thanks Professor," he said straightening up, grinning.

"Now you both, I expect you to act like adults and not jump to snap judgements based on pre-teen evaluations of each other," said McGonagall, ignoring Blaise.

Hermione pictured a giant boulder dropping on McGonagall's head before she could stop herself. Feeling slightly guilty at having murderous thoughts about one of her favourite teachers, she nodded slightly.

"Now Mr. Malfoy, I trust you will escort Miss Granger to your property without incide-"

"His property?" interupted Hermione, the feeling of anger and dread rising again.

"Well, the stipulations of the curse state that you have to live together," McGonagall said, surprised at Hermione's tone.

"But shouldn't we be fine so long as we see each other once every six months?" despaired Hermione, trying to keep her calm.

"Miss Granger, in six months time you will have weakened the curse till it causes death, but starting after a week of separation you will inflict bad luck upon your loved ones. Surely you don't want that?" said McGonagall forcing herself to stay patient with the former Head Girl.

"Then why must I live with him? Why can't he live with me?"

"Because Mr Malfoy has -well- responsibilities to look after that require him to stay at the Manor with his mother," said McGonagall, cutting off Draco as he opened his mouth with a look of disgust on his face at, no doubt, leaving his life of luxury to live in Hermione's apartment without house-elves. Hermione gracefully accepted defeat and following McGonagall's cue got to her feet and swung Draco's cloak around her inadequate nightdress. The headmistress showed them out and fell onto her favourite armchair with an irritated sigh. The door shut firmly behind the three former students.

"Cheer up Hermione, Draco's not so bad," Blaise said, his dark eyes grinning with mischief. "I mean, just because he has Ergoyles on his genitals doesn't mean he'd make a bad husband."

Hermione cringed at the mention of Ergoyles, the most common and nasty Wizarding venereal disease. The outbreaks were painful and lasted almost three months. She was quite sure Blaise was joking, but then wasn't Draco always a bit of a manwhore back in their Hogwarts days? Rumours of him and Pansy had spread even to Gryffindor ears. Oh Merlin, did her husband-to-be really have…?

"I do not have Ergoyles," hissed Draco, irritated by Hermione's suspicions, "I can show you if you fucking want."

"Geez Draco, haven't you any idea of romance? You should save that for your wedding night," Blaise grinned, neatly dodging Draco's badly aimed hex.

Hermione silently walked along the two boys feeling terrified.

What had she gotten herself into?