Hermione stood in the empty ball room her eyes moving around the room, her palms where sweating, Her arms felt like lead weights, Her eyes where starting to bloom with a pain from a headache that has been hanging over her head. "Gee Granger are you going to faint?"Curled a familiar tone, She turned to him and shook her head "Go to hell Malfoy.", "I am already there Granger I can assure you of that."He said stepping into the ball room. She hated how he looked so rich and untouchable, Draco's eyes moved over her and he let out a tsk of distain, She looked like thestral dung, Her hair was even more frizzy and her face was pale and drawn taught from the frown she wore constantly.
"I guess I should tell you thank you for letting the minister hold the annual Memorial Ball here."She said primly as she could with a headache pressing on her eyes making her vision splotchy "Spare me, What in the heck is wrong with you?"He asked as she swayed a little at the change of lighting in the room "None of your business Malfoy."she hissed weakly as she moved away from him, He had moved closer to her so he could catch her if she decided to take a tumble. "It is, You are in my house and I do not need Potter or the Weasel getting uppity at the state you are in." He said snidely as he took her arm that she had pathetically tried to escape from.
"Don't."She warned as he rolled his eyes "Just go to Severus."He said tugging her to the door of the Ball room "I don't have to do anything."She stated her heels dug into the wooden floor "Fine."Malfoy hissed as his grey eyes shined as he leaned in with a deadly smirk that did more than instill fear. "You have to come to terms with the facts Granger by tomorrow you will be Lady Malfoy."He walked away, Hermione closed her eyes and let the world fade around her barely hearing someone said "Shite."
*3 Weeks Ago*
"This is crap."Cussed Ron throwing the papers down in front of Hermione and Harry who looked equally unpleased "Ron."Hermione tried but he shrugged her off "I don't get it! Why do we have to go to that ruddy place to be tested!"He said raising out of his chair in Grimmauld place's small kitchen. "They say that they can figure out ones true love by the Amortentia Potion." Hermione sighed "I am curious."said Harry breaking out of his thoughts.
He looked at the paper and sighed "I just don't like the stipulations."He said "Wow big words Harry."said a new voice from the door, Harry grinned and turned to face the black haired Witch "Alissa."He greeted as they watched her walk into the room. "Harry, Ron, Hermione."She said taking the newly given up chair. "What's the issue now? Did the big bad golden trio need a new cause."She taunted with a smile, Her blue eyes still held some red around the edges. Ron turned red "This is the bloody problem."He stated pointing viciously at the Daily Prophet with a grinning Percy Weasley and his new wife Audrey "How is your brothers nuptials any cause for concern, I know!"She said as soon as the words left her she sat up and slammed her hand down staring at the grim golden trio "Dark magic has to be at work! Who else would fall for up tight Perfect Percy anyways!"She said using Percy's nickname when they where first years.
Hermione shook her head "Read it."She pressed, Alissa sighed and picked up the prophet and read out loud "Minster thanks Percy Weasley and new wife Audrey Weasley in their test of the potion that will make unhappy and forceful bonds a thing of the past."Alissa's face scrunched up "Using an altered Amortentia potion, the ministry will beable to give the person their true soul mate, See page four for more information.". Harry ran a hand though his unruly dark hair "They don't tell you that once you walked into the place you have to do the test in a weeks time and marry the person or else."Harry said. She looked at all of them and let out a snort "You went in there didn't you."She said casualy moving the prophet.
"All Harrys fault."Ron remarked shooting his oldest friend a dark look, Harry had the decency to look ashamed. Hermione rose and tutted "No use now boys, Alissa are you going to try it?"She asked the girl who turned her lip up in a grimace revealing perfect white teeth with the canines a little bit sharper than normal "From what I get there is no try it out."She said raising as well "You deserve happiness."Hermione said looking at the girl before her. She snorted "I am going to my room, Good luck."She said "Sounds like you will need it."She called from the stairs ignoring the portraits yells. "She does that on purpose!"Harry said with a slight wine at hearing Mrs Black scream out "Inbred beast! Villainous creature you get out!".
"Lets go."Hermione said rallying them into the fireplace, With a strong glow to her, She threw the powerder into the fire place.
They walked into the newly decorated room "At least they did something with the Centar office."Ron muttered darkly as the blonde behind the counter rose "Ron Weasley you are first."She announced after a moment of looking over her books. Ron gave Hermione a fleeting look and fallowed the blonde "What do you think they do?"Asked a nervous Nevile who unfortunately came in with the golden trio a day ago only to be told they now had to do the potion. "Its not best to assume anything."Hermione told him sharply, She couldn't relax at all she felt as if the world was tilting sideways.
Harry took her hand and Ron walked out pale and a little sick "Ron."Hermione said as her and Harry rose together to look at there friend who gave Hermione a sad look "I...Luna Lovegood."He said walking out of the office, Hermione felt her heart break for Ron who hoped that she was the one that he was meant to marry, To prove her wrong, after a month of dating she decided that he wanted a wife that would stay home and act like his mother but she wanted to live her life. Being a housewife was not on her list of things to do with her life "Harry Potter."The blonde called from the door.
Harry gave her hand a comforting squeeze and walked to the door, "I don't feel good."Nevile said turning green and shot off to the bathrooms. Hermione was left alone until Harry came out with Ginny grinning "We got Married"Remarked Harry showing off the bonding rings that where gold and red intertwined the only difference in Ginny's was the diamond. "What?"Hermione asked confused "You are able to marry the person, We decided to just get it over with."Ginny said with a small smile, Her brown eyes looked up at Harry as Hermione frowned "Hermione Granger."Called the blonde who seemed to be happy setting up couples. "Then I don't want to even be around Mrs Weasley when you tell her."Hermione said giving them one of her best smiles "Congrats."She remarked.
Harry looked down at Ginny and kissed her nose affectionately "Gin, Who do you think Hermione will end up with?"He asked curiously, Ginny smiled her brown eyes flashed knowingly "The only person who could handle Hermione and get away with out much permeant damage, Keep her intellectually stimulated, also they had enough sexual tension though out school to make even Professor Snape raise an eyebrow."Harry Frowned at his new wife "Who? Victor Krum?"He asked Ginny rolled her eyes "Draco Malfoy, did you not notice?"She asked stopping at her fathers office "Erm.. No?"Harry offered weakly.
Ginny shook her head with a sigh "Malfoy."Harry's face scrunched up "Eh."He said as Arthur opened the door and grinned "Come in I heard the grand news!"He announced.
Hermione stood in the room and looked around, It was dark a bare with on a simmering potion in the room "Take a smell and tell me what you smell."Said the blonde with a smile. She leaned in already expecting the smell from her 6th year but was amazed to find it was changed "Parchment, sandalwood and some thing else."She said pulling back the blonde nodded and held out a small bird like creature who flown around the room and then into the darkness. "What happen?"Hermione asked the blonde didn't say a word and only stared at Hermione with a smile on her face.
Hermione felt her wand and relaxed, this blonde girl was like one of those porcelain dolls that her mother would try to get her to keep in her room but the staring blank eyes creeped her out... Sorta like now."This better be important... What the.."A stuned blonde walked into the room, Hermione's nose picked up a stronger smell of Parchment, Sandalwood and the other thing. She turned at the voice and paled. There stood Draco Malfoy his dress robes half way undone and his hair that was now to his shoulder made him look slightly older. His grey eyes hardened as they landed on Hermione. "What is this about?"He demanded from her but all Hermione could do was stare in horror.
If it was any other moment than now, He would have actually laughed at the look that Hermione had on her face and for once the bushy haired girl was lost for words "Draco Abraxas Malfoy is a perfect match for Hermione Jean Granger"Announced the bird who returned to its post. The weird blonde seemed to come to life "Yes well, How would you like to get married?"The blonde asked Draco looked disgusted "Tell me you where stupid to fall into the ministry's love potion. Pathetic!"He sneered Hermione glared at him "Go to hell Malfoy."She spat and then she turned to the blonde "I won't be marrying him."She stated crossing her arms, Her chin tilted up in defiance. The blonde's smile faded and she got even more creepy "Either marriage or Azkaban for the both of you."She stated pulling out her wand "This is a extreamly rare potion and it is not made only to be waisted."She said then the smile returned "Besides you're meant to be together."
Hermione watched Draco pale and looked scared at the threat of Azkaban but then it was gone as soon as it arrived and Hermione felt a twinge of resolve "Fine."She said her eye's widened as she said "I will marry Malfoy."She said it had to be the fumes from the potion "Now"She added, Draco looked at her and seemed to be fighting something and then whatever it was won because he came closer to the potion and then Hermione "No, My mother would kill me."He said as he moved far away from the potion his arm covering his nose "You have 4 weeks to comply or off to Azkaban with you, Have a wonderful day!" chimed the blonde escorting them out and calling for Neville who paled considerably more seeing Draco walk out with Hermione covering his nose.
Hermione's mind seemed to snap back once the potion's fumes faded "Thats why Ginny and Harry just got married."She said to herself shaking her head almost forgetting Draco who smirked "Who did weasel get then?"He asked she replied before even thinking "Lovegood...I take back what I said by the way, I am not marrying you, Ferret."She said walking off. Draco's face twisted in annoyance and walked swiftly up to her and grabbed her arm "Malfoy's don't stomp off, You have to act like you mean something Granger."He told her, She yanked her arm away and glared at him "I do mean something, Just not to you or any other pureblood family." She looked for the muggle artifacts section and walked down it.
Harry and Ginny walked out of her fathers office to see Hermione in a flurry of anger and Draco looking annoyed as heck "Told you."Singed Ginny "Sexual tension.", Harry frowned "Leave her alone Malfoy."He said walking up to Hermione and pulling her over to Ginny who was trying not to grin to wide. "I need to talk to my fiance Potter."He sneered "Harry take Hermione to our place please."Ginny said Harry nodded and gave her a kiss. Ginny watched Draco carefully before talking to him "I had a feeling you two would end up together."She said softly as Draco ran a hand through his blonde hair. "Damn it Gin, It isn't supose to happen."He growled Ginny smiled "Lets go get some tea."She said taking his arm and walking to the muggle exit.
"Tell me, Why didn't you just say yes instead of being so...Malfoyish." Ginny asked as she leaned back in her chair, Draco stared with a raised eyebrow "It's Granger."He stated like it was the most oblivious thing "Yes, The same head girl you couldn't stop staring at also the same girl you took that hex for." Draco's grey eyes darkened "Gin."He warned not wanting to remember that part of his life. "Don't Gin me, Draco, She should at least know what you went through. For her. You have always like her, Now you have a chance a being happy but acting like a fungus isn't going to get you anywhere." Ginny said her pointer finger pounded on the table as she talked.
"Is that your newlywed wisdom or outragous Gryffindor logic?"Draco asked anyone else would have bristled at his tone and stomped off but Ginny knew that look and the way he was sitting, His shoulders drooped just a bit his hand tightly wrapped around his cup, His face hardened to the Malfoy look a defence mecanisim Ginny thought as she shrugged "Take it as you will, Honestly what I am telling you is the truth. Remember our seventh year and you where struggling to agust to a normal life." Draco's jaw clenched "yes."He forced out. "The only thing stopping you from wisking our dear Hermione away from her pain and greif of loosing close friends was that stupid pureblood laws.".
When Draco didn't answer back Ginny continued "Now you have a chance." She threw down a couple of Muggle dollars and stood "Be kind to her Draco, unlike the rest of us, she's never gotten over the war. Why do you think she only stay's an hour at the memorials?" With that Ginny walked out of the small muggle cafe leaving Draco to his thoughts.
Hermione sat holding a cup of tea tightly in her hand as she looked at the washed table that wasn't so worn as it was now. Sirius never did care about his mothers belongings like her prized family table, "Hermione."Harry started but stopped unsure of how to put what his newly wedded wife just told him. "Harry, I am fine."She didn't look fine at all her hands where white holding onto the cup and her eyes kept on darting around like a scared cat about to jump at the slightest sounds. Something crashed from upstairs and Hermione jumped "It's only Alissa, 'mione." Harry said calmly "Are you sure?"She asked standing and pulling out her wand "Could someone have broken the wards?". Harry shook his head but allowed his paniced friend to move past him and up stairs. He knew from experiance even if it has been a year he still even catches himself if he is a high stressed situation that he will revert back to a survival mode.
Alissa yanked something out of the trunk resting on the edge of her other one as the door slamed open and Hermione pointed her wand at the scared girl "Jesus Hermione, are you trying to make me shit myself!"She shreiked as she held her shirt to her chest as if it would protect her "Oh." Hermione said backing off "Oh! Thats all you got to say! Whats got yur wand in a knot?"Asked Alissa her Southern American accent was thick and heavey from being scared by Hermione. "Just...Malfoy." Hermione said Alissa frowned "You haven't seen the pussy since school." She said usualy Hermione would repramand her for such words but this time she just sat down at the edge of Alissa's bed "I have to marry him."She said blankly "I can't believe this...I'm sorry Alissa I realize you are probably busy."She stood and went to walk out "Hermione." Alissa grabbed her arm careful not to catch her skin with her sharp nails "I am just trying to sort threw my stuff from LaVache's"She said "Tons of talking room threw that." Hermione nodded and again took her spot on the bed.
Alissa pulled out her wand and moved the trunk closer to Hermione so Alissa could listen and sort "Well you are marrying Malfoy and how do you feel about that?"Alissa asked pulling up a small shirt that wouldn't fit her at all. Hermione frowned "Not excited at all, Its bad enough that this year Kingsley is wanting me to honnor the dead."She sighed "I just know that I don't belong in such a family like the Malfoys, I am a mudblood for merlin sakes." Alissa gave her a look "Hermione Jean Granger you are not a mudblood."She said pulling out a small fairy tale book. All Hermione did was nodd much to Alissa's annoyance "They will make my life horrible and I will probably spend most of my time away from Malfoy."She explained "At least he won't get in the way of your goals." Alissa said trying to find the golden lining in the darkened sky. Hermione nodded than she realized something that made her sick to think of it "Oh Merlin." She gagged "I will have to...", "Do the dirty with the Ferret?"Alissa said nodding as she threw away a few odd drawing that held no meaning. Hermione groaned and flopped back on the bed "Well maybe all those girls where right about the Slytherin prince." Alissa wasn't use to being the optamist usualy she was the one being the dark cloud but right now Hermione was the all consuming cloud.
Alissa frowned and set down a small trophey "Hermione now I understand that I am not exactly your buddy like Ron or Harry." Hermione sat up to give the slender black hair witch her full attention "Have you gotten over your fears of what happen at the manor?"She asked Hermione flintched "Of course I have"Hermione lied usualy it would work with the boys but Alissa was a diffrent story "Your heart is accelerated." Alissa stated eyeing her than she walked over to her smaller case and whispered something and the top sprang open "Any nightmares?"She asked pulling out a couple of vials "Alissa you don't have to do anything, I have learned how to deal with them." She said "No you almost hexed me for dropping something" she stated mixing the two potions together and stirring them a puff of smoke rose and Alissa sniffed "Perfecto.".
"When you have another panic attack take this. It is a mild stative, Anyways maybe this Soul mate stuff isn't for the crows. Maybe Draco Malfoy really is your âme soeur" Alissa drawled her french sounded off to Hermione's ears who had heard french since she was a child, Her mother was a thicky intertwined with the french comunity. "Alissandra Louviere?" She spoke Alissa nodded "Thats my name, Fille. Whats wrong with it?"She asked her. "Its not proper french." Hermione said Alissa chuckled a little "You just realized that eight years now and you still haven't ask me where my becomings are?". "I assumed America but now I am a tad confused."Hermione said trying to figure it out "I lived in Louisiana, a small town that had a thick french herratage with some spanish mixed in. Of course I moved to LeVache's Childrens Home which was in the deep Bayou area." She explained "But than why did you Pronouce âme soeur like you dropped the 'R' sound completely." Hermione said Alissa smiled "That sounds prettier comminng from you than me, We sorta altered our 'french' its not exactly french but it isn't english either." She pulled out a old wooden box and pulled out a pretty glass stone with swirls around it.
"Ah, Alissa have you thought about... finding the 'one'?"She asked timmidly, Alissa gave her a silghtly sad smile "Nobody wants me anymore, fille, I am too damaged. Now you." Alissa pointed to Hermione who touched her forearm "You are not so damaged. The war did its damaged to us all but you got out of it better than most. Let me refrase that... "Alissa shook her head "You had a choice just like me, just like Remus and Tonks they had choices, Fred too." Hermione's eyes went glassy at the names that Alissa brung up "We all made our choices and now you have to choose a somewhat decent life with the Ferret or Azkaban, personaly I would choose Malfoy." Alissa smiled as Harry knocked after hearing Alissa's speach "Hermione, Ron and I wanted to know if you wanted to go out for drinks?" He asked Hermione stood and smoothed out her shirt "Sure, thank you Alissa." She said and walked out of the room.
"I heard what you said Alissandra and you are not that damaged either." Harry said giving his friend a smile, She smiled back "Thanks Potter now go drowned your newly wed ass in some whiskey.".