Looking in the mirror, examining the bruises that once again covered the side of her face, Hermione winced while wiping the blood from her busted lip. It had been almost three years since Harry had failed to defeat Voldermort. he along with many of the order had been killed the final battle. Things were not as the once were, there was no happiness, no joy, the world was dark and empty. Hermione had been given a proposition, that if she was to marry a certain Slytherin that he would keep her safe. Whatever possessed Draco Malfoy to ask her to marry him had been a mystery. But Hermione was terrified of what would happen if Voldermort got her, so she accepted. Her marriage, if you could call it that consisted of 3 things, pain, hate and torment. She was his slave. If he wanted the floor scrubbed with a toothbrush she would have to do it or suffer the consequences. but that isn't the worst part of her predicament, their relationship isn't platonic.
Her life consisted of cook, clean, sex, sleep. She had become a shell of her former self. Her one bright face was now gaunt and bruised, the sparkle in her eyes was extinguished. Her drive her motivation, her very spirit died the day she said "I Do". In her school days she was known as "the brightest witch of her age", but how could someone so bright do something so stupid.
They could never love each other. They could never be friends. They were just two people who lived together under a contract. Hermione learned quickly that Draco wasn't one to cross. Yes, he was still the same arrogant "boy" that she had attended school with. Then the worst he could do was call her mudblood, then it would make her cry but, after her first broken nose she longed for the petty name calling.
All the things that he had done to her in the past, horrible thing, thing that no one should have top endure. Painful memories stood out in her mind like a sore thumb.
"Draco, no, please. I'm really tired. Not tonight please." Hermione whispered as she lay in the bed that she and Draco shared.
"Draco please", she pleaded as Draco continued to leave a trail of soft kisses down her neck and on to her shoulder.
He didn't listen to her. And like always she just accepted it. She knew she couldn't fight him. Reluctantly her lips met his, he bit her bottom lip causing her to open her mouth so he could deepen the kiss. Hermione shut off the mind and tried to picture herself some where else.
After events like this she would go in the bathroom and cry. She would cry for Harry and Ron, her parents, and sometimes she would even cry for Draco. She missed her old life when she had friends. She lost so much but remained hopeful.
Sometimes she would wake up in Draco's arms and feel content. She would stare at his sleeping face. Strands of his white-blonde hair hanging over his eyes. She would watch him until he would wake. His gray eyes would flutter open and stare into her brown ones. She would occasionally receive a small smile. This showed that Draco did have a heart, but to save himself pain and suffering, he coated it in ice to isolate himself from the rest of the world.
In Hermione's heart she longed for love. She had been deprived from it for so long that she almost forgot what it felt like. She wanted love so badly that she tried with all her might to make a place for Draco. She hoped on day thing would get better but hope was the only thing she has left.