Hermione had let herself sink into the tub up to her nose. It was the first time she had the opportunity to bathe in ages she felt like she was losing layers as she scrubbed the dirt from her skin then sliding into the water to wash her hair out. Narcissa had Willa leave specialty cleansing potions on the side of the large tub for Hermione, she used each one. She could hear voices in the other room but they were hushed enough she could quite make them out.

Narcissa was tracing out the gliffs she planned on using for the couples bonding ceremony when her son knocked on her door.

"Is she still bathing?" Draco asked she nodded.

"I'm sure she will be along shortly dear they were on the run for almost a year I can't fathom the comfort a real bath would have. Look at these tell me if they are satisfactory." She handed him the parchment.

" There are two gliffs extra," he said before he had even had the chance to look at them.

"Yes I took the liberty of adding one for happiness and one for fertility. Your aunt had her under that cruciatus curse for almost three house before Victor and Merida returned to their frame and realized what was going on. It can make a woman sterile you know." He nodded.

"I want the loyalty one beside the happiness one they should be the first two as they will be the most important should Potter fail." Draco told her pointing out the two.

"Miss Hermione is ready to dress Missus Narcissa, Master Draco must leave he mustn't see the bride before the bonding." Willa interrupted.

"Thank you Willa," Narcissa nodded to the elf and ushered her son to the door. "I'll meet you in your study after she's ready."

He nodded and left just as the en suite door cracked opened. Hermione was wrapped in a plush robe as she stepped in to the room.

"I um well Willa took my clothes and I'm unsure what I'm to wear." She said feeling slightly guilty that she was clean and being cared for while Harry and Ron were Merlin knew where doing Merlin knew what.

"I hope you don't mind but the elves are quite insistent that they help you." Narcissa said. "You'll be glad to know they are my own elves and they are compensated for their work. Draco told me you once started a club for elvish welfare."

"Yes, I had when I was in school." Hermione said as Willa reappeared with three other elves.

"Miss Hermione will let us dress her yes? We are very quick then Missus Narcissa will do your hair. " the elf told her as they surrounded her and before she could blink she was redressed undergarments and all in the cream and gold dress robes that had been on the bed when she came in.

"Miss Hermione is beautiful." The smallest elf stated before they all popped out.

"They already seem quite fond of you." Narcissa smiled and she ushered the girl to the chair in front of the vanity. She brushed Hermione's hair out and then with a flick of her wand dried it and had it up in to a beautiful up-do. She opened the drawer and she pulled out a few things.

"These combs were a gift from your mother the last Christmas before your grandparents went away. They are very precious to me, I'd like them to be your something old and borrowed. This necklace however is new, I had picked it up a few months ago in hopes of giving it to my daughter in law one day. I suppose it came early, it's new and blue." She explained pressing the combs into Hermione's hair then fastening the necklace around her neck.

"Thank you," was all Hermione could muster as Narcissa cast a glamor charm for her make up and the two set out to the study.

"You look stunning Granger. " Draco said as he looked up from the tome he was reading his voice was almost automated when he said it and she was unsure if it was her benefit or his mothers.

"Thank you, you chose a lovely suit Draco. It matches your eyes. " she said quietly almost as if it was something she was observing to herself rather than telling him.

"Mother we must hurry, Severus sent word it's happening tonight. " Draco told his mother who nodded.

" Join left hands and face each other. " she told them and then set about casting the charms required for the bonding. She whispered almost, that's how softly she spoke, in Latin causing Hermione to strain to understand what she was saying. Loyalty, Happiness, Fidelity, Trust, Love,Good fortune, fertility and attraction. "Both of you repeat after me," she stated looking at them sternly. "Two become one, never to be undone. "

They both uttered the words and the gold sparks that had been floating around their joined hands settled on their wrists in the firm if the ancient runes that symbolized each word.

"Mother the last one was unnecessary, at least on my count,"Draco told his mother letting go of Hermione's hand.

"But darling, you'll be together till death attraction is helpful in a relationship." She countered, as a flush rose in Draco's cheeks.

"I'm aware."

"I think what he meant was he wasn't in need if the rune. Attraction has never been a problem between us, attitudes and prejudices yes but their is no denying your son is handsome." She blushed brighter than he had.

"Oh...oh!" Narcissa said realizing the two had been physically attracted to each other despite their personalities clashing. "Well, we should all get some rest, if they are going to call for us tonight we need to be ready." The newly bonded couple nodded and Draco took Hermione's hand.

"Come along I'll show you our room. " he said leading her away. "I'm sorry you know Granger. " he mumbled softly as they walked the hallway.

"Malfoy," she told him.

"What?" He asked almost a little too harshly.

"It's Malfoy. We are married for all intensive purposes in the magical world so I'm not a Granger anymore."

"Oh, yeah. I just thought you'd keep your name since you didn't really want this." He said slightly shocked.

"Your mother explained that this will work and chances are there is no way out of it so I intend to make the most of it. We will learn to love each other on some level." She explained as he pushed the doors open to what was once his room.

"This is our room, perhaps we should get some rest they will be calling soon." He said loosening his tie and shurgging out of his suit coat.

"I, I don't have anything else to wear. Willa took my clothes earlier." Hermione said still standing in the intricately decorated bonding robe. Draco said nothing but pointed to a wardrobe across the room. She cautiously made her way over and peaked inside. There were wizarding world robes, muggle style dresses, a few pant suits, a couple of pair of muggle jeans and shirts.

"I helped her pick them out but it was mostly my mother, so you'll have to bring up your grievances to her." He stated once he was down to his vest and pants. "I'd suggest something comfortable but not too casual as we could be called away with no time to spare." She nodded picking out a muggle jumper and pants she hung a dress robe on the side of the wardrobe to throw over top should they be called away and took the new clothes to the adjoining bathroom before changing and joining him in their room again.

"Pick your side of the bed. I'll wake you should we be called for." He said, sitting at the foot of the left side of the bed. She climbed in on the right side and he lay down on the left not another word was spoken though neither could really sleep. After twenty minutes of silence he pulled her to him and when she went to protest she found she couldn't he felt comforting to her almost as if she was enjoying it.

"I'll make sure you stay safe and I'll help Potter, for you." He said softly almost as if he expected her to be asleep.