Hermione moved through the halls, her dress swaying at her feet and her cloak draped around her shoulders. Her mother had wished to see her and now she was making the trip from the home her parents had in the country side where she was staying for a few days, to court back in London.

She folded her hands into her sleeves to reassure herself that her wand was securely latched onto her forearm and climbed onto her horse.

The ride into court was an easy one. They Granger house was only about an hour away from court and was a calming ride through the countryside. When she arrived she was taken to her parents quarters inside the palace and she sat waiting on her mother in their parlor.

"Oh Hermione dear there you are." The elder Lady Granger said as she walked into the room.

"Hello Mother. What was so important that you had to call me away from home three days early?" Hermione asked worried.

"Always to the point aren't you dear. Well you see we have received an offer that affects you quite seriously. A marriage proposal." Lady Granger smiled.

Hermione sat there shocked for a few moments before finally asking who it was.

"Duke Malfoy has requested your hand for his son. I believe you went to school with him. A young Draco Malfoy."

Hermione sat there shocked and in silence for a few moments. That boy had been the bane of her existence through school. He was rude and hurtful to her and one day she had even punched him in the face when he was teasing her and Harry. The boy had tried to complain to the teachers but none would believe him thinking that Hermione wasn't capable of such a thing.

"And what is it that you wish Mother." Hermione finally asked.

"Well my dear it seems like a very good match! You would be well provided for and a Duchess someday! I've met his mother a few times here at court and she seems to be very likeable and your father says that his father is quite the politician."

"May I have a few days to think it over?" Hermione asked.

"Of course my dear."

"Excuse me then." Hermione stood and rushed out of the room as quickly as she could. She ran through the hallways and through the corridors until she came upon the Potters wing. There she knocked on the door until Ron finally answered it. Ron was Harry's best friend and because of his family's lack of status he came to court as Harry's manservant.

"Hermione! What are you doing here?" He asked

"Please. Is Harry here?" She asked holding back the tears.

"No but he will be back soon. Come in, Lily is here." Ron opened the door more and sure enough there was Lady Potter sitting on the couch. She was like a second mother to Hermione and when there was a magical question she was who Hermione always turned to.

"Hermione dear what is the matter?" she asked noticing Hermione's tears.

Hermione just sobbed and ran into the woman's arms.

"Ron lock the door. And cast a silencing spell around the room while your at it."

And so Hermione told them what her mother had told her. Lily Potter had known the Malfoys nearly all her life. The Lady Malfoy had been a classmate of hers while her husband had been a few years older than her.

"Oh you poor child. There now it'll be alright. Hush now we will figure out a way out of this." Lily smoothed down Hermione's hair that had gone wild in her dash to the Potters rooms and had a handkerchief appear for Hermione to dab her eyes with.

A lock could be heard turning and Harry opened the door.

"Hermione?" He asked seeing her sitting on the duvet with his mother. "What's wrong?" He asked moving to kneel in front of her.

"The Malfoy's have asked for her hand dear." His mother said.

"What? The bugger. Well you said no didn't you Hermione?"

"I haven't given an answer yet. My parents wish for me to agree to the match."

"Well you won't have to marry the bloke Hermione." Harry said making up his mind.

"What? How can you be so sure. I have no other prospects as well as the fact that I'm getting old. Few men want a girl over the age of sixteen and I'm coming up on my nineteenth birthday."

"No you won't have to marry him. Because you and I are going to get married."

And so it begins.

Risa