Chapter 2

Draco could not believe what he was hearing. Marry? There was no way; no way that Dumbledore just said they should get married. Sure he believed in unity and showing the world that he was actually good, but getting married was a completely different story. The old bat had finally lost it. There was no other explanation for the words coming out of his mouth. Maybe dodging all those killing curses had finally got to him. Besides you can only be so brilliant, and Draco was sure that Dumbledore was more crazy than actually brilliant.

"Professor Dumbledore," Hermione said after keeping quiet for so long. "I understand where you are coming from with the idea of marriage. After all, what the world needs right now is more love. The world would be able to see how even through the midst of war, love can still exist. And if it can exist through such conditions, then surviving the after math would be a piece of cake." She paused for a moment.

Draco looked over at her directly for the first time since she entered the room. He drew in a deep breath at the sight at her. When she first entered he only got a brief look at her, and was shocked. Not only at what was coming out of her mouth, but by her physical appearance. Merlin's trousers, she had changed, she was actually kind of hot. No, hot was an understatement. She was bloody beautiful. But still, she was just as crazy as him. She sounded like she was quoting a bloody romance novel. The Granger he knew would not give into anything without a fight. Perhaps the war had left her soft.

"Granger, I cannot believe you are siding with him. Sure the world needs more love, but a MARRIAGE? Are you out of your bloody mind? There is no way I am agreeing to this," Draco blurted out without thinking.

She merely rolled her eyes at his outburst. "What I was going to say before Malfoy rudely interrupted, is that while a marriage is a good idea, shouldn't it be between to people who actually love each other? Between two who get along, and can show the world that love can prevail? Like Ginny and Harry for example, they would do perfectly for this. They loved each other through thick and thin, and even when they were aware of their love for each other, it was still there."

"Oh," was all Draco said next. He felt a little stupid at what he just said. But in his defense, it did sound like she wanted to marry him at the first chance she got.

"Ms. Granger, while that idea is still good, the bond wouldn't be as strong. Those two are both from what would be considered 'the light side'. And while Mr. Malfoy was also on the light side, after all he was the Order's source of information, but because of the name his father left for him he is still associated with the dark."

Granger's eyes widened at the news of his double role. It was now Draco's turn to roll his eyes. Did it seriously shock her that much to know that there was a bit of good inside of him?

"But, does it have to be me?" She said, pleading. Of course she didn't want to marry him, he had made her life bloody awful back at Hogwarts. Draco knew that he was probably the last guy on earth she would marry if it came to it. He wasn't really offended, he didn't want to marry her either, but he was afraid to offend her by protesting.

"Hermione," the Old Coot said softly, "You are one of the Golden Trio. If you were to marry Draco, it would send off a completely different message than if it was merely someone else. Unless-" Dumbledore looked hesitant to continue.

"Unless?" She asked, a bit hopeful.

"Unless you feel that you and Mr. Weasley-" He started.

"No."

"Are you sure there's no chance of that? I do not wish to commit you if your heart belongs to another."

Draco frowned at this exchange. Wasn't this was perfect then? Hermione couldn't possibly marry him, because she was still engaged to Ron. Dumbledore wouldn't make them get married if she was already set to marry him. So why was she so set against it?

"Trust me Professor, after what he did to me, I wouldn't go near him with a six foot pole. There is no way I would ever consider marrying him after that," she said bitterly.

Draco thought she was talking about him with that outburst.

"Look Granger, I do not like this as much as you, but you do not need to be so cold about it!" he said out angrily.

She scoffed. "Malfoy, not everything is about you. I wasn't even talking about you anyway. I was talking about Ron." She looked down at her hands at the last part. "Besides professor, he's happy now. He's finally getting all the things I couldn't give him. I wouldn't ever take him away from his happiness."

What had that weasel done to leave her so vulnerable? Draco felt the anger rush in at the thought of him hurting her. He wasn't sure why, but he knew that he wanted to pummel him at the first chance he got.

Draco sighed in again. "Dumbledore, if I were to pretend for one moment that I wanted to go along with this plan, what exactly would it entail?" he asked. He saw Hermione look over in shock at what he was saying. Of course she would be shocked.

Dumbledore's eyes lighted up with this suggestion. "Well for one, you would need to prove to the public that you actually do love each other. You can tell those closest to you of the arrangement, but none other. It is highly important that the masses believe that your love for each other is actually true. If people see you two not getting along, they will lose faith in the chance that the world can ever come together again. In addition to this, the two of you would need to have a child within the first year of your marriage. You may have as many children as you wish, but you need at least one heir. Nothing shows love and unity better than children."

Hermione looked up finally. "Professor, just to be clear, I do not like the idea of this, but I need to move on from Ron. And if I can accomplish that and bring the world to peace at the same time, then I will gladly do so. I accept the marriage agreement."

Bloody Freaking Hell. Did she just agree? There is no way she would want to marry him. Great, now there is no way he can decline the offer without looking like a ruddy tosser. Looking back on this moment, Draco still couldn't figure what it was that possessed him to speak these next words.

"I may not like this in the slightest, and perhaps this might be the stupidest thing that I ever do, but I also agree the terms of the marriage agreement."

The old tart just beamed at both of them.