Truly hate myself for writing less and less in each chapter, perhaps the next chapter would be more exciting.
Another thing, I must thank the seven followers for taking interest in my story.
DM's POV
Somethmes Draco could not help but thinking of his life, any time in this month, the Department of Marriage would announce who would be the next Lady Malfoy. After all, Malfoy was a prestigious family, even more prestigious after war, since the Daily Prophet stated that the family repented and even joined the Auror Office to prove their betrayal to Dark Magic.
He could see Granger getting more and more anxious. At first, she would daze for a while, eyes fixed on the papers in her hands. Now the anxiety level shot up, she constantly and easily got frightened of little things, a small knock of the door, a light pat on the shoulder or a sneeze could send her brain to another universe. Draco laughed every time she jumped, rarely had he seen her shocked so much and almost scared to death.
He could not blame her as he was also facing the unknown. It was almost certain that he would marry a Slytherin girl, since his description of his imaginary partner matched well with Slytherins. The imagination of having Parkinson or Bulstrode as wife made him shudder. He could not imagine himself saying "Pansy" or "Milly", it was more than enough to make him puke. Not many young and unwed girls worked in Level 2, he did not have much choice. It made him wonder if those Slytherin girls marked him as their desired boyfriend, though a small part of his mind said that he was thinking too much of himself.
On the other hand, he wanted to know who would be Granger's man. He did not reckon it would be Weasley, though he knew this red haired man was secretly in love with her. It seemed to be a waste for her to stay with such a man, she needed someone of similar intellect and had no tolerance in ignorance. The only person he could think of with such quality was himself but he immediately wiped this out of his mind, he would never marry her, despite of the fact that she was a better wife than Parkinson and Bulstrode.
Potter received the news from the Department yesterday, as expected he was matched with Ginny. It was no surprise, they were engaged before the implementation, the Department could not possibly separate them. What's more the Daily Prophet would be even happier if they had the chance of writing about this pair of star-crossed lovers which was separated because of a "merciless" law. Definitely the marriage of the Golden Trio would be headlines for days.
Potter had permitted them to attend the party, and as if he was in a good mood due to his marriage, he agreed to let Marcus Turner and Cassandra Morgan help out in the case. Turner and Morgan were more than grateful to have the chance to travel aboard and not dealing with petty thefts, they had longed for this opportunity to indulge themselves in business and romance. Draco was not entertained much by their silly giggles, romance did not match well with Granger, especially when she was not his wife. And his intuition told him that he and Granger would need to act like couples in Georgia.
A knock rang at the door and Potter came in.
"It's time," he said.
"Time for what?" asked Granger, alerted.
"Department of Marriage," mumbled a voice.
Weasley was behind Potter, looking pale. Draco guessed he had the same time slot with Weasley.
Draco raised his brow and went out with Granger. It was strange, walking beside Granger and Weasley was something that he rarely imagined. It was always the golden trio, never him.
By the time they reached Department of Marriage, a girly voice rang behind and sent everyone a chill down the spine.
"Dracky!"
Draco tried to ignore the voice but failed. The quick echoes of steps came nearer and nearer, claws crept onto his shoulder and the voice whispered,
"Dracky, I miss you."
Immediately, he shoved the hand off.
"Get lost Parkinson," he growled.
He could see Granger smirking and Weasley trying hard to cover up his happiness. This made him madder, being a laughing stock in front of the two was one of the worst things he could imagine, and the humiliation of Parkinson suffocated him. Soon as he got rid of Parkinson's grip, he quickly entered the office, the three followed behind.
"Good afternoon, please join Mr. Rivers and Miss Jenkins over there, our staff will ask you to sign the marriage documents later."
Draco gulped, Parkinson, Granger amd Jenkins, it seemed that Jenkins would be the less horrible out of the three, the only question is that she might not like him. But if it was Granger, it was still better than Parkinson.
A man in mid sixties came towards them. The black tuxedo and thick glasses fitted him, he looked almost like a butler his family used to have at the Manor but he resigned years ago. Behind this man in tuxedo
"Greetings, my fellow workers of the Ministry," he said with an impeccable British acent after clearing his throat. "It is my honour to announce the identity of your partners. Before the announcement, I would like to inform you all certain information."
Draco gulped.
"Upon marriage, you will have a 20% tax refund, for the coming taxation year, you will follow our latest tax rate scheme, which will be automatically deducted from your vaults. Also, please bear in mind that consummation must take place in the first two years of marriage and a child must be conceived so as to increase our wizarding population. Because of this, partners must live in the same household. Tax would be waived if you are able to conceive two children within two years. If you are facing any difficulty in conceiving a child after two years, please contact St. Mungos. If your pregnancy can be affected by your occupation, your workplace can provide you a child-bearing permit. Any violence of rules discovered by our scouting owls would result in Ministry's interventions, including imprisonment in our tailor-made household units and a month days off."
Draco sniggered, so replenishment of population outweighs work.
"Now I will announce the identity of your partners," said the man. "Mr. David Rivers and Miss Delancy Jenkins."
The two nodded each other shyly and joined their hands.
"Mr. Draco Malfoy and Miss Hermione Granger, finally Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Pansy Parkinson."
The four gasped. What was the Ministry thinking.
"Sir, perhaps I heard you wrong," said Ron slowly. "I thought you said me and Miss Parkinson, and Mr. Malfoy with Hermione."
"No you did not hear me wrong," answered the man. "You and Miss Pansy Parkinson. It is written here black and white."
Draco sniggered, Weasley and Parkinson, a perfectly drama. But him with Granger...
Oh well, it was already the best he could have, he should not complain.
"Sir, in what way are we compatible?" asked Granger, shocked to hear the news.
"According to your application form," explained the man, shifting his glasses. "You mentioned 'Someone who upholds sophistication, responsible, courageous, considerate' and 'preferably working in the Ministry' and it appears that Mr. Malfoy falls under your category. Even from the description of your superior, Mr. Harry Potter, both of you have similar disposition."
Draco showed a small grin, he did not know if he should curse Potter or thank him.
"But what about me and him?" asked Parkinson, wailing. "I did not say I like someone who is red-haired and dumb."
Draco could hardly hide his happiness, surely she made an accurate description of Weasley.
"According to your application form," said the man, slightly annoyed by her. "You specifically mentioned your partner must have same blood status and unswerving, and it seemed that Mr. Weasley has such qualities, described by his superior."
Parkinson pursed her lips and turned to Draco.
"Dracky!" she wailed. "Save me, please. That mu-"
"That Muggleborn is Miss Hermione Granger, my fianceƩ," announced Draco.
"Dracky!"
Draco ignored her and looked at Granger. He could see the confusion in her's eyes, and before she could protest, he said,
"Please give us the papers."
The staff quickly gave him and Granger the papers, without a doubt he signed on every single page. Once he had finished, he shoved the quill into her palm, urging her to sign, leaving her without a moment of hesitation.
"Thank you, Miss Granger," said the man as she finished signing on the last page. "It's my honour to hereby announce your new identity, Ms. Hermione Malfoy. Congratulations."
Jenkins and Rivers clapped in politeness, then signed their papers. With four pairs of eyes staring at Weasley and Parkinson, they had no choice but to pick up the quills.
Draco clutched Granger's hand and ran along the corridor. As they entered the lift, Granger regained her sense and asked,
"I should not have signed the papers."
Draco eyed on her, then said,
"So you want to marry Weasley... Too bad it's too late."
As the lift door opened, Draco got out but she remained unmoved, staring at him.
"Perhaps I should go back," she said. "And decline the offer."
Before she could press any buttons, Draco pulled her out of the lift and did not let go until they got back to his office. He cast the silence charm while she took her seat at the couch.
"You know that Weasley is drooling every time he sees you?" he asked.
"So?" asked Granger. "Pansy is also drooling at you. She clearly loves you more than I do-"
"Well, I don't love her, get it?"
"No! You marry me because you don't want her!" explained Granger. "You don't love her does not mean you love me! It's different!"
"Does that mean you like Weasley?"
"No, but-"
"What?" he yelled. "Not everyone volunteers to be in this scheme, you don't, I don't."
Silence fell, Draco's face had turned flaming red and his eyes fixed on her. To be honest, she was agreeable, at least she was a dozen times better than Parkinson.
He tried to break the silence by switching topics, but currently he was unable to find anything that could bring the two together, so he decided to remain silent until Potter came in with a small knock. Potter seemed to have known what exactly had happened, he began,
"I know nobody wants this but that is the law and we have to uphold. The only thing we can do is that find the bits you hate less under this law."
Nobody made a sound, so he continued,
"If you two are unable to...get along without trouble, I can write a request letter of er...consummation postponement for you-"
"There is no need," said Draco, interrupting Potter. "I believe we can handle it."
Seeing that Draco did not need his help, Potter shrugged and before leaving, he said,
"The Tbilisi Ministry has issued their Auror permits and requests your earliest arrival."
He left, as his footsteps grew fainter, Draco sat back on his chair, staring at his new "wife". Granger was covering her face with her hands, as if hiding her anger and pain. Perhaps he should do as Potter said, 'find the bits you hate less under this law'. What's more, he had to find a way to get her conceive his child, which was even harder than asking her to despise him less.
