Chapter 3: Four Grooms and a Bride

Hermione entered Kingsley's office unsure of how to treat the older man, now that she knew they were going to be married with in the month.

"Miss Granger pleasure to see you. I take it you got my note," Kingsley said cordially. "Kings I think you can give in and just call me Hermione. We will be married before the month is out after all. So why was is necessary I find out early and come here today?" "The deputy director of the department for magical law enforcement is retiring. He was going to wait a few more months, but since he picked you as his successor and we are to wed you can see why he would want you to be given the position immediately supposedly before anyone knows what the matches are. Neither he nor I officially know the results and there is no evidence save the note I left you," Kingsley explained. "Kings I fail to see the relation to the marriage law," Hermione interjected. "Hermione, you have an incredibly promising future. Head of the department of magical law enforcement is easily with in your grasp in the future. Maybe one day you could even become Minister of Magic. You would not only be the first female but also the first muggleborn so you have centuries of prejudice running against you. Even beyond future political aspirations this country needs your intelligence, your passion, and your perspective. You and those like, and I hope one day included, will bring about a new era for the wizarding world. You can create a foundation so strong that never again will one charasimatic and hateful individual like Voldemort be able to exploit the old wounds and bring our world to its knees. You are the future and I will not have that future jeopardized by waiting a few months only to have people say you slept you way to your position. Some may well whisper it out of jealousy but at least you and I can both attest truthfully that we had no sexual relationship before your appointment," Kingsley said in an impassioned rush. Hermione was silent for a few moments taken aback by the amount of faith Kingsley had in her. "Are you and McMillan making the announcement today?" Hermione asked and Kingsley nodded. "And was Director Bones in on this as well?" Hermione asked needing clarification. "Stephen is the one who got your results for me. We had to make sure we did this before Friday if marriage linked you to anyone high in the ministry, he himself has a single son of marriageable age after all. The press conference will be held at 4:00 pm. You have until that time to get your affairs in order at your office," Kingsley informed her. Hermione left him office promptly to do just that, still in a state of shock.

Hermione entered her office at ten, two hours later than usual and asked her personal secretary Mildred to join her in her office. Mildred was about fifty and a very no nonsense type of witch. Her efficiency and digression were valuable assets to Hermione. "Mildred I have been promoted to deputy head of the department of magical law enforcement, and I would like you to come with me unless you would rather serve the next head of this department," Hermione informed the older witch. "I would like nothing better Miss Granger. We have such a lot to get done today, and you had schedule you for a visit to the Manor at 10:30," Mildred responded. Hermione winced, tempted to back out of this whole situation with Draco, but she steeled herself. "Very well, I will proceed there directly. I shall be back by noon at the latest please pack up my office and transfer my things. When I return we will take the remaining time before the press conference to sort out the rest of my work load," Hermione said before she apparated to Malfoy Manor.

"Couldn't wait to see me again after last night Granger? It is only 10:15 after all," Draco drawled from the entrance. "Draco, I really just don't have time for this today. Take me to your head house elf," Hermione directed.

Twenty minutes later Hermione was wrapping up a discussion with the head elf. "You wouldn't want to do anything thing to Master Draco in trouble would you Blinky?" Hermione asked as the elf emphatically shook his head. "Then you and the other elves must take the money, the clothes, and the rotating vacation schedule or he will be. I know you love the manor but the law is the law and everyone has to follow it or bad things happen," Hermione concluded. Blinky nodded forlornly and went to tell the other elves they had to accept pay, clothes, and vacation time.

"I love watching you work princess. You are so passionate it gets me all hot and bothered," Draco whispered into her ear having come up behind her while she talked to the elf. He pressed himself into her back so she could feel the truth of his words. He kissed her neck as his hand gasped her hip pulling her body more firmly against his own. She arched back into him as one of her arms reached back to grasp his neck. "Draco, I already told you I don't have time. I am moving my office and I have a press conference at four," Hermione protested her resolve wavering as the heat of Draco's kisses spread through her body. She moaned and ground her hips into his as his thumbs began tracing patterns on her through her clothing. Draco inhaled sharply at her response. Hermione abruptly pulled away spinning to face him, she had reached a decision.

"I really have to go Draco," Hermione began seeing Draco's shoulders slump ever so slightly, which was the only indicator of emotion he allowed himself. She grasped his lapels pulling him back into another searing kiss. When she broke away from him she finished what she had begun to say, "but I'll be back tonight after the press conference. I'll stay until midnight that's when I'll turn back in Hermione Granger war hero ready to face the fallout from tomorrow." Then Hermione apparated back to her office in the ministry to finish preparing. A small guilty voice in the back of her head told Hermione, that perhaps she should have told Draco what she found out.

(Draco's Point of Veiw)

"Well, well my friend I always knew you had a thing for forbidden fruit. Though becoming involved with the Gryffindor princess, just before we have ore freedom sold in the name of the greater good may be a step to close to the fire even for you," Blaise Zabini drawled from the kitchen door. "But I like the heat," Draco replied slightly dazed from the combine effect of him encounter with Hermione and her promise to return, "How long were you there anyway?" "Oh, I think for pretty much all of it unless your steamy make out session happened post-coitus. In which case I clearly should have gotten here earlier. The thought of watching you taking her on the kitchen counter is not unappealing," Blaise responded casually. "Blaise, you and I both know she is special. This isn't a passing fancy. I think I might love her, but this law I'll never have a chance. I will be a good husband to my wife no matter what." Draco finished clenching his jaw tightly. Blaise rested a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder, "I know Drake only an idiot would think she was another notch on your headboard." Everything was finally turning around he had started to make amends for his past wrongs, now he wouldn't get a chance to try and make his own future.

A/N: Do you like the little bit from Draco's point of view