A/N:
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters/places, they all belong to JK Rowling.
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Hearing the birds twittering away outside, and the faint gust of cold air brushing through the curtains and over the cocooned body in the bed, Hermione began to stir. She glanced over at her alarm clock and let out a deep sigh. Kicking the covers off of her body, she stood from the bed. Walking over to her closet, she grabbed a pair her uniform and headed to the bathroom. Once finished in there Hermione headed back into her room and grabbed her wand before wishing goodbye to Crookshanks and shutting her bedroom door behind her. Walking down the stairs from her room, she couldn't help but notice the body huddled up in the loveseat to the right of the common room. Nearing further into the common room she realised that the body she was once examining, was that of Draco Malfoy. She scrunched her forehead up at this, why was he sleeping down here.. and not even dressed for the day?
Walking over to the loveseat, Hermione leaned over before gently placing her hand on his shoulder and shaking him lightly. "Malfoy, Oi Malfoy wake up".
Groaning slightly, Draco turned to see the bushy haired head girl leaning over the loveseat with her hand on his shoulder. His eyes scrunching in confusion, Draco suddenly realized just where he had fell asleep last night.
"Is there a reason why you have your hand on my shoulder Granger? Or can't you seem to keep your hands to yourself?" Draco questioned, looking at the hand on his shoulder.
Hermione flushed before retreating her hand from his shoulder, "I was just passing through and saw that you were asleep, I thought I'd do a decent thing and wake you so that you weren't late but I don't know why I bothered, you're such an arrogant idiot Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed angrily before leaving the common room, slamming the portrait shut behind her.
Draco sighed before leaning back and running his hands angrily through his hand, why did he just do that?
Running through the hallways, Hermione's legs just couldn't seem to catch up with her body. She just wanted to get as far away from her common room as she could, as well as the furthest away from Draco that she could get. Reaching the great hall, Hermione pushed open the huge wooden doors and made her way over to the Gryffindor table. Sitting beside Ginny she greeted her best friends before serving herself some breakfast.
"So Hermione, how's it feel being head girl?" Ginny questioned, glancing over at her brunette best friend.
Hermione smiled, "It feels good, the only down side is I have to spend time with Malfoy. I just don't know how he's going to act now that we've been paired together for this new law", she finished with a sigh.
Harry smiled sympathetically over at his best friend, "I'm sure everything will be fine 'Mione, he can't get any worse than last year, can he?"
Hermione smiled over at him, grateful for his input on the situation, "Thank you Harry, I'm glad that you guys are still here for me to talk to about all of this".
Minutes later the doors to the great hall opened and in came Draco, followed closely behind by Blaise. Hermione couldn't help but let her eyes wander over to Pansy, who was clinging tightly to Draco's left arm. A slight tingle emerged in the depths of Hermione's stomach. Frowning slightly, Hermione began to tuck into her breakfast. I must just be hungry, there's no way I could be jealous of Pansy. I mean seriously.
Harry leant over to Ron and elbowed him lightly in the side, "Oi Ron, looks like you've got competition there mate" Harry chuckled.
Ron's ears began to turn a bright crimson colour, "I don't even like her, let alone him. I don't care if we have to be married by this law, I don't want anything to do with her" he exclaimed, glancing over at the slytherin table in which Draco now sat with Pansy leaning against his side, while talking to Blaise who sat opposite the couple.
Harry chuckled, "Good luck with that, once this marriage law sets in I don't think you'll be hating her for much longer, I mean we've all been paired up based on grades, attitudes and personality so there can't really be that much damage in giving it a shot can there?" Harry questioned.
Taking into consideration what Harry had just said, Hermione glanced over at the blond sat at the opposite table. Could things be good between us? Should I give it a shot?
"You're only saying that because you got paired with Cho, Harry" Ron muttered.
Hermione could notice the tinge of pink appearing on Ginny's cheeks, once Ron had mentioned Cho. Harry glanced over at Ron, before turning and glancing quickly in Ginny's direction, "Believe me, my choice of future bride would be entirely different to the bride the ministry have picked out, but there's age limits and believe me as much as I wish I could change it, I can't" Harry sighed, pushing his food around his plate.
Hermione smiled sympethetically at the young couple in front of her, who couldn't be together due to the age restrictions on the marriage law. She couldn't help but feel sorry for them, one of them was required to marry somebody else while the other one had to stand and watch from the side lines. Placing her hand on her best friends shoulder, Hermione whispered to Ginny, "Everything will work itself out Gin, I promise".
Ginny smiled thankfully at Hermione, nodding softly "Thank you 'Mione".
Before long silence began to fill the great hall. Professor McGonagall made her way to the podium and cleared her throat. "Students, as many of you are aware the ministry has introduced a new law, one in which students are paired up and required to marry and produce a heir for their family. I am aware that some of you have been paired up with people in which you may find yourself disliking at this very moment in time, but I am sure after a while you will find yourselves coming around to the idea".
Around the hall, students turned to each other with sympethetic looks, before glancing over at their partners. "Today I am here to announce the pairings and to announce wedding dates that have been arranged by your families and the ministry themselves. So without further ado, let's start with the first couple." Professor McGonagall began, reaching for the scroll of parchment she began to read out the name of the first couple, "Ronald Weasley and Pansy Parkinson".
Ron took a deep breath before making his way to the front of the great hall, a couple of seconds later Pansy joined him. "Okay you two, I want you to face each other and please can you interlock hands with your partner" Professor McGonagall instructed the couple. Ron turned to face Pansy and reached his hand out to her, in which she cautiously interlocked her hand with his. A look of disgust showing slightly on her face. "I am placing a unbreakable vow on the both of you, with this vow in place you both must remain faithful to your significant other and must show as much love and care as is required between you and your partner. I would like you Mr Weasley to repeat after me if you will, I Ronald Billus Weasley" She began.
"I, Ronald Billius Weasley" Ron copied.
"Will promise to be faithful and loyal to you, Pansy Parkinson" Professor McGonagall continued.
"Will promise to be faithful and loyal to you, Pansy Parkinson" Ron continued, gazing at his wife to be in front of him.
"And will promise to be there for you, during times of need and comfort" Professor McGonagall finished.
"And will promise to be there for you, during times of need and comfort" Ron finished, taking a deep breath once he'd finished. He noticed that Pansy's eyes were tearing up slightly at the confession of words that he'd just announced to her. Crimson covering his cheeks, Ron squeezed his future wife to be's hand slightly, giving her reassurance that everything would be fine.
Pansy turned to Professor McGonagall and continued to announce the same statements in which Ron had previously confessed. Once they had both finished reading the vows of the bond, Professor McGonagall announced to the hall, "Mr Ronald Weasley and Miss Pansy Parkinson, I am happy to announce that you are both bound by the unbreakable bond for the duration of this law. Your wedding is set for the 11th of June, exactly a week from today" She smiled softly at the pair before turning to Ron, "Mr Weasley, you may kiss your fiance if you wish to do so".
Ron swallowed thickly before moving closer to his future wife slightly before leaning forward slowly and pecking her gently on the lips before retreating from her. Pansy quite shocked by what just happened, stood before him quite dazed. The hall erupted into applause and cheers as Professor McGonagall dismissed them and started to announce the next couple.
Ron walked back to the Gryffindor table, and sat down opposite Hermione and Ginny. "Well that wasn't what I was expecting" he muttered, the whole time observing the way his now fiance was interacting with her fellow peers, he just couldn't seem to look away.
"Mr Harry Potter and Miss Cho Chang" Professor McGonagall announced, Harry stood from the table patting Ron on the back as he made his way to the front of the hall to his professor and future wife to be. How I wish this was Ginny.. Harry thought. Once reaching the front of the great hall, Harry turned to Cho and interlocked his hand with hers just like the couple before them. "Mr Potter, please repeat after me" Professor McGonagall asked.
Harry nodded briefly, glancing over at his best friends sat at the table, with the love of his wife just seats away from him. He looked so heartbroken as he turned to his professor. As if seemingly understanding what Harry was feeling, Professor McGonagall turned to the staff behind her before announcing to the great hall her decision. "Due to complications with this proposed marriage law between Mr Potter here and Miss Cho Chang I am announcing a resort between partners for these two, Miss Ginerva Weasley would you please join me up here dear?" The professor asked.
Ginny too shocked to know what to do, turned to Hermione. "Go on Gin, he's waiting for you" Hermione said, a beaming smile on her face. Ginny blushed before making her way to the front of the hall, in which the love of her life now stood watching her approach. Looking over at Ron, Hermione couldn't keep the smile off her face as she watched her two best friends announce their love and bond to the whole of the hall.
"And will promise to be there for you, during times of need and comfort" Ginny finished. A bright smile on her face as she gazed at the boy in front of her.
"Mr Harry Potter and Miss Ginerva Weasley, I am happy to announce that you are both bound by the unbreakable bond for the duration of this law. Your wedding is set for the 13th of June, a week from today" Professor McGonagall announced, a smile playing at her lips. She turned to Harry, "Mr Potter, you may kiss your fiance if you wish to do so". Harry smiled before leaning down and capturing Ginny's lips with his. After a few seconds the pair pulled away and made there way back to the Gryffindor table hand in hand.
Hermione smiled and said to Ginny, "I'm so happy for you two, at least something good came out of this law".
Ginny giggled before elbowing Hermione lightly in the side, "I think it just may be your turn next Hermione" she said.
Hermione could feel a million butterflies erupt inside her stomach at the very thought of becoming engaged to Draco, the thought that she could be married to him with a child on the way in the future was strangely pleasing yet shocking.
"And would Miss Hermione Granger and Mr Draco Malfoy please come up here and join me" Professor McGonagall announced. With a whisper of "Good Luck!" coming from Ginny, Hermione made her way to the front. The butterflies fluttering around inside of her stomach as she stood in front of her teacher and soon to be fiance. Turning to face Draco, Hermione took the time to take in the shape of his face, the way the softness of his skin seemed to make his prominant jaw bone stand out. His piercing grey eyes glittering back at her, as she reached her hand out and softly intertwined her fingers with his.
Turning to the professor Draco began, "I Draco Lucius Malfoy, will promise to be faithful and loyal to you, Hermione Jean Granger" he paused. Squeezing Hermione's hand softly, he continued "And will promise to be there for you, during times of need and comfort" he finished. Hermione felt the breath in the back of her throat hitch, here she was getting engaged to her past nemesis and she couldn't help but feel quite happy about the situation.
Professor McGonagall turned to Hermione, "Okay dear, now repeat after me, I Hermione Jean Granger" she trailed off.
"I Hermione Jean Granger" Hermione announced, taking the chance to glance up at the face of the boy in front of her. She was shocked to find that there was a smile playing on the edge of his lips and he seemed to be mesmorised by the words that she was saying.
"Will promise to be faithful and loyal to you, Draco Malfoy" Professor McGonagall continued.
"Will promise to be faithful and loyal to you, Draco Malfoy" Hermione copied, nibbling at her bottom lip once she'd finished.
"And will promise to be there for you, during times of need and comfort" Professor McGonagall finished.
"And will promise to be there for you, during times of need and comfort" Hermione trailed off, her eyes flickered up to his face as she finished. Her chocolate brown eyes being captivated by the stormy grey eyes and flickered back at her.
"Mr Draco Malfoy and Miss Hermione Granger I am pleased to announce that you are bound by the unbreakable bond for the duration of this law. Your wedding is set for the 15th of June, a week from today." Professor McGonagall announced before turning to face Draco, "Mr Malfoy if you wish you may kiss your fiance".
Once his stormy grey eyes met the dark chocolate orbs of hers, he was captivated. It seemed like time stood still, and it was just the two of them in the room. Retreating his hand from hers, he gently reached up and cupped Hermione's cheek lightly. With a soft and gentle sigh Hermione felt herself leaning into his touch. Smiling softly at his now fiance, Draco found himself leaning slowly towards her, Hermione following his movements. Placing his lips softly on hers, he couldn't help but notice the heavingly taste of her lips. The softness of his lips was almost to much for Hermione as she felt herself getting drawn in further. Sensing that he should probably stop, he leaned back from Hermione to be greated with a flushed bushy haired teen. She smiled softly at him before they were dismissed back to their seats.
Maybe marrying her isn't such a bad idea after all.. Draco wondered.