A/N - Well, ya'll, I didn't think it was possible but I actually managed to get this one up before I had to leave for class. Keep showing the love! I think I could do with some reviews though. Ya know, that would be kinda cool. Thanks for the support!

Until next time,
-Mel xoxo

Chapter 2 –

I tried to remain as normal as I could over the course of the semester. At work, I could feel the eyes of literally everyone—the students, the staff, the portraits—on me. It was uncomfortable really but I tried to keep it together for their sake. After all, I wasn't the only person affected by this new law. There were even students in my classes that had come to me in confidence with their own upsetting assignments.

That's right. Even students were being forced to marry. None were too terribly young, of course. The law stated that "any witch or wizard who will have reached the age of 17 by the 24th of November who falls into the category of 'muggleborn' or 'pureblood'" could be assigned a spouse.

On the 3rd of November, I received my first upset student. She came to me after class, clearly worried about something.

"Ms. Le Croix, what can I do for you? Are you all right?" I asked her. She was near tears when she approached but, after my acknowledgment, she broke down.

"I just don't know if I can do it, Professor! I've been with Raymond since we were in 3rd year! How could the Ministry possibly expect me to just throw all of that away for someone I don't even know?" She said, sobbing into the sleeve of her robes. I felt her pain. I really did. At least she didn't know her future husband. What she didn't realize was that things could actually be so much worse.

"I know, I know. I understand. It's upsetting to us all. But the Ministry knows what they're doing. As much as it bothers us, we're making a sacrifice that will change our world forever. And you can be sure that it will change for the better!" I said, scoffing to myself. It's so hard to set an example when you hate things just as much (if not more than) everyone else. "What you're going through is hard. But give this new guy a chance. You never know, you could be made for each other!"

I actually almost laughed out loud at that one. I could hardly see myself giving someone like Draco Malfoy a chance. The guy wanted me dead. I wanted him dead. There is absolutely no way we were ever "meant for each other".

"It's just so unfair. They think that they can just come in and make me do what they want. And it's all because of who my parents are!" she said, visibly better.

"I know, dear. But, sometimes seemingly unfair things will turn out to be the best thing that could happen to us." I had to end this. As much I wished I could have been there for her, I was having a hard enough time coping for myself. I wanted to believe the things I was saying. But it was just so hard… Especially when—of all the purebloods in the world—I had to get stuck with Draco ef-ing Malfoy.


"This is a joke. There is just no way. I mean, really, who do these people think they are?! Who do they think I am?! That just it! They know who I am! So how the hell do they think they can get away with forcing me to marry that—that—girl!" I was ranting, again. It had been going on like this for weeks. I paced around in my study, yelling at whoever was unfortunate enough to cross my path. "They could not possibly think I am just going to bend and break at their will. There is just no way. I'm on the council for Merlin's sake! I'm one of the people who make the rules! Just because a two-thirds vote says that I have to marry her—"

"Mr. Malfoy, I hate to interrupt but—"

"Well, then, don't!" I yelled. I knew I was being childish but the thought just infuriated me. I wasn't one of the ones that voted in favor of this crap. So why the hell should I have to be subjected to it!

"But, sir, we really need to continue going over your accounts." said Felix, my assistant. He was lucky. He was a halfblood. He wasn't a threat to the Wizarding community.

"I know, I know. It's just so infuriating!" I raised my hand in a fist, ready to slam it on the table in frustration. But that's when I stopped myself. Even Felix wasn't trustworthy enough to see this kind of breakdown in me. I stopped for a moment and got myself under control. Then, I sat down behind my desk and said, "Alright, so as far as the expenditures go for last month…"

After the accounts were in order, Felix departed and I was alone with my thoughts. I really needed someone to talk to but I could never trust anyone enough. My life, unlike so many others, only got more complicated after the war had ceased. Sure, the world was free of the Dark Lord. But there were other forces to be reckoned with and, if I wasn't careful, one day they might come for me.

Maybe there is a chance this could be good for me. I need someone in my life that I can truly trust, I thought. If I play my cards right, maybe a marriage to Granger won't be so bad. I slapped myself lightly on the cheek.

What are you thinking Draco? She hates you. She always has and she always will. It was an all-out internal battle. Part of me knew there was no chance she would ever see me as anything other than the git I was back in school. But, at the same time, I knew that of all the people in the world I probably got stuck with the most compassionate. Maybe, she'll come around.

After arguing with myself for a while longer, I decided that it was high time my fiancé and I got together to talk about things. The wedding was in two months and we had already been engaged for four. Things needed to start moving along.

Eventually, I worked up the gall to send her an owl.


Click, click, click

I was ripped away from my reverie to a faint tapping on my window. An owl. Who could possibly be sending me an owl at this time of night? What could have happened? I instantly worried.

After letting the poor bird in from the cold and giving him a small treat, I removed the letter. To my dismay, it was the one person I was seeking to avoid when I picked up my book. He's been all I've thought about for weeks.

I turned the letter over in my hands as I let it all come back to me. The fury, the fear, the hopelessness. It was tearing me to shreds. All I could think about was, "why me? Why him?"

But, then, there was a small inkling in the back of my brain. The Ministry must have known what they were doing. It's not like they randomly pulled names out of hats and paired people up. There had to have been some kind of system. Not that I would know what it was. The rumor was that there was some sort of matching committee. But, no one knew who they were nor how they did it.

Okay, Hermione. Suck it up and read the blasted letter. I fumbled when trying to open it, worried about what kind of harsh words or names it might contain.

Ms. Granger,

I know you aren't thrilled about this situation—neither am I. But, I feel like it's about time for us to begin thinking about how we're going to approach it. I would like to treat you to dinner tomorrow evening, if you are up for it. Shall I pick you up around, say, 7:30?

Cheers,
Draco Malfoy

It was handwritten, no foul words, no rude remarks. I was surprised to say the least. Somewhere deep inside, I felt a small shred of hope that this might not be the very worst thing that's ever happened after all.

But, it disappeared as quickly as the owl, as it carried my short and sweet "okay" off to the man I would soon marry.