Chapter Three

*Hermione's POV*

Hermione stood, following her feet to the aisle. Her heart and her head were screaming but her body had a mind of its own. She wasn't under any curse, she just knew she had to take this man's hand in marriage whether she liked it or not. She faced defeat with a brave face.

Everyone else was shocked and angry for her. Harry and every Weasley male were being held back by guards. This didn't stop their voices bellowing out to her. Ginny was silently standing next to her new husband, tears flowing freely down her face again.

Hermione sighed as she reached the stairs, gracefully ascending them to her future husband. She finally looked up at him. His eyes were taking her in hungrily. She could taste some vomit in her mouth but just stood there, braving a slight smile on her face.

"Please take your partner's left hand," Kingsley said calmly. Hermione hesitated but placed her hand on Lucius's which was stretched out in front of her. He was ice cold. His hand enveloped hers and she shivered in disgust.

"Do you Lucius Malfoy, take Hermione Granger to be your wife, promising to take her into your care and protect her from all others?" Kingsley stated happily.

"I swear," he said greedily, smiling evilly at her like she was his new toy.

"Hermione, do you take Lucius Malfoy to be your Husband, allow him to care for you and protect you from all others. Do you also promise to make the home yours and provide children in your husband's name?" Kingsley said, oblivious to the hatred that was filling the room.

"I swear," she said calmly.

As she spoke the words a ring appeared on both of their fingers.

"You may now seal your bond with a kiss."

Everyone fell silent as Lucius leaned in and placed a forced kiss on his wife's' lips. Hermione used everything in her power not to pull away but did not return the kiss.

"Congratulations! Please follow our…escorts to the reception area."

Lucius took her by the arm, roughly. He followed the escorts out the door. "Unfortunately Mrs. Malfoy and I will not be able to attend today. She isn't feeling well." Lucius snarled at the escort before pulling her to the nearest fireplace and taking her home with him.

*Draco's POV*

He saw the entire event and forced himself to watch everything take place. The aftermath was typical of his father, dragging his new wife, Draco's stepmother towards a fireplace.

Draco promised to protect her. So he followed them home.

When he arrived he saw his father dragging Hermione by the hair towards his personal wing of their house. She was screaming in pain, tears streaming down her face.

"Father! You're scaring her. Don't you think it wise to wait until she is used to the idea before you end up raping your new wife and getting yourself thrown back in Azkaban?" He asked as emotionlessly as possible with a logical tone. It was the only way his father would take his concern for sense.

His father dropped her to the ground. "She has a week" he stated before continuing to his chambers alone. When the door shut and Draco heard the lock close, he ran up the stairs and scooped Hermione up, taking her to her own room in the opposite wing.

"Get off me Malfoy!" She screamed through her tears. "Please, I'm trying to help you." He said calmly placing her on a sofa in her room. Hermione sat in silence as she took in her new reality.

Draco took her new silence as one of heightened awareness and proceeded to continue his conversation with her carefully.

"I think that if we are to be related we should really call each other by our first names if you are comfortable with that?" He suggests, sitting on the couch opposite her.

Hermione looked at him and nodded.

"Thank you, Draco. For stopping him earlier" she said quietly, looking him directly in the face. Her face was blank as if she wasn't present in her own body.

"I made a promise to protect whoever my father married today. I promised to protect you, Hermione. I will always be here for you." He stated calmly. She didn't respond but her eyes did soften slightly. "If you need anything, even me at any time day or night just call out for plumpy. She is my personal house elf. She practically raised me while my parents were off working for the dark lord." he said

Hermione finally spoke "you would have your own house elf, Draco." he smiled "I knew that would get you talking. Don't worry, I pay her well for her service. My father doesn't know that though so please don't tell him. Plumpy is loyal to me, she spies on my father and warns me of his moods. She has taken the blame to save me. Before you criticise, I would have died if she hadn't stepped in. I owe her my life." he said.

Hermione sighed looking at her dress, it was torn in multiple places from being dragged up the stairs. "I am guessing you don't have anything to wear to bed. PLUMPY!" he yelled. A pop caused Hermione to jump. "Yes, Master Draco? Oh is this the new Mrs. Malfoy?" she asked happily "it is, Plumpy. This is my father's wife, Hermione. Plumpy, please fetch her some clean pajamas and some casual clothes from my mother's old room." Plumpy nodded and left with a pop.

"It's only temporary for you to wear her clothes. We can go shopping for more tomorrow. We have to go to Gringotts and attach your name to our family account amongst other things." Draco said, noticing her yawn.

"Plumpy will be back in a few minutes with your change of clothes, ill leave you to it."

"Draco what if he comes back?" she asked with a mumble. He looked at her. She was genuinely scared for her life. He walked over and placed her hand on his. "I promise you, the wards on this room will protect you. He has not been able to enter this room in years. I don't think he even remembers it exists. Plus, he has said you have a week. That means we won't see him until then and by then we will have a plan, okay?" he smiled to reassure her.

On the inside, his heart darkened. He would have to spend the rest of his life protecting her until his father died.

'I promise nothing can stop me from protecting you, Hermione' he said to himself. He closed the door behind him and added one last spell to the room.