Friday arrived far too quickly for Hermione's taste.
Amidst working, trying to repair her friendship with Ron and handling the press, she also had to deal with the sporadic interruptions of her mother. With her newfound apparation skills, Wilhelmina Divitis visited her daughter twice a day and usually at an inopportune time. On Thursday evening, Hermione had been having a bath when a gentle pop and a quiet squeal alerted her to her mother's presence in the bathroom.
"Hermione! Imagine if it had been Draco who apparated in here, he would have seen you without any clothes on!" Hermione scowled from the bath.
"He wouldn't have seen anything, because my wards won't let him in. He is the last person that I want in my flat." Hermione's mother clucked her tongue.
"That is no way to treat your new friend! Narcissa told me how Draco tried to help you by giving you a piece of advice, he's a sweetheart don't you think?" Hermione snorted.
"If by sweet you mean pernicious and snide."
"He's so handsome too." Hermione looked at her mother blankly, before telling her to turn around as she climbed out of the bath.
The pair of them moved into the sitting room, Hermione in a violet fluffy dressing gown. They sat down and Wilhelmina smiled pleasantly at the flat.
"It's so small here. Wouldn't you like to move in with us? You'll be closer to Draco."
"Why on earth would I want to be closerto him? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I'd been giving out the impression that I dislike him." Hermione's mother shook her head and took her daughter's hand.
"Darling, you have to try a little bit harder with him. Tomorrow evening you will have to act as though you are enjoying every second of his company, and I'm sure in time you actually will! He is very nice, if you just give him a chance." Hermione frowned suspiciously.
"What is going on, mother?" She asked. "This whole situation has been bizarre and hasty, but I still get the feeling that you aren't telling me something. Why do you keep forcing us together?" Her mother looked distant for a moment, before beaming at her.
"You do talk nonsense sometimes! I just want you to get along with Draco; it would do you good to have a friend who is well-versed on the ins and outs of pureblood life. Everything I do is for your own benefit, darling, just remember that." She kissed her daughter's forehead, before disapparating with a pop.
Draco came to pick her up promptly at four, when he took her to Malfoy Manor to change. Narcissa was breezing around the house, looking every inch the serene lady of the manor; Hermione couldn't help but wonder if, one day, she would be required to do the same. She shoved the notion out of her head and began preparing herself for the gruelling night ahead. The party guests soon began to arrive, and she was introduced to them by a very unaffected Malfoy who smiled pleasantly at everyone. She was astounded by his actions, and made no hesitation in saying so.
"It's manners." He said simply. "I loathe half of the people that my mother has invited, and yet I am able to act civilly towards them. It's all because of manners."
Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled politely at a goblin that was looking at her rather peculiarly. Malfoy led her towards the doors that led to the dining room, and Hermione winced as a gong sounded to announce dinner. The party processed in the way that Pansy had described, and Hermione felt thoroughly pleased with herself that she managed to take her seat without receiving a disapproving look from her escort.
After the lavish meal and the obligatory separation of the sexes, the party came back together in the lounge. Hermione located her father standing with Lucius in a corner, talking quietly. She walked over and placed a hand on her father's arm.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering when would be a polite time for me to leave? I am incredibly tired, having been at work today, and would like very much to go to sleep soon." Lucius smiled, which somewhat disturbed her.
"Do not worry about interrupting us; we were merely revelling in our triumph." Lucius said. Her father put his arm about her shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze.
"You are a very lucky girl, Hermione! I have attended several balls, and they have been nothing as splendid as all this. And," Her father's eyes were twinkling. "Something very exciting will happen soon."
"Exciting? What do you mean?" Hermione looked up at the two men who were grinning at their shared secret. She couldn't help but feel a stir of suspicion.
"Oh yes!" Lucius replied. "It is very exciting. All of our guests are greatly looking forward to it."
"What…?" Hermione's mother, Narcissa and Draco were approaching, and Lucius smiled.
"At last, we can begin the proceedings!" Something told Hermione that it wouldn't be as exciting as she was being led to believe.
Once the group was all together, Lucius stepped forward and clapped his hands together. The other party-goers turned to look at him and he beamed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as you know we are celebrating the return of our dear old friends the Divitis family!" There was a polite round of applause, during which Narcissa put a fond hand on Hermione's shoulder. "We hope that, now they have properly been integrated into society, our centuries-long bond will be continued between our children. Felix, if you will take over…" Hermione's father moved to stand next to Lucius.
"As heads of the ancient and noble families of Divitis and Malfoy, we have made the decision to unite our families through a marriage contract. Tonight, you will be the witness to the handfasting of Draco Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Jean Divitis."
The applause was deafening as Hermione tried to take in what her father had just announced. She was sure that she had heard handfasting, but surely her parents would never submit her to something so archaic… Her eyes flicked to Malfoy, who looked even paler than usual. He was gaping at his father, and Hermione's stomach began to sink.
"Mum?" She squeaked. Wilhelmina looked down at her and beamed.
"Isn't it wonderful? You're going to be a bride! Oh darling!" She threw her arms around her, but Hermione would not have it. She grabbed her mother's arm and pulled it from her, stumbling backwards.
"Why would you do this to me?" She gasped. "Why would you think that this is something I would be pleased about?" Malfoy's mouth had finally shut, but he still looked peaked. A ministry official shuffled forwards, clutching his bowler hat in his hand.
"Are we ready to proceed? It will only take a matter of minutes to fast the hands, perform the spell and sign the contracts." Hermione set her fierce glower upon the small man.
"You cannot do this if I'm not willing!" She said pleadingly. "It's illegal to do that, surely!"
"Not at all ma'am. In fact, in centuries past, old wizarding families believed that if a young lady was unwilling to perform the handfasting it was a good omen for the marriage. Nothing you say or do can revoke this contract, for you father has handed you over already. All that stands now is the formal ceremony."
A spell was waved over Hermione and her dress transfigured into a long ivory robe; Draco's clothes were similarly altered. A garland was brought forward by Pansy and placed in her hair.
"You knew?" Draco whispered to his friend. "You knew and you said nothing?"
"Of course I did!" Pansy replied. "As did Vincent. This will be good for you, Draco, you'll see." She moved away and went to stand next to Crabbe. The ministry official cleared his throat.
"We will now proceed with the ceremony." Hermione's eyes were wide in panic as she became acutely aware that her freedom was slipping through her fingers. "I give my daughter, Hermione Jean Divitis, to the heir of the noble family of Malfoy." Her father took her hand and extended it, as Hermione stared at it as though it was not her own. Lucius was smiling.
"I, on behalf of the Malfoy heir, accept her hand and give it to Draco Lucius Malfoy." Draco's hand was brought to meet Hermione's, and she could feel the sweat on his palm.
"Tie the ribbons, please." Lucius sent a ribbon from his wand that wound around their hands, and Felix did the same. Those gathered began to clap as the minister produced a contract which the two fathers signed. "And now the customary kiss of the hand."
Malfoy sneered at the minister, before bowing his head and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckle. Hermione snatched her hand away at the contact and looked around disbelievingly. Her parents were looking at her fondly, and Narcissa was being comforted by Lucius.
"I shall now pronounce you husband and wife."
Hermione was certain that her dazed expression would remain on her face forever. A mob of guests rushed forwards to congratulate them, but she could barely concentrate with the pain in her hand. Looking down, she saw a red band appearing on her wedding finger and it looked as though her finger had been burnt. She looked at Draco, who was inspecting his own hand with similar confusion. Gasping suddenly, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a neighbouring room.
"I wish you wouldn't do that!" She demanded. "You don't have to drag me everywhere. If you simply asked me to come with you, I would comply and then I wouldn't have to scold you like this!" Malfoy was obviously too dejected to sneer at her, because he simply flopped onto a nearby chaise.
"I don't believe this." He whined. "My father must want me dead, because he should have known that this would drive me to suicide." He looked at her hesitantly. "Do you think this is really permanent? Or is it a practical joke?"
"I don't even think the Weasley twins would stoop as low as this in the name of a joke! No, I think our parents are most definitely serious."
Hermione darted from the room without a further word, but came back a moment later carrying the contract that their fathers had signed. She began to read it, running her finger along the words and moving her mouth a little.
"What does it say?" Malfoy went and stood behind her, reading the contract over her shoulder.
"It specifies the need for a 'happy and harmonious family home', a wife capable of bearing an heir, fidelity in the marriage and...NO!" Draco began reading quickly to catch her up, and she watched as his eyes darted across the page. She could tell when he reached it, for his eyes grew to the size of saucers.
"Weekly copulation? Have our parents lost the ability of rational thinking?" He gasped.
Hermione snorted.
"Rational went out of the window on my 21st birthday, Malfoy. I can't even say that I'm truly surprised."
She turned around to speak to him, and realised that they were a little too close for comfort. However, before she had time to move away from him the door opened. It was Pansy, with a smug look on her face as though she had interrupted something.
"Sorry for the intrusion, but I've been asked to escort the new Mr and Mrs Malfoy to their bedroom."
Hermione felt as though she would be sick.