AN:

So, I know I promised you an update last week, but my brother had surgery to remove his tonsils, and anyone who has been through that knows just how painful it is. So I spent the week helping him, and he ended up getting an infection and everything so I just had no time to write. But, he's better now so I can write again. Woot woot.

Also I want to that EVERYONE for the most wonderful reviews ever. (: Chapter six received more reviews than any of my previous chapters and that thrills me. So, thank you, all of you.

A lot of you said that you liked how they aren't instantly romantic with each other, and a few complained in a private message that they didn't think the romance was happening fast enough. So, I have to make something clear. This is Draco and Hermione we are talking about. An instant romance is completely unrealistic. They have been enemies for years. They are not just going to jump into a love boat. Lol. It doesn't work that way. So, please, be patient if you think the romance isn't happening fast enough. These things take time.

Thanks again for the reviews, I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Previously on Arranged Marriage: Of a Malfoy And a Granger :

"Thought you were asleep." He whispered. There was something about that dark that always made them speak in hushed tones, even when patrolling.

"I was for a little bit. Until you came to take your shower, and the floor started creaking with each footstep." She replied, her eyes straining to see him in the cloudy moonlight. It was still raining out side, but softly so the moon wasn't as bright and clear as normal.

"Sorry." He mused, laughing lightly. She smelt like strawberries and vanilla, a wonderful mix. Her shampoo was strawberry scented, he had found that out earlier in the year when he saw her shampoo and body wash in the shower. Her body wash on the other hand was this sweet vanilla, that when inhaled, it made you hungry.

"It's alright." She whispered, and he unexpectedly pulled her a little closer to his body, though they were both laying on their sides facing the other.

"Good night, Hermione." He whispered, pressing his lips down to hers, not giving her a chance to say goodnight before she was caught up in the heated kiss.

Waking up to a screaming baby is never fun. Waking up to a screaming baby and a cursing Draco is even worse. Hermione had found this out that morning, pulling herself up from sleep, she rubbed her eyes and quickly shut off the baby monitor. Darren was in a mood today, she could already tell. With a sigh she removed herself from the covers and walked into Darren's room, picking up the screaming baby and trying her hardest to quiet him down.

Draco on the other hand was still cursing from the common room, and surprisingly Hermione could hear it over the screams in her ear. The fact that Draco was up and hadn't tried to help his screaming son irritated Hermione greatly, and while she made Darren's bottle her irritation only grew.

"I'm sorry your father decided to be an imbecile today." She murmured, putting the bottle to Darren's lips, who immediately grew silent as he drank. That was one head ache down. Now, for the next.

With Darren in her arms, she made her way down stairs, the cursing getting louder with each step she took. She walked in to see Draco pacing, the Daily Prophet in his hands as he read, laughing harshly at moments, cursing the next. Hermione stood back for a few moments before cautiously moving towards him.

"Draco...?" Her voice was quiet compared to the sound of his foot steps against the hard wood as he paced.

"Not now, Granger." His eyes never left the paper as he answered her.

"Yes now, Malfoy. I'd like to know why you decided to let your son scream in his room rather than taking care of him." He was only causing her irritation to grow with his short responses and she was about to let him have it.

"Because of this!" He yelled, shoving the paper at her and taking Darren out of her arms so that she could read. Hermione glared at him before letting her gaze turn to the paper where she began to read the front page column written by non other than Miss. Rita Skeeter.

Me Myself & I : Rita Skeeter

Wedding Bells for the Malfoy Heir?

Yesterday afternoon, Draco Malfoy, heir of the Malfoy Fortune and son of former death eater Lucious Malfoy was seen gallivanting around Hogsmeade with a petite brunette and a small infant who held a high resemblance of Mr. Malfoy, himself. Reliable sources were said to have witnessed Mr. Malfoy and this mystery woman purchasing many baby care items and clothes.

Mr. Draco Malfoy, a seventh year at Hogwarts, head boy, and captain of the Slytherin quidditch team seems to have been up to much more this past year than thought of. Apparently he has been secretly dating Hermione Granger, muggle born witch, war hero, and best friend of Mr. Harry Potter. We can only assume that the woman seen around Hogsmeade with Mr. Malfoy was Miss. Granger.

Witnesses said the pair seemed to be quite cozy with one another, and Mr. Malfoy seemed to be quite comfortable with the infant, who we assume is their child, though we have had no conformation on this. Rumors have been heard saying that Mr. Malfoy and Miss. Granger are set to wed sometime after the new year, though the date has not yet been disclosed. Our best wishes to the pair.

I can only send out my most sincere apologies to Mr. Harry Potter and Mr. Viktor Krum who in the past have been linked to dating the morally 'loose' Hermione Granger. No news as to how this news has affected the former flames.

And as for the Malfoy Heir, will he still be allowed the family fortune after muddying the family blood line with a muggle born witch and their half blood child?

You can count on Me, Myself, & I to get the answer.

Until next time,

Rita Skeeter

Hermione shoved the paper onto the table, glaring up at the smirking man in front of her. Apparently seeing her mad at anyone besides him gave him enough pleasure to forget about being angry himself.

"Loose? She told the world I am morally 'Loose?'" Hermione screeched, stamping her foot. If she were observing herself from an outsiders position, as Draco was, she would see just how ridiculous she looked stamping her foot like an angry child. "That little toad of a woman. I swear, I'm going to march right down to her office and give her a piece of my mind." If one was able to steam at the ears when mad, it was clear that Hermione would be doing so right now.

"That's not the worse part, Granger. She announced to the world who you are and that we're getting married. My mother is going to kill me." He said, wiping away some of the milk that had escaped Darren's lips and trailed down the side of his cheek.

"No Malfoy, she said rumors were so. She had no facts, and she stated that. But she did confirm that I am a morally 'loose' girl!" Hermione didn't really care for the fact that the wizarding world now assumed that she was engaged and had a baby with Draco Malfoy, because for the most part... That was true. But she did in fact care that her reputation was being tarnished by an ignorant, self righteous columnist who wouldn't know how to tell the truth even if drowned in a pool of Veritaserum.

"Would you get off it, Granger. Everyone knows your a prude. Just because Rita Skeeter said other wise doesn't mean they believe it. Trust me, any one who has ever met you knows you're the definition of an uptight, know-it-all, prude." Draco was mad now, and he spoke before he could really think about what he was saying to her. Why was she not freaking out that the wizarding world now knew about them? Didn't she realize how mad his mother would be that they had been so ignorant to go around town like they did.

Hermione glared, looking away from him. As much as she hated to admit it, for the first time in years one of his insults actually hurt her. Hurt her horribly. She turned away from him, walking up stairs into their room, where she quickly changed clothes, and brushed her hair and teeth. She left the room, walking past him and Darren, ignoring his insensitive questions about 'where she thought she was going', and continued her way until she made it out the door. She didn't know where she was going to go, she didn't feel like talking to the boys, or even Ginny. So, she did what every uptight, know-it-all, prude does. She went into the deepest part of the stacks in the library and began to read.

Draco watched her leave, shaking her head. He was in for it when she got back. Not wanting to stay around waiting for her heated return, Draco took the empty bottle from his son's lips and with the baby in his arms he made his way to the fireplace, and with a bit of tricky magic, opened up the floo network, and flooed himself and Darren to Malfoy Manor.

He could hear his mothers voice when he landed, and immediately an old house elf appeared before him, bowing.

"Sir, your mother is expecting you. She is waiting for you in the foyer, with Madam Daphne." He said, and vanishing with a 'pop' seconds later. Draco sighed, running his free hand through his platinum locks. Not being a large fan of flooing, Darren began to cry, his shrills getting louder with every second Draco tried to ignore them.

"I'm going to need you to stop doing that." Draco instructed, rocking Darren as he slowly began walking towards the foyer where he could hear his mothers voice talking to someone else in the room. Against his father's wishes, Darren continued to cry as they walked into the room his mother and her guest occupied, his cries silencing the conversation that had been occurring.

"Oh, Draco. I'm glad you're here." Narcissa said, standing up to greet her son, and meet her grandson for the first time. "Oh, isn't he darling." She cooed over the crying infant, her anger momentarily vanishing under the sight of 'the most darling baby she had ever seen'. She took Darren from Draco's arms, and his cries instantly calmed down. "That's better." She smiled, running a finger over the top of Darren's head.

"So, the rumors are true. You do indeed have a child." The guest spoke up from her spot on the dark leather love seat. Draco looked up at the unfamiliar voice, and shook her hand when she outstretched it.

"Draco, this is Madam Daphne. She's been helping me with your wedding plans." Narcissa introduced the pair, resuming her seat on the small seat next to the love seat, her eyes still glued to the baby in her arms.

"Nice to meet you." Draco spoke quietly, "And as for the rumors, they're only partially true. Yes, I have a child. But it's a magicked child. He'll be gone in a little less than six months. We're being required to take a parenting class at Hogwarts, as assigned by the Ministry." He explained, taking a seat on the opposite end of the love seat.

"Oh? I'm surprised I haven't heard anything of this. In fact, I hadn't heard of the marriage law until a week ago. The ministry has been very hush about the whole ordeal." Her pale hands ran over her skirt as she spoke.

"Apparently so, since Rita Skeeter was compelled enough to about the news of Hermione and I." Draco agreed. His mothers head lifted, Hermione's name bringing her into the conversation.

"Where is Hermione?" Her words filled with alarm, she had suspected both Draco and Hermione to arrive, apologizing for the idiocy.

"We sort of got into a fight before I left... So, she's some where at Hogwarts, I presume." Draco admitted, causing his mother to sneer.

"Draco, you can not raise a child well that is surrounded by hostility. You two really need to get a handle on the fighting." Narcissa scolded, adjusting Darren so that she could sit more comfortably.

"It's not my fault, mother. She was more upset about the fact that Skeeter called her a loose girl, than she was about the fact that we had been outed to the world. And when I told her that she was being insolent about it, and that she should really be concerned about the fact that we were no longer secret. . . She stormed off." He chose not to tell his mother what was actually said by him, knowing it would get him quite the long lecture about being a gentlemen.

"Well, I can understand where she would be upset with that. A woman's reputation means a lot, and to have it besmirched publicly is quite an embarrassment." Madam Daphne spoke up, pulling her purse into her lap as she was preparing to leave.

"She's right, Draco. While it is not good that you two were outed, what she said about Hermione was far worse than just romanticized rumors about your son and your marriage." Narcissa agreed, standing to walk Madam Daphne to the door. "Thank you so much for coming over today, same time tomorrow? The Christmas Ball and the wedding are only a few short months away. We really need to get everything in order." Opening the front door for Madam Daphne.

"Very well. Nice meeting you Draco. I look forward to meeting Miss. Granger. I'll see you soon." And with that and a small smile, she stepped onto the front porch and vanished.

Closing the door, Narcissa turned back to her son. "You need to go back to Hogwarts and work this all out with Hermione." She spoke, handing Darren to his father, and once again he began crying. "And please let her know her mother said to tell her Hello. I've been in contact with her recently, discussing wedding plans. She also wants to meet her grand son, so you should plan a trip to their home soon. Or maybe we could have a large dinner here, and let the families meet." Narcissa said, smiling as she ignored her son's confused look.

"You . . . talked to muggles? Are you sure father would even allow them in the house?" Draco asked skeptically, bouncing Darren gently.

"Don't act so surprised. And as for your father, I will deal with him. You just go work things out with Hermione and I'll be in contact and let you know when the big dinner is." Waving her hand in dismissal. Draco nodded, and turned heading back to the fire place where he flooed back to the empty common room, Hermione no where in sight.

She had stayed in the stacks most of the afternoon, listening to clansmen who would walk past and snicker when they saw her, most with a Daily Prophet in their hands. She tried drying her tear-stained cheeks as she made her way out of the library and up the stairs towards the common room where she was hoping Draco wouldn't be. She had spent her entire day in the library, now only returning since it was after dinner. Her robes were disheveled, and her hair quite unruly from running her hands in it, and she was sure her eyes were red from the amount of crying she had done. Finally she made it into the room, after ignoring several glances and a few crude jokes from fifth year slytherins. All she wanted to do was take a shower, and go to bed. Maybe even cursing Draco with boils in the process, still having not forgave him for his rude comments.

Walking in, she wasn't surprised to hear Darren crying and Draco trying his hardest to get him to calm down. "He probably just needs his diaper changed." Hermione spoke, causing Draco to look up at the announcement of her presence.

"Hermione." He said softly, his voice full of relief.

"You can change it. I'm taking a shower." She said, storming past him and up the stairs towards the bathroom.

"I don't know how to change a damn diaper!" He called after her.

"Not my problem, Malfoy. Figure it out." And with that she slammed the bathroom door behind her and started her shower.

Draco glowered at the door, before taking his son up to the bright nursery and laying him down on the changing table where he continued to cry. He looked around for another diaper, and the case of wipes that he had seen Hermione use before. Once he found what he was looking for, he slowly approached his upset son, setting the items down next to his head.

"Alright, lets see how this is done..." He said slowly, biting his lower lip as he maneuvered the dirty diaper off of his son. "Bloody Hell, that's unholy. What the hell is in the bottles we're giving you." Draco grimaced, tossing the diaper in the trash can.

Hermione could hear Draco from her place in the warm shower, she laughed quietly as she listened to him change a dirty diaper for the first time. Serves him right.

Draco took what he presumed was the wipe's and wiped his son's butt, grimacing and cursing the whole time. This is the work of a House Elf, not a job for a Malfoy. It didn't matter what Hermione said, when they were married, they were keeping the house elves for jobs like these.

He dressed his son in a new diaper and a small, soft onsie before laying him down for a much needed nap. He had been fussing all day, and Draco could only assume that he was in need of a long nap. Or so, he hoped. He couldn't take much more of the constant crying. After laying him down, Draco walked into his room, loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt it seemed he as well needed a nap. He threw his tie and shirt across the room, landing on the couch in front of the fire place. With a long, exasperated sigh he fell onto the bed, his eye lids feeling heavy. He was dreading class tomorrow, and the dark arts essay he had to finish tonight, after patrols.

Hermione emerged from the shower, pleased to hear that her son was quiet. She wrapped a towel around her body before walking out of the bathroom and into her bedroom and towards the wardrobe.

Draco opened his eyes at the sound of the bathroom door opening and her foot steps making their way through the room. He glanced over at her, instantly smirking when he saw he lack of clothes, and wet body. The towel hung loosely around her as she bent down to get something from the bottom of the wardrobe.

"Thanks for the show, Granger."

Hermione bolted up, her hand going to the towel to hold it to her. "I thought you were in the nursery." She responded, ignoring the suggestive smile he was currently wearing.

"Oh, please, continue." He waved her on.

"I think not. I am far too much of a prude to ever be a tease." She smirked, grabbing her clothes before walking into the bathroom, closing the door behind her and leaving a speechless Draco still lying on the bed. He scoffed, closing his eyes once more. Apparently she was trying to make a point that he had offended her. Though he wasn't quite she why she was acting so hurt, it wasn't the first time they had ever offended each other. And he was positive it wouldn't be the last, for it was too fun fighting with her.

She came out only minutes later, her still wet and sticking to her but instead of a towel, she wore long yoga pants and a Gryffindor sweat shirt. It seemed as if she was covering as much skin as she possibly could. Now it was truly more than obvious that she was trying to make a point. She climbed into the bed, switching on the baby monitor that she had turned off earlier that morning. She put as much space between herself and Draco as she could, stuffing two pillows and part of the covers between the two of them.

"Granger, what is this?" Draco sighed, looking over as he watched her keep her distance from him.

"This is a boarder. Do not cross it. This side.." She pointed to where she was laying, "is my side. That, is yours." She now pointed to where he was sitting up, giving her an incredulous look. She smirked at him before falling back and tucking herself under the covers, turning her back to him. He moved to pull the pillows from between them, only to be swatted away by her hand.

"No, they stay." She insisted, glaring at the blond laying next to her.

"Granger, this really isn't necessary." He said, and once again began pulling the pillows from between them. She didn't stop him, but she did slap at his hand once more when he tried to pull her to him after removing the pillows. "God, Granger. Would you come off it, already?" He murmured.

"No, Malfoy. I won't. Since I'm such a prude there will be no more touching, kissing, or holding of me at all. I wouldn't want to hurt my prudish image." She retorted, her voice staying surprisingly even and calm. With a sigh Draco turned onto his back, his hands going behind his head as he stared up at the canopy above them.

"I didn't mean anything by it, Hermione. It was just a heated argument. Not like it was our first one. And, I've called you far worse things than a prude." He mumbled, his eyes only glancing over to see if she was responding to his words. When he noticed no movement he continued to speak. "I was just worried that everyone would know, and my mother would have my neck for letting it slip up that we are a . . . 'we', before the official announcement." He saw her turn to face him from the corner of his eye and took this as encouragement to continue groveling.

"And she shouldn't have said those things about you. I'll handle it, I'll release a statement saying that we are just friends, and that you have never had any relations with either Harry or Viktor."

Hermione smiled, shaking her head at him. "You don't have to do that. You had a point earlier, sort of. People do know me, and they know my character. I honestly think your words bugged me more than hers." She hated the way he could make her give in so easily. When the hell did that start happening? Thinking of this, she wanted to return to her former stance of ignoring him, but it was already to late, for he was already wearing his trade mark smirk.

"Do not go getting all boastful now. Just because I said you had a point, does not mean I forgive for saying those things about me." Somehow his arm had already found it's way around her shoulder and was pulling her closer. "No. I said no touching." She corrected him, glaring at his hand that was resting on the top of her arm. With a sigh, he let her go, but his arm still hung loosely behind her on the pillows.

"Fine, I have to go do patrols anyway, you can stay here with Darren." Draco said, moving to get up, only to get stopped by Hermione's hand on his forearm.

"We don't have to do patrols anymore. At least, not while we have the baby." Draco looked at her quizzically, but returned to his former position. "I talked to Dumbledore today, he found me hiding in the library. He said the professors would take over our nightly patrolling duties until Darren is gone. The think it's too risky to patrol with a baby in tow. You never know what you may come across."

Draco smiled, anything that got him out of doing work thrilled him. "Fine by me."

"Of course it is. I was quite disappointed, though. I enjoy my evening patrols." Hermione frowned, pulling the covers off of her. In long yoga pants, and a sweat shirt, it was far too warm for a large blanket to be covering her. Draco laughed quietly at her, taking the time to look over her atrocious and unflattering outfit.

"Granger, please explain to me what you are wearing. I haven't seen you in this much clothes since fourth year when you tried to hide your . . . developments." Hermione blushed under his words, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I was trying to make a very prudish point." She mumbled.

"Trust me, you succeeded." He smirked, yet he had never been more turned on by her, even when she walked in with only a towel on. Though, that was quite the sight that he wouldn't mind seeing again.

Hermione rolled her eyes, but allowed him to lean down and press his lips to hers, this becoming their new nightly ritual. Her hands went to his hair, like they do every time his kisses her and she allowed him to lower his hands to her hips, where he pulled her to him, allowing himself to hover over her.

"You know you're still a prude though, right?" He whispered, kissing her between words.

"Yeah. I know."

His dark arts essay was quickly forgotten about, and pushed away from his mind until early the next morning. But Hermione stood her ground and stayed true to her prudish ways all night.

-Drum roll-

So, I am actually really pleased with the way this chapter came out. The Rita Skeeter letter took me a long time to write, cause I just wasn't sure how I wanted it to sound. But I think I figured it out. Ha, and this is like the third chapter I've ended with them going to bed, kissing goodnight. Sappy. But oh well. It's just where the story leads me.

So, I hoped you loved it. And please, please, please review. I can't tell you how much it means to me to read all of your comments!

Love,

Lindsey