A/N: I own nothing but an overactive imagination.
It's been a while, but moving houses took a lot longer than I expected this past week. None the less, we are in and have internet access, so you can expect more frequent updates again! Thank you for all your reviews and support. You are all awesome!
The Match
There was an audible gasp across the room, followed by utter silence. Even the music had stopped.
"No." This time she said it out loud. "No!" She shouted, eyes transfixed on the two silver rings at her feet. She stumbled back, repelled by the sight of them and everything they signified.
She turned around, looking desperately about the room. She searched for someone, anyone to tell her this wasn't happening; that Draco Malfoy was not her match. But she found no such relief.
"Miss Granger," the elder Malfoy hissed. "Do control yourself." Her head shot over, a fire igniting behind her honey brown eyes.
"Control myself? CONTROL MYSELF!"
She took an imposing step forward and then felt the warmth of hands on either arm. On instinct she withdrew, hand moving to the wand concealed beneath her blush-colored robes. As she spun around she realized it was Harry and Ginny who had finally made their way through the throngs of guests. George and Ron stood behind them faces flaring red with anger.
"Hermione," Harry spoke softly, comfortingly almost, but there was no comfort to be had.
"It's not true, Harry," she shouted. "It's not true! It can't be right; it's not him. Tell me, Harry, tell me it's not him! They made a mistake. The ministry made a mistake!"
She threw herself into his arms and he welcomed her as he always had. Ginny wrapped her arms around her back holding her closely, protectively, before turning to face the three blondes at her back.
"You did this didn't you?" Her eyes narrowed in on the two Malfoy men. "You bribed somebody, did something to alter the magic. There's no way you're Mione's match. There is no way you're going to get away with this. We will go to the Wizingamot; we will talk to Kingsley! he'll fix this. We will prove you cheated and the three of you will finally rot in Azkaban, like you've always deserved!"
"You bloody ferret! How much did it cost? You've always had it out for Hermione. What's this, some sick way to punish her because your side lost the war? I'll Avada you where you stand before you ever touch Hermione!"
Ron rushed forward, wand pointed at the younger Malfoy, but was stopped by none other than Kingsley Shacklebolt himself. In a low hush voice, he spoke. "Settle down now, Ron before you do something not even I can save you from."
Shacklebolt raised his wand to his throat, using sonorous to amplify his voice throughout the ballroom. "Everyone let's allow these two their privacy." With a wave of his wand the music sounded again, and reluctantly the guests began to turn. Ginny, Harry, and Ron's eyes were still fixed on Malfoy.
Hermione turned, back straightening, chin jetting out. She refused to shed any more tears in front of Malfoy. She had wasted enough of them during Hogwarts.
Malfoy and his parents were now side-by-side, arms touching, having closed their ranks at Ginny's slanderous accusation. Malfoy opened his mouth to speak for the first time, but his jaw snapped shut as his father's voice boomed.
"Miss Weasley, it will do you well not to accuse me of such a preposterous idea in my own home. I had imagined even you have been brought up with better manners than that. You are a guest in my home I must insist you behave accordingly."
His stance was hostile, and Hermione did not fail to notice the way his hand caressed the serpent on the end of his wand. But he did not draw it, leaving it encased in the safety of his cane. Narcissa took a step forward but did not dare step closer as Hermione's friends all matched her step forward, shielding Hermione.
"We should take this discussion somewhere more, private. I assure you we have done nothing to interfere with this law or its magic for my son's match." Her voice was soft yet firm.
"I think that is an excellent idea, Mrs. Malfoy," Kingsley stated. "If you would be so kind as to as to lead the way, I believe we would all appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter calmly and away from prying eyes and ears."
"There's nothing to discuss," Hermione spoke, warm brown eyes meeting steely gray. "I will never marry your son."
The group of Gryffindors stood in close quarters in Lucius' study. On the opposite side of the room sat Lucius himself, behind a large wooden desk, his son seated at his side and his wife standing at their backs, a dainty hand on each of their shoulders. They were rigidly formal. Shacklebolt was seated in the chair across from them, listening calmly as Lucius shouted.
"This is an outrage! To be treated this way in my home, in front of our guests! I demand the Ministry take action!"
"Lucius, no law has been broken."
"The law of civility certainly have been!"
"I'm afraid I have no authority over matters of civility, Lucius."
Hermione watched closely as Narcissa smoothed her hands over her husband's shoulders; A slow, calm, and deliberate motion that brought upon a drastic change in his behavior. He took a calming breath and when he spoke again, his tone was smooth and even.
"Of course, Minister." Narcissa's face softened. "On to the more pressing matter. When should my son report to the Ministry in order to clear up this matter?"
"What do you mean?"
"Obviously there will be no wedding here. When will the charm be reset so that we may resume our search for his bride?" There was a slight twitch in Malfoy's right eye.
"Why do you assume there will not be a wedding?"
"The girl said so herself. She has chosen to return to her Muggle world, and as such, my son will require a proper match."
"I have said no such thing!" Hermione bolted forward, staring down first Lucius and then Shacklebolt. "I never said I was leaving!" She was fuming.
"You stated you had no intention of marrying my son. Just as well, really. Given your upbringing, I'm not surprised you desire returning to your kind."
His words were laced with mild disgust and dripping with superiority. It was clear to everyone in the room that while the war was over, Lucius' prejudices against muggle-borns remained firmly intact.
"I AM among my kind, Mr. Malfoy. And for someone who seems to pride himself on manners and matters of civility, you seem to be sadly lacking in both."
Narcissa gawked at the slight on her husband. Lucius' face hardened, his gaze narrowing in on her like a predator ready to pounce. But it was Malfoy's reaction to her words that cause everyone else in the room to stare slack-jawed in silence.
It started with a snort; drawing every set of eyes to his person at the un-Malfoy-like noise. Then, ever so slightly, his shoulders began to quiver, and he averted his eyes, as if instantly becoming utterly fascinated by his own hands which rested neatly on the edge of his father's desk. But the corners of his mouth were turned up slightly, and his cheeks flushed slightly at the effort with which he was restraining himself.
Is Draco Malfoy… laughing?
It was his mother who broke the silence with a whispered, "Draco."
His odd conduct and Narcissa's hushed chastising of his behavior seemed so...normal. It was unsettling almost. Out of context it appeared as if the Malfoy's were a perfectly average family rather than prejudice murderous deatheaters. And it seemed to dispel any rash reactions by the Gryffindors which otherwise would have undoubtedly led to aurors being summoned.
Malfoy composed himself; resuming his rigid posture and masked expression before shooting an odd glance toward his mother.
Curious.
Shacklebolt drew the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Hermione. The law is quite clear. The match has been made. Do you or do you not accept it?"
Hermione was outraged at the question. "I most certainly do not!"
The Minister's head hung mournfully. "You understand, that once refused, I have no choice but to confiscate your wand and bring you in for review?"
"Review!? You mean sentencing! I will NOT give you my wand. I will NOT leave!" Tears were threatening to spill, but she refused to allow a single one to drop. Not here. Not in front of these people."
"Surely Kingsley, there is something you can do," Harry offered. "This is Hermione and Malfoy! There has to be some reasonable explanation."
"Like they cheated!" Ginny exclaimed.
"They're deatheaters! You can't make Mione marry the bloody ferret! I won't let you!" Ron exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Hermione, almost suffocatingly. She pried him off of her. She didn't need protection. If anyone did, it was the family opposite her.
"The law is clear. And there is no evidence there was any foul play. "
"You haven't even looked!" Ginny's face was ablaze.
"Ginny," His voice was kind, but exhausted. "We could not possibly launch an investigation upon every instance that someone is not fully satisfied with their match. The Ministry has neither the resources or the inclination to do so. Our most skilled employees worked on this project. Hermione herself has fully researched and reviewed every scrap of information on the magic involved."
All three Malfoy's looked over appraisingly at the brunette. Even Lucius seemed mildly impressed with her tenacity.
Shacklebolt stood then, turning to face the Malfoy heir. "Draco. You have been rather quiet. Have you nothing to say?"
His jaw tightened, the only sign of his anger. "I have rather a lot to say, actually. However, after my last invitation to speak to you regarding this idiotic law, it was made clear my lack of input on the matter."
When had he met with Kingsley? Was it before or after she had seen him after his appointment? What had Kingsley told him?
Suddenly, his eyes were on her, and she was beyond stunned to find them devoid of malice. Instead, it give the impression he was trying to convey something to her. Taken aback, she cocked her head somewhat to the side, showing her confusion. Malfoy rolled his eyes before returning his attention to Kingsley.
"I accept Granger as my 'Magical Match' as deemed by the Ministry." Gasps. "However, given our...complicated past...I request more time before we are required to marry. I think we can all agree it would be in everyone's best interest."
What does he mean he accepts!? Hermione couldn't believe it. Not only because it was Draco Malfoy stating he would marry her, but because he had seemed so outraged at the entire concept of the law a mere fortnight ago. And had he not also refused to attend the ball earlier this evening as protest?
Her face flushed with anger and she moved to confront him, to accost him for his cowardness at bowing down to the Ministry, but she stopped short at a single word.
"Wait."
The bored drawl was unmistakable. It was Malfoy. But she hadn't seen his lips move. Eyes locked on his, she wrinkled her nose, as she often did when working out a problem. Maybe she was wrong?
He rolled his eyes again. "For once in your life, Granger, shut that mouth of yours." Her eyes widened. This time she was CERTAIN his mouth hadn't moved. Was he...was he inside-
"-Your frizzy little head?" He finished for her. "Of course. And they call you the brightest witch of our year."
Godric! He was in her head!
"A time for everything and everything in its time."
Did he just paraphrase Benjamin Franklin?
That was all she could think of as his voice echoed through her head. But then she remembered herself, eyes darting around the room, and she took stock of everyone around them. The silence had drawn their attention to the newly matched pair and their sudden and intense eye contact.
Her eyes finally came to land on Kingsley. "Miss Granger?" He was back to using formalities. Had he asked a question?
"I'm sorry?" She offered lamely.
"Mr. Malfoy has accepted the match." His voice trailed off.
"No!" Ginny exclaimed.
"You don't have to do this!" Ron shouted.
"We are here for you, whatever you decide," Harry offered.
"Wait."
Again, brown met grey. She wasn't sure why, but something about his voice in her head gave her hope. He must have a plan. He was a Slytherin after all. She knew he had NO desire for her. So, there must be...something.
But what was it? He hadn't told her anything, really. Just to wait. Wait for what? What if he had a way out? What if his way out was to murder her in her sleep! He wouldn't do that, right? She had to make a decision.
Her courage rose and with a deep breath, she closed her eyes before speaking firmly. "I accept."
