AN- First of all I would like to apologize for how long it took me to get this updated. I had me exams in May and June and afterward I was really busy with family stuff. I hope you can all forgive me.
Second, with everything that has been going on I have not had time to write in about four months so I might be a little out of practice.
And as always, I ask you to please review. Al reviews are appreciated. Big thank you to StevieOwnsYourHeart and Goldfish101 and of course my wonderful beta 4SnowWolf
The week Lucius had ungraciously allowed for "bonding" passed quickly. Draco and Hermione spent their time alternating between avoiding each other and being..., for lack of a better word, friends. Sometimes, they would spend hours together, talking, debating and sometimes, even managing to have a laugh.
But then they each would remember with a start that they were supposed to hate the other. They would retreat to their separate library corners and ignore each other for as long as possible, until they somehow got drawn back in.
By the end of the week Hermione and Draco weren't quite friends. They'd have to be crazy to think that, but they did have a certain familiarity with each other that was oddly comforting. Friends wasn't the right word but they were perhaps acquaintances or, at the very least, equals.
"Hermione, are you ready?" Draco paused for a moment outside Hermione's door before making his way down the stairs. "We have to go, now."
Hermione groaned and checked herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe that in less than an hour she'd have to tell her friends that she'd be marrying their mortal enemy, the person they'd hated for years. It was one of the most difficult things Hermione had ever faced and she'd never been more terrified, no mean feat considering all the situations Hermione had been involved in.
Hermione steadied herself with one last deep breath and made her way downstairs to meet her fiancé.
Draco was waiting in the spacious vestibule. He was wearing a simple outfit of a smart grey-silvery shirt with black jeans. Not wantingto appear as if he was trying too hard but, at the same time, he was eager to impress. The young man understood how much the evening meant to Hermione and he wanted it to go well. He wanted things to be easier for her.
"You look nice."
Lifting his head he saw an attractive brunette smiling at him from just a few steps away. The girl's dark hair had been piled loosely into a bun on the top of her head, a bun that managed to look messy and ultra elegant at the same time. Her eyes looked large and intense, doe like. She was wearing tight white jeans and a ruffly red blouse.
But without a doubt, the best thing was her smile.
Draco had never seen Hermione look so comfortable in her own skin. Of course, she had looked beautiful, ravishing and stunning at the Yule Ball but even then she'd looked sort of uncomfortable. Now this was really something special.
He grinned back at the young witch.
"You look... beautiful."
Hermione grinned sheepishly for a second before lowering her gaze asking, "Really?"
"Yeah, you look really, really good."
"Thanks, I guess."
All of a sudden, she seemed to find it hard to hold his gaze. A silence descended over the couple and the air seemed to fill with awkwardness. Draco cleared his throat.
"So, um, do Harry and Ginny know I'm coming?"
A frown appeared on her face, she was not looking forward to this.
"I told them to set the table for four. They know I'm bringing a plus one but I left out the fact that it was you."
"Is that wise?" His face paled considerably and Hermione couldn't help but grin.
"Scared, Draco?"
"Yes, actually. That Weasley chick is not someone I want to be messing with."
"First of all, that chick has a name, Ginny. Second, she's a Potter now. Third," Pausing a smug smirk appeared on her face. "You're scared of Ginny?"
"She once promised, very aggressively, that if I ever came near her again she would cut off my... family jewels and I have to say I'm rather attached to mine."
Hermione laughed, "That certainly sounds like Ginny." Looking up she caught the worried look on Draco's face, and began to laugh harder.
"Okay, okay! You can stop laughing now."
Groaning he grabbed her wrist and pulled her shaking body against his. She went stiff feeling his warm figure so close. Looking into his guarded eyes a questioning look appeared on her features.
"Potter's place... now?"
She nodded slowly and closed her eyes, when she next opened them they were standing on a deserted street in front of a homely cottage with Draco still too close for comfort.
Taking a step away from the wizard Hermione smiled as she gazed upon the quaint home she had visited many times.
A small path led up the middle of a well tended garden to a blazing red door. After all these years Harry was still loyal to his Gryffindor colors. Ivy grew up the walls and a small wooden arch covered the gate. It was a completely normal family home, perhaps even sort of clichéd, but she understood that what her best friend had always wanted was to be normal. Harry and Ginny had managed to build a life together that resembled any other normal married couple's. All that the home needed was some kids to fill up the empty rooms, Ginny had waited long enough.
"This the place?" Draco's voice snapped Hermione out of her thoughts.
"What? Oh, yeah, this is it." Gently pulling her hand out of his and walked up the path. She stopped when she reached he door and raised up her hand to knock.
"Maybe you shouldn't come in now. I think I should prepare them first. Or should we just get it over with? Maybe we should just go home. I can't-"
"Hermione," Draco grabbed Hermione's shoulders and pulled her around to face him, " Calm down, take a breath. It'll be aright."
He waited a moment until he was sure she wasn't about to faint.
"I'll wait out here, you call me in when you're ready."
Not waiting for an answer he pushed the door open and propelled her forwards before she could say anything else.
"Hermione, is that you?" Ginny stepped into the hall and smiled when she saw her friend.
In a second the two women were in each other arms.
"God, Hermione, I've missed you. Where have you been?"
"Um, I'll tell you later. How are you?" She gestured toward the other girls flat stomach. "Any luck?"
Her closing her eyes was accompanied by a shaking of her head. Her face was screwed up in grief. But when she opened her eyes again a smile was on her face, she was covering up. Ginny held up her hand and crossed her fingers over.
"Next month." Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Then she called, "Harry, Hermione's here!"
There was a moment's silence while they waited for an answer.
"Harry, get your butt down here right now or I'll will come up there and stick my wand- oh, there you are." Her voice flowed easily from her aggressive annoyance to friendly tones.
"Ah, Ginny, as patient as usual." An amused smile colored Harry's face. "Hermione!"
Pulling her into a hug he pecked her on the cheek.
"So, where is this new mystery man of yours?" His wife asked, curious.
"He's outside."
With a frown she was asked, "You did tell him I don't bite, didn't you?"
"Why would she do that? He deserves to be warned about your biting." Harry said, teasing his wife.
"That was so funny I forgot to laugh." She quipped sarcastically before reverting to a serious voice. "Why is he outside, Hermione?"
"Well, I don't think he is someone you're going to necessarily approve of and I just wanted the chance to remind you to keep an open mind."
"Who is it?" Ginny's eyes had narrowed dangerously.
"You'll find out, just promise me you won't go crazy."
"Who is it?" she demanded again.
"It's OK, we promise." Harry poked the his wife's shoulder and she nodded though she didn't look happy about it.
Hermione cleared her throat and raised her voice. "You can come in now."
As Draco opened the door and stepped into the hall shocked silence fell over the small crowd gathered. Hermione looked round at everyone's face, her fiancé looked anxious and kind of queasy, his pale skin had an unnatural green glow. Harry just looked plain confused, like the way he used to look in Potions class, completely befuddled. Ginny's face was scary. It was beyond anger or rage, it was wrath. Her face was the same colour as her flaming hair and before Hermione knew what was happening, she had pulled out her wand and rounded on Draco.
"What did you do?" Pointing her wand right between Draco's eyes. "What the hell did you do to her?"
He shook his head, "Nothing, I swear!"
"Don't you lie to- Harry, let go!" Harry had wrapped his arms round Ginny's waist and pulled her away from the her indented victim.
"Ginny, calm down. Calm down!" She struggled for a moment longer but eventually gave up and nodded in defeat. Glowering unhappily at Draco as her husband turned to face Hermione.
"He's your plus one?" His voice was low and worried.
There was a short pause before she nodded slowly.
"He makes you happy?"
Another nod, she didn't trust her self to speak. She was sure that if she opened her mouth the whole terrible story would come tumbling out.
"Well, Draco, welcome. You'll have to excuse Ginny, she can be rather aggressive sometimes. Do you like lasagna?"
"Uh, yeah." Draco answered, confused, as his ex-enemy guided him through the hall.
"Good, cause that's what you're having for dinner. So, what have you been up to recently?"
Hermione smiled at her best friend's attempts to make pleasant small talk. She knew it had to be hard for him but he was trying, for her. She followed the two men into the cozy dining room.
It was an awkward dinner, one even to rival the lunch Hermione had eaten with the Malfoys. Harry struggled to make pleasant chit chat and Draco tried hard to be friendly but there was too much history between the two wizards for them to be comfortable with each other.
She herself was too distracted with the idea of lying to her friends to do much talking. She kept her head down and used her lasagna as an excuse not to talk.
Ginny sat opposite Draco and throughout the whole meal she never took her eyes off him. She stared at him with a disapproving glare that sent shivers through Hermione's body. She ate just enough as not to raise any questions and barely joined in the conversation.
At the end of the meal the hostess turned to Malfoy and asked, "So, when did you two meet?"
"On holiday. Hermione had just broken up with Ron and I myself had just gotten out of a bad relationship. I guess, we just sort of found solace in each other. She was so different from my last girlfriend, it was nice."
Hermione looked on in awe as husband-to-be spun a web of lies as easy as if it was true.
"So, how long have you been going out then?" The interrogation was continued.
"Nearly a month." Turning he smiled at Hermione before reaching over and clasping her hand in his. "We're really happy."
"Oh, you're happy! Isn't that just so sweet. God, Malfoy, who'd have thought you'd be that romantic. Aww, two sweet little love birds ready to fly into the sky of harmony!" Sarcasm dripped from her every word.
"Come one, Ginny. Be nice." Harry murmured into ear.
"No, I'm not going to be nice. They're acting ridiculous. They've known each other less than a month yet they're acting like they're getting married!"
Draco and Hermione turned to look each other.
"Actually, Ginny, I have something to tell you."
Ginny's face turned stark white, "No, no, no, no. Hermione, no!"
"Draco proposed. We're getting married." She lay her left hand on top of the table where her friends could see it. On her finger was a ring. A silver ring with a gleaming sapphire surrounded by diamonds, an engagement ring. From Draco Malfoy.
"You did something! I know you did. She'd never marry you. You must've done something. Leave her alone!" Breaking into heaving sobs, she wasn't angry any more she was just plain worried. She was sure the ferret had used some kind of spell to get Hermione to fall in love with him.
"I love her." Ginny's sobs stopped as she looked up at Draco.
"Ever since I met her everything has been inexplicably bright. I can't explain it, but she makes me just so happy to even be alive. When I'm with her I feel like I'm not the bad guy. I feel like I'm somebody who could do some good. I feel like I could do anything. And for some reason she loves me back. She wants to be with me and I know how lucky I am. I do. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me, she is the best thing. I'll look after her Ginny, I promise."
Hermione stared on in shock as he made his grand, romantic speech. It was a good speech. He had everything just right. It was without a doubt the most romantic thing Hermione had ever heard in her life, and it wasn't even real.
Hermione felt a hand grab her own and was pulled her to her feet. Draco was standing in front of her. His face was close. Close enough to see his light blonde eyelashes. Close enough to see the one freckle underneath his left eyes. Close enough to see the tiny flecks of blue throughout his grey eyes. Even close enough that his lips looked invitingly pink and plump.
"I love you."
And before she knew what was happening, before she had a chance to turn away Draco Malfoy was kissing her.
His lips were surprisingly soft and moist. His hand had found the small of her back and was nestled there among the folds of her clothes. His other hand was on her hair.
After a few seconds Draco pulled back and tucked an escaped curl behind her ear.
"Do you really love him?"
Hermione tore her eyes away from her fiancé's face and nodded.
"Yes, I really do."
"Are you sure you're ready? You haven't been going out very long. And this getting married suddenly is so unlike you. You usually think and rethink everything through and weigh all the pros and cons before you make a decision. Are you sure you're aren't rushing it?"
"I can't explain it but I just know. I just feel that it's the right thing to do."
Ginny surveyed Hermione in silence for a moment.
"Then I'm happy for you."
"You are?"
She nodded and got up to give her friend a hug. They burst into tears in each others arms.
"Congratulations, Hermione!" Harry called from across the table.
"Thanks." Hermione tried to call back but was muffled by Ginny's arms.
"Harry, will you be my best man?"
The two young witches let go of each other and turned round to face the two men.
"What?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"I'm just not particularly close to any my friends any more and I know how much it would mean to Hermione, if you were involved in the wedding. Will you do it, for Hermione?"
"Well, sure. I guess. Thanks."
"No problem." Harry shook hands with Draco, nervously. It wasn't something he'd ever imagined happening. But Draco had just asked him to be his best man and that wasn't exactly something he'd ever imagined either. He broke into a grin.
"Lets get some drinks, we have to celebrate!"
Later that night, when the faux couple arrived home, Hermione felt like a weight had been lifted of her shoulders. She had told Harry and Ginny and they didn't hate her. They were happy for her. She had just realised how much her friends truly cared about her.
Yet, she couldn't help but feel slightly guilty that even after she'd heard all her friends concerns she'd lied to them. She didn't love Draco, their whole engagement was a sham.
"Thanks." Hermione called to Draco as he walked down the corridor to his room.
"For what?" Draco asked, turning.
"For asking Harry to be your best man." She moved closer towards him. "And calming Ginny down. She was so weird till you did your speech."
"It wasn't a big deal."
"No, Draco, it was. You did some really nice things for me and because of you tonight was so much easier than I expected." She placed her hand on the side of his face and made him look into her eyes. "Thank you."
Hermione pulled him into a hug and at first he felt stiff and hard but he soon relaxed. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and lightly hugged her back.
"You liked that kiss, didn't you?" Draco asked into her hair.
"Excuse me?" She asked pulling back.
"The kiss. You really enjoyed it, I could tell." There was a smirk in his voice.
"I most certainly did not!"
"I bet it's the best kiss you've ever had."
"You know what? I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer."
"So, that's a yes then?"
"No, Draco. Goodnight."
Hermione headed towards her own room and Draco watched her go. Just as she reached her door he called, "So, no good night kiss then?"
As a reply Hermione held up her slender middle finger. Chuckling he headed off to bed. To a sleep full of dreams of brunettes in white jeans, girls with rude hand gestures. Women with the prettiest brown eyes and the softest pink lips.
