Draco looked to the clock on their nightstand to see what time it was. Seeing that it was nearly 10:30, he decided to try to wake Hermione up.
"Hermione, wake up…come on, it's nearly 10:30!" he whispered as he lightly shook her.
"Whaaaaa…oh! 10:30? I can't believe that I slept in this late!" she exclaimed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Morning…how are you feeling?"
"Fine, well, I suppose we should shower and get dressed and head to breakfast, then?"
"Yeah, I suppose so…you can have the bathroom first today," he said with a smile.
"Thanks, Draco," she said as she brushed his lips with a kiss.
Whoa…that was kind of unexpected…maybe this will work out after all. he thought with wide eyes.
When Hermione and Draco were both done showering and dressing, they headed to the Great Hall to eat before Lucius came to pick them up.
"Draco, don't you feel as if everyone is staring at us…?"
"Well, yeah…I guess I'm used to it by now. Why is it bothering you all of a sudden?"
"Well, to be specific, a certain pug-faced ex-girlfriend of yours keeps shooting me dirty looks."
"You mean Pansy?"
"Yes! How many other ex-girlfriends do you have?"
"Well, shall we make her jealous then?"
"Uh…sure?" Hermione said uncertainly.
When they reached the Slytherin table, they sat close to Pansy and a few other Slytherin girls. Hermione didn't recognize one of them and she turned to Draco to ask him who she was. Just as she was about to open her mouth, Draco put his had behind her neck and pulled her into a very passionate kiss. When he pulled away, Hermione wasn't the only girl with wide eyes. Pansy looked like hers were about to pop out of her face. Clearly annoyed by what she had just witnessed, she got up from the table and left in a huff.
"Draco, I feel really weird about you kissing me in front of everyone…it's not like we've kept our dislike for each other a secret!" Hermione whispered to him.
"Yeah, well, we're married now so none of that matters. It's not like people aren't talking about us anyway," he whispered back.
Hermione put her fork down next to her half-eaten plate of food. "I think we should finish packing before your father arrives- we have about an hour before he'll be here."
"Yeah, that's a good idea. Knowing him, he'll probably be here early too," Draco responded, getting up from the table.
Hermione followed him, looking in the direction of the Gryffindor table. She had hoped to say goodbye to Harry and Ron, but neither of them were there.
Gah, they're probably still mad at me… she thought as she walked away.
When they arrived back to their room, they noticed that their bedroom door was open.
That's odd…I clearly remembered to shut that door… thought Hermione.
"Draco, can you go see why the door's open please?" she asked, hiding behind the couch.
"Seriously, Hermione. Anyone that's in here knows the password and is obviously not a threat. Come on," he responded, holding out his hand to help her up.
She reluctantly took it and started walking towards the door with him. As they rounded the corner to their room, Hermione saw a dark-cloaked figure walk by the door and sit on their bed with his back to them.
"Draco…there's someone in here!" she whispered urgently to him.
Draco walked into the room with his wand at the ready, followed by Hermione.
"FATHER?! What in Merlin's name are you doing here so early?" he asked when the hooded figure turned around.
"I simply thought that we could get you guys settled in early…looks like the wedding night went well…" Lucius said looking at their extremely messed up bed.
"You shouldn't assume things Mr. Malfoy! I simply toss and turn in my sleep," said Hermione, blushing.
"Believe me, I really do not want to know any details…the bed itself is enough…" Lucius said snickering.
"Well, anyway, that sounds fine I guess, just let us pack. We should be done in a little bit…in the meantime, would you mind waiting in the common room please?" asked Draco, clearly annoyed.
"Certainly" Lucius said with a sneer.
After he left, Draco rolled his eyes and apologized for his father's rudeness.
"He's a Malfoy, Draco. I expect it from him," Hermione responded.
"I heard that!" Lucius said from the couch.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
Later at the Manor
"Oh, Draco! You're home finally! Oh, hello Hermione…" said Narcissa, quickly glancing over her.
"Hello Mum…I trust that you had a nice evening yesterday?" asked Draco, as she pulled him into a hug.
"Yes…It was quite lovely…." She said offhandedly and let go.
"Mum, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm just so flustered with the planning of your party…Hermione, have you picked out something to wear yet?"
"Uh…no, I hadn't thought about it yet. Why do you ask?" replied Hermione, blushing slightly.
"Come with me please," Narcissa called, walking down the hall.
"Umm, alright," Hermione said, looking to Draco for an explanation. Draco shrugged his shoulders as if to say "I dunno".
As Hermione followed Narcissa through the Manor, she couldn't help but notice all of the décor. There were many pictures hanging on the wall of various Malfoy ancestors, and right next to the door that Narcissa walked through, there was a newspaper clipping. Hermione couldn't help herself. She had to stop and read it, seeing as how it looked like her picture was on it, along with Draco's.
The young couple were joined in marriage at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where they are currently in their final year. They started dating over the summer and the newly married Mr. Malfoy had decided to go against the Malfoy tradition of marrying purebloods. The two are going to spend the Christmas holiday with Draco's parents, during which they will be attending a wedding party in their honor, thrown by none other than Narcissa Malfoy. (For a full account on Mrs. Malfoy's other glamorous parties, turn to page three).
WHAT?! We did NOT start dating over the summer! We met in a bar and got drunk! How dare they put that in a magazine! Honestly…Hermione thought, irritated.
"Oh, reading the clipping are you? I hope you don't mind that we tweaked it a little to make it sound more appropriate. We didn't want the public to know that our son only married you because he got drunk," Narcissa said, sticking her head out the door.
"Of course," Hermione responded acidly. She walked into the room, expecting a bedroom or sitting room of some sort, but instead saw what looked like a large closet.
"We are going to find you something to wear for the party! As much as I dislike letting people borrow my things, I just can't have you underdressed and we don't have time for a shopping trip." After flipping through a few more hangers, she stopped and pulled one out. "What do you think of this?" Narcissa said holding out a forest green ball gown.
"Mrs. Malfoy, it's beautiful! Are you sure it won't look silly on me? I was thinking something a little less formal," Hermione responded.
"Something less formal? Didn't you hear me say that I can't have you underdressed?"
"Erm, yes… I take it that this party is to be formal, then?"
"Of course! What else did you expect?" Narcissa responded, moving the dress to a new rack near the vanity.
Hermione was just quiet for a moment, not really knowing what to say. Of course it's a formal party, you idiot! she chastised herself silently.
All of a sudden, she felt that Narcissa's eyes on her. Hermione looked in her direction, and it looked like she was sizing her up.
"Hermione, have you thought about when you and Draco will be having children?"
Hermione's head nearly shot off her shoulders. "Children?! Why are you asking me about that so soon? We just got married!"
"Yes, children. And your years are numbered, that's why. How many and when do you plan to start having them?"
"Well, the thing is, I'm n-not sure if I really want children..." Hermione stammered out.
Narcissa stifled a laugh.
"Is something funny, Mrs. Malfoy?" Hermione asked, annoyed.
"Well, my dear, you don't have a choice. You are required by the Malfoy Family Traditions to have at least one male child, to inherit the family fortune."
"Well, I still have what, three years? I have plenty of time to think about it."
"Hermione, there's nothing to think about. And, I suggest that you and Draco start having children within the next year or so, that way by the time you both are twenty-one, you can be sure that there will most likely be one male child."
"Within the next year? Are you mad?! I plan on continuing my education!"
"Well, I'm sorry dear, but you really have no choice. If you were getting married under normal circumstances, we would have been able to explain all of this to you. You'll have to make a choice between having a child or Draco losing his entire family. This is not up for debate, Hermione."
Hermione sighed. She never felt more stuck than she did at this very moment. As much as she didn't want to have children with Draco, she didn't want him to be disowned either.
Meanwhile...
"Now, Draco, have you given any though as to where you and Hermione will be living?" asked Lucius.
"Well, no. Not really. We have at least six or seven months before we have to decide don't we?"
"Actually, if you don't mind, I would like it if you and your wife lived here until you both turn twenty-one."
"Well, I'd have to talk to Hermione about it. I wouldn't mind, I guess, as long as we can have our own wing of the manor, but I think that she might want to live somewhere else. Why do you want us to live here anyway?"
"To ensure that there will be heirs, of course! You know that having children is a requirement."
"Yes, I know. Hermione doesn't want children though. I'd rather not bring it up so soon after the wedding. We have time to figure it out," Draco said, trying to think of something else to talk about.
Suddenly Lucius started laughing. "Well, with the help of Professor Snape, that is out of her hands. She will have children."
"What do you mean by with the help of Professor Snape?"
"Well, do you remember making a fertility potion in class a few weeks before your wedding ceremony?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Well, it was me that suggested that he have the students make it and then give the supply to me."
"YOU DID WHAT?!" Draco yelled.
"Hush, Draco- your wife and mother will hear! Last night while you two were dancing, I slipped some into her drink. And seeing as how her drink was gone within the hour, I assume she drank the potion in it," Lucius said, rolling his eyes.
Draco was horrified. What if Hermione ended up pregnant because of last night? They hadn't thought to use any protection, yet again, and he was sure that if she was in fact pregnant she would definitely blame him somehow.
"Father, I swear if she gets pregnant because of this- you're certainly going to be the one dealing with her!" Draco said, and huffed off to find Hermione.
Great! This is just what I need right now. Hermione is going to hate me if she ends up pregnant! I just got her to start being comfortable around me! Of all times, Father had to choose the night of our wedding to meddle in our business! Damn him…I need to go talk to her now that way she's prepared and can decide what to do about it. Draco thought as he walked towards his room.
A/N: Okay guys. I really appreciate the reviews I got, but I know you all can do better! Rip my writing apart if you want- I just want to see that you're reading and like (or dislike!) the story enough to say something!
So, no new update after this until I reach at least 10 total reviews. That's not too hard, now is it? Just five more. I know you can do it! Reviews are what keep me updating people! I have up to chapter 12 written and the faster you review, the faster you get an update. I'm mean, I know.
Anyway- review, review, review! And adding me to your alerts is nice too.
Thanks guys! 3
KasandraLeann
