"Can you believe they published this?"
"Who do you think would speak out against the Ministry like this?" Another voice joined the first
Hermione rolled over and covered her head with a pillow. She grumbled at the muffled voices coming through her chestnut coloured door.
"They have a point don't you think?" Hermione recognized Luna's voice
"That because this person was involved in the final battle that they should be exempt? ...Maybe, but a lot of people were there" There was Ginny's shrill voice
Hermione scowled at the pillow that wasn't drowning out the voices and then at her clock for telling her it was 7:00 am. 3 hours sleep.
"What about her concern over her new Potential? She says their past history has been filled with nothing but threats, physical altercations, and blood hatred. Could you imagine being married to a man who hates you? How sad" Lavender's voice echoed from the kitchen.
Grrr. Bloody convention in my living room
There were some more quieter mumblings then her door creaked open. "Hermione you have to read this! Wake up"
Thanks Ginny but I have read it, about 20 times. "What is it?" She asked with fake curiosity
She bounced onto her bed and placed the paper on her lap. The headline "My Gilded Cage: Interview with a Potential." She skimmed over the article to see what last minute changes Rita Skeeter had made.
Rita was reluctant to put such a piece out because of the backlash reporters were receiving from the Ministry if they spoke out about the Marriage Law, but Hermione reminded her of the debt she owed. Rita conceded but demanded that Hermione remain anonymous. Hermione was appalled, she wasn't ashamed about what she had to say, but Rita told her what happened to other Potentials that spoke out.
*** "The Ministry is not backing down. They will do whatever it takes for the Potentials to accept a partner. I've had parents come to me saying their son or daughter had mind spells conducted on them. They've lost their personality or ended up damaged. I spoke to one of my sources at St. Mungo's they have 7 patients they know were involved in the program. There are five that are spending time at Azkaban. It's not worth your life to fight against them... I'll publish this only if you promise to use a fake name or just be anonymous. I'm sorry you're a part of this" ***
Hermione remembered the fear of Rita's face and the uncharacteristic hug she gave her. Her fear made Hermione concerned for her safety but Rita reassured her that the Ministry would fine her and give her a warning, but the damage would be done.
Hermione looked down at the paper and read what the two women had worked all night on:
...'My lovely source says that "The Ministry is blinded by their desire for magical babies that common sense has been pushed aside along with our personal freedoms. They're playing to our society's fear of extinction and forcing co-operation of the Potentials through threats. This genius speaks with passion beyond her years and pleads for the Magical community to rise up against this Marriage Law and allow for men and women to follow their hearts. Many of Potentials have already given up their lives and freedom in protest. Join them"'
"What has the response been?" Hermione looked up to Ginny. She pulled her by the arm into the living room where Luna was sprinkling sugar on her cereal and Lavender was doodling in her notebook. Saturday mornings were always full of visit from friends.
Luna turned up the Radio "...These accusations are ridiculous. Each Pairing is highly researched for the highest compatibility and fertility. This is obviously an attempt to slander the Ministry and the Arrangement of Preferred Pairing program. Centuries of research has shown that we are in fact breeding out magic. We need drastic measures and we need them now. The mixture of Pureblood and Muggleborn has shown the highest results of Magical children. Using fear? We're using the truth. The truth is this Law is necessary for our survival. As for Rita Skeeter, she is known for exaggerating the truth and this source is likely another one of her creations. That's all the time I'm going to spend on that. Please have a wonderful day ..."
Hermione was outraged, "How can he blow it off like that? This article is the truth"
"Oh Hermione you know what a liar Rita is. She must have pretended to have a source, and made this all up."
Did I make a mistake by using her?
"The Ministry is threatening the Potentials. We're being partnered with people we shouldn't be...You don't get it" Hermione crossed her arms
Lavender put down her pen, "We know this has been hard on you, but many people from this program have already married. It looks like it's working"
Luna jumped in, "Also there are tons of people working on this, and they want it to work"
"I know I'm not the only one that agrees with this article. You can't possibly understand having your freedom taken away or been paired with Malfoy!" Whether it was the lack of sleep or stress, Hermione collapsed on the carpet and buried her head in her hands.
Her friends started at her revelation and moved from their respective spots to circle their crying friend.
"I..I..hate this. I haven't cried this much since the..the war" Hermione let her head fall on Ginny's shoulder and relaxed a little under Luna's hand stroking her back and Lavender patting her knee.
"Wow Malfoy," Ginny said the ease the silence
"I don't know why" Hermione sniffled
"At least he's attractive" Luna offered. The three girls looked at her in shock.
"I never knew Luna," Lavender teased
Which added more color to Luna's blush, "Well it's a positive." Ginny and Lavender nodded
Lavender smiled, "And he has so many houses you'd never have to see him"
Hermione raised her head, "But it's Malfoy. I don't need to marry him. I still have one more guy"
Ginny smiled, "That's true. Would it be justice if he had to marry you? After all the terrorizing and name calling"
Hermione rolled her eyes
"Do you think this is why he broke up with Pansy?" Ginny voice sounding like she solved a puzzle
"It is. If only they would have gotten married I would have to endure a week with him," Hermione answered
"When do you meet him?" Lavender asked crossing her arms on her legs
Hermione looked at the large clock that hung over the couch, "20 minutes." She got up and made her way to the bedroom. The friends she left on the floor quickly scurried up and followed her to the bedroom
"You should go as a slob," Ginny suggested
"No way, dress up. If you look hot, he'll be unable to think straight," Lavender counter
"As if that's ever been a problem with that slimy ferret" Hermione said pulling open her pants drawer and pulled out some jeans. Luna was at her closet pulling shirts out for the other girls' opinion. Hermione swatted her away from the clothes, "Of all the problems I'm having right now, dressing isn't one of them."
"Can you believe you're going on an actual date with Draco Malfoy?" Lavender giggled
Hermione buttoned the jeans and pulled on a nice red turtleneck sweater. "You make it sound like it's fabulous and romantic. I call it 'putting in my time'" She moved to her vanity to put on some light make-up
"If we were still at Hogwarts all the girls would be so jealous," Lavender said fiddling with the blanket and gazing off
"But we're not at Hogwarts and I'm being dragged to this ... It's not like I'm going to pick him anyway. I'll have to take the last guy"
"Then why are you using your favourite lip gloss," Luna asked
Hermione looked down at the tube with surprise. What am I doing? I don't have to look nice. She looked at her friends in the mirror, "I don't know"
Ginny smiled. "We understand," She stood up and used her wand to soften the frizziness of her hair so that it fell in soft waves, "Malfoy may be an ass but he's always been the hottest guy we know. Well second to Harry in my opinion. Also, the last thing you need to give him is ammunition."
Thanks Ginny
The girls smiled and nodded.
"Merlin. I can't believe I got the ferret!"
"It must be fate" Luna said wistfully
"Nope just bad luck" Hermione grumbled pulling the softened waves into a low ponytail. Hermione took one more look in the mirror then grabbed her beige jacket off the back of her desk chair. "Any advice?"
"Try not to let him get to you" "Speak your mind" "Focus on getting to next week"
Hermione tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach I'm not nervous.*Sure* Ugh, here we go.
POP
Hermione shifted her feet and leaned against the tree she had apparated to.
After she agreed to meet Malfoy they decided on the forest outside Salisbury Cathedral. The sun filtered down through the different coloured leaves and Hermione inhaled the crisp fall air but stuffed her hands deeper into her pockets to fight the morning chill. To her right she could hear the bubbling of the River Nadder and to the left voices of the Cathedral visitors. Hermione thought about the excitement she experienced when she came here with her parents. It was nice to return, but it would have been nicer without the unwanted date.
Hermione glanced at her watch, 7:05. Late. She kicked the fallen leaves and huffed.
"Waiting for me Granger. Just like you should be"
"Whatever Malfoy." She said on a sigh and slowly turned towards that familiar silky voice. She was taken by surprise at his appearance. She knew that he was good looking but to be this close was like a slap in the face. He was taller than she remembered, her head now only reaching the bottom of his chin, but it was his body that caught her attention. He was more muscular than she remembered, his shoulders were wider and he looked like he kept in shape. I wonder if he still plays Quidditch. She scolded herself when she was side tracked by the image of him astride a broom with the wind blowing back his hair and robe. He had a similar build to Harry and Ron. His blond hair drifted loosely with the wind across his forehead is silky waves that caused her hands to itch with the desire to stroke them. It was his eyes that drew her in and snapped her out of her daydream.
Although everything else was vaguely familiar it was his piercing silver grey eyes that reminded her of the power and darkness within him, Draco Malfoy. He was gorgeous and frightening at the same time. Dealing with the young selfish daddy's boy she had pictured was easier than dealing with this powerful man standing in the forest with her. On top of the confusion her mind was in, her magic was beginning to rise, spreading down her legs and through her arms. It felt like her skin was the last boundary holding it back. What the heck is going on?
Draco looked bored and shifted his weight, "Let's get his horrible hour over with Granger."
She crossed her arms and moved in the direction of the Cathedral.
"You should have taken your first pick. I prefer to stay as far as possible from such a stench." Malfoy looked at her with a sneer and kicked whatever was on the ground in front of him
Hermione scowled at him. "Well I'm surprised you're even letting them manipulate you like this. Not as powerful as you thought, or couldn't Daddy buy you out of this?"
Draco's face darkened and smiled self-assuredly, "They felt I was priceless. However they must be delusional to include you"
Hermione sighed and walked faster down the leaf covered path. "Let's just get this over with. If I have to spend an hour with you I want to be looking at something interesting." She could hear him marching loudly behind her
"Always the martyr, 'Oh poor Princess Gryffindor. Sacrificing her time to the Mighty Malfoy'. You sound like that self-righteous bint in the article today. " He picked up speed to walk in front of her.
They came out of the trees into the Cathedral courtyard. People were milling about looking at the structure and taking pictures, most were gathered together at the entrance.
Draco's nonchalant attitude was getting on her nerves. He was walking ahead of her with his stupid swagger as if he was better than her. She strode up and pulled his arm so he turned to her, his face full of surprise. "'Mighty Malfoy' my ass. You're no better than anyone else you git! You've done nothing special. You think it's so great because your family slept with relatives? Most people would be ashamed of that." She pointed her finger and said angrily
"You couldn't possibly understand you scrubber. You're an abomination and shouldn't be a part of the wizard world" He stepped forward with anger on his face
"Argh!" Hermione threw her hands up in exasperation, "I'd be better off speaking to a brick wall! You've got to be the most close-minded egotistical narcissistic jerk ever"
Draco smiled happily, making Hermione's stomach flip uncomfortably, "Thank you. Now shut up and look at the building." He turned away and started forward again.
"I'm surprised you picked somewhere your shoes might get dirt on them you nancy." Hermione mumbled
"Has your brain cells depleted from being around Raggedy Anne and the brainless wonder? Quiet means no speaking"
Hermione mocked him silently and once they reached the walkway to the Cathedral she picked up the pace to walk beside him. "Harry and Ron are doing well. Married with kids, unlike you"
Draco scoffed.
Hermione gazed at the wonderful pillars and windows of the Cathedral, "Wow look at the detail." When they got closer she marvelled at how tall it was. Draco spent his time looking at the people and looking incredibly bored.
"You could at least enjoy the building Malfoy"
"I'd enjoy it more without your nattering. I don't want to be here but I'm forced to be for another," glance at his gold pocket watch he pulled from his black jacket pocket, "20 minutes"
"Argh. Fine then let's go over there and wait for the time to pass" Pointing to a stone bench a few feet away.
"Fine!"
The couple glared at each other and stomped angrily to the side of the crowd. They stood beside the bench glaring out at the people and the cathedral for five minutes. Hermione admired the beautiful grounds and listened to the excitement of the visitors. She watched a little girl with long auburn curls running in front of her parents pointing excitedly at the building. She was wearing a beautiful long red jacket with big black buttons and a huge smile. The little girl's hair bounced while she hopped eagerly for her parents to join her. It made Hermione's heart ache with longing for that happy picture to be her own. When she glanced at Draco out of the corner of her eye she saw he was watching the family too. The mask he usually wore had slipped and she recognized the same longing she had. It was surprising to see such an open and human emotion from him. It made her very uncomfortable.
Hermione sat on the bench. Draco turned up his nose, crossed his arms and continued to stand at the furthest side.
"You're such a child"
"Shut up Granger"
"All I want is civility," Her mind slipped to Blaise, "Why can't you be more mature like Blaise?"
"Blaise should know better. And when did you become friends?" Draco spoke looking down his nose at her
Hermione turned up her nose and looked the other way, "I don't have to explain anything to you, but all I'll say is he grew up in the same situation as you and he recognizes that pureblood superiority is ridiculous"
Draco gave a dry laugh, "You're so gullible. He's probably only playing you. What other reason would he have to spend time with a mudblood?"
Hermione grit her teeth I will not hit him, I will not hit him...She felt the recognizable swell of her magic rising uncalled from within. She felt it move up her stomach, over her shoulder, and down her arm till it pooled in her hand. She was so consumed with her anger that the faint glow her skin took on was unnoticed by her, but not her companion.
His hands dropped to his side, "Enough Granger. Calm down" He said in a soft worried tone
His smooth voice did nothing but awaken excited butterflies in her stomach. "You conceited spoiled brat. Don't you understand!" She jumped up, moving on her magical instinct and grabbed his arm roughly. Before either of them could comprehend what happened, it was over. The magic that had pooled in her hand sparked suddenly sending Draco an array of images that overwhelmed him and caused him to fall to his knees. The instant the spark occurred Hermione's magic brought back into her Draco's emotions at that second which were confusion, anger, disgust, and desire.
Both were breathing heavily and staring with glazed eyes at each other as their bodies recouped from the magical transfer and intimacy they'd shared. Hermione sunk back onto the bench and Draco rose quickly from the cold stone path.
"Wh..what just happened?" Hermione asked in a whisper
Draco's face, which had a stunned confused look snapped to a stoic mask. "I don't know but if you ever touch me again, I'll remove the hand that did"
With that his jacket fluttered behind him as he pushed through the offended crowd into the forest to apparated.
What was it about Malfoy that always made her loose common sense?
