Disclaimer: So, I don't own Harry Potter...


Hermione could feel the tension in the room the second Professor Snape opened the doors to the Great Hall. Hermione nearly ran to keep up with the man's long strides.

Hermione's eyes searched for McGonagall. Dumbledore would've never let this happen in the Great Hall, in front of every Hogwarts student. Hermione had to look twice to be sure.

McGonagall was nowhere to be found.

Hermione also looked for Ginny, who was standing next to Ron and Harry. The two were in the aisle next to the Gryffindor table. The boys were inches from each other. Ron's face was an unfortunate shade of bright red.

Ginny looked like she was ready to cry, but she looked relieved when she noticed Hermione.

Hermione stood behind Ron, next to Professor Snape. Harry had seen her, but didn't tell Ron she was here. Probably a wise choice.

She also wondered what they were fighting about.

"She can't love him, Harry! He's a git." Ron stated, and Hermione was surprised he didn't yell.

"You've been acting like a git, Ron!" Harry responded, and Hermione silently agreed with him.

"She dumped me! For a Death Eater!" Ron yelled, clenching his fists angrily.

Hermione glanced behind her, having felt Draco's presence in the Great Room. Draco rolled his eyes when he knew she saw him.

Hermione knew her husband was a Death Eater. But deep down, she knew he was kind-hearted, and that he would never hurt her for the Dark Lord.

"You don't know that for sure, Ron." Hermione interrupted. She noticed Ron's entire body stiffened when he heard her voice.

"And you do?" Ron asked, whipping around to face her. His eyes narrowed when he noticed Draco.

"I think I'd know that about my husband, Ronald. Especially if he and I have been... intimate," Hermione responded, smiling sweetly. She knew it would fuel Ron's anger.

"He doesn't deserve you, Hermione! He treated you like shit your entire time here." Ron said, glaring at Draco. "Or have you forgotten that?"

"People change, Ronald." Ginny said, smiling at Hermione. Hermione smiled back, wondering where Lavender was and what her reaction to this spectacle was. Lavender was seated next to Luna, and Lavender looked absolutely crushed.

"Andmy own sister is defending Malfoy! What the hell is going on? I'm fucking tired of being the last to know everything!" Ron roared, his face turning red.

Hermione looked at Draco. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what would settle Ron's temper. Draco shrugged, but the look in his eyes told her not to tell Ron anything.

"Gryffindor will be losing forty points, due to your temper."

Ron's face turned a pale shade of white when Professor Snape finally snapped at Ron. Hermione was wondering when the respected and feared teacher would step in.

Hermione wanted to tell Ron the truth. She wondered if it would make any difference in his attitude towards her.

"Miss Weasely, please escort your brother to Gryffindor tower. Mr. Potter will be joining you shortly." Ginny nodded at Professor Snape's instructions, taking her brother's arm and dragging him along.

Hermione could her Ron and Ginny arguing as they left the Great Hall.

"I suggest the rest of you finish your breakfasts and begin the rest of your days." Professor Snape said, addressing everyone that was staring at them. "Now!" Professor Snape added and the students jumped to life.

"Potter, do not start quarrels in the Great Hall while your Head of House is elsewhere. It also caused unnecessary drama to this situation. Go make sure Mr. Weasley hasn't escaped his sister's watch." Professor Snape said, addressing Harry.

Hermione and Draco went to their own tables, as Snape made his way to the high table.

"I think you're really brave, Hermione." Neville said, smiling at her as she sat down next to him.

"Why is that, Neville?" Hermione asked, helping herself to large amounts of food.

"For marrying Malfoy. At first I thought it was a secret plan for You Know Who, but Luna said that was ridiculous. Associating yourself with the enemy is very brave." Neville's statement left Hermione sitting there with her mouth open. He focused on another conversation before Hermione could say thank you.


Draco supposed he should talk to Pansy at some point.

Third year, Draco began to notice Pansy's not-so-subtle hints at her feelings for him. Fifth year, after a year of beating around the bush, Draco and Pansy had lost their virginity together. After that, they'd never really been an 'official' couple. Yet they had developed some kind of warped relationship. He believed Muggles called it 'Friends With Benefits', but he wasn't positive.

Millicent had even told him that Pansy was getting tired of their relationship. A day later Draco married Hermione.

That was probably a shitty move on his part.

Pansy was one of his best friends, and a damn good shag, but he loathed the idea of marrying her.

His friendships with Crabbe and Goyle haven't changed. The boys followed Pansy around like she was the new Draco, though.

Blaise was constantly busy, between trying to ward off Millicent's advancements and Head Boy duties.

Draco and Blaise had discussed Draco's sudden relationship with Hermione. Blaise was understanding, and he certainly didn't judge Draco for marrying a Muggle.

It probably helped that Blaise had been at the meeting when the Dark Lord had dropped his great plan for Draco. Blaise knew exactly what was going on.

"Potter and Weasely don't know the real story, do they?" Blaise asked Draco, dragging Draco out of his thoughts.

Draco had gone to the Slytherin common room to find his forgotten friends. Hermione's quest to be on good terms with Ginny had made him miss the Slytherins. Some of them, anyway.

They were in the Head Boy's room, talking as if nothing had changed between them.

"Hermione doesn't know, either." Draco stated, guilt washing over him. He still needed to tell Hermione the full truth behind their marriage.

"Are you bloody mad, Draco? Hermione is going to kill you. And she's capable of it."

"Blaise, the second I tell her, Hermione will run to Pothead. Then the Weasels will get involved, dragging the whole Ministry of Magic into the situation." Draco stated, as if it was obvious.

"Hermione has new loyalties, Draco. She knows you're going to protect her, and that you care for her. I can see it on her face, plain as day." Blaise stated, studying Draco for some kind of reaction.

Draco merely shrugged.

"I'll tell her when I'm ready, Blaise."

"You probably should have told her before you shagged her." Blaise added, with an eyebrow raised.

"How did... Never mind. I'll tell her soon, before the Dark Lord starts asking more questions." Draco said, thinking back to the awkward questioning. He didn't want to suffer through that humiliation again.

"Now go find Pansy, she's been asking about you." Blaise said, with a pitying tone to his voice.

Draco groaned. Blaise went to his desk, pulled out a book and some parchment. After grabbing a quill, the Slytherin started to study.

Draco left the Head Boy's room, dragging his feet.

Draco sat on the couch in the common room, waiting to see Millicent or Pansy. After a really long time (five minutes), Draco scared a second year into going and getting Pansy from the 7th year dormitory.

Pansy always made him wait.

"Well, well. If it isn't his majesty, come to grace the lowly Slytherins with his presence." Pansy sneered, hands on her hips. Draco tried to resist rolling his eyes.

"Follow me," Draco commanded, getting up and walking out of Slytherin headquarters to the nearest empty classroom. He dragged her inside, ignoring her sound of protest.

"You have five minutes to explain yourself before I start hurling hexes at you, Draco." Pansy said, glaring at him. She sat on top of one of the desks, watching him.

"I'm sorry I've been distant lately. I've been trying to deal with Hermione." Draco said, but he knew it wasn't going to appease her.

"Draco, we were shagging pretty regularly. Have been for years. Then suddenly you're married to a Mudblood?" Pansy said, glaring at him.

"Pansy, the entire situation is out of my control. My life was on the line." Draco failed to add that his life was still in danger.

"Are you telling me the Dark Lord is involved in your marriage?" Pansy guessed, her eyes widening in disbelief. Pansy was had more brains than people gave her credit for.

Draco paused, wondering how to attack this problem. The pause was enough confirmation for Pansy, apparently.

"Hermione doesn't know the whole story, does she?" Pansy guessed, narrowing her eyes. She always surprised the hell out of Draco.

"No, she doesn't. And you aren't going to tell her."

Pansy's posture relaxed, as if an entire weight had been lifted off her shoulders.


Hermione sat in Gryffindor commons, trying to figure out how to calm down Ron and Harry. The boys rarely fought like this. Hermione, Ginny and Lavender sat on the couch, focusing on the two boys bickering in front of them.

"I still don't see why she's here," Ginny muttered, her arms crossed in defiance. Ginny had been against Lavender witnessing the fight, but Hermione had insisted on it.

The boys would sensor themselves with Lavender around, which toned down the hostility of the fight. The boys also wouldn't scream secrets for the whole house to hear if Lavender was present.

But Hermione knew she had to tell Ron the truth. Hermione had to get Lavender out of here.

"Hey, Ginny, Lavender. Can I talk to the boys alone?" Hermione asked, waiting for the explosion of anger. Much to her surprise, Ginny nodded and left. Lavender had no choice but to follow.

"Ron, sit down and shut up." Hermione said, hoping her face portrayed how angry she really was. Harry's eyes widened in surprise, and Ron just stared at her. Moments later, Ron lowered himself into a chair opposite the couch. Harry took the other chair, and Hermione settled for the couch.

"Ron, I haven't told you the whole story behind my marriage to Draco. I wasn't planning to break up with you, ever. I wasn't even planning on it when Professor Snape and Draco summoned me to a meeting with them."

"Snape's involved in this?" Ron asked, nearly growling. Hermione was surprised she could get that much in before his anger erupted.

"Draco would have died if I refused to marry him, Ron. I can't live with that kind of guilt."

"He treated you like dirt all the time, Hermione! He's our enemy! And you're shagging him!" Ron shouted, his face turning red. Ron straightened in his chair, watching Hermione. Waiting for her to say something.

Harry's emerald eyes locked with Hermione's brown eyes. They narrowed in suspicion before Hermione had to look away.

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, jumping out of his seat.

"Did he hurt you?" Harry asked, watching her face for any sign of hurt.

Hermione instantly shook her head, "No, Harry. He's changed. He won't hurt me."

"Hermione, you're putting too much faith in a git!" Ron exclaimed, staring at her.

"Sometimes I think I do that with you, Ron." Hermione said, narrowing her eyes. Ron's eyes widened in response. Harry was still staring at her.

Hermione and Ron stared at each other, anger in both expressions. Harry looked like a deer caught in headlights, for he didn't know which friend to side with.

"I guess we just can't recover from this, Ronald. See you later, Harry." Hermione said, walking out of the Gryffindor common room.


An: Sooooo... sorry this chapter took a little longer. Kinda busy. =/